WORLD CLASS SOCCER 
1-2 players, horizontal game 
Atari Corp., for the Atari Lynx 
$29.95 
Stereo? No 
OVERVIEW:
In Atari's moves to fill the Lynx game library with sports titles, the
latest entry is WORLD CLASS SOCCER. As the title indicates, this is a
portable version of the worldwide ball-kicking sport for one or two
players. Two teams from around the world face off for a one-game bout,
trying to score the most goals in the time given. Basic soccer rules
and penalties apply, including throw-ins, corner kicks, and fouls.
Game options allow setting the length of the game, from 10 to 90
minutes, the field conditions, and the computer difficulty level.
GAMEPLAY:
WORLD CLASS SOCCER has the makings of a quality title; unfortunately,
its good points are outweighed by numerous quirks in the gameplay. On
the plus side, ball control is fairly effortless, with automatic
dribbling and easy passing and kicking controls. On defense, you can
steal the ball either by kicking or a sliding "tackle", and you have
full control of the goalie as well and all squad members. The field
scrolls from side to side, while the screen zooms in and out of the
action as needed.
While the game ideas are sound, the actual result is lacking and hurts
the playability. Control automatically goes to the man closest to the
ball, which causes quick control changes it enters a crowd.  There is
an option to manually change the active player, but it doesn't work at
all. The zooming screen tends to focus closely on the ball, creating
tunnel vision; long passes are impossible to coordinate, and you may
be controlling a player or goalie who's off-screen, impairing your
defense further. Players can choose teams from a hundred countries,
but the only difference is the flag used.  These and other problems
make following the game very difficult and frustrating. Playing well
is possible, but requires a lot of practice.
GRAPHICS/SOUND:
Like the game itself, the graphics on WORLD CLASS SOCCER are a mix of
good and bad points. Images and sprites are respectably drawn and
animated, and look well even when the screen is scaled to its smallest
point. On the down side, the scaling is too slow to effectively show
where the active player is, and the scrolling is often very jumpy to
keep pace with the ball. Sounds are even less inspiring, composed
mostly of a bouncing soccer ball mixed with periodic whistle blows and
a simplistic crowd cheer.
SUMMARY:
This game has the ingredients for a quality soccer game, but assembles
them into a disappointing ensemble that could have been better. While
the hard-to- follow game action can be overcome with perseverance,
only devoted soccer fans will care to invest the time that WORLD CLASS
SOCCER requires for mastery.
 GAMEPLAY: 5 
 GRAPHICS: 7 
 SOUND  : 4 
 OVERALL : 5 
From: ST+ diskmag issue 22
... There is a tiny plant here, murmuring "water, water."
--- JetMail 0.99beta22
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