Have you ever grown up as a little boy and dreamed of playing sports for a living? Sure you have Martha, and you too Poindexter. Who doesn't want to lead that kind of life? Get cheered on by tens of thousands of fans, get paid millions of dollars, and find a wife that looks like Barbie. And if you've given it a little bit more thought you'd realize that some sports are better than others for this kind of job. Some let you travel the world as opposed to just the North American continent - Hello there American football - So in terms of roaming the world the best sport would have to be soccer.Now, that's all well and good but what does this have to do with video games? Good question, Winston, I was just getting to that. There's a new game in town you see - a game by the name of New Star Soccer 3, as opposed to New Star Soccer 2, which is now known as Old Star Soccer 2 by virtue of... and I've gone off-topic... *rushes back to the article*
New Star Soccer 3 (or NSS3 for those who believe in fighting permanent keyboard injury) lets you take the role of a man, (sorry ladies) and starts you off in a league of your choosing (there are over 40 to choose from). Next you choose your nationality (I've always liked the thought of being Andorran) - some basic stats and skills for you player, and your position (attacker, midfielder, or defender); and then, and only then, do you get to try out for a team in that league. Yes, you must try-out. I got through the try-outs no problem, but I'm awesome so someone out there could conceivably fail. I'm lookin' at you, Poindexter.
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The object of the game is to... do whatever you want, really. You can try to be the best player in the world and win the World Cup for your nationality (the Andorrans would lose if they had Pele on their team) or try to make the most money possible (through contracts and shoe, clothing, and commercial deals), or just go out and dominate the league you're in. You improve through training and, GASP, steroids if you want. Hey, if it's in the game, it's in this game. And even if it does take place off the pitch, soccer field for you neophytes to the sport, it could be in the game. Business and personal issues mingle with athletics in this game. Your strategy could be to have corporate sponsors approach you to ask you to hawk their wares. Or you can also get drunk with your teammates or blow the ten grand you got for a radio interview at the track. Georgie Best did have all kinds of fun, after all. In the game you also have to make time for your friends, family, and maybe even a romantic interest. You can have a girl if you want but there seems to be no plus to having one in the game. Depending on their personality they can be very easygoing or just nag the bejeezus out of you. It's just like real life in that way! Well, except for the pluses that your wonderful significant other offers you... of course... and another break-up deftly avoided.
In terms of both graphics and play the game brings you back to the good ole 90's. It's an ugly 2D - I mean retro - but it gets the job done. The play is pretty simple - no jukes or through passes. Just dribbling, the occasional one-two pass, and maybe some aerial play. But, in keeping with the idea that YOU are the player, you will only be able to control your player. This means that the skill of your 10 teammates will affect your play and thus your contract. Once you get up to the first divisions of the top leagues, this is no problem, but if you start your career in Iceland (I wanted to meet Bjork, so sue me), then prepare for bad passes and bad play. On these poor teams you have to either grin and bear the sloppy play and wait for free agency (Bosman in Europe), or politely ask your manager to be sold. I don't consider myself a prima donna in real-life (other's do that for me), but my player is not gonna spend his productive years in Iceland where sponsorships (and singing girlfriends) are few and far between. I followed Terrell Owens' selfish and profitable lead and got sold to Paris, where I bought myself a nice house (in the game), a new Ferrari (in the game), and a present for my parents (some CD's - apparently my gaming self is just as cheap as my real-life self). It pays to be a pain as an athlete.
The game is a little difficult at the start, but the learning curve is shallow and it and getting better is easier than... than... than something really easy. The different positions will make a difference in terms of getting better as they have varying degrees of difficulty. Attacker was simple, as was defender, but being a midfielder really depends on your teammates' abilities, and so was the most difficult. The computer players do get better as you move up the skill rank, but the AI isn't quite perfect. The controls are quite good for what you need, and the downloads you can get off the forums at the official site give you more leagues, more real players, and more logos. Its modding community is really quite extraordinary. "Really quite extraordinary"? I can't believe I wrote something that foppish... And on to the conclusion!
As a young man I had dreams of playing pro basketball. Unfortunately I'm 5'10 and lazy, so that got thrown out. NSS3 provided a 19.95 USD outlet for all my dreams and aspirations, and I've found myself spending far too much time with this game than is good for me and my schoolwork. However, I find it to be time well spent, as I'm currently making millions from my shoe deal and am only one win away from getting my plucky Andorrans into the World Cup. So, if you'll excuse me, those Bjork-lovers are about to find out why I was top goal scorer in France three seasons running.
