Arriving just in time for the 2006 World Cup, Sony’s World Tour Soccer ’06 looks to take advantage of soccer fever and win over some new fans with its charming and simple formula.
Released during the PSP launch, the original World Tour Soccer was the first soccer game on the handheld, and was considered a passable if somewhat stale experience. Since that time the competition has grown sharply, with EA Games releasing 3 (yes, three) of its officially licensed FIFA titles in just over a year’s time and the arrival of the Winning Eleven series, a popular name in simulation style soccer. Despite the stiff competition, World Tour Soccer 06 manages to separate itself from the others and offer a different experience focused more on fun, and less on hardcore soccer.
The control scheme is similar to most other games on the market. On offence you use the face buttons to shoot and pass the ball and the analog stick for movement and aiming. You are given three slightly different passes (ground, mid-level and cross) and one shot type. Where other games may offer additional, more complicated options for ball control and special moves, World Tour Soccer keeps it simple and focuses on the basics. Fans of either the FIFA series, or especially the Winning Eleven games, will very likely find the lack of complexity to be a turn off. However, for newcomers and those just looking for a quick game of soccer, the controls offer enough variety without bogging down the game in the complexity of specials moves, tackles and shots.
The games are fast and furious, with lots of action in the form dynamic and variable offenses, relentless tackling and many cross-field passes. On the standard difficulty level the opposition isn’t likely to be too much of a challenge. Solid passing and playing to your teams advantages will likely find you in many scoring opportunities. Getting the ball into the net can take a little practice, yet after a while you will feel like a master striker as you score again and again from any location. Once you up the difficulty the AI can be more of a challenge, but is rarely dominating or overly frustrating.
What separates World Tour Soccer 06 from the rest of the pack is it’s inclusion of special game types, which can be played either in world tour or medal mode. During these matches winning isn’t the only goal, but instead you gain various points throughout the match for quality soccer play, and lose some points them for sloppy tackles and conceding goals. In addition to the points, you are given other restrictions such as having fewer men on the field, or having a limited amount of time you may control the ball before taking a shot. These extra modes are great when you are looking to have a little fun and avoid a straight up match of soccer. These extra modes that will also draw in other gamers who have maybe played a little too much regular soccer, and are now looking for something a little different to spice it up.
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Graphically the game is impressive, though not outstanding. While the players are look good and are smoothly animated, the part that stands out most in the graphical presentation is the stadiums. World Tour Soccer 06 features much more attention to detail in its backgrounds which is immediately noticeable. The sound effects are good, though the announcers will get on your nerves after a while.
If after watching this years World Cup you are looking for something a little different than previous soccer games, World Tour Soccer 06 may just be the game you need. Its easy controls, addictively simple game play and variety of game modes are likely to appeal to all but the hard-core soccer enthusiast. The only real complaint against World Tour Soccer 06 is perhaps its lack of a head-butt move. Well, maybe next year…
WHAM! Rating: |
8 out of 10 |
ESRB Rating: |
E (Everyone) |
Official Web Site: |
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