| Introduction
With the popularity of football seemingly growing
by the week, software houses have been falling over
themselves trying to produce the definitive version
of the sport on a variety of formats. There appear to
be bucket loads released every year and most fade without
a trace. Here though, is the first footy sim on the
GBA. Now I wouldn't normally play a football game, I've
played them before and, to be honest, I'm really not
that good at them. Total Soccer is slightly different
though. I first encountered an unfinished version at
this year's ECTS and was intrigued to say the least.
Let's hope the developers at Exient have used the months
since to produce a game that we all want to own.
GamePlay
The first thing you'll notice about this title is
that it caters for all types of games lasting from two
to sixteen minutes. Say, for starters you wanted a simple
league game against two rival sides. You choose 'Single
Game', select your teams and you're away. You can actually
be right in the main game in a matter of seconds if
you wish. If you're finding things a little too easy
you can make the game last longer, your opponents more
intelligent or even throw in a bit of weather, say wind
for example. This is just for starters as there are
tournaments to choose and over 150 up-to-date teams
too. You can have a short, local competition or go global.
Then there's the strategy element to consider as
well, and this is where some players will come unstuck.
The line-up you're going to play, the team playing style
and substitutions are all decided by you. After a few
games you may want to alter the skill levels of the
teams which makes for a much harder but ultimately more
rewarding game. On the very easy setting you can pass
the ball and it will stick to your players like glue.
Harder setting will have you running around the pitch
in order to score a single goal or even just to come
out with a nil-nil draw.
The gamescreen, in match mode, has you playing from
an aerial viewpoint but not all of the pitch is viewable
at any one time. Instead, an overlay in the left hand
corner gives you details of players and ball position.
In the right there are scores and a timer and at the
base there are the two players currently battling it
out for the ball. Pressing pause will send you into
replay mode but as with everything else this can be
altered via the options. The battery back-up won't save
all your glory matches but does save progress of tournaments
so you can have a break to rest those tired fingers.
There's also a two player option but unfortunately,
because of the complex nature of the game, you'll need
another gamepack.
Controls
Possibly one of the highlights of the game is the
control system and its ease of use. Whenever I get a
new game I'll always try to play without looking at
the instructions and this one is simplicity itself.
Even with the huge amount of options, everything is
instinctive and this allows you to jump right into the
gameplay and not to have to sit around thumbing through
manuals.
Graphics
There are two different types of graphics in this
game. Matchplay and Statistics. All the games are played
from an aerial view which allows the graphics to remain
very simple but effective. There's no rendered or motion
captured players but what is here works. The other screens
are very text heavy but retain clarity and it's never
difficult to see what's going on. The fact is, complicated
graphics would no doubt slow down the display and make
the game a little sluggish. The simplicity throughout
never hurts the game and will be the least of your problems
when you're getting beaten.
Sound & Music
The sound effects are fantastic, especially through
headphones. Not only is every kick catered for in the
audio department but the crowd is responsive to the
game too. Score a goal and they roar with approval whilst
a near miss or a foul will cause the opposite. The music
too resembles the kind of generic soundtrack you get
on Saturday afternoon football programs on the television
although this only plays before games.
Final Comments
Every type of game that you could possibly want,
from the English Premiership to International Tournaments,
is catered for. Add to this the heaps of options with
difficulty, length of matches and weather conditions
and you suddenly realize you have in your hands the
first complete sports game to be released on the GBA.
This really is a fantastic game with hours of playability
and a must for anyone who has even a passing interest
in football. Go out and buy it now.
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