Aftertouch and defending
Using aftertouch on the ball is a vital addition to the fast paced gameplay of Sensible Soccer 2006. By using your thumbstick you can swerve the ball left or right, chip it or loft it high in the air. This enables you to unleash spectacular shots at goal from any range or angle. However, the A.I goalkeeper will save the most brutal of shots, often feeling like he has the ball on a piece of string. You’ll often need to work an opening which, for the most part, is relatively easy even against tough opposition.
Tackling doesn’t require much skill. You can steal the ball from an opponent’s feet by just heading towards them, or you can use your sliding tackle. The sliding/lunging tackle is the only tackle available in the game, and is a dangerous manoeuvre. Your timing needs to be accurate otherwise you could be taking an early bath. The sliding tackle becomes repetitive and frustrating after the referee pulls the play back for the umpteenth time, a block tackle would have been a nice addition. This lunging tackle also allows you to launch yourself at the ball can result in either a diving header, volley; try this in the opposition’s box for some spectacular results, including overhead and scissor kicks.
Goalkeeper movements are controlled via the right analogue stick, but 9 times out of 10 you won’t need to use it against A.I opposition as the goalkeeper does a fine job on his own. But, if you wish, you can bring the goalkeeper out of goal or retreat back before you’re caught out.
Despite the apparent A.I inconsistencies, the fast and extremely entertaining gameplay mixed with the simplistic control system make Sensible Soccer 2006 a great deal of fun to play. Although I keep banging on about the simple controls you do still need a degree of tactical awareness to score a goal.
The players in Sensible Soccer 2006 do not resemble nor carry the same names of their real-life counterparts, Owan is Michael Owen and Riinay is Wayne Rooney. It really makes no odds though, the game oozes style despite this lack of detail, the exaggerated enlarged heads and the cel-shaded players are all part and parcel of the Sensible Soccer experience.