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Before
we start we had better get one thing clear, this game is not Actua Soccer 2,
that will be released later this year. Actua Soccer Club Edition is a special
version of the excellent Gremlin soccer game from early last year, only this
time around it will feature the 20 teams that took part in the 1996/7 English
Premier League season.
Every team includes the latest squad listings
who are each graded on a number of skill factors to allow their performance to
be as realistic as possible. All of the clubs are treated to a statistics page
that is packed with facts and figures about club personnel, ground size and
achievements in the Premier League since the year it was established. There is
also a listing of each clubs domestic honors, or in many cases the lack of them.
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It
is a soccer game. Round football, two goals, two teams of eleven players and a
spoiler with a whistle dressed in black. What more do you need to know.
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I
always thought that Actua Soccer was one of the smartest looking sports sims on
the Playstation and nothing has changed with Club Edition, in fact it is
identical. The animation is first class, with the little motion captured
players slick, fluid and very realistic in their movements. The graphics are
smooth and clear, so whether they are wearing their famous club colors or their
forever changing away kit, your strikers are instantly recognizable as they
mingle among the oppositions defence.
Although the structure of every
home teams stadium is identical there are enough differences to give each ground
an individual appearance, be it the shade of grass, the shape it has been cut or
the sight of the crowd bathed in the color of the home team.
There is a
choice of six viewing perspectives but unfortunately only a couple of them could
be deemed playable. The goal line camera is virtually impossible to use in a
two player game and could only be managed in a single player game with the aid
of binoculars when the action is down field, the same could be said for the
stand view. Wire (default) follows the ball a little too close for my liking,
while Isometric angle scrambles your shooting angles. That leaves Plan, an
overhead view, and Touchline, which is definitely the most playable on offer.
Pausing the game during play offers the facility to finely adjust the camera
angle in, out, up and down by using the shoulder buttons therefore you should
find at least one view to your liking.
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Commentary
is once again provided by Barry Davies who names each of the players in
possession of the ball. Praise is offered for slick passing movements and
skillful touches while poor shooting is ridiculed. Comments can often become
repetitive, but no more than any other soccer game.
The crowd play an
important part of creating the big match atmosphere as their tempo rises when
nearing goal, although when the ball is being passed around the midfield area I
swear I could hear them singing 'what a load of rubbish'. Perhaps it was just
the way I was performing.
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Actua
Soccer Club Edition allows the player to perform over 40 different kinds of
shots and passes, including diving headers, back heels and volleys. However you
are initially only informed of the basic skills of passing long and short,
tackling, running, shooting and chipping therefore the remaining repetoire of
actions must be discovered during play. To facilitate this learning curve,
Gremlin have included a practice mode where your selected team will take to the
field and play out a match against an opposition that only includes a goalkeeper
(didn't that happen to Scotland once?). As helpful as this idea is, I must say
that playing a Friendly against a less skillful opposition would improve your
game a lot quicker.
The options accommodate for a choice of gameplay in
the form of arcade or simulation, rule adjustments, wind setting and game length
from 5 to 90 minutes.
Once practice and pre-season friendlies are out of the way, it is time
to begin footballs equivalent of the marathon as you aim for the coveted prize
to become Premier League Champions. The selection of club is, in effect, the
difficulty setting. Choose Man Utd, Newcastle or Liverpool and you will be
putting six past the lower ranked teams while desperately holding on for a
goal-less draw against each other. Your team will be nigh on invincible when
playing at home while shock results will occur at those grounds that hold a
reputation for upsetting the big boys.
Select Sunderland, Coventry or
Southampton and your season will be all about survival as you scrap to avoid the
'dreaded drop' that comes with relegation. The selection of Blackburn will also
have you biting your nails, especially when you are waiting to see if
Middlesbrough will turn up for 'that' vital game.
Out on the pitch the
game has a nice balance, not impossible to score but then not too easy. I
quickly get fed up of those soccer games that involve solo runs where you easily
dribble the ball past every defender before launching the un-stoppable shot that
carries the goalie into the back of the net with the ball. Club Edition has a
lot more realism to it. Don't get me wrong, you can launch a shot from the kick
off straight into the back of the net, but it will only sometimes go in. If you
wish to unleash a power-shot then you must earn it first by creating enough
space to stand still for a second or two as the power builds up and most
defenders won't allow you this time.
Against the top teams after-touch
and team formation is essential. The best 'keepers cannot be beaten easily so
you must try to bend the ball into the corner of the goal or perform a dummy
pass to catch them off guard, while a 5 man defence is recommended to keep a
clean sheet.
When a player is near the ball or has gained control of
it, a highlight will flash below the players feet. A triangle shows the player
in possession and a circle highlights the player you are presently controlling.
If there is a flashing star around your players feet it means that (he is either
Alan Shearer or more likely) the player is in a position to perform a first time
touch such as a diving header, overhead kick or a volley. If your player is
running down the wing with the ball at his feet and the triangle turns into a
square then a touch of the pass button will automatically send the ball into the
box with a chipped cross.
As a two player game Club Edition is tops and
if you are lucky enough to have 20 mates, then each person can select a team in
the league and battle will commence with each side playing 38 games over a
season.
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There
are a few questions that need to be asked regarding VFM.
Is it worth
buying Club Edition if you already own Actua Soccer? Only if you wish to play
with the very latest Premiership teams rather than the previously available
World squads, otherwise it plays very similar.
Should you buy this game
if you own another soccer game? Why not, this plays as different as, say
Pandemonium does to Crash Bandicoot and they are both Platforms.
Is it
the best footy game on the PSX? It all depends on what you are after from a
video soccer game. It's smart in appearance, has challenging gameplay and
features all the latest teams. I would personally rank it in the top three.
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MARTIN |
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GRAPHICS: |
Good |
I
was a fan of Actua Soccer when it was released early last year and could
heartily recommend Club Edition to those who missed out on the original. When
playing the top teams it becomes hard work forging an opening to take a shot at
goal, but when the ball goes in, you will be dancing around the room in delight.
Roll on Actua Soccer 2, I can't wait. |
SOUND: |
Average |
PLAYABILITY: |
Good |
VALUE: |
Good |
OVERALL 8/10 |
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JIM |
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GRAPHICS: |
Good |
This
game still plays well and if you have not purchased the original Actua Soccer,
then you won't be dissapointed. However, for all of you who have, then wait for
A.S.2 |
SOUND: |
Average |
PLAYABILITY: |
Good |
VALUE: |
Good |
OVERALL 8/10 |
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