You know it makes sense (Sensible World of Soccer)

Member Name: dcoare

Product:	Sensible World of Soccer
Date:	03/04/04 (270 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Brilliant arcade action, Management abilities., Non-stop timeless fun

Disadvantages: Bit dated, Poor sound + graphics

It has certainly taken me some time, but I have finally decided to get round to writing a review on this game. (Rather than just playing it endlessly)

This game first appeared on the Amiga years ago, and has since been ported everywhere. I still find that the trusty old PC handles it well though.

It isn’t a very exciting game to look at, with the graphics being confined to a very basic overhead view and blocky looking players, but the beauty of this game is much deeper than it’s initial appearance.

The main thing that separates this footy game from so many others is that along with the brilliant arcade footy simulation, you also get a very good management game thrown in for good measure.

That’s right! Not only are you controlling the players charging around the pitch trying to score goals, but you are also the player-manager who chooses that team on its strengths. And as if that wasn’t enough, if you don’t feel like controlling those players, you can choose to just coach your team and watch the results.

So, a brilliant idea you must admit, but does it work?

Well, before I let that particular cat out of the bag, maybe just a few moments to ponder over the various options on loading SWOS. (As us old hands have lovingly come to know it)

Game Modes.
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There are 5 game modes in total, all delivering you to a match in some form or another.

Friendly.

As is usually the case with footy games, you’ll want to pit some low-life team against a top of the premiership team, just to see how much they lose by. Select this option, decide on the weather conditions, and how many subs can be used (0-5), choose the teams (carefully selecting yours!), choose your formation and who is playing where, and then you’re off.

DIY Competition.

You can set up a competition exactly how you like it. Be it league, cup or a tourname
nt you are led through with the ability to change how many teams are involved, how many games they play, etc. Then you select the teams that you wish to participate, and hey-presto….one DIY Competition for you to enjoy (and hopefully win!!)

Preset Competition.

This one deals with all the things that are already in place.
I.e. The World Cup, European Cup, Etc.

Season.

This gives you the chance to play one season at a club of your choosing. You will get to play in the league and cup matches that the club are involved in.

Career.

This is my favourite bit. You enter your name, and nationality, choose the team you wish to manage and your career begins. During the course of this career you can receive job offers to move to other clubs, or just stick with a team for season after season. You may even get the chance to player-manage your national side.


Playing The Game.
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Right, so lets get on to the real fun part. After you’ve chosen your team, you can view your squad. In career mode all players are graded in money terms, so that you have the capacity to buy and sell players to other clubs. In all over modes the players are graded using a star system. The more stars the better the player.

The player names are correct (at the time the game was released), but regular updates and editors are available at www.purplesensi.co.uk.

Each player has attributes of his game which are more outstanding than the rest of them, and these are listed after his name. These appear in the form of a code, i.e. SFV = Speed, Finishing, Veracity, which is daunting at first but you soon begin to realise how they improve each player.

You can then set the tactics (4-4-2, 5-2-3, etc) to best suit your team, and place your players in the positions you feel they would be more efficient.

As a handy little helper, you have an assistant coach who give
s you a green tick if he believes you have made a right choice, or a red cross if you have made an unwise decision.

Anyway, lets get to kick-off.

You control the player nearest the ball, with the 8 directions. If you tap the fire button, you will pass in the direction you are heading. If you hold down the fire button, you will kick the ball harder. There are various after touches like swerve, chip and lob that can all be applied. You can head the ball and slide tackle.

Each player has a varying ability at ball control, but the ball does not stick to your feet so some skill is required.

Although in most games of this type, there is usually a fail-safe route to scoring a goal (which makes for a boring game), there are better lines to take but you are never guaranteed to score. (Unless the goalie has completely missed the ball and you are running toward the goal with the ball at your feet and no defenders in site.)

Your goalie is completely computer controlled, which can be aggravating at some times. All the more reason to buy a decent keeper.

During the game, players can get injured, or yellow/red carded, so you might find it useful to bring on substitutes once in a while. Players can also get so badly injured that they are out of action for weeks, or even the rest of the season.

So, its got everything a footy game should have but what makes it special. It is hard to say until you have experienced scoring some of the most fantastic goals you can imagine.

The teams really do represent their real-life counterparts. If you are playing for a 3rd division English team against Real Madrid, they are very likely to thrash you!!.

But, the most impressive thing about this game is just its shear size. You have the premiership, div one, div two and div three, but you also have all the divisions from leagues around the world.

I have owned this game now for around 5-6years, and yet it is still
the first game I pick up and play (even before some of the newer games on my PS2)

I run the game on a clapped out old Pentium, and it still runs fine. This game really is a lot better with a joypad.

Hope you enjoy.

Summary: