All by itself, soccer doesn't elicit a lot of interest stateside. Even the World Cup seems to be drawing yawns, considering that the United States' unlikely advance to the quarterfinals has met with a blasé reception. But that might be about to change with the arrival of Hooligans: Storm Over Europe, one of the most controversial games to hit the PC since Postal.

Europe's version of a tailgate party involves lots of bloodshed.

The Darxabre Games real-time strategy title, which sold in record numbers when released in Europe last winter, could be the soccer game with a difference because it isn't directly about the sport. It actually deals with gangs of soccer hooligans, the toughs who seem to be rampaging through one world capital or another every few months. You take on the leadership of one such gang, or "firm," as they prefer to call themselves, and go through various scenarios that involve a whole lot of lawbreaking. If a crime is on the books, chances are that you'll be committing it at some point while playing Hooligans.

Hooligans plays a bit like a larger-scale version of the tactical strategy game Commandos. You begin each scenario in the single-player campaign with a leader or two and a small selection of firm members. These initial followers form the hard-core element of your firm and can be directly controlled. Once a pub is in your control, you boost overall morale by buying the house a round or two and pay to sign up fresh troops. There are six types of hooligans in the game. Leaders, the only units who cannot be replaced, are invaluable for their ability to form groups of hard-core members and whip up the crowd with a chant. Bulches and bikers come next, due to their strength and fighting ability. Rats, ravers, and hooligans form the rest of your firm, serving as frontline soldiers. All are rated in terms of attack and defense capabilities, and eight categories--health, consciousness, fear, anger, drugged, drunk, loyalty, and stamina--track their current mood and fighting ability.

Check your body count at the end of each scenario.

Each type of unit has a special ability that the others cannot perform, much like the specified roles granted to the soldiers in Commandos. The grossly fat bulch unit is the only one strong enough to move barricades and smash down fences. If you need to drive a vehicle, you'll have to enlist the services of a biker. Rats are experts at quick break-and-enter jobs, while ravers and hooligans are quick, reasonably talented brawlers. Some units have skills with a particular weapon or other device. Ravers are handy with pipes, bikers know what to do with a length of chain, hooligans like to play with Molotov cocktails, and leaders can use pistols. All player-controlled units gain experience as the game goes on, advancing through three levels that make them progressively better at fighting and defending.

Other units are either beyond the player's control completely or can be purchased for limited periods of time. Cops and riot squad soldiers are your primary enemies, with the ability to arrest your firm members, incapacitate them with tear gas, or simply shoot them dead. Supporters follow you around and will sometimes fight on your behalf if the mood strikes them. Chicks can be paid to seduce units belonging to enemy firms, and suits can be hired for specific nefarious deeds. And finally there are the innocents, harmless civilians there to be beaten up or killed if your lads are feeling out of sorts.