Sega Soccer Slam

"It's an amazing multi-player game, but don't expect single player - or normal soccer."

Introduction
------------

Sega Soccer Slam is a game for those sick and tired of FIFA. It's all about fun, and with only slight resemblance to soccer, its title is a bit misleading. This game, while seemingly its goal for you as a player is to score goals, and win games, its other goal - the goal of every game - is to make you have fun. Sega tried making this game specialize in the second goal, rather than the first, and they did a great job.

Graphics
--------
Score: 8/10.
The graphics aren't what you'd expect from a next-gen system game; the only real worked out graphics are in the taunts between goals and in the replays. There are nice animations when using Power-ups as well. But the thing is, with this game's gameplay, you don't notice the graphics.

Sound
-----
Score: 7/10.
Nice effects, not very exciting music, but again, you don't notice it. You don't need it.

Gameplay
--------
Score: 10/10.
This is what this game's about. It adds a new dimension to soccer with hits, no offsides, no outs, and no fouls, and with only three characters, multiplayer is what it should be. A bunch of tricks you can do, power-ups specialized for each team, and standard sports games' turbo running make this game at least the standard, and a bit more. Controls are fairly easy to learn, and within half an hour of playing the game to learn how to play it, two of my friends and I spent hours playing this game. We played together, one against the other, and in turns, and since there are no single player modes besides practice, we did everything together.
There are several modes: Exhibition, Quest, and Tournament. Quest mode is the ''real'' mode, in which you choose a team, and play through the game, while getting money for each match and using that money to improve your character with simple addons - those you can see on your characters in matches after you buy them.
Exhibition is a no-strings-attached match, where you could either choose a team, or just quick-start and start playing. But pay attention, teams who bought items for their players in Quest mode will be superior to teams without items - therefore you can create a ''handicap'' for newer players.
Cup mode is standard tournament, you face each team and go for the cup.
There are four difficulties, but in a week's play you'll beat the best one.
The reason this game is so good is its multiplayer. All modes can be played with one or more players, and while the AI isn't very good, playing with one another will prove to be a challenge.

Summary
-------
If you don't have more than one controller, don't waste your money. As a single player game, this game isn't worth it. But if you do, rent it, and it might just catch your fingers. Very addictive.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 03/19/03, Updated 03/19/03