| Pro Evolution Soccer Management | |
| Developer: | Konami |
| Publisher: | Konami |
| Series: | Pro Evolution Soccer |
| Platforms: | PlayStation 2 |
| Genre: | Sports, business simulation |
| Modes: | Single player, Multiplayer |
Pro Evolution Soccer Management (also known as PESM or PES Manager/Management) is a football management game released exclusively in Europe on March 24, 2006. It is the third football management game in the Pro Evolution Soccer series, following the Japan only releases of Winning Eleven Tactics: J-League and Winning Eleven Tactics: European Club Soccer.[1] [2]
The game is based around the 2005–06 footballing season. At the start of the game, you are asked to select the club you want to manage. You have a selection of 114 clubs, ranging from 6 different leagues to choose from. These are:
Every time a match is completed, Glory Points are earned. Glory Points can be spent within the game to unlock certain players, extra features, etc. When a certain total is reached, you can apply to manage at a new club (the better the club, the more Glory Points you need). As you stay at a club for longer, you will earn more Glory Points.
Matches are realised using the Pro Evolution Soccer 5 engine, and features commentary from Trevor Brooking and Clive Tyldesley. While not all teams are licensed (Liverpool are named Merseyside Red, for example), players are able to edit teams and players or import save data from Pro Evolution Soccer 5.[3]
The game received fairly negative reviews, with critics pointing to the awkward interface and lack of official league and time licences and comparing the title unfavourably to other management simulation series such as LMA Manager and Championship Manager.[4] Several team managers and team names are incorrect.[5]
Another point of criticism is the fact that clubs cannot be relegated, therefore the same clubs stay each single season. This has been considered very unrealistic and 'lazy' on the part of the creators, as the database used is the same as Pro Evolution Soccer 5. This limits gameplay and enjoyment for the player.
It is unlikely a sequel will be produced, due to the initial failure of the game in the gaming world (the mobile-only PES Manager series follows a very different format). However, it has become apparent that some fans of Pro Evolution Soccer and Konami consider Sega's Let's Make a Soccer Team! as a spiritual sequel, due to its similarities and familiar style and feel, despite being a game from another publisher.