Footballer Of The Year 2
Copyright/Publisher: Gremlin Graphics, Music By: Ben Dalglish,
Release Year: 1989, Genre: Football/Soccer, Number Of Players: 1

If football is 'a funny old game' then the Footballer Of The Year is presumably the best comedian around. However, to achieve this honour you must score goals instead of telling jokes.

Starting the season with the team of your choice you get to play in League and various Cup matches and, if you're good enough, internationals. Before each match you can select up to three goal cards which allow you the possibility of scoring.

The manoeuvres for each attempt are shown on a blackboard - you must try and emulate your part in the following arcade sequence. Extra goal cards can be bought with hard cash, earned by scoring goals or from correctly answering footy trivia questions.

If you're playing much better than the rest of your team you can buy a transfer card so another team can scout you (and perhaps buy you). And that's about it. Before we go, just lone late result: Liverpool have trashed Spurs 4-0 with super striker Alexei Sayle scoring all the goals!

Phil
I'm suprised at the total lack of depth in FOTY 2: there are very few tactical decisions to make. What is here is mildly enjoyable: following the ups and downs of a footballing career os absorbing. But the game's shallow nature shortens the appeal.
Robin
I enjoyed the original (which sold extremely well), and the sequel has many improvements - especially the attractive, user-friendly menus. Emulating the blackboard manoeuvres and answering trivia questions is fun, making for a worthy sequel.

INTRO SCREEN

PRESENTATION 87%
Slick status screens and good options.
GRAPHICS 80%
Good arcade sequence.
SOUND 54%
Good kicking and crowd effects.
HOOKABILITY 77%
Following your career is fun for a while...
LASTABILITY 65%
...but eventually gets repetitive.
OVERALL 71%
A good (if belated) sequel.