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During
'96 there was a plethora of new soccer games released on the Playstation of
which most where a breath of fresh air compared to the previously available
16-bit renditions of this immensely popular sport.
This year sees the
dawning of the soccer update as in the coming months we will receive Adidas
Power Soccer International and Actua Soccer Club Edition which are not new
games, but tidied up versions of last years product. Improvements promised are
tweaked gameplay, updated statistics and hopefully devoid of bugs.
Eidos
get the season underway with Soccer '97, their updated version of Olympic
Soccer. The first obvious change is the title, I mean whoever decided to name a
football game after the Olympic Games. First of all the Olympic Games is a
sporting contest that raises it's head every four years, hardly going to be on
everyone's minds for three quarters of their lives. Then the event is supposed
to be an amateur contest, although recent rule changes saw the likes of
Argentina and Brazil parading their star players. Finally, the sport of soccer
is not exactly synonymous with the Olympic Games and, in my opinion, should be
removed from this occasion, leaving the spotlight on athletics, ten pin bowling
and synchronized swimming.
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Soccer
'97 now holds a PFA licence which allows the use of Premier and selected First
Division teams, each with a full updated squad of pro players. So you can now
tear down the wing as Ryan Giggs, save those almost unstoppable shots with David
Seaman or have Alan Shearer score 50 goals a season, but I doubt you will. You
see Soccer '97 turns the difficulty setting up an extra notch that makes goal
scoring no longer a formality but a tactical reward for prizing open the
oppositions defence. This makes the game playable for a greater length of time
although you will miss out on the enjoyment of putting ten past your neighbors
in your local Derby.
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The
game opens with a neat, but short intro showing a young footballer displaying
his ball controlling abilities in a street setting. This should act as a
reminder to budding young stars of the future exactly where the grass routes of
a playing career begins, on the streets, not in your bedrooms.
The
in-game graphics of Soccer '97 are similar to it's predecessor with the players
represented by polygon figures that are simplistic, but effective. The teams
adorn their famous colors with an away strip available for similarity clashes.
The players goal celebrations are a mark on modern times as the players skid
across the grass in formation, on their knees with arms aloft, while a victory
results in a never ending lap of honor.
The games are played to
capacity crowds in multi-tiered stadiums, while all of the action can be viewed
from a selection of camera angles that range from pitch level to top down. The
cameras are positioned on the sidelines, at the corner flag or behind the goal.
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Alan
Green once again provides the ball-by-ball commentary with each player in
possession named. There is the usual array of quips that provide a wry smile
the first time heard but can grind on your nerves after several repeated
mentions. Unfortunately, that's it as far as the sound effects go.
I
hope developers of soccer games will take note of the sport sim Jonah Lomu Rugby
where the crowd bursts into 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot', which creates a little
thing called ATMOSPHERE to the proceedings. Have you lot never been to a soccer
game before. So there is still no rendition of 'Who the f*** are Man United?'
from the Kop, or the Manager politely informing his defender to mark a little
closer, even the odd Geordie accent of Shearer calling for the ball would make a
pleasant change.
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The
game options include a 1-2 player Exhibition game, where two teams are selected
to play in a one-off friendly match. Arcade is a 32 team KO played over six
rounds where only one team may be entered, but two players can join forces
against the computer. A four group tournament can be set up by highlighting the
teams that you wish to take part, with the group winners fighting it out for the
trophy. Soccer '97 also gives you the option to play a season in your own
custom built league of between three and twenty teams.
The in-game
options are plentiful with the games duration lasting from 3 mins to a
breathtaking 90 mins, with an option to play extra time and penalties or the new
new Golden Goal rule where the first team that scores, wins. Each of the
players characteristics can be customized from winger to man to man marking,
giving each his own individual style of play. Substitutes can be requested
during a match, while the games conditions may be set before play commences.
The
control pads functions can be selected from twelve set configurations. Most of
the buttons have a duel purpose giving you control of up to sixteen different
actions from chips, volleys and bicycle kicks to chest control and one-twos.
There
are not many soccer games around that are devoid of those easy goals, such as
Power Soccer with it's chip goal straight from kick off or indeed Olympic
Soccers goal line header from a corner kick, but I have yet to find the perfect
angle to beat the goalie every time, which is great. I mean, what is the point
in gradually moving the ball up the pitch with some sweet passing moves when you
could hoof the ball up the field to your centre forward, who will strike an
unstoppable shot that will hit the back of the net every time?
To win
a game of Soccer '97 requires your defenders to mark tightly and tackle
precisely with correct timing. Your midfield should cover your backs and
provide through balls for your forwards, while your attackers must pressurize
the opposition with accurate crossing, instant ball control and split second
shooting. The goal keepers AI has been increased so they will dive down and
smother the ball if an attacker gets too close to the target and a defensive
back pass will see him race off his line to clear the ball way up field. In
fact the only way you are going to win at this game is through skillful passing
and sharp reactions in front of goal, which is how the game should be portrayed.
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Soccer
'97 is a difficult game to judge as there are many out there who will already
own Olympic Soccer. If you do own the original then this game now offers you
Premiership teams and those spoiling bugs removed. If you are a connoisseur of
footy games, then the challenging gameplay may be just up your street. If you
are looking for your very first console soccer game, then be warned, Soccer '97
is quite tough to beat.
Overall, Soccer '97 is a great two player game
with an option to handicap teams which can be a great leveler.
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MARTIN |
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GRAPHICS: |
Good |
I
found this game a little frustrating at first as the quick passing movements and
clinical finishing of the top teams left me with a mountain to climb before
reaching half time. However the two player mode allows you the time to build up
your skills before facing the mighty forces of the Premiership elite teams,
especially when second player is your pet dog. Soccer '97 is the most
challenging footy game I have played and even the most skillful players will not
win the league on their first outing. |
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SOUND: |
Average |
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PLAYABILITY: |
Brilliant |
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VALUE: |
Good |
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OVERALL
8/10 |
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JIM |
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GRAPHICS: |
Good |
There
are two type os soccer game - The first is a slow and realistic paced game that
gives you enough time to plan accurate crosses into the box, followed by a
beautiful diving header into the net. The other is a more fast and furious game
that relies on fast reactions and pin-point timing for success. Soccer 97 is of
the latter type and is easily the best in this field. So if you like it FAST,
then this is for you! |
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SOUND: |
Good |
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PLAYABILITY: |
Brilliant |
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VALUE: |
Brilliant |
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OVERALL
9/10 |
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