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This belated release includes extra features originally planned for Kick Off 2. However, you'll need a megabyte of memory to see aesthetic improvements such as the animated referee, linesmen and physio. Sonically, a megabyte gives you the crowd singing at setpieces and goals, plus realistic groans from fouled players!

The most important improvements work with 512K though. Crucially the strategic awareness of the Kick Off 2 formations has been rectified. Before, the tactical movement of the players only depended on the ball position. In Final Whistle, it also depends on which team is in possession. This makes it much harder to bypass the defence by just hoofing the ball down the pitch to a goal-hanging forward.

An optional offsite rule also complicates matters. However, offside in Final Whistle occurs when a player receives the ball with no opposing defenders in front of him - so it's impossible to play 'through balls'.

Another useful addition is the ability to see the statistics of all the players in your squad (with the additional attribute of 'flair'). Teams from future data disks can also be imported via the 'Other Squad' option in the skill level menu.

On the pitch, new game controls include a nifty overhead kick (reverse direction when the ball's in the air) and a subtle flick (reverse direction with the ball trapped). Of these, the format is the most spectacular and useful. Throw-ins have been improved with their strength selected by holding down fire. Corner kicks have been totally redesigned. First you select from nine strengths, then hold down fire to determine the height. Before the ball is kicked you can put left/right bias on it, then use aftertouch to bend it. It's a slightly trickier system, but you do get much more control with practice.

Other additions include a new 'Team' mode with one player always being nearest the ball while the other plays in position (even the goalie!). There are also two new kits (checked/different coloured trim) and four new pitches to load: bumpy (ball bounces unpredictably), muddy (brown and very sticky), icy (light blue and slippery) and Wembley (a slight variation on the normal pitch - disappointing).

So the 90 minutes are up, what's the final score? Well, £12.99 may seem a high transfer free but it's justified by the sheer amount of extra features. You need a megabyte to get all the aesthetic improvements but it's the subtly different way the game plays that really makes Final Whistle worthwhile, the improved tactics and controls making for more skilful and exciting matches. Heartily recommended.