Justin Calvert... I love you, but I hate your game.

User Rating: 3.5 | Sensible World of Soccer AMI
The Sensible World of Soccer has to be the most disappointing game that I've played from "Gamespot's Greatest Games of All Time." Granted, I played it on DOS instead of the Amiga so I can't give a completely fair account, but even with that in mind the game was still lacking at best. The gameplay was simple, using only one button to pass, kick, and slide tackle. While I liked the simplicity of it in concept in actuality the simplicity made the game quite frustrating. The passing was extremely cumbersome and often wouldn't go where I wanted it to go (especially when I was the goalie). Also, when moving in for the shot, I would try to pass to a player who had a better shot advantage, but instead of passing, my player would take a shot... URGH! One top of all this when you passed from one player to another, you automatically switch to the player passed to before he got the ball resulting in a loss of possession.

I grew up playing FIFA 98 on my Windows ME; so yes, I'm use to all the bells and whistles and "giant red arrows" that are associated with soccer-theme games. But at least in FIFA you had decent control and maneuverability with the ball. Sensible World of Soccer reminded me more of a pin-ball machine than an actual soccer game.

Overall, I am very disappointed with Gamespot for putting this game on the "Greatest Games of All Time" list. I recently wrote and e-mail to Justin Calvert trying to understand his mindset for rating games, and what he wrote back was very thoughtful and reassuring. I don't have anything against Mr. Calvert, anymore. I just don't like his game.