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Although it only seems like yesterday, it's almost two years since we first reviewed Sensible Soccer. Andy Lowe delivered the match commentary then and the lad was so impressed that he awarded it a net bulging 91 per cent: "The most fun you can have indoors without taking your team scarf off" he cheered scampishly.

This leads to a quandary however, as Sensible Soccer was so good, that the lads at Sensible have found it almost impossible to tweak the gameplay to any great degree for this new version. That's not to say that there aren't any changes, there are, but most of them are cosmetic in nature, merely adding icing to an already sumptuous cake.

So where does that leave International Sensible Soccer World Champions? Obviously, it's been timed to coincide with the World Cup to coax those few unfortunate individuals who haven't yet experienced the divine revelation that is Sensible Soccer into buying the game. But it begs the question: "If I've already got the original, is this new version worth buying?" The answer, unfortunately, has got to be "no, not really". But it's a "no" with some major reservations.

There's an option to upgrade your old disks to the new version for a mere eight quid, which is more enticing than the standalone version which costs £19.99.

Before you decide though, let's investigate further just what these changes are:

1. The Back Pass Rule; just as with the real thing, the goalie can no longer pick up the ball if the last person to touch it was one of his own players - other than from a shy or a header or if it came off of one of his own players who had committed himself to a tackle. This led to the hilarious situation in one of the review games, where the goalkeeper was passed back to by a member of his own team, ran up the pitch and scored an excellent 25 yarder. The phrase "Beat that Brucie" springs to mind for some reason.
2. Red cards, yellow cards and suspensions. In all Leagues, Cups and Specials, this handing out of cards has special significance. If a player earns himself more than one yellow card, it results in him being suspended for one match. Three yellow cards or one red card witnesses the player picked up a two match ban. And if the player is a really naughty boy (or is found to be French in a Manchester zone) and earns a red card and a yellow card, he can look forward to a three match ban.
3. The Sensible "Specials" represent what is probably the biggest change to the original version. The World Cup Championship, well is an exact replica of the current USA tourny. A win earns the victor three points, one point for a draw and no points for a loss.

There are two more changes to the Specials. Beginners can now get to grips with the game through a Turkey Tournament and a Booby League. The Turkey Tournament is a 16-team competition comprising a two-leg first round knockout from which the winners go into two groups of four teams who all play each other once.

The Booby League is a straight league of eight teams who play each other once. Both of these specials offer the easiest teams to beat a sort of beginners introduction or option for folk who really like to gloat.

The final change to the Specials Options lies in the structuring of the European Cup Tournament. Teams now line up into two groups of four teams after the completion of the second round matches. The winner of both groups then play each other in a legged final.

That's just about it. The only other difference is the inclusion of an animated referee for handing out cards. He appears in much the same fashion as the shopkeeper from the Mr. Benn.

So, now in possession of all the facts we'll ask that all-important question again: "Is International Sensible Soccer worth purchasing?" If you don't already have Sensi, what are you doing reading this review, go out and buy the International Edition now. If you already own the original, it's a more marginal decision; can you live without the changes and is eight pounds too much to pay for them? You're on your own with that one. We've got a copy, so we're happy.

1. It's Sensible Soccer, only more so.
2. World Cup Tourny.

1. No Scotland or England in the finals.