Another year, another double dose of everyone's favourite console footy action, and like every year before it, the question is posed, Fifa, or PES? Both games indeed have their faithful followers, who despite the quality of each respective title, will stick with their own brand regardless. It's almost as if the game's developers don't care about bettering themselves and the previous year's instalment, but rather, try to out-do the other, leaving fans worldwide with the same question each year, which to buy? This year, the question is a tad easier, with pros and cons for both games, and promises of improvements made on both fronts.

While FIFA sells by the shed-load, come rain or shine, thanks mainly in part to licenses and added realism, PES has always been considered the technical superior for critics and fans alike in terms of gameplay, and its fluid depiction of the beautiful game. That particular fact however came to an apparent halt last year thanks to the effort made by the boys at EA, with a much improved and totally overhauled FIFA instalment, that left its rival looking a tad stale in comparison. The question now is whether or not PES can show off a few new skills of its own this year and get back on form, or is it indeed destined for relegation?

Promises were made, like always in this business, and knowing they needed to pull out the stops this year to avoid further disappointment, Konami guaranteed to revamp the whole series, even going as far as to expand its own development team and create specialist departments to help get the series back on track. Gameplay was promised as being more realistic, intuitive, and exiting, the graphics apparently closer than ever to real life with improved detail and lighting, and the gameplay, the backbone of any franchise, was said to be more solid than ever, supported by new moves, new animations, and a smoother, more flowing play system. Basically, all the usual spiel they churn out every year to grab your attention. While PES is usually the more easily handled, almost "arcadey" of the two, with Fifa being the more realistic, it's quite a surprise that Fifa has this year, tried to add a little more excitement to its release, whereas PES on the other hand, is trying to be true to life. It seems that by trying to out-do one another, the two series' have crossed over, and have almost become each another instead! The old saying that, if it isn't broke, don't fix it, may indeed apply to PES, which has generally been the gamers football game of choice for years now, and following last year's slight disappointment, and Fifa's impressive addition this year, the pressure has never been greater for Konami to turn things around again. And for their sake, I hope they can...

Gameplay:

With that in mind, you kind of know what you can expect in terms of gameplay from PES. For a series that's had it so right for so long, you don't even expect any radical changes in the gameplay department. It's the game that fans know, fans have mastered, and that fans love. Unfortunately, too much of one thing always runs it course, and while some may welcome the same familiar gameplay, others are screaming out for innovation. The demand for such innovation and new ideas wouldn't even be an issue if it wasn't for EA's rival title making such strides towards perfection, but it's a key area that indeed seems that Fifa has taken on board and eased into pole position, taking PES's own style and actually innovating on it itself. For any PES fan, you'll be able to pick up and play this game right out of the box, knowing exactly where you stand here. But that may in turn disappoint you, as the lack of innovation, specifically when compared to that of Fifa, is painfully apparent.

Graphics:

Promises of better visuals, improved lighting and smoother animations, are almost fulfilled. Simply put, PES has never looked better. The attention given to the look of the game, and the individual players themselves, was certainly worthwhile. A high point for both series, PES has hit the nail firmly on the head here. A vital area for fans and critics alike, the boys over at Konami graphics department can sleep content knowing that their job has been well done. Unfortunately, the animations themselves aren't quite as refined, and occasionally disappoint. They lack that extra polish that the graphics were treated to, and as a result, detract from an area that could and should be outstanding. Still, with the fast paced nature of the game, it's something that most gamers will barely notice, or indeed pay attention to.

Sound:

The audio of PES is another high point. All the usual effects and voices are present and correct, with the familiar duo of Mark Lawrenson and John Champion doing the commentary rounds once more, offering the same standard of analysis and dissection that we've come to know and love over the years. The weak point has generally been the music though, and this year sees a big improvement in that area. The addition of fully licensed tracks banging out while you navigate PES's menus adds that extra level of sheen, and it's hard to fault the effort made on the sound improvements all-round.

Longevity:

As with any game in the series, the longevity of a PES title is great. Not only will you lose countless hours playing the game alone, winning tournaments, lifting pixelated trophies, striving for achievements, but it's the ideal game to throw on when the guys come round, to beat one another up and down the pitch as you drink long into the night and wake up forgetting it ever happened, or to go online and take on a player half-way round the world as you scream into the mic when he lobs you from the half-way line! With so many options, both competitive and co-op, including the Become a Legend mode introduced last year, and an almost limitless multiplayer appeal, be it online or local, PES as expected, delivers in strides. It should also be noted that this year, Konami are using dedicated servers to host online game, a move designed to tackle the expected lag issues of peer-to-peer play that cripple even the best online games. The difference is instantly noticeable, and while it may not quite be up to Fifa's online standards, it's still a healthy base which Konami can certainly build on in the years to come. With promises of ongoing team and statistical updates throughout the year, and even DLC with new content, new teams and new venues, never has PES offered more bang for it's buck.

Overall:

Unfortunately, despite all the new additions in PES 2010 and things it does get right, you get the feeling of underwhelming achievement, like it should have been so much more. The bar is raised each year, never more so than Fifa 10 this year, and the simple fact is, the two games ARE in direct comparison to one another, and given all of Fifa's improvements and innovations, PES feels almost stale stood beside it. Going back to the original question raised in this review, Fifa or PES, the answer is clearly Fifa this year, and it's hard to imagine why anyone looking for the best new football game on the market would opt for PES over FIFA, unless they are stubborn fans of the series who are too attached and in denial. FIFA betters PES in almost every area this year, and the series continued lack of major gameplay innovations is becoming quite worrying to say the least, adding pre-mature age and lineage to an otherwise decent title.