John Barnes European Football Longplay (Amiga Version)

- John Barnes European Football Longplay (Amiga Version) -
John Barnes European Football, a Krisalis video game launched in 1992 for the Amiga and Atari ST platforms, draws its title from the celebrated English footballer John Barnes. Renowned for his wing play, Barnes's illustrious career included significant stints at Liverpool FC and contributions to the England national team.
The game immerses players in the European football landscape, offering a selection of teams and the opportunity to compete in the 1992 Eurocup. Developed amidst the rising popularity of sports games for home computers, it aimed to provide fans with an interactive football experience.
However, the Krisalis release falls significantly short of expectations, verging on unplayable due to its steep learning curve and unwieldy mechanics. Gameplay is notably constrained, with both short and long passes-essential tactics for constructing offensive plays-reduced to mere ball-clearing strategies. Scoring becomes a daunting task, often reliant on an optimistic mid-field lob and a goalkeeper's momentary lapse.
Player control exacerbates these issues, lacking responsive movement and making it difficult to strategically position players for defense or attack interception. The AI's reluctance to score offers scant consolation.
Moreover, the game's attempt at a tackling system is rudimentary at best. Dispossessing opponents is unrealistically simplified to either running into them or approaching from behind, which inexplicably results in gaining possession, thus facilitating counterattacks. This system, equally applicable to player and CPU, not only detracts from the realism but also amplifies the game's overall frustration.
The aggravation peaks when, after a challenging advance towards the goal, a mere touch from an opponent's player leads to a tackle, culminating in a disheartening loss of opportunity.
Given these glaring shortcomings, John Barnes European Football might just be the most disappointing soccer simulation released for the Amiga; honestly, I can't think of a worse title.
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