PES 2011 Pro Evolution Soccer

The Story

PES might not be top dog in console terms these days, but it’s still a cracking footie game and with nothing with its heritage available on Android, it looks a decent bet for armchair football enthusiasts to stretch their fingers.

PES 2011 lacks a proper Premiership license, so Liverpool become Merseyside Red, Man City become, you guessed it, Man Blue and Newcastle are dubbed Tyneside…

The Experience

PES has always been about exciting, fast-paced gameplay and the Android version doesn’t disappoint, with real pick-up-and-play value thanks to the quick match option. Got 5 minutes to kill? Load it up and have a quick thrash against a random opponent.

Those of you who want more depth will be pleased to know that you can dive into a full league season, or get stuck into a cup tournament. There’s also a standalone UEFA Club Competition option available.

Before playing you can select tactics, pick your team and choose your substitutes before heading out onto the pitch. Stats fans won’t be disappointed, with numerical values attached to each player’s speed, defensive and attacking skills, power, etc and a dynamic form engine that sees players develop depending on their performance. In-game, PES powers along at a frantic pace… Provided you have a phone powerful enough to cope with the graphical prowess on show here.

PES looks superb, plays brilliantly and with five difficult levels, from Beginner through to Top Player, it’s challenging enough for anyone, and if you want to hone your skills, there’s a training mode to take you through set pieces and open play.

Until EA gets its FIFA act together on Android, PES rules the roost. And should the two go head-to-head, PES is definitely in with a shout.