Been away for a while, but I'm baaaaaaaack @:-)
I try to read back, I rely on my Circle of trust ...
Been away for a while, but I'm baaaaaaaack @:-)
I try to read back, I rely on my Circle of trust and I enjoy reading new authors and leaving constructive comments. Happy Ciaoing @:-)
Member since:15.01.2006
Reviews:28
Members who trust:40
Pro Evolution soccer 4 is now commonly found in second hand sections of Game and Cash Converters, at a more than reasonable £10. For this reason, I thought I would write a review to raise awareness!
With the release of the 5th Pro Evolution Soccer, the inevitable has happened and its predecessor has dropped radically in price. Most places will no longer sell you it new, especially online.
However, this doesn't detract from what a good game it actually is.
THE GENERAL IDEA:
Its a football game, so you pick a side, put 11 players on the pitch and kick a ball into the other teams net as many times as you can. But beyond that, Pro Evolution Soccer 4 becomes immensely involving.
In carear mode you have to take your team, train them between matches, buy new players, sell your dead weights and keep the club afloat by the end of the season.... If you're any good, you might even win something!
THE
FINANCES:
In general, there are 2 ways to earn money. You can win games and tournaments, and you can sell players. You need to be careful though, your players need wages, and the more they cost, the higher their wages are. Just remember that you need to make sure you can afford the yearly wage bill at the end of the season, otherwise you'll be bankrupt and sacked!
This adds a novel twist to the game as most games dont let you go bankrupt, they just let you buy players with points but have no deductions. Great stuff.
THE GRAPHICS:
The Graphics aren't up to the standard of FIFA 2005 (the competitor to this title), but they allow for the screen to move quickly without faltering. Thankfully, there are also no dreaded pop-ups either. The game doesn't always have to be the best looking to get you involved, and the season mode is so involving you soon won't care what they look like anyway. Besides, compared to some football games of last year, PES4 still looks pretty darn good.
THE GAMEPLAY:
The game itself is obviously the most important part of the game, and it doesnt dissappoint. Despite not having official licences for player/club names, PES4 somehow manages to get you so involved that you dont care. The action is fast and slick, with runs off the ball being a key area of focus. This means the game can go from one end of the pitch to the other in very quick succession.
The downside to this is a slight lack of realsim. Unlike FIFA, the players aren't as lifelike and don't react in as many different ways. The graphics are also a little more blocky, but when you're running at full speed, you tend not to notice this.
THE CONTROLS:
PES4 caused me some problems at first as I've been a FIFA man for years, but not to worry. If you go through the menu's you can change the buttons to the usual FIFA ones. For those who want to stick with the original controls, not a problem as you can play equally well with either once you're used to them.
The controls are actually pretty sharp on the game aswell. When you press a button, the player will actually start doing it. FIFA 2005 failed in this respect with players often waiting a second or two to make the pass - leaving you in a sprawled heap on the floor.
The controls are never going to make a game great, but they can certainly make it unplayable. Thankfully, the publishers for this one seem to have it just right, and the reaction times are also good.
THE PLAYER NAMES:
OK, this had to come up again, and gets a section in its own right in my review. There's something about having Wayne Rooney running through the defence that gets a real football fans blood racing.... It doesnt have quite the same effect when its 'wuyn runi'. Still, this is often a minor thing as you won't be able to afford wayne rooney at the start anyway.... and by the time you get to the top league, he'll be retiring.
The simple fact remains though, if PES4 had all the licences and real club kits etc... it would easily wipe the floor with FIFA. But it doesnt, so it remains a tight market.
SUMMARY:
An excellent and more than playable football game for the Xbox that can now be found in most shops bargain bins... worth picking up if you dont have PES5 already! Certainly one the kids will enjoy anyway.
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Hey. Great review. I've got the very first pro evo, which seems totally weird to play now after purchasing the others all the way up to pro evo 5. I found 4 and 5 fairly similar to be honest, and both are really good. Keep smiling, Alastair :o)
weetoon 12.03.2006 13:52
I think my son would enjoy that. Thanks. Catherine
The finest football simulation series receives further refinements inPro Evolution Soccer ... more
4. The presence of an on-screen referee is perhaps the game's most obvious new feature. What's more, this twenty-third being on the pitch is more intelligent than...
Postage & Packaging: £1.94 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
The finest football simulation series receives further refinements inPro Evolution Soccer ... more
4. The presence of an on-screen referee is perhaps the game's most obvious new feature. What's more, this twenty-third being on the pitch is more intelligent than...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Advantages: Smooth and realistic gameplay, better than previous realeases, x-box live add on. Disadvantages: Commentary is awful, lacks the presentation of FIFA 2005
Advantages: Smooth and realistic gameplay, better than previous realeases, x-box live add on. Disadvantages: Commentary is awful, lacks the presentation of FIFA 2005
Mar 3rd, 2006
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