World Soccer Winning Eleven 7 International

"Imagine the greatest football game EVER in the world. Now imagine your worst enemy refereeing it."

Winter’s here. And the football season is back. As well as another gruelling Premiership season, we gamers have the Old Firm like battle between the newest FIFA and Pro Evolution Soccer games to look forward to. Each game has their pros and cons and each game has their own fans who believe that the game THEY bought is so much better than the other. “FIFA has every licensed club team,” they say. “FIFA has better commentary.” But rather than win the FIFA fanboys over, Konami are out to keep their own fans happy with the newly released Pro Evolution Soccer 3.

Gameplay: 9/10
Many called the gameplay in Pro Evolution 2 perfect. Little needs to change in most departments. But the most noticeable alteration is the difficulty in scoring a goal. Trying to break down a stubborn computer defence especially after going behind is enough to leave the weak hearted in tears but because of this so is finally slamming home an expertly crafted goal. Most of my early England European Cup runs were littered with 0-0 draws and frustrating penalty shoot out defeats. But still the game somehow seems to be addictively hard rather than frustratingly so.

One thing that IS controller throwingly frustrating is the standard of the referees. How legendary referee Pierluigi Collina can sign his name on the box is beyond me. The inconsistency is enough for you to never shout abuse at Mike Riley and co from the stands again. Straight red cards come so frequently that the sound of the whistle automatically triggers nervous speeches of forgiveness from me and all of my mates though I can’t repeat the language used towards the man in black after witnessing what he calls a foul. The new advantage rule is a mess used even when the fouling player giggles off with the ball but still isn’t used when it blatantly should be. Although as hard as he tries, the referee cannot fully ruin the heavenly bliss that is Pro Evolution 3 in its full flow. The intelligent player movement and vast tactical depth makes sure that as far as gameplay goes there’s nothing out there that can touch it. Pure perfection.

Graphics: 9/10
A major improvement in all areas of the graphics. The visuals are up there with the best on the Playstation 2 and the animations are faultless too. From Golden Balls’ beautiful blonde locks to Luke Chadwick’s gormless stare, the game provides the best player likenesses I have ever seen.

Sound: 5/10
The poor commentary and the lack of licensing were always the main drawbacks from the Pro Evolution series but both have improved if only slightly. Congratulations go to Peter Brackley and Trevor Brooking for improving to the point that I no longer feel the need to mute the TV. They pair do an adequate job. There’s nothing I can fault about the commentary although there’s nothing to write home about either. Little else as changed aurally.

Lifespan: 10/10
Rate the lifespan as highly as you’d rate real football. I and many others played Pro Evolution 1 & 2 to the day its successor was released. And with the addition of an expanded Master League, enhanced training mode and an improved Edit Mode featuring player transfers, I might not even need the inevitable Pro Evolution Soccer 4. Then again, that’s what I’ve said the last two years.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 11/04/03