NOT so long ago the battle for the top football game on any console opened up a bit when This Is Football 2002 was released giving Fifa and Pro Evolution Soccer a real run for their money.

Three years on, however, and it all seems to have gone horribly wrong for Sony's masterpiece.

This Is Football 2005 is graphically a very pleasing game, with realistic faces on well over 300 players. Likewise it is packed full of modes and features, the latest special addition being the use of the EyeToy.

Gamers can take a photograph of their face and put their face on one of the footballers. Much like LMA Manager where gamers could put their face on the manager this is a novelty, but a pleasurable one that makes you feel that little bit more a part of the game.

In terms of modes, gamers have over 900 teams to play as, and can take part in the usual exhibition, tournament, season and career mode.

There's even the option of an online tournament where gamers can play other gamers online! To compliment the online matches there's an online karma system. If gamers quit matches early they get a bad karma rating. Online matches can get very interesting, especially with the option to have a four on four match, meaning eight human players playing in one game!

Career mode is by far the most interesting mode. Gamers take control of a schoolboy team and take them from mere schoolboy level right up to the championship itself. This takes part over many seasons but it's quite satisfying to pummel Arsenal 4 - 1 with the likes of Byron Court - perhaps a team inspired by the great poet himself!

The transfer system on this game is fairly flawed. For a player to join your team you simply have to agree a fee to purchase him off the other team. The player gets no say in the transfer himself meaning, within a matter of months, Aston Villa could be playing Raul, Zidane and Van Nistelrooy - an interesting yet unrealistic prospect.

Although This Is Football 2005 looks the part and has a lot to offer, the main problem stems from the fact it simply isn't as good as Pro Evolution Soccer 4. Sure there's the novelty of performing a deliberate foul or diving in the hope that the referee will award you a free kick, but ultimately the game just doesn't feel as smooth and realistic.

The game is a lot easier even on harder difficulty settings and can often result in goals being scored from counter attacks and wing play. Gameplay can be sluggish at times.

TIF 2005 is certainly not a bad game, and some sensational goals can be scored with scorching shots from outside the box but it is not as good as Pro Evo.

Michael Wilson

PRICE: £19.99

PLAYERS: 1-8

AGE RATING: 3+

GENRE: Football

FORMAT: PS2

GRAPHICS: 17/20

SOUND: 10/20

GAMEPLAY: 15/25

LIFESPAN: 15/25

ORIGINALITY: 5/10

OVERALL: 62%

TOP 10

1 Need For Speed: Underground 2

2 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

3 Prince of Persia: Warrior Within

4 Fifa 2005

5 The Incredibles

6 Lord of The Rings: The Third Age

7 Call of Duty: Finest Hour

8 Pro Evolution Soccer 4

9 The Urbz: Sims In The City

10 Goldeneye: Rogue Agent

UPCOMING

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation; Smashing Drive; NFL Street 2