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| Change shirts, shorts and shoes and be that favorite fresh guy | In your face, goalie! |
Bringing nostalgia to older gaming fans of the Commodore Amiga, the all-too-familiar overhead view of the screen brings smiles of comfort knowing that the game will be just as easy. However, some might find it difficult to identify the players due to the distance; but this is actually good for tactical formations in the field. In addition, passing the ball would be more precise and orchestrated since you see who’s in the better position to either pass it near the goal or kick it right past the goalie. The ball’s trajectory could be determined by the arrow sign pointing at the player’s feet – you’d know how much or how less you are putting in to make that shot. Good factor is, you know that you’re the one who’s been playing and not the A.I. doing the shots. Featuring a number of familiar leagues, you may opt to have your own custom team, then have the boys play well to up their soccer skills. However, since this game is not FIFA-licensed, you may be quite disappointed to see mismatched or incorrect data given for the players. But don’t fret, the customization may let the OC in us correct the data or further screw it up just for kicks.
With its multiplayer mode, four people can compete at the same time. Adding more to the fun factor, there are game incentives that could be unlocked once certain games are won. Extra specs or new uniforms are some of these given. The players with enlarged heads look like it came from a cartoon show. Their stamina, however are not as cartooney (can be infinitely unreal) – these guys run out of energy; that’s why one should think twice before sprinting too easily or making that all-powerful move. Nonetheless, player substitution can be done anytime and with a little rest, your boys can recuperate back in the game.
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| How’d that ball get over there? | Uh, oh. I think the referee got hit |
Game controls may seem simple but they pack a lot of punch by the mere utilization of the stick and three buttons (for sprinting, doing ball movements, and passing); this is a breather for your fingers who have been used to pounding away at every button on the keypad (whew!). Tackling is also a thing of ease – you just run into player to do it, slide tackles may also be executed with a few simple joystick and key presses The previous version used only one button for doing all moves, but then the developers have decided to put more maneuverability to exercise flexibility in movement. By doing long short passes or curling balls at long distances, you can trick your opponents and lure them away from the ball. Pro-level players can do more trick shots and ball maneuvering – it’s good to show off those moves you saw on Beckham.
However, the camera view may not be able to take on the to and fro angles – it can be dizzying.. In addition, the A.I. can sometime be too all- knowing that you yourself get confused to which player the control is on. Yes, you cannot control the player you want to take charge of, sadly. It is a given fact that holding the gamepad gives you the power to choose whom to lead, get the ball or tackle. The A.I. seems to have been programmed to have a hand on some things it shouldn’t be meddling in; and when things get too baffling to control, you decide to let the A.I. collect its own thoughts before the play goes back into normal play. At times the players seem too be resigned of the situation: once a goalkeeper did not acknowledge the ball coming on to him – it was thought of as a feeble shot. Then the ball gets pass through him. Goal for them, woe for you. Also, you have to be careful in holding on the ball for too long, opposition teams take this as an opportunity to steal the ball away from you in an instant. Speaking of the ball, it does seem to have a fondness to getting near the goalkeeper’s hands (the opposing one, unfortunately); and your goalie makes that dramatic leap you see in movies to catch the ball… but it seems that happy endings are becoming a thing of the past and your goalie misses the catch. Boy, they sure how to elicit emotions and kill it in the brink of anticipated glorious victory.
The gaming atmosphere is quite simple, reminiscent of the old soccer games. This goes okay for those who want more action rather than the lavish display of FIFA-type soccer games. On action replays and close shots, you will appreciate the fluidity and good detailing of graphics. Facial expressions are just as amazing; making or failing a goal elicits these amusing looks on the players’ faces. Also, pretty impressive factor is the way the ball is brought to life by being in sync with all the action. The animation is so patterned to real-life games that you’d think this is an excerpt scene from a real-life soccer game. However, audio may need to be amplified: the screams are not that enticing to show team spirit and the crowd is not as reactive to the action happening on the field. Pitching in a commentary would also help. But if you’re one of those thrity-somethings who used to play it in the Amiga, you’d burst out into its theme song: “You’re a goal-scoring superstar!”
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| They look so little up here | Alright you human bowling pins, who wants to go first? |
If you’re a soccer fanatic who’s more on the spirit, then this is the game for you. Put for nitpicking gamers, this could be a nice ho-hum game to while away the time waiting for the FIFA games to begin.
Top Gaming Moment:
TOP GAME MOMENT
A simply cool game means a simple moment will do…Auto-replays of kicking the ball past the Goalie…and watching the celebration roar!
