Game Review: New Star Soccer 3
March 31st, 2006, By Duncan Gough
Today is a big day for me. Today is the day I sign for Barcelona. I’m pretty sad to be leaving Preston North End as they were the first club to show a real interest in me. They offered me a trial and signed me up there and then. Pretty soon I was earning enough money to buy my parents some nice things as a way of saying thank you. On the pitch, too, I was able to start laying on a few goal for my team mates. To begin with I was just getting on in the last twenty minutes of each match but I it didn’t take long for me to become a permanent fixture. My first season there went well, although the club didn’t do too well. I turned down a few offers from other second division clubs in Germany and Portugal and even signed my first sponsorship deal. I re-signed a boot deal this season too, although I’m not sure whether it’s these new boots or the run of late nights I had with my friends, but every time I play recently I just keep falling over. It’s a bit embarassing, especially as my new girlfriend is watching from the stands.
As I said, though, today is a big day. I helped Preston North End to fourth in the table (so nearly third and automatic promotion) and I was voted Young Player of the Year. I’m a £10 million player now. I had the most assists in the league and came second in the goal scoring league too. Still, when the season ended I knew I wanted to move on. I got my first England call up last week and I know that I need to be playing more European football if I’m to progress. Arsenal, Inter, Bayern and Monaco all made me offers but once Barcelona got in touch, I knew where I wanted to go. This seaon looks promising already. I’ve scored a few goals, setup a few more, played for England again and got off to a flying start in Europe. Wish me luck!
That’s my story. There are plenty more stories like that here. Talk about ‘user generated content’.
New Star Soccer is a real challenger to Sensible Soccer, the best football game I’ve played. Unlike Fifa Soccer, Pro Evo Soccer and every other football game out there, New Star Soccer puts you in charge of a single player. You choose where you want to play, how you look, what foot you favour and so on. The game is part football simulation (look after your family and friends, sign sponsorship deals, meet the fans, deal with the media) and part top-down football game. Playing as only one player makes it a much more tactical experience and really helps you choose what you want to do in the game. Starting with a club in the lower leagues, as I did, and helping them gain promotion is plenty of fun. Earning a new contract or a big money transfer is great reward for all your hard work too.
New Star Soccer is a real indie game, written by Simon Read. You can keep up with developments on the New Star blog and meet up with other players on the forum Be warned though, New Star Soccer isn’t a casual game, it’s an addictive one.
Update: GameTunnel has a flatteringly similar review here.