Virtua Striker 2

"Virtua Striker V2001 - AT LAST A TRUE REVIEW!"

First of all let me start by saying that there has been a lot of garbage written about this game and that this review is going to put things right!

Introduction:

This game is a conversion of the Naomi arcade original which in turn was ported across from the Model III arcade original (sequel to Virtua Striker). Genki (Tokyo Highway Battle I & II) had significant input in the development of the title and the issues involved in converting from Model III architecture to Naomi / DC.

The original Model III arcade game was hugely popular and was a top grossing attraction, which seemed to connect with arcade going football fans. The graphics were a major leap forwards in terms of football games and continued the impressive heritage of Model III (Virtua Fighter III, Scud Race, Daytona II etc.).

The main strengths of the arcade version were visuals (the first time you saw the panorama of a filled stadium with individual fans moving was awesome!) for players, stadia, sky and crowd, all at 60 fps (i.e.: super smooth). As a football fan (Chesterfield FC!) a main advantage for me is action that looks real (i.e.: as the ball rolls across the pitch it looks as if you could grab it out the screen (well not literally!) ) and this is where previous PS (Fifa, ISS) and N64 (ISS) games had failed. This is especially true of PS games where a combination of low frame rate (30 fps and down) and jerky animation (for both players and ball) rendered the game as unreal / un-involving for the player. The other main strength was gameplay (YES gameplay!);

Q - ‘OH THIS CAN’T BE TRUE! ALL REVIEWS I HAVE READ SAY THAT YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE GAME! IS IT UNPLAYABLE?’

A- ‘TRY IT FOR YOURSELF!!’

Yes the game does not play like the aforementioned titles (especially Fifa where the ball is virtually stuck to your foot) and you cannot keep the ball and run rings around your opponents time and time again BUT sorry have you ever watched real football? The flow of a typical game of Fifa is far from real life!

In Virtua Striker II you must battle for the ball and then quickly make a decision about what to do next (before you loose the ball). If you read ahead of the action it is still possible to split the defence (especially down the wings, with overlapping runs) or long-range snap-shots. Crosses into the area are also highly realistic with great headers, volleys or even soft tap-ins. The range of goals again makes the game seem very realistic and very satisfying when you score. For example play a pass to an on-running attacker and then ‘snap’ the power bar before he gets there (also works with corners etc.), on reaching the ball a powerful first-time shot will ensue, great if you score! Defensive headers are also great and as in real life it is sometimes necessary to kick / head the ball out to relieve pressure, again the high frame rate makes this all seem highly realistic. The free kicks and penalties are also superb!

Graphics:

In one word AWESOME, better than any other football game on ANY other system (including ISS on PS2). The player models (some based on real players), grass textures, stadia, crowd, sky, lighting and attention to detail are first rate. To be honest, after playing this in the arcade a lot, I always doubted that the DC could handle the game (especially after the SegaRally 2 conversion!) but in some areas (texture detail) this surpasses the Model III original. The constant 60 fps only drops (for 1 or 2 seconds) when in two player mode with all players packed into the area.

The superb detail level for goal celebrations, player injury animations and winning / loosing animations all enhance the visual levels to near real status. Just check out the bits of paper on the pitch in one stadium!

Sound:

Menu music and voices are classic Sega fare and if you are a fan you will love them, for completion the alternative (Jap) music and voices can be selected. The Jap voices are really funny… slidinger! Longer pass! Centeringgger!

In-game crowd effects are OK (but can be heard to loop) and there is no commentary BUT again I prefer this and find it more realistic than repetitive commentary!

The shouts of GOAL! After scoring are superb and really add to the atmosphere!

Gameplay:

For me a key feature, true to real life and requiring forward thinking at all times. True the attackers have an annoying habit of pulling back (even when in ‘Offensive’ mode) BUT still the best out there for realism. When you score, you appreciate it.

Long-term:

Again BRILLIANT! Extra stadia to unlock and some weird effects when playing the extra FC Sega matches (SPOILER: sonic fighter character substitutes!). BUT the best way to play is to limit yourself to one credit and try to beat the game all the way through in one go, if you loose a match then re-start from round one! The game then becomes a sort of high score challenge and can eat up hours of your time!

Being able to view replays of goals (especially awesome David Beckham style free kicks) from a multitude of angles, is a brilliant feature. As is the ‘best goal of the day’ feature during attract mode. The highlights shown when the game is beaten really show off the attention for detail as the scorer tracks the ball and then strikes!

Rating: Graphics 9.5, Sound 8, Gameplay 8.5, Long-term 9, OVERALL 9 (not an average).

Please note: ignore the bad press from non-Sega / DC / Virtua Striker II fans and visit some arcades. You will always find people playing this game (until VS III and Naomi II anyway!), this is great testament to Sega after the years that VSII has been out. An important fact is to unlearn what you have previously been taught by Fifa etc. plan ahead and tackle hard…. You will get it!

Please note Sega: why did you not advertise this game better?, it should have been high profile in game shops and been seen running of big screens. I mean, last week in Sheffield EB I heard a kid raving to his dad about Fifa 2001 which was running next to DC Metropolis Street Racer!! OK so a football fan may not like racing games BUT Fifa was pixellated, low-res and extremely jerky (oh but it’s got real commentary!… so what!). A good advertising campaign and the game running in shops would have won over people by the incredible visuals alone!

Respect, Pogbee.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 11/07/00, Updated 11/07/00