World Soccer Winning Eleven 6 International

"Greatest soccer game ever? Maybe!"

I'm very new to the Pro Evo series,or Winning Eleven as it's known in America.So I didn't know what to expect.But gameplay-wise,THIS IS the best soccer game ever.But not without a few flaws,though.

GAMEPLAY:10/10
Where the game truly shines.Almost everything is perfect.You get to pick out a lot of modes.Sure,there's the arcade-style exhibition,but you also get to do a training mode,consisting of a few minigames such as dribbling and passes.Or for the long-term,you could go for the Master League mode,where you work your way from the bottom to become the champions of the world.The downside is Konami's lack of an FifPro license(which,if obtained,allows all team and player likenesses in Europe).For football fans,how would you feel if someone named your favorite player incorrectly?And even worse,the Dutch team players are only called the Oranges!But for me,after I got into the gameplay,I hardly looked at the player lists.

Konami has done an incredible job in creating soccer realism in this game.It truly feels like a real match;hard tackles flying in,how the ball skids during rain,and how beautiful the goals are scored.It never feel like you're controlling a robot player with dull moves.Perfect score.

GRAPHICS:10/10
This should be the best graphics you will ever see in a soccer game for a long time.Impressive animations were done by Konami,especially when you scored a goal.There are no blocky player graphics,and I have hardly seen any slowdown at all.Players and referee's facial expressions are very realistic,not jut blurry images from other sports games.The elaborate weather effects are great too.Another perfect score.

CONTROLS:8/10
I was not really comfortable with the Pro Evo default controls,because I'm well more suited with the FIFA series.But I did manage to change it to my preferable position though.And beware FIFA fans,the buttons for switching players and passing are individual.While don't look at this the bad way,it actually gives you more realism while playing.Oh well,at least the controls are completely customizable though.

AUDIO:7/10
The biggest flaw of the game.In comparison,John Motson and Ally McCoist's commentary in FIFA 2003 are lightyears better than the pair of Peter Brackley and Trevor Brooking in this game.There wasn't much flowing commentary,and occasionally,both commentators speaks out at the same time,which is totally annoying while you were dribbling for that all-important goal.the other tunes found in the game are all nice,but the commentary needs to be improved for the next Pro Evo game.

REPLAYABILITY:10/10
One of the best multiplayer games ever,and that's saying something.I would even dare to put this game multiplayer modes over those found in Mario Party.While the single player will keep you playing for months,multiplayer truly steals the show.If you have any friends at all(and an extra controller),call him over.Even better if you and your friends have 2 PS2s,an I-link cable,2 multi-taps an 8 controllers(the PS1 Dual Shock are still compatible) for an 8-player soccerfest.Only a few games can match to Pro Evo 2's multiplayer qualities,and this is definitely one of the best multiplayer experiences you will ever find in a soccer game.No,a sports game.

BUY/RENT:BUY
Face it,Konami has reached the pinnacle of soccer gaming.You will be playing this game for months,even years,to come.This is the best-valued game you will ever spend your hard cash on.It has a few flaws,but none of it destroys the total gameplay enjoyment you're going to have.Watch out,this is the best soccer game ever!

FINAL SCORE:9/10

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 11/07/02, Updated 11/07/02