Sensible Soccer doesn't try to be realistic. The game is meant for fun and lots of it. Don't expect real teams, real competitions or even real names of players for that matter. Codematers didn't buy any FIFA license so they've changed vowels in every player's name and the team names are based on the city they're from rather than on the actual names.

Do we find that bad? Not really, if you want (and have lots of spare time) you have the option to customise all the names to have them reflect reality.

The main thing in Sensible Soccer is the gameplay. Arcade fun just like back in the days is what Codemasters is aiming at. Top down view on the field added with cartoony cut-scenes and tons of replays of your (not so) fantastic actions.

It seems that "keeping it simple" was the keyword when development started. Controls are very easy with only "sprint", "pass" and "kick" available (in offense, you've got the same buttons for defensive moves) next to the sticks that can be used for direction of your players and keeper.

However, Codemasters have gone a bit too far it seems with their guideline. Although there's plenty of competitions, the gameplay itself is so simple that after a couple of hours there's little to learn left.

Also the graphics are all but fantastic, they look like coming from a game that was created about 10 years ago. And that isn't all! The sound can be summed up in two things: a music track that luckily doesn't bore but doesn't add much, and shouting from the audience. That's it! No commentary, not even much difference in audience noise when you're doing some great actions. If you're looking for atmosphere, Sensible Soccer is the last game where you'll find it.