Let The Machine Do The Work

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A completely original idea in computer games, Brian Clough's Football Fortunes is a board game in which the computer plays an active part.

The pack contains game board, player cards, counters, and a 40/80 track disc. To play, you will need up to four friends.

The computer allocates footballers to the players who then take the appropriate cards out of the pack. On each card is a footballer's name, his position, and his Brian Clough star rating. I was very disappointed that Terry Gibson, once of Coventry City fame, only had a rating of one. But the man 'imself knows best. Each player then chooses a team. The names don't matter: Canterbury United could win the UEFA Cup.

The game is menu-driven. The computer shakes the dice and you're off. Around the board you do: each square has its own consequence, which can be good or bad. For example, a sponsorship square means that you collect a suitably large sum of money, but if you should land on a wages square it means giving some back to the bank. Other squares are manager's luck, equally good or bad, selection problems which are invariably bad; and Sunday, where nothing happens.

After the first season, you have the option to carry on. If you decide you've had enough, the computer works out who has won: this is not just money, but how successful you have been through the whole season.

Overall, Brian Clough's Football Fortunes is a game that is fun to play, with clear instructions, in a smart box. It leaves the fun bits to you and does the tedious bits itself.

Richard Bellis