Metacritic Games

Pro Evolution Soccer 4 (Xbox)

Konami TYO has further pushed the envelope with a wealth of new moves and tricks that flow fluidly within the fast-paced action. New free kick and penalty techniques can now be used, while an innovative indirect free kick move has been implemented to add further variety to set pieces. This level of realism has also been extended to the game's many players. More individuality can now be found in the ways players run, move both on and off the ball, and how they control the ball. Likewise, even more advanced player stats that govern every aspect of their play affect how well players can bring a high or fast ball under control, hit it first time past an encroaching defender, or flick the ball on to a team-mate. A new dribbling system is also available giving more control as players go one-on-one and try to pass opposing players, while crosses and cut-back passes can now be made with more precision. In keeping with this level of detail, player likenesses are also enhanced to match the noticeable individuality of the world's greatest stars. Pro Evolution Soccer 4 will also boast an on-screen referee for the first time. A new 'My Best Eleven' option allows fans to save their greatest teams for prosperity, and players can now be forced to retire through severe injury during the course of a Master League season, forcing the user to work around the loss of key stars and restructure around the abilities of suitable replacement players. [Konami]

Konami
Sports
Players: 4
RP (Rating Pending)
Developer: Konami Computer Entertainment Tokyo
Released November 26, 2004

Overall Metascore

This is a weighted, normalized average of all individual scores given by critics, on a scale of 0 (worst) to 100 (best).

91 / 100

Critic Reviews

100	Games Radar UK (Pre-2006) If you want football on the Xbox, this is the finest example of it. It's when you start noticing 'PES Claw' - the way your right hand starts to seize up after gripping the pad too hard too long - that you know it's got you. It's the scabby deflected goals. Keeper mistakes. Lapses of concentration. Beating your mates. For the footie fan, this is an experience unrivalled by any other game. [Xbox World]
100	AceGamez The gameplay itself is amazing and, as far as football games go, this is the best. Everything feels so smooth, the players move so fluidly and the ball moves like a prowling, elegant cat. The game oozes quality; passing the ball between characters feels superb.
95	TotalGames.net On it's Xbox debut Pro Evolution 4 instantly and undoubtedly becomes the best performer on the console and any self-respecting, or merely curious, football fan should start forming an orderly queue outside their local game store today. It truly is the beautiful game.
95	Australian GamePro Like no other game, is PES4's ability to make you burst with pride - watching in complete satisfaction a stunning exchange between your midfielders leading into a stoppage time game-winning goal - the crowd lifting with your success. It makes you feel like you are really part of the action - it makes you feel like a Soccer God.
95	BBC Sport Greater emphasis has been placed on one-touch play, and while goals are not all that easy to come by - creating chances requires quick thinking and accurate distribution - when you do manage to make the net bulge, it's all the more satisfying.
95	MS Xbox World If you want arcade football, choose "FIFA" but if you want to play football then it has to be Pro Evolution Soccer 4.
95	Jolt Online Gaming UK Whilst still not perfect, PES4 has bar far the most realistic ball control and physics engine out of all the other competitors, and indeed others in the same series.
93	Ferrago It's simply magnificent. Yes, it could have been so much better. I certainly shan't deny that but win a tight game against some unlucky chap online and you simply won't care about any of that - your joy will outweigh any misgivings you may have. PES4 on Xbox is certainly the best football game on the system and quite possibly the best iteration of the game to date.
93	3DAvenue Pro Evolution Soccer 4 is one of, if not the best football game ever made.
92	Xbox World Australia Not a simple pick up and play game, but one that continually reveals new layers of depth and control.
90	GameBiz This game is so good it’s almost better than real footy... well not quite.
90	Eurogamer It's a fantastic, must-buy game for virtually every football-loving Xbox owner, but it could have been much better, too.
90	Computer and Video Games Pro Evolution Soccer 4 has finally found its perfect strike partner. Lace up your boots for the most immersive, accurate, and moreover fun footy title ever made. Liquid football. [Official Xbox Magazine UK]
80	Gamer.tv [Online play] has transformed the great game into possibly the best sports title out there.
80	RewiredMind The Xbox edition is still head and shoulders above any other soccer title available for the Xbox, but the online play is far from perfect – and this is why it loses marks.
80	Gamestyle Given the choice though, between the PS2 version or added Xbox Live functionality of this one, we'd spring for the latter.

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