Mean Machines Sega


Sensible Soccer
By Sony Imagesoft
Sega Game Gear (EU Version)

 
Published in Mean Machines Sega #17

Sensible Soccer

Football, football, football. What can be said about football that hasn't already been said in a strange voice by Jon Motson? Nothing. Which is why we're just going to tell you about this conversion of the multi-format stormin' soccer hit produced by Saffron Walden's most beautiful gamesmiths, Sensible Software.

Basically, it's football - 11 players per side, all the usual rules, score goals to win, etc, etc. Sensible Soccer also features such essential fripperies as tournaments, 64 teams to play as and against, and bits like changing kit colours and that.

Lucy

Fast, furious football at its best - Sony have taken all the elements which make footy great and slapped them on this cart.

Sensible Soccer

I actually much prefer this one to the Megadrive version because on the Game Gear the tiny sprites don't matter, it's just action, action, action all the way.

The controls are superb, responding to your every touch. If you like soccer, get this and if you don't like soccer get it anyway 'cos it's fab.

Paul

The first thing that strikes you about this game is the speed of it. If the screen was black and white, you could mistake this for 1935 Newsreel Soccer, the way the little guys zip around the pitch.

Sensible Soccer

I thought this might spell doom for Sensible Soccer, but the speed and the tiny players don't actually cause any gameplay problems at all, and in fact the game is all the better for them.

The ball is of the stick-to-the-feet variety so there's no Kick Off-style troubles with dribbling and passing the flow of play is fast and smooth. The range of options is more than sufficient and overall this is one cool footy game. If you don't already own Kick Off, I'd recommend you buy it.

Verdict

Presentation 90%
The usual range of extensive football options. Controls are good.

Sensible Soccer

Graphics 70%
Minuscule player sprites which work surprisingly well.

Sound 71%
P. Jaunty tunes accompany the menus, yelling crowds accompany the action.

Playability 90%
Appears crazily fast at first, but once you get the hang of the speed, it's ace.

Lastability 92%
Lots of differently-skilled teams to challenge and six tournaments to win.

Overall 90%
A great soccer game, which is faster and a bit more playable than Kick Off.