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Emlyn Hughes... "I know it, I know it, I know it - no, it's gone!" I really can't remember what he did for a living before becoming a Question Of Sport celebrity - perhaps this game will give me a few clues. Oh yes, Emlyn Hughes International Soccer. He programmed C64 sports sims! EHIS is one of the most celebrated soccer games ever to hit the Commodore but (unlike A Question Of Sport) has it stood the test of time?

After loading, the first thing that hits you is the number of options available, accessed via a series of pull-down menus. Almost every aspect of the game can be tweaked. Match duration can be anything from a minute each way to a full (real-time) 90-minute match. You can even have two players teaming up against the computer, making real teamwork essential. There are ten skill levels on offer, so you won't whop the computer for some time.

You can change the colour of team strips, pitch markings and even the playing surface itself. It's advisable to go for green on the latter, as a red pitch is a garish eyesore!

There are eight teams, any number of which can be human-controlled. Also, all team and player names and individual skills can be changed to suit your requirements. When you're satisfied with these, you choose the kind of match you want. Play a friendly, start a league (and choose the teams to be involved), go for a cup competition or begin a full season with home and away matches and a cup included. There's even a save game option.

A management element is also present, so you must rest your best players from time to time as they pick up knocks at quite an alarming rate.

With its wealth of customisable features, Emlyn is one of the best-presented footy games around. With its easy-to-use menus, there's hardly an aspect of the game you can't adjust.

But, alas, even EHIS has its faults - this is the bit I've been putting off for the last couple of paragraphs. Call me a bluff old party pooper if you like, but in my humble opinion, it's a tad overrated. Sluggish movement and unresponsive controls can be off-putting at first. Keep at it, though, and your patience is rewarded - unlike many football games it's actually possible to string together passing movements rather than just hitting and hoping. This makes play a lot more satisfying when mastered.

Looking not unlike the ancient International Soccer, EHIS is a far more sophisticated game with plenty of kick strengths and directions available. It's probably the most realistic simulation of the sport on the C64, but it's not a game that will appeal to everyone. 70%

I can't say I've seen one really good footy game on the Commodore yet. Just because Emlyn Hughes is better than most, it doesn't mean it's a good release.

Originally it revelled in praise, earning 90%-plus in some mags, but in my opinion it's unworthy of the acclaim. True, there's an abundance of options to wade through, but the gameplay's a messy blotch on the programmer's curriculum vitae. Controlling player is really tricky and I totally disagree with Miles concerning passing shots, and scoring goals is nothing more than a lurching shuffle. The 'keepers roll across the grass and fail to stand up correctly, allowing the forward to walk the ball over the line.

If you're a fantatic about the game, then you can't go far wrong with the half-tolerable Microprose Soccer - it's not fantastic, but it surpasses this barren charade. 46%

Presentation 93%
All the options you could ever wish for.

Graphics 55%
Big blocky and sluggish sprites, but they work.

Sound 42%
Dull tune, so-so crowd noises.

Hookability 64%
Plenty to fiddle with, but initially frustrating.

Lastability 80%
Football rather than arcade kickabouts.

Overall 58%