Virtua Striker 2
Score: 80% ESRB: Everyone Publisher: Sega Developer: Sega Media: CD/1 Players: 1 - 2 Genre: Sports
Graphics & Sound: Virtua Striker 2 features some spectacular visuals. It's just as impressive as it's big bother arcade machine, if not more. Like all the other Sega Sports titles, everything looks so good that you'll think your actually watching a sports broadcast. The players themselves are high-polygon models with accurate textures featuring realistic facial features and players move very fluently and life-like. Players come to life with goal celebrations, and appropriate shouts when making a goal, and whimpers when you are falling behind. The stadiums and crowd are equally impressive. Each stadium varies according to where the match is, each stadium looking different and unique from the last. Fans also get into the action holding up banners, doing the wave, and moving around just like you would expect to see in a real match. There are also realistic environment effects. The commentary, kicks, screams, and all the noises associated with the sport are here - fantastic.
Gameplay: Virtua Striker 2 is a soccer game for everyone, from those who know nothing about the sport to those who are the most die-hard fans. There are many different modes of play for everyone's interests. There is the Arcade mode, which is essentially a recreation of the arcade version. This is the option I played and enjoyed the most as you can just play a fast and furious game without having to worry much about rules and regulations. Then there is the International Cup option, which your goal is to get the International Cup by successfully defeating all of the competing nations. This mode is more for the soccer fan as there are a number of rules and regulations that must be followed. There is also a VS Play option where you can test your playing skills against a buddy. All these options should help keep you busy for quite awhile.
Difficulty: Virtua Striker 2 is not too incredibly difficult, although there is a small learning curve and the controls take a bit of getting used to. But isn't that in all sports games? There is an included Practice mode for those that are having problems with the game; the mode does an excellent job of teaching you the basics of passing, running, and scoring. Once you master the controls, you should have no problems with the game. The computer's AI can also be tweaked to Easy, Normal, and Hard.
Game Mechanics: Virtua Striker 2 is a fast-paced arcade style; basic moves take minimal effort for the most part and are fairly easy to perform. Passing, headers, bicycle kicks, and sliding tackles are some of the more common moves that can be performed, along with the normal run, pass, and kick. Controls seem a little sluggish at times, but it's not that bad once you get things down. Overall, this is a great game that can be enjoyed by soccer and non-soccer fans alike. I think a few die-hard soccer fans might be a little let down if they are expecting something along the lines of EA's FIFA franchise, but for the most part everyone should find some enjoyment in this game. This game is a definite pick-it-up, if you're a soccer fan
-Raider, GameVortex Communications AKA Chris Duran
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