The beautiful game looks like it’s fallen face-first into a bucket of acid with this year’s Pro Evo.

Before you’ve even laced up a boot, it’s clear Konami haven’t put the effort in graphically. It’s insulting to previous-generation consoles to suggest my PS4 version has a hint of PS3 about it. It’s worse than that.

However, Rooney’s always going to resemble a recently-dug potato, and we’re really here for the gameplay, aren’t we.

Pro Evo is not for the pick-up-and-play gamer. It never has been, and 2015 maintains this philosophy. This approach doesn’t win you many friends, but it does earn respect and fierce dedication from those who prefer the considered approach to slamming balls in nets.

Formations and positions play an enormous part in your success. A similarly skilled AI side will be frustratingly tricky to break down without a plan. This makes for some pretty low-scoring affairs, unless your defence tactics are utter plops.

The consistent Pro Evo gripe is still the lack of official licences, with a certain Manchester-based club the only representative from the Premier League, and the menus are predictably ordinary. Commentaries remain stilted and far from accurate, but Fifa doesn’t exactly escape criticism there either. The latter is better, but not by much.

One terrific inclusion this year is Role Control, which straddles that middle ground between controlling the whole team and just one player during multiplayer matches, controlling the entire defence, midfield or attack. Best ensure your gaming chum is of a similar ability before attempting, however.

Make no mistake, Pro Evo is an acquired taste (and not one if your taste is for spiffy graphics) but the contemplative gamer will find delicious morsels within.

Out on PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PC