Previous Next

Jones charges down the right wing, plays the ball past a defender and into the path of Green, the fastest man on the pitch. He steams into the 18 yard box, chips the keeper and it's a goal! The crowd goes crazy as Green charges to the side line waving his arms in celebration. England have pulled a goal back and are now only 14 behind.

This is football, and this is what you get when you play Emlyn Hughes International Soccer. Everything but the smell of the turf is there: controllable trick shots, fast-paced dribbling (yeuchh!) and even a match commentary to tell you which players are on the ball. Emlyn has the lot: you can chip, volley, head or back-heel the ball. And, if you want to win, you'd better master every one of these skills and more besides.

To say that this is the most complete soccer sim yet to make its way onto a CPC is an understatement. It's Match Day and Football Manager rolled into one and leagues better than both.

The Audiogenic side have been in training a long time for this game and it really does show. The basic premise is an international football team on the rounds for a season, league and even a cup competition. You not only have to play the matches but you also have to manage the team as fitness and varying skill levels start to tell on performance.

The options for whom and how to play are all kept in four pull-down menus, which present themselves after loading. The Options menu allows you to choose the limits of play. A choice of colours is available, as are the displays of team strengths and positions in the various leagues and competitions. Most useful of all is the Games menu which gives you the choice of who to play for, what to play for, and which players in your team are to play for you.

The actions on the field are what count though, and this is precisely where Emlyn scores. The view of the pitch is from the top row of the side stands. None of this overhead nonsense where all that's visible is the hair, a nose and the ball. Here you see their little legs as they charge around and their boots sticking out as they slide tackle. This view gives greater control as you can see the height of the ball, so you know when to make strikers use their heads or goalies dive and jump. You can also see more of the pitch this way and so you can actually pass to people.

Your player is indicated by a small black arrow floating above his head (if you want to get ahead get a cursor!) When the ball changes hands - or feet as the case may be - the cursor changes automatically to the nearest of your players to the ball. Alternatively you can control this yourself by selecting from the options menu, but this can prove confusing during goal mouth scrambles.

As the game begins, you are in possession of the ball, but you wont be for long if you run straight ahead, as the opposition charge in and barge you oft the ball. You've got to swerve or play the ball on if you want to make it to the goal. As your man runs, in swoop defenders, and if he's got pace and outruns them make a note of the name. Then you can pick him again, and the snail-speed types can be dropped. You can side step people, turn on the ball and encourage defenders Lo go away with the dip of a shoulder. It's a physical sport and injuries can only be expected (if you're on the other team!). It's not unknown for a tackle to result in a crumpled player and a free kick.

Nearing the goal mouth, and it's time to choose your shot. Will you try and lob one over the head of the keeper, get in close and volley it, dribble it across the line or deliver a cross for the head of a team mate? All are difficult, but the tougher the shot the more likely you are to wrong-foot the goalkeeper. If the goal goes in, there is a roar from the crowd, and off races the scoring player to the touch line to share his moment of glory with the crowd, punching the air as he goes.

When you are defending, life becomes a little more fraught. Teams on higher skill levels dribble with the flair of Best, shoot with the power of a Bobby Charlton and use their head like a Maradona (?). Nicking the ball requires a sliding tackle, and often the only safe option is to force it into touch. Throw ins and corners have to be watched for, as your cursored man has a tendency to wander towards the ball leaving his opposite number unmarked, which spells big trouble goal wise.

The other side of Emlyn's coin is the strategy section. Here you are able to see the make up of your team, as well as that of all the opposition. You can change the line up, alter the abilities of players and even design your own schedule by playing a series of friendly matches for practice. Naturally all this strutting around Europe gets the better of some of the lads, and as fitness begins to flag they have to be substituted for a fresher pair of legs.

Basically Emlyn Hughes International Soccer has very few weaknesses. Only a very faint, lack of pace inhibits the atmosphere. However, this does not detract from the incredibly addictive appeal the game has. Play against a low skill team and celebrate as you score your tenth goal with incredible flair. Pick on a harder team level and cheer with jubilation, but cry in despair as the goals you score are equalled by the computer's even better play. You cant help but become involved even if you're watching as shots rat tie the woodwork and side netting.

There's only thing left to do when you feel you've mastered the game, and that is to play a season (up to 60 matches!). This is the true test, and with the save and load facilities, the game's staying power is assured. The more you play, the more skill you develop, and the more technique you possess, the more the game comes to life. This is truly the soccer sim against which all other past, present and future efforts must be measured. Move over Match Day II, here comes Emlyn Hughes International Soccer!

Here I sit, munching my hat. Once upon a time, I boldly stated that Match Day II would never be equalled, let alone bettered. And now it's history. You ain't played footie on your CPC till you've mastered Emlyn Hughes International Soccer!

Score on Level 3.

Absolutely no worries.

Graphics 91%
P. Great player sprites.
P. Smooth movers, great control!

Sonics 85%
P. All the obligatory cheers and whistles are here as you'd expect.
N. Still no new ideas for soccer sounds?

Grab Factor 88%
P. Level 1 is easy enough to hook you straight away.
N. You feel an instant need to win.

Staying Power 94%
P. Ten levels of difficulty are enough for anyone.
P. Season feature guarantees long-term interest.

Overall 93%
P. Move over Match Day II, your time is up!