Pro Evolution Soccer 3 PS2 game

Pro Evolution Soccer 3

2003

Overall rating: 3.5 out of 5

from 355 members

Oh yes, this is the stuff. Do we really have to go through this whole rigmarole again? You know that Konami make the best football games around, we don't have to tell you that; what we can tell you about Pro Evolution Soccer 3 is that KCE TYO (that's one of Konami's Tokyo studios) has outdone itself. PES 3 includes new player models and animations to reflect their real-life counterparts, silky new skills and moves - on and off the ball, no less - and a four-tier Master League, which is where Pro Evolution Soccer 3 takes the ball and runs away with it. In Master League mode, the aim is to create and run your own team with players of your choosing, all the while moulding them into an unbeatable force. There are four leagues, and each is divided into Division 1 (comprising 14 teams) and Division 2 (8 teams). Your team competes against computer-powered teams in a league format. Depending on how you fare in the leagues, your team can be promoted or relegated between the two divisions, and those with good records are invited to participate in the big tournaments. In addition, teams accumulate points by winning matches, and these points can be used to acquire new players and pay salaries. You'll have to perform, however, to stay in the league; finish the season with a negative points total, or let the number of players in your squad drop below 16, and it's game over. It's a good idea to get some practice in, before getting into the serious nitty-gritty that is the Master League. Luckily, PES 3 has a bunch of game modes that are not so demanding. Exhibition matches are an ideal place to start - pick a team, select a difficulty level and off you go. There are lots of other features to tinker with, such as length of the game, extra time, golden goal, penalty shoot-outs - and all this is before you get your virtual hands on your players. As soon as you think you can compete at a difficulty level higher than 'One Star', try one of the Cup or League tournaments on offer and see just how far you can go. The timing of the release of Pro Evolution Soccer 3 is - like the game itself - masterly. With EA's FIFA 2004 due on Halloween, Konami has stolen a march on its main competitor. If you have to have one game or the other, why not go for the first one that comes along? Stop torturing yourselves - get this game!