While 'FIFA Soccer' was reinvented to great effect on the current generation of consoles, 'Pro Evolution Soccer' (PES) has somewhat staggered along, relying on the old formula to keep it at the top of the league.

As we've seen in the last two years, that is clearly not enough anymore, and in 'PES 2010' we see the first signs of the series finally getting its soul back and coming to terms with the more powerful hardware.

For example, in my first 10 minutes with 'PES 2010' I get Andrea Pirlo to play an excellently weighted little chip which Pato then slots home past a hopeless Van der Sar. AC Milan 1 Manchester United 0.

It is an experience that says most of what you need to know about 'PES 2010' — most importantly, that 'PES' is once again about playing the beautiful game beautifully.

By contrast, sitting down with 'FIFA 10', it took me quite a while to find the back of the net, never-mind doing so in style. Whereas 'FIFA' is becoming a wonderfully complete and realistic footballing simulation, it doesn't allow you to play Brazilian-style football as easily as 'PES' does — and that above all is what 'PES 2010' has going for it.

Whereas the player animations and game physics still do not compare with that of 'FIFA', there are certainly improvements this time round. The game looks and flows a bit better than what it used to. The controls also feel tighter and more responsive than before. Add a simplified tactical management system and a generally slicker interface, and we've got a set of small advancements that add up to something substantial.

Well-implemented player card and team style systems help make the tactical side of things much simpler than it's ever been. While it is possible to play 'PES' without ever even thinking about tactics, engaging with the more thoughtful side of things in 'PES 2010' is very rewarding and certainly adds a welcome layer of depth to the experience.

As always, on the pitch 'PES' plays a comparatively fast-paced game of football. Passes zip about, you have split-second windows of opportunity to hit those perfect through-balls, and linger for a moment too long and the defender takes the ball off your feet. The way all the elements come together remains as enjoyable as ever.

That said, when put alongside 'FIFA 10' with its excellently implemented 360 degree motion and its remarkable sense of player weight and momentum, one does feel there is a gulf in gameplay realism. 'PES' may be fun, but 'FIFA' is the real thing.

If 'FIFA's' spiritual home is tight tactical premiership matches in the midst of the British winter, 'PES' is slacking off at practice and daydreaming about playing beach soccer in Rio.

The other relevant thing about the Milan/Man U story at the top of this review is that 'PES' owns the rights to the Champion's League. For a series that traditionally has struggled to buy licenses, having secured the rights to the biggest club tournament on the planet is certainly quite a coup. Indeed, while 'PES's master league is as addictive as ever, the Champion's League does elevate things into a whole new sphere of footballing wish-fulfilment. Outside of the Champion's League though, 'PES' is still haunted by countless made up names.

'PES 2010' also offers a pretty solid Be A Legend mode, which allows you to control only a single player on the pitch as opposed to all 11 in your team. Be A Legend plays just about as well as 'FIFA's' Be A Pro and has the benefit of a superior camera that tends to zoom out more intelligently than that in 'FIFA'. Still, Be A Legend, though a welcome novelty, is hardly where you'll spend most of your time.

It is much more likely you'll spend your hours in 'PES's' much-improved online mode. Though rather meagre in comparison to 'FIFA' with its Live Seasons and the like, the zippier take on football does make for some highly enjoyable online matches. I did experience some lag while playing on PSN, but matches were never unplayable as they've been in previous years.

With a wide variety of stadia, weather conditions, and some excellent player likenesses, 'PES' is certainly not bad to look at. As always, 'PES's' replays are also far superior to that of 'FIFA', giving you camera angles that feel as if they were chosen by a football fan, as opposed to 'FIFA's' flashy MTV-style take on the game. Little touches like these make you feel that, despite falling behind in recent years, 'PES' still has more of a feel for the beautiful game.

To summarise the 'PES' vs. 'FIFA' battle then: 'FIFA' is the more advanced, more realistic and more complete football game. In addition, that 'PES' deserves a yellow card for not having evolved as much as 'FIFA' over the past few years is hardly disputable.

All that said though, it remains easier to play beautiful football in 'PES'. And, after all, when you play a quick one-two, then chip the ball into open space for an on-rushing forward to slide home cheekily, you'll fall in love with 'PES' — not for its realism, graphics, or superb physics, but for its generosity toward your football-loving heart.

8.4/10

Buy this game: PS3 | Xbox 360 | Wii | PC | PS2

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