Pro Evolution Soccer 4

THE BAD:
~AI

~Licensing

~Not being able to transfer players in a normal league mode.

SUMMARY:
Well, I started out as a big FIFA fan, but I have just recently bought a copy of PES4 and I have no regrets. The game overall is better than FIFA in many ways, despite not having licenses for all teams and players. Firstly, the gameplay is fantastic. It is very easy to get used to and is far superior to it's closest rivals. After playing FIFA games for over 7 years, I was becoming increasingly annoyed with the slowness of the game and overall, pretty poor gameplay. But when I bought PES for the first time I was pleasantly surprised by the smoothness and good feel to the game. The second thing I would like to mention is the graphics. Many people seem to think that FIFA graphics are much better than PES'. I would like to disagree. Despite some players looking a bit dodgy, I think that PES4's graphics are just as good, if not better than FIFA's or any other footballing game for that matter.



The only major complaint I have with this game is the AI of the players. It becomes annoying sometimes when you slot a fantastic ball right through your opponents defence, only for your striker to run past the ball and miss it completely. Or when your goalkeeper collects the ball from a strikers feet, but refuses to do what you've instructed him to (eg; if you press O for him to kick it, he will just ignore you and stand there with the ball in his hands). Aside from that, I think this games is well worth a look and I will definitely be buying Pro Evolution Soccer 5 later this year.

THE BAD:
Commentary, refs and the lack of licenses are possibly the only bad things about this great game. The lack of licenses isn't that bad with the superb edit mode and the refs can be alright from time to time but the thing that makes the game that tiny bit away from being perfect is Steve Brackley and Trevor Brooking's commentary. The way they are so slow in picking up on things ruins the chances of this game being a complete 5 out of 5.

SUMMARY:
Konami have pretty much hit gold with this little beauty. From the first game to the last each game is brilliant with the slick passing moves to the outstanding goals. The graphics are pretty much unchallenged and on top of that there's a great edit mode. The Master League is all-round fun and challenging and very, very addictive. The main reason is probably the development system and regeneration of retired players. To find a hot, young prospect and then to develop them up to a world class player on a big salary takes patience and a huge risk in terms of league positions but ends up being well worth it in the end. Only really one bad fault in PES4 is the commentary which is so shockingly bad it takes away the chance of full marks for PES4. Hopefully by the time Pro Evo 5 comes around we won't be hearing Trevor Brooking shouting "what a great shot, so close" when it is actually miles wide and Konami will bring a good commentary team which could well help this game get a whole 5/5.

THE BAD:
There are still a few mistakes that need to be patched up if this game is to reach its full potential on the PS2.

SUMMARY:
This is one of my favourite games. It is absolutely brilliant. The gameplay has been improved vastly to that of PES3. The graphics have also been improved. Sometimes you don't need to have the players name at the bottom of the screen because the faces are so realistic you just know who they are. There are still very notable mistakes in the game though. Ref normally takes the side of the CPU, thus, you getting less free kicks and pens and conceding more. Sometimes the ball can go 'through' a players body. There are a few more but they happen rarely. Konami are almost there. If they can smooth out the glitches then the next in the series is going to be a cracker.
Overall I think this is an excellent game to have and is very entertaining.

THE BAD:
Edit mode has become worse, Free Kicks are virtually impossible, so slow!

SUMMARY:
It is an improvment on previous games but a dissapointment for those PES Lovers

EDITING

The editing options have gone down, with the increase of teams it seems to have taken a toll on the options. Great options about it include better build face options, more teams to muck about with and you can change players nationalitys (Jason Euell to Jamaica, Kanoute to Mali) however the kit options have gone down (why do we need kits with hearts on?), the players faces (Alan Shearer does not look like that!) and the still no liscensing of English teams (Who are West Midlands Village!?). Editing has been ruined.

GAMEPLAY

Gameplay has improved with the increased chance of scoring from outside the area, varieties of tackle and many goal celebrations, but what comes up must come down, Free kicks have changed yet again and the running has slowed down. Overall gameplay has vastly improved with a few exceptions.

NEW OPTIONS

Referees are now visible on pitch, you can watch substitutions, a new variety of balls (mind the pun) and a new 6 star difficulty level!

MASTER LEAGUE

A major improvement on the last game, you can choose match mode players or stay with default players and the search option has vastly improved. Nothing wrong with this well done Konami

OVERALL

I have to say it is a major improvement but the decrease in editing ability and the slowing down of player has become as a dissapointment. But you have to agree this has now taken crown as Best Football Game ON PS2, at least until PES5.

THE BAD:
nothing

SUMMARY:
I play online on www.pescup.com

Don't mistake me: I'm one of those hardcore WE followers. In my opinion
WE always was above the PES release, in something not much
understandable for me.

For the first time I think PES is well ahead of WE. Maybe it's due to WE
major flaws in terms of bugs and fluidity but PES leaves a "cleaner"
feeling, instead of the downgrading feeling it uses to leave.

More Arcadey?

I don't think so. PES3 was surely more arcadey than WE7 mainly due not
only to speed increase but also to other details like easier dribbling
and dumber defending. This time I don't see that. Surely the game is a
bit faster than WE8 (IMO welcomed change), but I don't see "easiness"
coming my way in terms of easier dribbling and sloppier defending. It's
mainly a more speedy WE8.

Graphics

A lot sharper. Looks as if WE8 had some kind of filter and they removed
it. I think editing work will look better in PES, unless a probable
WE8Int/FE takes the same step. It's strange cause usually WE version
looked sharper than the euro version, but this time it's the other way
around.

I don't wanna bet but I think I also saw some different hairstyles, and
some looks are really impressive in terms of realism.

Also the grass... I was dispaired with some of the WE8 turfs.. they
seemed to have tweaked some of them for PES4 (although I still have to
check the disgusting "Dome" stadium to see if they mended that one).

Stuttering

I saw ALMOST none. I still got a little bit of it very ocasionaly, but
hardly anything noticeable. I didn't think the stuttering was that
influential in WE8 but... a product were I had to use appearance options
and pick stadiums? spare me. The game should be playable as it is, and
in that sense PES4 is a finished product, WE8 wasn't.


Overall Opinion

If a little more speed is something you welcome or are ready to cope
then go for PES4 untill news arrive, cause this time, for the first time
in my 10+ experience of WE vs European version (ISS Pro Evos, PES, etc)
battle, it's european version taking the prize.


albe

THE BAD:
Although the gameplay and graphics are superb the licensing of some players and teams, International and Club Teams.

SUMMARY:
Pro Evoution Soccer is one of the most popular PS2 games ever! It has superb graphics and even better gameplay. It easily compares to the close rivals in the Sports genre, such as FIFA 2005 and This Is Football 2005.

There are many differents modes to play on. These consist of Match Mode - Play Exhibition Matches, League - Play a League from various different countries, Cup - Play a Cup consisting of many different teams, and Master League - Play full seasons with leagues and cups and a choice of various different teams.

Overall, this game is a must have for any Footall (Soccer) fan. Definately recommended!

THE BAD:
Commentary

SUMMARY:
It's the best football game ever made!It has everything!!Real moves,tricks-that can not be done by just any player-,it's gameplay its very good,convinient,the graphics are almost perfect.Scoring goals it not that easy so the high scores are not often to see,you can not bit easily your friends even if they are begginers.The commentary is ok but i think it could be better.The Edit Mode gives you the chance to change your team and enroll the real transfers of the worldwide.also gives you the chance to create teams that dont exist in the game.the big selection of strips,GK strips,the many hair styles and all the rest that anybody can think,are in this game!you can play all the big european championships with any team you like as there are more than 200 club teams,all perfectly made!Of course there are some details that need to be corrected,but this game never loses its first possition unless a new Pro Evolution Soccer is to be published.Konami has done a great work!i wonder,may i come to work with you guys?im a footboller too you know,i know stuff!)
I LOVE THIS GAME!!

THE BAD:
Poor Commentry, Un-liscenced french,german and english teams.

SUMMARY:
What are you waiting for? you should be buying this game right now!its got great gameplay,lifespan thanks to a compelling master league and wonderful and beautiful graphics. HOwever it has got poor commentry and a lot of unliscenced teams and players wich take a lot of editing to get right but its still the greatesr football simulation around and konami should be proud of their latest installment of the impressive Pro Evolution series. A must buy for any gamer looking for a good football game this is better than fifa InternationalSuperstarSoccer ThisIsFootball etc so buy it!