KO02 review at "Computer games magazine" (7.5/10)

[alkis21]

A really poor review, obviously written by an amateur. It fails miserably at desribing the game adequately for the potential buyer. Anyway, not too many Greeks buy this magazine, most should have read the PC Master 90%.
Here's the translation:

Kick Off 2002
The "pinball" became 3D 12 years later

Once upon a time there was a machine called Amiga. That computer was very loved and even today many people use emulators in order to enjoy the glory days of the 90s. One of those games was Kick Off 2, a name that brings tears of emotion to us who used to play with the Pacman and Tomahawk joysticks of the time.
To those of you who were occupied with other matters back then, we should first mention a few things. Kick Off 2 was a very simple game: you watched the football field from a top down view, everything was 2D, the 22 players ran extremely fast and the control was simple and friendly. Kick Off 2 was also the excuse for dozens of friends to gather, as the fast pace was the secret for an incredibly addictive gameplay. We're talking about endless all-nighters, many missed exams, seperations, fights and all those pleasant memories left from the legendary titles of the era.
(The only man in the stadium, a guy with black, green, red and yellow scarfs, gets up and shouts: 'HEY! We want to learn about Kick Off 2002! Stop chattering, you old dinosaur gamers about Kick Off 2 and tell us what to expect'. A special forces platoon approaches him and settles the matter gently so that the review is continued..).
Ok, then.. we'll analyse: the reason we refer to Kick Off 2 so much is because Kick Off 2002 has all the elements the older version had. The graphics engine may be 3D, but the sense of a 2D stadium is not completely lost. The control remains incredibly simple and with one button you can do all the tricks that used to take us weeks to learn: back heels (ALKIS: WTF?), aftertouch, overhead kicks, lobs..
Kick Off 2002 is a very peculiar game, considering you will either adore it or hate it and wonder 'Why all the fuzz for such a meaningless game?'. The truth is that Kick Off 2002 remains loyal to most of the old principles.
It is almost certain that two parties will be formed: in the first one, there will be the "old ones" who will nostalgically remember the old times or the younger players who are not that demanding. They will have the time of their lives, and they won't care that the players perform acrobatics and run in light speed. The one button control will attract them and the gameplay will thrill them. For this group, we expect more fights, seperations, missed exams, all nighters etc. Most of the people though, those who are a bit more spoiled, will simply wonder. True FIFA lovers and of other serious football simulators (ALKIS: Get thee behind me, Satan..) will look in vain for the 8 different buttons, the dozens of game options, the official championships, the analysis and bios of the players and they will conclude that just like Kick Off 2, which was reffered to as the "pinball football", Kick Off 2002 is not such a serious game.
Among the setbacks we should inlcude the fact that there aren't any official FIFA team and player names, or championships. This is against realism, however you will find some sites of crazy fanatics who create their own championships (such as wwwo.ko-gathering.com and surely others will follow). The weird thing is that at the end of the game the players start getting tired and move more slowly. This attempt for realism looked strange to us, because the game seems to sacrifice reality in order to be more fun, with players running 200km/h and tackling for 12 meters, but allows them to get tired.. So we are forced to include the fatigue to the game's setbacks.
The final decision is yours.. do you prefer realism or fun? We're sure ready for a few more one-nighters.

[alkis21]

The rain in Spain stays mainly in the plain.

[Davetoast]

ON the plain, or is it plane <IMG SRC="/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif"> .

Yes it's a poor review but it's hardly scathing, just a reviewer that wants to speak more about himself than the game.

_________________
Final Whistle Crusader and President of The FWA.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Davetoast on 2002-07-01 12:27 ]</font>

[alkis21]

Glad to know somebody's reading!

[Pee]

I read it Alkis. Cheers for the translation it's very good of you to spend your time for your fellow, appreciative, KOA members.

Regarding the review I thought it was fairly fair and although he is obviously no expert he has taken the time to understand and explain the history of it and it's appeal, which is two player mammoth battles.

He has also, quite fairly, said that although he may not be a massive fan, he can understand why many people would be and the reasons for that. Most reviewers if they didn't like the game would just give the negative points and be too lazy to even contemplate it broader appeal.

Interesting review then really.
Cheers

[alkis21]

I never said it wasn't fair, I just think it failed at describing the game adequately. The most interesting part is how I got the magazine in my hands; someone in the squadron was reading it, and he gladly lent it to me as soon as he realized with awe that I was THE Alkis Polyrakis PC Master keeps writing about. <IMG SRC="/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif">
And yes, by head is so big these days the helmet barely fits. <IMG SRC="/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_lol.gif">

[Durbz]

Are you famous in your country?
What did you do?
<IMG SRC="/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif"> <IMG SRC="/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif">

[Danny D]

Great Stuff Alkis ! Thanks.