At first I was all over the shop. I couldn’t even remember how to do through balls. The speed of the game (much faster than FIFA) and the passing system also threw me off for a while.

Mexico went 1-0 up, but my mighty team of Swedes came back to win 2-1.

After the first half of my first game, though, I was back in business and very much enjoying myself. It’s just… it’s just that it’s not FIFA. The more I play of FIFA, the more special I think it is. I should go and delete it now, before I get too attached, and have a rethink when it gets updated.

I should definitely do that.

“Just go and delete it already! This is getting tiresome!” <- Reader's Voice

There’s odd annoying cosmetic issue, such as teams taking to the field in strips that are far too similar in colour, making it hard to make out your teammates. I pretty much exclusively play quick matches, so after a couple of misplaced passes I usually quit and try again with two more random teams. I can imagine it being hugely annoying in a cup match, though.

Some chaps playing footie.

The most serious issue is that the game decides which player you’re controlling using a set of arcane, seemingly random rules. When you’re attacking it’s obviously fine. You control the player with the ball and then switch after you pass. In defense, though, it’s never obvious which player the game will give you. World Soccer Champs just chooses the player nearest the ball, which is at least predictable. PES, though, seems to throw you around all over the pitch. It’s not enough to ruin the game, or even stop it being brilliant fun, but it can be annoying.

The iPhone version? Astonishing. Absolutely astonishing.

Now, I’ve not played any of the big console videogames for a few years, but this iPhone version of PES is revelatory. Never have a played a football game that felt quite this physical. There’s a real sense of weight and consequence to everything that happens on the pitch. Smoke and mirrors, maybe, but whatever the reason, it works to give a very convincing sense that real football, with its mistakes and flukes and human players, is under my control.

It’s like I’m seeing a whole new world of football, just there, in my phone.

I'm using the more traditional of the control schemes, avoiding the need for tilts and swipes.

I started the game up last night and kept going back, again and again. It’s just wonderful, with the default difficulty level feeling just right to me.

Now, of course, is where I should be gasping to try a fuller version of the game (or even a recent console FIFA), but I think part of my enjoyment comes from the two-button control scheme. Extra sticks and buttons might just overwhelm me.

It’s amazing, though, just this. I’ve enjoyed football games here and there – FIFA World Cup on the iPhone has given me a fair amount of enjoyable matches – but with PES and World Soccer Champs (two very different, complementary takes on the sport) I feel like a gaping hole in my gaming life has been filled.

Incredible.