Zero To Hero

It’s kind of crunch time here at New Star Towers as the match engine is just about done and I'm working hard to get the career mode sorted. All that remains for the match engine is some gameplay tuning and ironing out of any bugs that arise between now and release day. I’m hoping to release a public match engine beta very soon (like in the next 24 hours) so stay tuned to the forum!

What I thought I’d do today is write up the game controls and post them here. This will also serve as the in-game help file. Two birds with one stone, see? The controls are very similar to NSS3 with a few enhancements so pay attention. :) Ok, here we go…

It is highly recommended that you use a joypad or joystick with an analogue control stick to play NSS4.

Attack
Control Stick - Run
Button 1 - Pass
Button 2 - Lob
Button 3 - Shoot
Button 4 - Call
Button 5 - Sprint

Defend
Control Stick - Run
Button 1 - Chase
Button 2 - Chase/Slide Tackle
Button 3 - Chase
Button 4 - Chase
Button 5 - Sprint

Goalkeeper
Control Stick - Run
Goalkeepers will dive automatically
Button 4 + Control stick - Organize defensive wall

Auto-Shot
If you tap the shot button or hold it down before you have control of the ball you will shoot automatically towards the goal.
If you centre the control stick before the player kicks the ball he will perform a chipped shot.
If you pull the control stick away from the goal before the player kicks the ball he will perform a low shot.
If you pull the stick to the left or right your player will shoot to that side of the goal.
Auto-shots are not precise. The direction will be affected by the player’s shooting ability.
Auto-shots cannot be curled.

Manual Shot
If you have control of the ball and you hold the shoot button down you will bring up the shot power bar. Release the button to shoot with the desired power.
Manual shots are precise. They will travel in the exact direction you kick the ball.
Manual shots can be curled by pushing the control stick left or right relative to the direction of the ball. The shot can also be lifted by pulling away from the ball or dipped by pushing towards the ball.

Auto-Pass
If you tap the pass button or hold it down before you have control of the ball you will pass automatically towards the teammate highlighted. If no teammate is highlighted a short kick will be played.
Auto-passes are not precise. The direction will be affected by the player’s passing ability.
Auto-passes cannot be curled.

Manual Pass
If you have control of the ball and you hold the pass button down you will bring up the pass power bar. Release the button to pass with the desired power.
Manual shots are precise. They will travel in the exact direction you kick the ball.
Manual passes can be curled.

Auto-Lob
If you tap the lob button or hold it down before you have control of the ball you will play a high pass automatically towards the teammate highlighted. If no teammate is highlighted a short lob kick will be played.
Auto-lobs are not precise. The direction will be affected by the player’s passing ability.
Auto-lobs cannot be curled.

Manual Lob
If you have control of the ball and you hold the lob button down you will bring up the pass power bar. Release the button to play a high pass with the desired power.
Manual shots are precise. They will travel in the exact direction you kick the ball.
Manual passes can be curled.

Chase
If you do not have control of the ball you can automatically chase it by holding any of the kick buttons. If you are holding the kick button when you connect with the ball you will perform an auto-shot or auto-pass depending on the button you are holding. You can also use the call button to chase the ball if you do not wish to kick the ball when you control it.

Slide Tackle
If you do not have control of the ball but you are close to it you can tap the lob button to perform a sliding tackle. The length of the slide is depending on the player’s running speed and his tackling ability.

Sprint
If you hold the sprint button your player will run faster. Notice that there are two bars above your player’s head. The top bar (green) is his overall energy. This depletes as he runs around. The second bar (yellow) is the player’s sprint meter. This depletes rapidly when he is sprinting but will regenerate when he stops sprinting. The speed at which the sprint meter replenishes is dependent on the player’s overall energy.
If you tap the sprint button whilst dribbling your player will knock the ball further ahead than normal. You can also affect the direction of the knock with the control stick.

Player Abilities

Energy
Determines how long a player can run at normal pace and how quickly his sprint tank refills
Stamina
Determines how quickly the player’s energy depletes when running.
Strength
Stronger players can push opponents out of the way
Pace
This determines a player’s maximum top speed
Acceleration
How quickly a player can reach top speed
Control
How well the player can trap the ball
Flair
How much a player can curl the ball
Weak Foot
When a player kicks with his weaker foot only a percentage of his passing or shooting ability is used to determine the accuracy of the kick. His Weak Foot ability determines that percentage.
Positioning
CPU - How quickly they find good positions
HUMAN – A higher positioning ability improves the likelihood of a teammate passing to you

Outfield Player Only

Tackling
How far you can slide and how quickly you recover
Shooting
Affects the accuracy of auto-shots
Passing
Affects the accuracy of auto-passes
Heading
Affects the accuracy of auto-headers. Also jump height and dive length are affected by the heading ability
Crossing
Affects the accuracy of auto-crossing
Dribbling
Determines how closely you dribble the ball
SetPiece
Affects the accuracy of set-piece shots and passes

Goalkeeper Only

Distribution
Affects the accuracy of auto-kicks
Agility
How quickly the keeper recovers from a dive
Aerial
How high or far a keeper can jump or dive
Handling
How well the keeper can hold a shot
Organisation
How well the keeper places the wall
Reflexes
How quickly the keeper responds to close shots
Bravery
How well a keeper can save at an opponents feet

Improving your abilities
New Star Soccer 4 is unlike any other football game (including NSS3) in that your abilities are a reflection of how good YOU are as a player. Manual shots and passes are always 100% accurate in that they travel in the exact direction that you point them with the exact power you choose. Every time you perform a skilful action you will be rewarded with ability points. However, points will NOT be awarded if you perform an auto-pass or an auto-shot, and auto-shots and passes are not 100% accurate.

Physical Abilities
Stamina, Strength, Pace, Acceleration can all be improved through Gym Training.

Technical Abilities
Weak Foot
Make a successful pass or shot with your weak foot
Flair
Curl a successful shot or pass
Control
Centre the control stick before you receive the ball

Tactical Abilities
Positioning
Receive a pass or intercept the ball
Vision
Make a successful long pass

Outfield Player Skill Abilities
Tackling
Perform a successful sliding tackle
Shooting
Shoot on target
Passing
Make a successful pass
Heading
Head the ball
Crossing
Cross the ball
Dribbling
Dribble the ball for an extended period of time
SetPiece
Perform a successful shot or pass from a set-piece

Goalkeeper Skill Abilities
Distribution
Perform a successful pass
Agility
Perform a successful diving save
Aerial
Perform a successful jumping save
Handling
Catch the ball
Organisation
Position the wall correctly
Reflexes
Save a close ranged shot
Bravery
Retrieve the ball whilst the opponent is dribbling

Other Statistics
Potential
Skills are easier to build and maintain while potential is high
Consistency
Reflects your performance ratings during your career
Aggression
Reflects how often you foul opponents
Determination
Reflects how gym training work rate during your career

So that's how it all sits right now. There may be a few changes yet but that depends on your feedback. So I'd better go and get that beta ready!