Alexi Lalas International Soccer (PlayStation)

GameSpot editors' review

• CNET editors' rating: 1.5 stars Poor
  Detailed editors' rating
  Overall score: 3.3 (1.5 stars)

• Reviewed by:
  Josh Smith
• Reviewed on: 06/02/1999
• Updated on: 05/02/2000
• Released on: 04/30/1999
• Originally published on GameSpot: Alexi Lalas International Soccer (PlayStation) Review

Recent strides in soccer video gaming rescued the world's favorite game from its previous status as one of the world's least favorite video games. Now we have all sorts of individual control options, like crazy banana kicks and wacky scissor-stepping footwork. Tactical options, through pass plays, and offsides traps have opened up a level of strategy to the aspiring video striker previously witnessed only in football games. And, slowly but surely, soccer games' AI has come up to speed. Play is faster and more challenging than ever before. But none of this can be said about Alexi Lalas International Soccer, a game threatening to send soccer back to the dark ages.

Graphically, ALI Soccer is competent, though not particularly stunning. A handful of camera angles are available, although most are too tight for safe passing. Though free of polygon dropout and substantial flickering, the players in ALI Soccer look unfinished. Not that EA's FIFA games for the PlayStation render the most solid flesh-and-blood athletes - on the N64 and the PC their "wholeness" is alarming. Rather, the animation in the FIFA titles is so lifelike, and there are so many glorious special moves - from simple flick passes to savage sliding tackles to unbelievable diving saves - by comparison ALI Soccer seems lackluster and out of date. Control on offense is passable (no pun intended). Again, don't expect dozens of trick moves or much tactical variety. A couple of basic plays are available on the fly - the offsides draw works pretty well - but the game is without the strategic possibilities of, say, World Cup 98. Defense is more awkward. Sliding tackles are pretty useless. The most effective defensive tactic seems to be to repeatedly tap the triangle button, which according to the manual does nothing, yet somehow manages to get the ball back. Goalie control is worse. Once your goalie has possession of the ball, you can't kick it back into play - despite what the manual says. Your only option is to throw it to one of two (count 'em: two) receivers. Needless to say, this is a precarious set of options at best, and more often than not possession is turned right over to an enemy forward for an easy shot on goal.

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