World Soccer Winning Eleven 6 International

"The Most Realistic Soccer Game Ever, For Better and For Worse"

“Winning Eleven” is the most popular soccer game in the world, yet has never seen the light of day in North America. If you live in the United States, you only know one soccer game, “FIFA” by EA sports. Why? Well perhaps my friend from England put it best: “You yanks would rather play an arcade style version of football rather than a game such as this, it’s a football-sim…shows the true beauty of the sport.” Without a doubt, he’s absolutely right. “Winning Eleven” is the most realistic soccer game ever created, for better and for worse.

I must admit, the transition American gamers must make from “FIFA” to “Winning Eleven” is a difficult one. At first I cursed it, then sneered at it, but continued to stick with it. As time passed and I finally eased myself into the controls and gameplay design, I finally appreciated it and now praise it. Games here are no longer a mindless “score-fest”; playing “Winning Eleven” is as real as watching a soccer game yourself. This is due to the fact that “Winning Eleven” looks at soccer from a strategy point of view. This isn’t a game that you can plow through three defenders with ease on a break-away; the most crucial aspect of scoring is the passing game, just as you see every moment in a pro soccer match.

Then again, there’s nothing wrong with an arcade like soccer game such as “FIFA”. In ways I prefer “FIFA 2001”, easily the best soccer game I’ve played, over “Winning Eleven”. Judging by personal preferences many will not enjoy “Winning Eleven’s” pace, while others will revel in it. As far as the soccer engine goes, “Winning Eleven” has a nicely tuned system that will please most die-hard “football” fans. The steep learning-curve will no doubt make more than a few gamers turn away, but those who take the time to learn it, inside and out, will reap the benefits. In fact if I have but one beef with the game engine, it’s the auto-switching on defense. Instead of doing it manually yourself, the game will decide on its own when to switch defenders. There are times when you may be charging a forward from behind only to be switched at the last second to a defender in front of the attacker.

It can often prove to be a headache, but if that’s the only complaint I can file, you can bet the remaining items are as rock solid as stale taffy. For soccer fans, it’s a no-brainer. “Winning Eleven 6” is the best soccer game in years, and is certainly a sign of good things to come, should Konami decide to continue to release the “Winning Eleven” series in the US.

Graphics- 8
Gameplay- 8
Sound- 8
Overall- 8

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 07/04/03, Updated 07/04/03