The Pro Evolution Soccer series has over the last decade transformed into becoming one of the most enjoyable computer games available. Developed by Konami, who are famous for games such as the Metal Gear Solid and Silent Hill series, these video game have challenges EA Sports approach to game design, and in particular, the actual gameplay.

I have been playing association football games for as long as I remember. FIFA 98 will always be an old time favourite and I have to admit; even playing it today is enjoyable. However, I have been less than impressed the last 4 years with the PC versions of the FIFA games. I do not own a standalone game console, and I don’t want to. In this day of age, with almost all technology converging into a single device, I find it hard to convince myself that buying a game console is worth the money (in addition to stealing valuable time away from essay research, jibby). I own a PC and a Mac and I expect these devices to run computer games just as well (or in some cases better) as a standalone game console.

Konami have always impressed my with the PC versions of their games, in particular the PES series. Their approach is also relatively simple and makes sense – they produce the game for specifically for Xbox, and subsequent version (PC, PS3, etc) revolve around the same framework from the original version but simply adapting the video engine correctly. The interface, the layout, the gameplay, the graphics stay the same.

The PC version of PES2010 is outstanding. I have never been as impressed by a single game ever in my life before (the second closest that comes to mind is PES2009). I am a complete PES addict. I find myself waking up in the middle of the night feeling the raging need for a quick exhibition match between Inter Milan and Juventus. I’ll do it in coach mode if I have to, I just want to see the game.

The animation and the moves are second to none, and you always find yourself seeing new things. It isn’t like a broken record reapiting the same old predictable expressions and movements again and again. And each player has his own playing personality which the Konami team have obviously research a bit before programming some of the larger names in world football. Drogba is stubborn like Drogba, Messi is a trickster like Messi, Steven Gerrard’s form is unpredictable like Steven Gerrard. It is believable and playing the game can sometimes feel like watching a real one on television.

There are some things I expect to see improvement on for the 2011 edition, such as a better system for set pieces, improved commentary and an enhanced managerial control. The gameplay enginge is currently the most realistic in the history of associating football gaming, and it will only get better.

Releasing a new game each October every year since 2001, Konami are establishing themselves not just as rivals to EA Sports, but they are currently on top in my opinion.