Pro Evo 4: New Screens & Details

Konami recently unveiled a load of new screens and details of Dutch, Spanish and Italian league licenses for Pro Evolution Soccer 4.

Pro Evolution Soccer 4 will include Dutch, Spanish and Italian league licenses, Konami recently revealed - and proved it too, with these sensational new screenshots from the anticipated soccer sequel.

As part of the continual advancement of its best-selling football franchise, Konami of Europe has confirmed that the much anticipated Pro Evolution Soccer 4 will feature a wealth of teams under the official license from their respective leagues.

Due for release in Q4 for PlayStation 2, PC-DVD and, for the first time, the Xbox video game system from Microsoft, Pro Evolution Soccer 4's famed realism will be enhanced by the inclusion of clubs under the license from the Dutch, Spanish and Italian leagues. As such, football fans will be able to get to grips with the likes of Ajax, PSV Eindhoven, Feyenord, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Deportivo, Milan, Juventus and Parma. Each team will feature authentically modeled players in their official kits, while everything from player height, skill attributes and shirt sponsors will be fully recreated, adding to Pro Evolution Soccer 4's utter realism. This coincides with other breakthroughs premiering in the new installment, including realistic injuries, and kits getting progressively dirtier as matches progress.

In total, Pro Evolution Soccer 4 will feature 56 sides from three licensed leagues, within its total of 136 available club sides - a huge step forward for the series. Similarly, the game will also feature more than 50 national teams, giving the player control of up to 4,500 of the world's greatest players. These bolster what is already being called the most advanced and realistic football game to date, with new gameplay additions including new free kick and penalty techniques, and moves individual to key, star players.

Other new advancements including a new dribbling system offering 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. Pro Evolution Soccer 4 will also boast an on-screen referee for the first time, who monitors play and intercedes when tempers get frayed! The referee AI has also been further refined, with advantage being played for minor infringements, while each of the referees available will react instinctively to fouls and the flow of play depending on how strict they are deemed to be.

"We are delighted to add three officially licensed leagues to Pro Evolution Soccer 4," commented Martin Schneider, Director of Marketing, Konami of Europe. "Fans of the game have long called for us to implement their favourite teams in their favourite game, and this marks a major step forward in our quest to deliver the most authentic football title around. Adding all clubs from the Dutch, Spanish and Italian leagues confirms that we are committed to adding more and more authenticity to the series, and Konami of Europe is confident that further deals with other clubs will follow in the near future."

Pro Evolution Soccer 4 will be released for PlayStation 2, PC-DVD and Xbox in Q4, 2004.

Adam Doree
Director, Kikizo.com