There are plenty of football games on Xbox, same as there are plenty of football teams in the lower divisions. But in both cases the brutal truth is that the majority just don't belong in the Premiership. Love it or loathe it, FIFA has been pretty much the only Xbox footie title worth playing - complete with its glossy presentation, solo skills and improved gameplay as witnessed in last year's 2003. EA's uber-franchise has dominated the market like Man Utd playing in the Sunday League. But now the football tables are turned. Club Football has dropped out of the sky like a lofted Beckham cross-field ball, and we do declare that FIFA 2004 will have some serious competition.

Codemasters has entered the fray with not one but 17 different versions of the game, each catering to fans with particular team loyalties. So whether you're a supporter of Aston Villa or Ajax, there's a game with your team's name on it. Diehard season ticket holders may consider this tailoring to be a vital purchase, but in truth the specialised content is pretty token. The front end encourages you to play through solely as the team of the game (in our review version it's Man Utd), but thanks to the customisation option you can still play through the competitions as Cardiff City if your heart so desires. Sure, your players look like their real-life counterparts (but we expect that anyway), and you also get assorted memorabilia to unlock and player stats to pore over - but that's pretty much it. The game could actually be better off without this marketing ploy of touting individual versions because football titles don't need gimmicks to succeed, they just need to be an accurate representation of the sport - and CF succeeds in this crucial area.

The on-pitch action is a fluid footballing experience. And thankfully, Club Football hasn't committed the ultimate foul of making each player a star who can win the game as an individual. No gluefoot here, spreading the ball and finding space is the only way to play - the cornerstone of authentic football action.

In fact, there's no real freestyle elements at all - so don't imagine that you'll be dazzling the defence with stepovers, dummies or showboating of any kind. The greatest complexity of control is the basic one-two pass (which isn't as responsive as it should be) and the lofted through ball - which is often a true defence-splitting tactic and works a treat. The downside of this over-simplified control method is that you also lose a sharp turns button option.

Turning and trying to shake off a defender seems to be based solely on your pace, with the vital sprint trigger used to decide when you skim your opponent with speed or dribble the ball past him.

The player control is very responsive. There are, however, some grey areas when at times the characters can feel sluggish in a free ball situation, resulting in the inevitable double-button action where you gain possession only to wastefully kick it away. But where Club Football stakes its claim as a worthy contender is how the game plays - and it plays very well. Computer-controlled team-mates will run into space and make themselves available for the ball and, in the same vein, a defender would rather kick the ball into touch than lose possession to you. But there are erratic abnormalities. The goalkeeper is pretty schizophrenic - one minute he's unstoppable in a one-on-one situation, and the next he's letting the lamest of shots bobble beneath him (especially from comers). Safe hands? Only sometimes...

There are plenty of unresolved issues (more crossing options, better shot and deadball accuracy, the inclusion of basic skills and more visible player attributes would have helped) and as a result Club Football lacks the sophistication of titles that are years into their franchise lifespan. But football games are notoriously hard to successfully develop, and for a first attempt this immediately places Club Football as a worthy competitor.

With FIFA 2004 looming on the horizon, discerning footie fans may well decide to wait and see what this next EA instalment has to offer before parting with valuable cash. But the good news for all football fans is this: there's a new game in town and it's actually worth playing.

1. It actually plays like football!
2. Great four-player multiplayer
3. Generally good AI

1. Goalies are random
2. Lacks sophisticated control options

Power
Very little slowdown and quick loads, but football isn't the most taxing of disciplines for Xbox.

Style
A little too basic to be called stylish - visuals are okay but the front end looks like a rush job.

Immersion
Great for team players, but if you want to be the star scorer remember there's no I in team.

Lifespan
Only six trophies, but play against opposition with a pulse and it's limitless fun.

Summary
A potential FIFA 2004 beater, Club Football has all the makings of a highly promising franchise. Let's hope they make another one!