There's no doubt that many of these tweaks do make the game far more similar to a real football match (although I still think Henry should be able to beat Heinze for pace, ball or no ball) and that the game is far closer to the sport as a result. However, as much as we love it, football can be dreadfully dull at times, especially when you don't have a strong connection to one of the teams. I look to Pro Evolution for a slightly different type of game. Unrealistic perhaps, but still fun.

Not that PES4 hasn't delivered that on occasion. My first 30-minute match was an absolute thriller, seeing me go three goals down before clawing back to win 4-3. The problem is that these games are far too rare, with One/Two-Nil victories being far more common. I haven't scored any truly exciting goals, either. One or two have been bullet-headers or cheeky lobs, a couple of dozen have been the result of intricate build-up play, but the majority are simple tap-ins from a low cross, or lucky deflections that the goalkeeper really should have dived for (I've noticed that problem as well, Doc Sark).

Of course, it's not all doom and gloom as my first post might have suggested. Defending is much more realistic now, with interceptions being much easier to pull off. Set pieces are much better in the new game, with picking out a specific player more important to success than simply hopefully knocking the ball into the box. And of course, the new teams and customisation options are a bonus.

However, it all adds up to somewhat of a disappointment for me. It's still a great football game, and is miles ahead of FIFA 2005 (which is as irritating to play as ever) but doesn't evoke the same sense of joy that PES3 did a year ago.