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Could this really be 'the one'? Can any game ever replace PlayStation's Actua Soccer 3 in our affections? Well, Actua has been at the top for well over a year now, and Rage's UEFA Striker is a little bit special. It's all about physics and AI, two things that Rage pride themselves on. Striker feels right - the pitch is the correct size in relation to the players (who cover the ground at a realistic rate), the ball has some semblance of weight and the players move intelligently into useful positions. You have absolute control of all aspects of the game, in the same way that you did with Actua 3. ISS, while a fantastic game, is exactly the opposite - sometimes you feel as though the game is 'on rails' - emphasising the spectacular at the expense of control and realism. An example of this is the way you head or volley the ball in Striker - you can't just cross the ball and keep bashing shoot until your striker makes contact. Striker demands careful timing; press the button too early and you'll just watch the ball sail harmlessly overhead. This precision ensures that practice is rewarded and you'll get plenty of that in the excellent training mode. We'll be giving the Dreamcast version the full review treatment in a future issue of Future Gamer. Let's just hope it's as good as this.
Why on Earth have motocross games suddenly become so popular? Motocross Madness? Yes, that'll be it. Everyone saw how well Microsoft's baby did and decided to jump on the bike bandwagon. Most efforts to date have been dreadful, but not so Edgar Torronteras' Extreme Biker. Endorsed by the man himself (no, we've never heard of him either), Extreme Biker goes for the hardcore physics approach - excellent if you like crashing. Johnny Gamer will be pleased to know that there's a simple physics option, ensuring that a successful landing is achieved at least some of the time. There are plenty of tracks, from your regular stadium-based supercross tracks to the bizarre 'Fantasy Island' and 'Eiffel Trifle' - the latter sees you tearing around the streets (and rooftops) of Paris. It's all good clean fun, but there's one major flaw. The stunt system is far from intuitive and though you'll eventually get to grips with it, it will never feel quite right. On the whole, Edgar Torronteras' Extreme Biker is a decent enough game that lacks the classy feel of Microsoft's title.
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