Microprose Soccer:
By far and away the greatest footy game on the C64. The pitch is viewed from above which
isn't very realistic but allows for a very playable game. The players are nice and big and
the "feel" of the game is superb. Includes action replays of goals which take
this game into another dimension. Being able to see just how good a goal you slotted past
your friend's pathetic keeper is sweet.
You can easily control the ball and predict what is going to happen unlike most footy
games. You can pass the ball with some control, although this could be the game's
weakpoint, and the bend function is outstanding and very useful. Bending around players
(and goalkeepers) is a key element to succeeding in this game.
If all these features weren't enough, you have rain to contend with as well.... Watch in
dispair as you use the sliding tackle and your defender spins off the screen like a
spinning top...quality!
Indoor / Outdoor:
There are effectively 2 separate games in Microprose Soccer:
European (Outdoor)
Indoor
European is the main game and is played outdoors. Most of this review uses this game.
The Indoor game is a fast, manic indoor 6-a-side. Play this if you want to lose. Good fun
although very difficult.
Scoring:
There are a many methods that you can use to score eg diagonal straight, diagonal with
bend, straight with bend, bend from goal line, overhead kick, to name the obvious ones.
The game is such that you can experiment and occasionally, new "lucky" goal
scoring methods can be discovered like running the ball in or scoring via a sliding
tackle. Variety is the key to this game. You do not simply point a player at the goal and
shoot, hoping for the best.
Tournements:
Microprose Soccer gives you four tournements to compete in:
World Cup Tournement - 1 or 2 player league / knockout
Microprose International Challenge - 1 player ladder
Soccer League - league for multiple human players
2-Player Friendly
The world cup is the main part of the game, but the international challenge is a great
idea in that you play a selection of teams, from worst to best in a football
"ladder" enabling you to consistantly play against teams that match your
ability.
The in-game music is outstanding as well. With a few seconds remaining in each half, or in
extra time, the music changes to suit the mood. Just pray that your "golden
goal" extra time period does not stretch into minutes as the pressure could become
intolerable.....
Liverpool:
Liverpool is similar to Microprose Soccer with smaller players, faster action and some
additional team selection stuff and english tournements. Gameplay is awful with lack of
control a major problem. The team selection is particularly poor as you change the team,
but do not know what position they will play. Also the location of players on the pitch
leaves a lot to be desired, which makes passing very difficult.
And, of course, you have to play as Liverpool. Whilst this might be acceptable to Ealan, my partner in crime on this site, it is not a pleasant experience for myself. I know the game is called Liverpool but they could have given you a choice of teams.....
Rated highly by some but not by me.
Gary Lineker's Superstar Soccer:
Was a reasonable footy game until Microprose Soccer hit the scene. Wide choice of teams -
you can choose any English or "American" league team. You can build up your team
by trading, this feature was not in the tape version I grew up on, and this does increase
the variantion in this game.
In game, you can pick players, make substitutions, change
tactics. These are quite useful and add more variety to the game. The choice of teams is
important as you can tailor the ability of the opposition to your own ability. Ie play
with Tottenham against Bristol Rovers if you are just starting, or the other way round if
you think you are any good. Be warned, keepers range from poor to transparent. This just
adds to the fun, forcing you to attack more. Football played the old fashioned way with
scores of 12-13 a regular occurance!
The game is viewed side on in a 3D sort of way and it is very easy to pass the ball as you
can see enough of the pitch to enable you to do this. Unlike Microprose Soccer and
Liverpool, when you pass the ball, it goes to the nearest player on your team, not the
direction you are facing, which makes this game very playable but frustrating at the same
time. Scream as you are about to pass the ball to an unmarked player in a scoring position
and the ball goes to a player on the halfway line! Overhead kick is good fun. Scoring from
the half way line is also good fun.
Ultimately, the lack of control over shooting,,you simply shoot and hope, lets this game down but it is still worth playing.
Emlyn Hughes
Simply a poor man's version of "Gary Linekar's Superstar Soccer". Do not play
it.
The configuration menus are great and the first time you load the game you cannot fail to be impressed. The problem starts when you want to actually play football. The graphics are awful, gameplay is nonexistant - as slow as Gary Lineker's but at least you could pass the ball there. Why did they bother with the crowd sound effects...
Emyln Hughes suffers from the same scoring inadequacies as Gary Lineker's but at least you can vary the direction slightly.
This is a classic case of development budget being spent in the
wrong areas. Why make the pre-game stuff look so good whilst the point of the excersise -
playing footy - is so bad. Mutton dressed up as lamb. Damn right.
by Richard Mace 2000