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[cja]

The Xbox and PC versions of Pro Evolution Soccer 4 are out in PAL land the next couple of weeks. Both are virtually the same as the PS2 version except for two key differences. 1. No slowdown. 2. Online play!

I've posted a:

PES4 Xbox Live GAF interest thread here

to see if we can find enough people to play a small cup and/or league competition.

Release Dates
Continental Europe: 19th November 2004
UK: 26th November 2004*
Australia & NZ: 3rd December 2004
North America: As World Soccer Winning Eleven 8 in "spring 2005" (see PR below for the scant details).
Japan: Unlikely given Konami's lack of support for Xbox and PCs marginalisation in the territory.

*Despite Konami Europe issuing a press release stating the pan-European release for these versions of PES4 were due on the 19th. Konami UK have now said this information is wrong. Great Britain has seen a week delay for logistical reasons, supposedly.

Press Releases
Konami Europe PC & Xbox
Konami Europe Xbox Live confirmation
Konami America Winning Eleven 8

Relevant Links
IGN PES4 Xbox Live hands-on
Eurogamer PC review
Gamerankings Xbox & PC pages
Atari Australia PES4 product page Xbox & PC
GAF discussions on PES4 XBL semi-confirmed & press release

Fansites & Boards
evo-web forums
pesfan
pesinsight
soccergaming konami board
Gamefaqs Xbox & PC boards

PC Demo
See Afro Thunder's thread

 

[DaCocoBrova]

Was wondering if the XBOX version had a system link option...

 

[Mr Gump]

BUY A PS2.

 

[Solid]

I have the PS2-version. There aren't many (if any) slowdowns when you play it in 50Hz.

But if I had Live I'd definitely get the Xbox version. Best soccer game ever. Will probably rock online.

 

[cja]

Was wondering if the XBOX version had a system link option...

No system link, no content downloads, no custom soundtracks. Konami Europe also say non-PAL machines will not play the game, sorry.

BUY A PS2.

I don't need two.

I have the PS2-version. There aren't many (if any) slowdowns when you play it in 50Hz.

The downside being the slight borders and 25fps rather than 30fps frame-rate in general play. The pace of the game is slightly different as well, not a big difference like PES3 but its still there imho.

 

[king zell]

I have the PS2 version and I feel like its a little bit faster than WE8 (I own the JPN version)

I think I will try the online in the PC demo and then will decide if I will buy it or not.. but how is the control in the PC version?

 

[Trevelyon]

Australia & NZ: 3rd December 2004

Ah, my last major purchase of the Christmas season, I can't wait to play this on Live.

 

[cja]

how is the control in the PC version?

Using a PS2 to PC pad adaptor its very similar if not identical.

 

[Bluemercury]

BUY A PS2.

Er...the pc version is better than the ps2 one....you did read the reviews right?PS2 is the only version without online....

 

[king zell]

Using a PS2 to PC pad adaptor its very similar if not identical.

where can I buy one?

 

[DCharlie]

"No system link, no content downloads, no custom soundtracks. Konami Europe also say non-PAL machines will not play the game, sorry."

arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh muthafukaz

 

[cja]

where can I buy one?

Most game retailers should stock 'em. Lik-sang have a wide selection and play-asia have a Joypad converters section. If you're in Europe play.com's is very popular. Can't find anything at ebgames.com or gamestop.com but I only had a quick look.

 

[Brofist]

"No system link, no content downloads, no custom soundtracks. Konami Europe also say non-PAL machines will not play the game, sorry."

arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh muthafukaz

PC version will work

 

[cja]

Postie popped it through my letterbox today, ooh! A day early for the UK.

As per back of the box

Supported:

1-4 players
In-game Dolby Digital
Online Multiplayer
Voice
Friends
Scoreboards

Not supported:

Memory Card
Custom Soundtracks
System Link
HDTV 480P
Custom DL

Also confirmed the version is developed by KCET.

As expected, a near carbon copy of the PS2 version. Anyone who thinks 50Hz PS2 has no slowdown needs to check out the camera panning when taking a goal kick on Xbox, silky smooth.

The graphics do have that blurry, vaseline look in the menus. In-game I don't think it's noticeable. The vsync problem is gone and the glitchy graphics, for example flickering on Beckham's head when the camera passes him in the player line-up, are also a thing of the past. Still can tell its a PS2 game though. The edge of the players outlines look rough and there is shimmering still present and those straight white lines have jaggies.

This has been the first Xbox game where I've needed to centre the screen, up and to the left is the default, just like PS2 RGB, gah. Loading times have improved but not by as much as I'd expected. You still get a disk symbol and a single stutter when you first see the pitch before a game for example. The most time saved is for the saving to HDD rather than the sluggish PS2 memory card.

Biggest bugbear is undoubtedly the pad. Black button for shimmies, secondary running, knocking the ball forward and super cancel needs time to think about for me, it may be only 1/2 a second but that's way too long. Too hardwired into the PS2 pad for Evo games and the easy to use R2. White button instead of L2 for strategy isn't as intuitive but is adequate. I'll give it a week to try and get used to the Xbox pad but it looks like I'll have to buy a convertor.

Only played a couple of games online so far. Hosted (Create Match) both so can't speak of the reported client side lag, which Konami Europe are promising they'll solve and patch soon.

Didn't really notice the other main complaint so far, lack of manual cursor control, but that'll probably be because of my n00b status with the pad in Evo. Konami really need to fix this or we aren't going to see intelligent or competent defending against very good players.

Won my second game online in the last minute of injury time, 4-3 thriller. Gerrard maybe a scouser but I love his virtual being for that winner

 

[Miburou]

Does it also have that specular lighting thing that makes some of the players' hair look like it has a gray spot?

Strange that the Xbox version doesn't have prog-scan when the CG version of WE had it.

Well, I can't wait until this game comes out in North America.

 

[cja]

I think the shiny heads effect (real technical, I know!) is still there but I didn't really notice it, will check later. Disappointed by the lighting. I thought that'd be one aspect that could be radically improved with little effort on the Xbox version but its the same as the turgid PS2 (which is a trait of the PS2 hardware imho, take away Ico and I've not seen anything with lighting approaching GC games) .