Video Game Review: 'Pro Evolution Soccer": A first look will impress

If first impressions went a long way, you could be mightily impressed by Pro Evolution Soccer 2010. It looks fantastic, feels like real soccer and has enough different ways to play to keep you playing for a long time.

But if you play for a long time, you start spotting the cracks in the armor ... poor teammate AI, repetitive style of play and commentary that gets old. It's not unusual for a sports game, but if you want to go through some of the career modes here you'll be spending a lot of time with the game. So there you go.

What they're selling: From Konami - "You've broken their defense and are sprinting full throttle into a man to man match of wits and reflexes with Edwin van der Sar ... Do you have what it takes to punch it in for the win?"

What we're telling: Sure, just go low and to the left. Works every time.

The nut graph: It's not complete as far as teams and players, but there is so much content here that you will barely notice. Five different European leagues, Champions League, the second-tier Europa League and national team competitions keep it varied. And you can play either as a team franchise, with lots of financial micromanagement, as a single player in "Become a Legend" or go straight to the Champions League for a tournament.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

The gameplay is fluid although not much changed from earlier versions of the game, and your teammates still play like idiots at times. But the core of the game is a nice simulation of soccer and the pacing is just right.

If you were comfortable with earlier versions of "PES," then this game is a little bit of an upgrade, and the extra content might make it worth your while. But it's not going to feel very different as an experience, and going through even a single season takes quite a long time.

Reason to smile: If you play for a good team, your calendar will be filled with different competitions, and the challenge feels a little bit different for each one.

Reason to growl: It's frustrating when you are open in front of the goal and your teammate will not pass the ball until the defense shows up to cover you.

robert.mcginty@jacksonville.com

(904) 359-4250