• Platform:   PlayStation2
• ELSPA Minimum Age: 3
• Media: Video Game

Amazon.co.uk Review
Available at the time of writing in 17 different guises, Club Football is a commendable new entry into the world of console football games that proves itself to be a good deal more than the marketing gimmick it first appears.

The principles, whichever team-branded version you opt for, are inherently the same. You take the club you've picked through a domestic season, with the clear intention of filling up some of the empty spaces in the trophy cabinet. In doing this, you can use the game's player generator to put yourself into the midst of this team, and then it's down to action.

And the action is good. Backed by strong in-game graphics, Club Football offers an enjoyable rendition of the beautiful game, which endears itself to a healthy, long term challenge. There are a couple of quibbles that temper things a little. The fluidity of the gameplay, for instance, is sometimes hampered by an over-insistence on a good animation instead of a quick pass for example, and there are other mild issues that slightly break up the flow of things.

Yet considering the healthy state of the competition, with both FIFA 2004 and Pro Evolution Soccer 3 putting in strong performances, it's to the credit of Club Football that it does enough to make it well worth considering. As it stands, it's not the best title of its ilk on the market, but it's a good, promising debut. --Simon Brew

Manufacturer's Description
Codemasters have put together a range of different Club Football games, each centred on one of Europe's top teams. UK club editions include Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Leeds United, Liverpool FC, Manchester United and Rangers. The Club Football development team has been busy digitally building some of Europe's greatest football landmarks: the home stadium of each team. In the game, matches will be played in an exact replica of each club's stadium, recreated using architectural detail and photographic reference.

Playing a game will be just like experiencing the genuine match day atmosphere in the ground--with you as part of the team. During a home match, you and your team will walk out onto the hallowed turf through the players' tunnel. The stadium, packed with supporters in the teams' colours, will fill with the sound of chants, songs and crowd atmospherics taken from real match days, specific to each club. Ten different in-game camera views, in addition to replay cameras, will relay the on-pitch action in televisual style.

3 Reviews 5 star:    (0) 4 star:  (1) 3 star:  (1) 2 star:  (1) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review (3 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews   3 of 4 people found the following review helpful: Club Football - For The Die Hard Fans, 24 Oct 2003 By  "chrisclark_telford2" - See all my reviews Not a bad game for a new series, but with fifa and isp 3 out as well now it faces stiff competion, a game really for the true football fan, if ur not a fan of say aston villa or whatever club football series u choose its not really worth it and ur better of investing in fifa. The game its self is generally good , some decent enough graphics. To start with u make a player (Yourself) to join the best team in the World 'Aston Villa' make him look as realsitic as u can. then u play for the whole season trying to win some trophies, the stadium graphics are pretty good, very good detail put into this by codemasters, not a bad game at all but is it really worth buying when fifa is out soon. Only for the die hard fans!!  Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? (Report this)   Aston Villa, 1 April 2004 By  "mickeyduncan2003" - See all my reviews When i first played this game i noticed that the graphics of each player and the stadium were excellent. Its a shame the gameplay cant match it. First of all, most of the time i get at least one man sent off which is really annoying. Secondly, its almost impossible to score inside the box, and sometimes outside the box. The shooting is very unrealistic. The graphics when you score however are very good and apart from the shooting and the ref, the game is very good for true Villa fans. I am only on 'Normal' level and im sitting two places above the relegation with a few games left. Its still worth buying though.  Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? (Report this)   At least Villa Park looks very nice, 16 Mar 2004 By  Mr. Matthew C. Wolski "villamad" - See all my reviews    I waited so long to play this game and couldnt wait to play it so words couldnt describe how disappointed i was when it came. The graphics are great with each player ie Juan Pablo, Samuel etc recreated perfectly although on some shots the graphics look a bit fuzzy and hazy. Villa Park itself looks fantastic and admittedly once you've scored your first in front of the Holte End then you do feel a slight urge to leap out of your chair. Unfortunately, outside of playing it on easy mode, which is probably TOO easy, you'll hardly score any. The shooting is very wayward and the powerbar very inconsistent - you'll find yourself shooting either too tamely or wildly over the bar half the time. Goalies are near unbeatable, especially when you try and score from inside the box. The passing game is promising but you find you are closed down v v v quickly and easily dispossessed. Regaining possession is very difficult as the opponents seem to be faster than yours when on the ball and if you long tackle anybody then 7/10 it will end up in one of your players getting a red card. I had 4 players sent off in my first two games. This game could have been so so good but unfortunately its a big let down. I first played this game back in November when Villa were resembling a one legged man trying to do the tango and remember thinking "well at least its realistic." Luckily the team improved but unfortunately the game didnt. Avoid.  Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you?