"Only Konami Knows How To Make The Best Soccer Games!!! Virtua Striker 2 Ver. 2000.1 Has Gorgeous Visuals But Atrocious Controls!!!"

Introduction

This is my first Dreamcast review. Well, don't get this wrong idea! I still don't have a Dreamcast and I don't intend to buy one for the time being. Few weeks ago, I went to a friend's house to play his Dreamcast. He was showing off his new 'babe' [his Dreamcast console, which he has brought recently] to me. [I can still remember his grinning smile] One of the games that he showed me, was Virtua Striker 2 Ver. 2000.1.

Even though I am a fan of Konami's soccer games, I have heard quite a lot about how good Virtua Striker 2 is and how popular its arcade version is, especially in Japan. The moment when he started playing the game, [I was watching him playing at first] the million polygons per second that flashed across the screen almost mesmerised me, with super highly detailed characters, with movements so close to their motion-capture counterparts. This is all due to the powerful Model 3 technology.

I was very amazed by the graphics. Never had I seen a soccer game that looked so realistic. I, immediately rushed for my turn. Finally, I have waited for my turn but... Even though, Virtua Striker 2 really looked very impressive, I was extremely disappointed with a few major problems. After playing for more than an hour, i asked him, ''is this the best soccer game that Dreamcast has?'' I cannot really believe that other reviewers gave Virtua Striker 2 such a high score. Anyway, it's their opinions. I don't have the right to interfere. Now, I am going to be the first reviewer at gamefaqs to give it a very low score.

Good Points

First, let's look at the good points first before looking at the weaknesses. Without any doubt, the graphics are the best that you have ever seen in any other soccer games. The players are smoother than the original, and the textures more finer and more detailed. The players come in various sizes and heights too. Details such as players' shirts rippling have also pushed the game into the realm of breathtaking. The stadiums look very spectacular. Expect to see impressive details such as the fences, flood lights, the different designs for the grasses and so on. When a goal is scored, you can expect very elaborate celebration. And, best of all, the game runs at an incredible rate of 60 frames per second, with hardly any slowdown.

Virtua Striker 2 also features a variety of features such as Arcade, International Cup, Tournament, League, V.S Mode, Penalty Kick and so on. Okay, there's all I have to say for the good points. Remember the review is mainly based on an hour of gameplay, but it's more than enough. Well, the appearance is good but the inside of it, is truly ugly.

Bad Points

First of all, Virtua Striker 2 doesn't have the FIFA license. Okay, this is not a big deal. Most of Konami's soccer also don't have. This is just a minor problem but I thought I list it out to let you know. In this advanced age of technology, support for analog control plays an important element now. Just ask yourself. Which new soccer games that are made recently don't support analog? And, there's one thing which I want to point out. The Dreamcast has four controller ports. Sega, use them wisely. Virtua Striker 2 only supports up to a maximum of two players, which is totally a shame. I have so much fun playing multiplayer in International Superstar Soccer 64 in Nintendo 64. Furthermore, I find the Dreamcast controller quite awkward and this gives me an unpleasant impression. Probably, that's because I am holding the Dreamcast controller for the first time. To you, you may think that these are just minor flaws but 'small' little things can accumulate to form something 'big'. Get what I mean?

The controls are atrocious. [Huh, I thought the game runs at 60 frames per second, with little slowdowns...] Well, it's the way the entire control system works. There are four main buttons, naming A for a short pass or a slide, X for a long pass, B for charging up a gauge bar and then shoot for the goal and Y, which lets you change your team formation from a defensive 4-3-3 position to an offensive 3-4-3.

Moving on the field is already a big mess. It even automatically chooses the players for you, without letting you to select your own and not giving you full manipulation of the entire players on the field. No switching of players manually. You hear that? This is indeed the most ridiculous soccer game that i have ever played. And, because of this stupid feature, you will find yourself swapping between two or three teammates several times without reason. Hey, it's very fustrating like this.

Another major problem is the fact that there is only one camera angle. Hey, only one. The view remains the same. Can't I change it to a top-down view? Unfortuately, nope! At least, Electronic Arts's FIFA soccer has multiple camera views for me to choose from.

The Al, artificial intelligence is the lousiest in a soccer game that I have ever played. Many times, I saw my Brazilian players make stupid and unforgivable mistakes like making a throw in that bounces off a player forcing a corner kick. Two words to describe the players- extremely dumb! Well, countless mistakes... so much that I don't feel like listing everything out. A variety of strategies like Konami's soccer? Definitely, nope! No offside traps, counterattack etc. The gameplay is just too limited to give it any lasting appeal.

While the sound effects are generally quite good, with several sliding, kicking, throwing etc sounds produced, the commentary sucks. When a goal is scored, you can hear the crowds cheering wildly, but in a very unconvincing manner. Since when did an announcer signify the end of a game with the words, ''game, set?'' What nonsence is that? A load of craps!!! Is this a soccer game or a tennis game?

Conclusion

Overall, if you are going to go with major sports, then Virtua Striker 2 is definitely not for you. Fans of the original may welcome it while new gamers who have just been introduced to the game, will most likely to hate it. No four-player mode, no analog support, has only one camera angle, no switching of players manually, horrendous Al etc... these flaws are more than enough to turn me away. Not to mention in-depth strategies. Maybe none at all. I can still list out many weaknesses that I can found in the game. The atrocious controls have already ruined the entire gameplay, let alone mentioning too much about the graphics, sound effects etc.

Trust me, Konami makes the best soccer games. Sega can't make soccer games. Even 16-bit Konami soccer games in the SNES plays so much better and have better Al than this. I am not kidding! I want a soccer game that has very in-depth strategies. Only konami's soccer games manage to offer that. My advice is stay away from Virtua Striker 2. It's not worth! If not, because of the gorgeous visuals, it could have easily got a 3, instead of a 5.

My Personal Thoughts

I recieved a mail from someone few days back. I lost his e-mail. He says that he agrees with some of the points that I have mentioned in my Virtua Striker 2 review. However, he says that I have missed an important point. Virtua Striker 2 for the Dreamcast is mainly geared towards as an arcade-style action than sim-style realism. I do agree with him. Compared to home console soccer games, Virtua Striker 2 is lacking a lot of features like multiplayer gaming, analog support etc, mainly because the game is meant to provide arcade-action. [You don't want to scroll through so many options in the arcade, right?] But, my question is why doesn't Sega spend more time in making a game that can provide arcade style and simulation style? Sega, please bring back all those 'missing' features like multiplayer gaming, analog support etc. Is it because Sega knows that Virtua Striker 2 will definitely sell on the Dreamcast so there isn't a need to? [Forgive me if I have offended any Sega fans or Virtua Striker 2 fans.] In conclusion, I do admit that the model 3 technology is indeed powerful but......

Graphics : 9.5/10.0
Concept : 2.0/10.0
Control : 1.0/10.0
Music : 7.0/10.0
Sound : 7.5/10.0
Gameplay : 5.5/10.0
Replay : 5.0/10.0
Challenge : 1.0/10.0
Overall : 5.0/10.0

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 06/20/00, Updated 12/16/02