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It has been 28 bloody years since England have won the World Cup. In fact, the last time an English player held the trophy it was in its original Jules Rimet shape, which has since retired to Brazil's cup cabinet because they won it three times.

What's worse, we won't get another crack at it until 1998... because Graham Taylor couldn't select a team capable of demolishing the part-time fruit-pickers (or whatever) of San Marino. Still, even ol' 'Turnip' and Laurie McMenenenenemy can have another go at lifting the trophy, as US Gold's official licence runs on field. In boasts more tactics and options than any other of its kind, and allows the player to customise the game in virtually every department - including the addition of England to the squads available. If only it was that easy in real life...

Football teams all over the world meet up every four years for the World Cup. US Gold have recreated the tournament.

Lead your chosen team to victory, having beaten virtually every footballing nation known to man. Do this, and a nice gold trophy is yours.

World Cup '94 exists on two levels: either as a straight kickaround or a tactician's dreams. Whereas continued play of some footy games often reveal an unbeatable way to score every time, US Gold have tried to counter this by allowing the player to tinker with their team formation before and during a match. For example, having found your side's defence exposed by long passes, a quick trip to the tactics menu allows the player to drag a player icon to counter such an attack. Lo and behold, the next time the attackers try the same move, they'll find a defender waiting for them!

If there's one thing World Cup '94 has in bucketloads it's options. In addition to the usual one/two-player games, weather conditions, and the like, the game's many options also allow the player to determine everything from how well the ball sticks to the players' feet, the colour of the kit, and even the names of the teams - what's more, the made-up players in the game can also be replaced with the real thing. Blimey.

World Cup '94 is the Burger King of footy games. You want to alter the way the ball sticks to a player's foot? You got it. You want to select an upfront formation to outflank the opposition on the wing? You got it.

Sadly, however, there is very little meat behind all these options. I've spent a lot of time playing World Cup '94 but at the end of the day, the actual footy section just can't cut it.

It has momentary glimpses of genius, including the best passing action of any soccer game, but the action is a little too pedestrian. Similarly, it's breath-takingly easy to beat the opposition with the usual tactics nearly always resulting in a goal.

To be fair to US G, they have tried to counter this by adding a series of tactics screens which can be accessed during the game, but this only serves to interrupt the flow of a match and, to be honest, I doubt if many people could be bothered.

World Cup '94 is a slick-looking footy game, but is completely outplayed by the likes of Sensi and FIFA.

I think Steve has been more than fair in his assessment. Maybe a little too fair. World Cup '94 hides behind its menus, its icons and its options. But we are living in the age of FIFA, and this little lot has been found out!

The in-game presentation is pathetic. Minuscule sprites, minimal animation and zeroid atmosphere. Where's the tumult when you score a goal - it's meant to be the world's greatest soccer tournament, for heaven's sake!

Someone wake the crowd!

Every time someone tackles, the game stops for a split-second. Now just take a look at these players. They exhibit about as much intelligence as the real England squad (and I'm not doing 'ver lads' down, as I'm from Scotland, thankvermuch).

Take a free kick and any nearby player is likely to run in the opposite direction from the ball. Thankfully (or not, you may think) the CPU teams are about as useful as a bag of spanners.

With a four-player, isometric, animated extravaganza of an alternative from EA, how could you even consider?

Graphics 79%
P. The presentation is faultless, and the in-game sprites are small but behave and look realistic enough.

Sound 61%
N. Far from impressive. The music is blander than a Worlds Apart CD, the crowd is apathetic to say the least and the effects are similarly dull.

Playability 70%
P. The footy section is easy to pick up, and tackling and passing soon become second nature.

Lastability 66%
P. The game can be changed in every way, so an infinite number of tournaments are yours.
N. This doesn't disguise the slow pace of the all-important match sections.

Value For Money 67%
P. There's a lot in it for your money...
N. ... But it just isn't addictive enough to stand up to long periods of play.

Overall 67%
A tactician's delight, World Cup '94 is the Cameroon of footy games: it tries hard but ultimately can't cut the mustard.