At a glance...

Reviewer	Platform	Publisher	Developer	Players	Screenshots
Matt Bailey	PlayStation 2	Codemasters	Codemasters	1-8 (Share screen)	Here
Requirements				Also on...	Buy from Amazon.co.uk
Memory Card				Xbox, PC	Click here to buy Club Football.

Club Football review

Football, despite England's win in the Rugby World Cup, is still the most popular sport in the UK, and in fact, in Europe. In recent years we've seen the conflict between the FIFA and Pro Evolution Soccer series, as well as the growing presence of Sony's This is Football series, but most other contenders have failed to live up to these games - most particularly Pro Evo 3 - but now Codemasters come along with Club Football, taking a different approach in order to win the appeal of critics and public alike.

Club Football's unique feature is that instead of getting a licence for a certain football league or organisation, each game is based on and licensed by a specific club, seeing the game come in 17 different versions covering the following teams; Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Celtic, Rangers, Leeds United, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Hamburger SV, Bayern Munich, Ajax, Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Juventus (with the last 8 only available in the UK via Codemaster's Online Store). That's quite a selection, but if you're club isn't featured, then unfortunately, Club Football may offer a limited appeal to you. However, for the clubs that are featured, you likely to be pleased by their dedication to each club. It's clear from the onset that time has gone into making each game closely associated with the team which is emblazoned on its cover; the menus are all well styled in the club's core colours, and feature the team's logo regularly. I was able to sample this from two different clubs - Real Madrid and Manchester United - and it was clear that although the games share core elements (such as the menu layout, the "Club Football" logo, and loading screens - although these are tailored to each club with pictures of key players), each game has been designed to be an individual, showing off the club in one big interactive promotion.

Of course, it wouldn't be a good promotion if the players weren't in place, and thanks to extensive research by the Codemasters team, everyone is in place, and the game is up-to-date to the beginning of the season (which is now slightly unavoidably wrong due to the changes in the January transfer windows). But not only is the stats correct, but the looks too; players are accurately modelled, thanks to the extensive photographing and digital imagery undertaken by the Codies team. You'll easily recognise each player, and that's definitely a plus in a game where club familiarity plays an important part. The stadiums too are accurately modelled - and the biggest fans will realise all the smallest details are in place, with all providing in a pretty good level of detail. Animation is OK, but is somewhat lacking - feeling rather ordinary in comparison to its rival titles, and on the pitch, this can let the game down.

It isn't just the visual style and player accuracy that are impacted by the licence in Club Football; each version of the game sees the respective club taking on a full football season, and this is where your chosen version plays a part; because you play through as your club (something you have no choice over) you feel in control of your favourite team, and it's up to you to guide them to victory. This sense of being more closely associated with the team you play as is what provides the game with a unique appeal, with limited due to the club choices. Newcastle United fans, for example, won't be interested in carrying Arsenal or Manchester United to a treble. Other than the "Domestic Season" - which for UK teams is the Premier League and FA Cup - there is the "Super League"; a European group of 12 clubs (interestingly all from the 17 licensed titles) split into two groups before going to knockout with the best of the groups; essentially a cut-down Champions League, but still featuring all the main clubs. As you'd expect, there's the usual options of "Exhibition Match" and "Custom Tournament" to keep you occupied, and to allow you to get involved in 8 player matches.

OK, so we know it looks good, it has an authentic feel, and it has the right modes, but where the game really matters is in the core gameplay; how does the action on the field play? Rather well for a newcomer, in fact. The action isn't an arcade kick-out, and presents the action in a reason and intelligent style. However, it doesn't lack the same level of fluid action, or provide the same thrill when things go right that PES3 does. In previous years it might have been better than FIFA, but with FIFA 2004 signalling things are on the way up, Club Football's gameplay is ultimately relegated to a close third. One of the core problems in the gameplay is that it often feels a bit too slow, with the use of the sprint essentially nearly all of the time. Passing too needs to be improved. But, as I said, for first attempt it has certainly got over the hurdles that have held back many other football games in the past.

One of innovative feature that deserves a mention before I round up this review - particularly as it is core to the fan base appeal - is the ability to place yourself (or anyone else) in the game. The game features the ability to create and customise your own team, which means you can design your own players from a range of options, and although there's no ability to upload your face to the game, there are enough options to provide a good enough likeness. Surely most fans will have dreamed of playing for their club, and in Club Football you finally get that opportunity.

Ratings

Graphics	Player likeness is amazing, and the stadiums too are very accurate, and very highly detailed. Player animations, however, do let down the visuals somewhat.	7/10
Gameplay	Not as good as Pro Evolution Soccer 3, but then, as a newcomer, we never expected it to be. It's got past the hurdles that have held back other football titles, and shows a lot of potential for future versions.	8/10
Value	Great value if you're a fan of the club, otherwise probably not.	8/10
Lifespan	The Domestic Season and Super League should keep you going for some time, but there's no online here to keep you going, and the appeal to keep playing isn't as great as PES3	8/10
Audio	The commentary isn't bad, and the music is OK, but it doesn't provide the same level of atmosphere that FIFA 2004 does.	7/10
Overall	A good first effort for Codemasters, and we look forward to future football games from the company. Fans of the clubs involved will be good to pick this up, but for everyone else there's Pro Evolution Soccer 3 to keep your attention first and foremost.	7/10

Click here to buy Club Football from Amazon.co.uk.

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