STIFF OPPOSITION
Let's face it, going against Kick Off II is an unenviable task, but at last someone has come up with a decent rival. Many reasons have been given as to why Anco's classic is so successful, but it all boils down to its pure playability. There's no way Kick Off II can be classified as a 'proper' simulation of the sport, as the players are minute in relation to the pitch and move at such a blistering pace that they'd leave the likes of Linker and ol' Stanley Matthews at a stand-still - in addition, when was the last time you saw someone score from the centre spot twice in a match?

However, at the end of the day it's addictivity that counts - not goals - and Anco's game has stacks. However, written by ex-Special FX coders under the Liverpudlian development team's new stand-alone label, Rage offer an alternative to the perennial favourite.

On loading and the unveiling of Striker's options, I felt a distinct sense of deja-vu. Set against a backdrop of digitises players, the game allows the player to alter everything from the weather conditions - including a rather silly 'gale' option which sends the ball into orbit every time it's kicked - to options for a penalty shoot-out or extra time to resolve a draw.

In addition, it is also from these menus where the game's difficulty level is selected. On selecting an International match , a screen appears offering control over virtually any international side known to man. As well as old favourites, such as Brazil and Italy, smaller, lesser-known squads - including Chile and the Arab Emirates - can also be selected. The reason for such a variety of teams is that each varies in their capabilities. Whilst Brazil are experts at ball control and play a mean offensive game, the Italians are more aggressive and tend to prefer long passing moves - conversely, Malta are pretty useless in all departments. Thus, by taking control of Brazil, you're in for a fairly easy route to the Striker Cup, whereas captaining Malta or Chile will prove much more of a challenge.

In addition, although these features may sound vague and cosmetic, the variations between sides are startlingly apparent during play, and Brazil are incredible to watch as they whiz down the wing, whilst the Germans are equally dominant in the penalty area.

MAKING A PASS
Comparisons to the Anco game are inevitable. As Rage's players race on to the pitch and assume their formations, it's easy to dismiss Striker as yet another wannabe. But then the screen tilts, and everything starts to change. As the screen pans towards the centre circle for the kick off, the player nearest the ball automatically falls under your control and this is indicated by a smaller marker beneath his feet. From here, as the ball is passed around, the computer automatically switches control and the market to the next nearest player.

OK, so this doesn't sound particularly exciting, but it's the way the screen follows the action that's so amazing. When both Red Rat and Simulmondo attempted to utilise a scrolling 3D play area in International Soccer Challenge and I Play respectively, the results were slow and confusing games with very little sense of perspective or pace. Conversely, Striker is probably the closest anyone has come to creating a realistic soccer simulation which plays as fluidly and as well as Anco's classic - and most of its success can be put down to this new system.

WHOLE NEW BALLGAME
This may indeed sound like high praise, but rather than trying to emulate everything that made Kick Off so good as, say, Sensible have, Rage have obviously taken a good hard look at the Anco game and decided how they can expand, and, maybe, even improve, on it.

The aforementioned 3D slant is a brave decision and by pulling this off, the Liverpudlian newcomers have already distances themselves from the other league contenders.
However, rather than relying on just this, the gameplay and many moves available to the player are equally well thought out and implemented. There's no way that Kick Off II can be classed as the perfect game - and I'm by no means knocking it - but because the whole package hangs together well, we tend to ignore any small bugs or quirks. However, how many times have you attempted to tackle a player only to have your player miss and consequently lie on the floor for vital seconds as the opposition runs rings around them - or run across his legs and earn themselves a penalty?

Rage combats this, and although they can still lunge with the best of 'em, it's only when ou want them to and they get up again straight after.

This may all sound a little fawning and anti-Kick Off, but it's not supposed to be. It's just that it isn't very often that someone actually tries something different, and when they do it deserves credit. Ocean did it with The Addams Family, and, considering the limitations imposed by the sport itself, Rage's Footy sim is all the more impressive.

Equally good are all the free kicks, defensive walls and corners we have come to expect. Whenever a player is sent sprawling on the outskirts of the penalty box, the referee will signal a foul and the oppos will line up to form a defensive wall between you and the goal. Your team member nearest the ball will then line up for the kick, with a dotted line detailing the line the ball will take when kicked. However, this line can be lengthened and shortened to determine the height of the shot, and it can also be moved from side to side. When satisfied with your set-up, simply hold down the fire-button to restart play. This simple system is very effective and controllable, and the same dotted line system is used for the likes of corners and thrown-ins.

PACE YOURSELF
Because Striker races along so smoothly and so quickly, it's easy to take its features for granted. For instance, after several minutes of playing and getting to grips with the fairly instinctive control method, you'll be racing up the wing and bending in crosses that Gazza would cry for. In addition, such is the flexibility of the players in your squad that it's odds-on that they'll be there ready to hit it on the volley or meet it with a diving header.

One advantage of the game's large sprites is that coupled with the neat scrolling system, they create a more realistic 'feel', and it's simply incredible to lob a short cross over to a midfield player, only t regain control in time to nod it past the 'keeper.

Kick Off featured some classic goals, but some of the ones possible within Rage's game knock it into a cocked hat. Strangely, though, Striker has opted for a mixture of Kick Off's dribbling system and the 'velcro boot' system, and this is bound to throw a few Anco veterans at first. It's not a bad system by any length, but it does take some getting used to and can prove rather too random when it comes to going in for tackles. That said, though, as Striker is more of a passing and attacking game than Kick Off this is only a small detraction.

So, the all-important question is: does Striker topple Kick Off II from its long-held seat at the top of the league. To be honest, no. However, what it does offer is a game up to, and in some areas surpassing, Kick Off's very high standard. Striker plays extremely well, and offers all the moves we have come to expect but within an excellent 3D play area.

The players are extremely responsive, and perform their many kicks and passes with style and ease, and the computer opponents are set to tax the player as they work their way through the many teams on offer.

Although I don't feel it beats Kick Off, I do think that it's the best competition it's likely to have and can easily sit aside Anco's game at the top of the pile. Basically, Striker is the perfect complement to the Anco game, and vice versa. It has speed, addictivy and myriads of options It's a stunning debut by Rage and all Striker is missing are the half-time oranges.

Wie gehabt dürfen ein oder zwei menschliche Bolzer ein kleines Freundschaftsspielchen wagen oder an der kompletten WM teilnehmen. Bevor man sich eines der 64 unterschiedlich starken Nationalteams herauspickt, werden erst noch die dreifach variierbare Lebensnähe der Ballkontrolle, die Windstärke und die Mannschaftsformation (5-3-2, 4-4-4 etc.) festgelegt; im Anschluß geht's auf das schräg von oben gezeigte und vertikal scrollende Spielfeld.

Hier kann nun jederzeit ein Radarschirm eingeblendet werden, und der gerade aktive Spieler ist mit einem weißen Fleck markiert - die einzige Ausnahme bildet der (außer bei Elfmetern) vom Rechner gesteuerte Torwart.

Bei Standardsituationen wie Freistößen, Eckbällen usw. darf die gewünschte Schußrichtung mit einer gestrichelten Linie bestimmt werden, aber auch Kopfbälle, Fallrückzieher und ähnliche Akrobatik-Schmankerl sind durchaus drin. Nach dem Abpfiff gibt's dann noch ein paar Statistiken zu bewundern.

So, fangen wir bei der Manöverkritik mit dem Positiven an, denn das läßt sich recht schnell abhaken: Die akzeptabel gezeichnete Grafik ist übersichtlich, und die Steuerung würde rein theoretisch ebenfalls in Ordnung gehen.

Nur hat man in der Praxis wenig davon, weil das in affenartigem Tempo vonstatten gehende Gekicke nur mit dem Reaktionsvermögen von Superman einen sinnvollen Spielaufbau zuläßt. Als passender Ergänzung dazu gibt's Sound auf Kreisliganiveau , aber keine Saveoption. Kurzum, diese Scheibe solltet Ihr trotzt WM-Jahr weiträumig umdribbeln! (md)