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GENRE
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SOUND
PLAYABILITY
VALUE
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ACTUA SOCCER CLUB EDITION

Developer

Gremlin

Options

Distributer

Gremlin

Player

1-2 Player

Game Type

Sports Sim

Mem. Card

Review Date

June 1997

Setting the Scene

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.

Genre

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.

Graphics

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.

Sounds and Effects

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.

Playability

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.

Value for Money

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.

Opinion

MARTIN

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

JIM

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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