SENSIBLE SOCCER 2006

Last updated : 04 August 2006 By Game Boy

Jon Hare, designer and producer of the original Sensible Soccer series, here collaborates with Codemasters and developers Kuju Entertainment for the return of the long-standing soccer series.

This revival plays up the fast action and wild multiplayer of the original series, now with 3D visuals and new aggressive new arcade-style gameplay.

The game comes complete with lightning fast football action, physics defying sliding tackles and unbelievable goals that can go curling into the top corner thanks to the outrageous levels of after-touch.

Visually, the game has a distinctive new graphical style, which includes cel-shaded players designed with the classic enlarged heads from the original for easy viewing of the fast-paced action.

September 1992 - The Shamen top the charts with Ebeneezer Goode, cinema-goers marvel at the delights of The Bodyguard and Sensible Software release what, for many, was the crowning glory of the Amiga - Sensible Soccer.

Fast forward 14 years and thankfully music and film have changed for the better. Tthe leaps in computer gaming have been pretty incredible too - so in a world dominated by Pro Evolution Soccer and FIFA, how will a revamp of Sensible's baby appeal to a new generation of gamers?

The answer is... pretty well.

For every gamer who wants to spend months learning the intricacies of the beautiful game, there's a gamer who wants to pick up a joypad and curl a satisfying 35-yarder into the top corner from the get go. This is their game.

Like its 16-bit relative, the new Sensible Soccer is a doddle to learn and within minutes you'll feel like a seasoned pro.

Sadly this excitement is short-lived because the level of progression may not live up to the expectation of today's gamers, who have been spoiled by 21st century footie titles that offer a dazzling array of controls and manoeuvres.

As a trip down memory lane though, the game doesn't disappoint.

The remix of the original music is there, as is the badly mis-spelled names (Rinay up front for England - genius!) and the familiar top-down viewpoint.

The old cups, tournaments and customisable teams are all there so, if you so desire, you can have yourself leading Brazil to World Cup glory or pick your all-time dream team with you as star striker.

One big plus for Sensible Soccer is its budget price-tag - for £20 you can have a lot of fun, and it's perfect for those post-pub moments when you want a game that you can just pick up and play with minimum fuss.

All in all, anyone expecting the same sense of amazement they might have experienced all those years ago might be left wanting, but it's a decent and very fun distraction that'll make a worthy addition to your collection.

Out now
PS2, PC, Xbox
£20

Ric Bradley (The Mirror)