Customer Reviews

World Tour Soccer 2002

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is a preety good game, but with some flaws. It is better than FIFA 2002 in some aspects, but worse on others. It is hard to balance the two, so I think of it as a virtual draw. I own both games and enjoy the different aspects.

Better in World Tour Soccer:

1: More physics! This means that the interaction between ball, players, and goal is much less predictable and more realistic. You don't score the same types of goals over and over. There is more variability and uncertainty.
2: Better dribbles.
3: Easier crossing and heading, and more varied and realistic volleys and headers.
4: Much more intelligent AI.
5: More player movements.
6: Better replays.
7: Better free kicks.

Worse in World Tour Soccer:

1: Dumb and simple passing system (as compared to FIFA 2002).
2: Terrible graphics, worthy of a PS1 game. Though looking at players from a distance it is not that bad.
3: Sound mediocre, but not as bad as the graphics.
4: No transfer system.
5: Player's looks less customizable (fewer hairstyles, etc.).
6: Customization of player abilities limited.
7: Some teams not licensed (i.e. Holland: Klyverd, Overmark). But names can be changed, fortunately.
8: Simple uniforms.
9: Hard learning curve!!

On par:
1: Commentary
2: Shooting
3: Teams, leagues, and tournaments

Overall, FIFA 2002 is more sensorially stimulating than World Tour Soccer, but WTS offers more realistic and varied gameplay.

I remember seeing this title emerge from relative obscurity earlier this year, and my thoughts were the same as many others: "989 Sports has a soccer game?!" Well, yes and no. Originally known as This Is Football 2002 in the UK, it was brought over from UK developers Studio Soho and rechristened World Tour Soccer 2002. So gamers can breathe a sigh of relief that the poor sports titles in 989's lineup are quite far removed from this one.

Gameplay is king here, and this fact is vitally important, as graphically, this one looks fairly amateurish. Odd player models (what's with the shoulders?), blockish heads, rudimentary facial expressions, and stiff animation all combine to make this a title that won't exactly be winning any Prettiest Picture awards. But for those of you willing to sacrifice some shine for gritty gameplay will be properly rewarded. The gameplay falls between the arcade happenings of FIFA 2001 and the slightly more open approach of FIFA 2002. The closer gameplay camera is reminiscent of FIFA 2001, but WTS implements a more open and realistic passing/shooting system, like FIFA 2002. Whereas EA's 2k2 effort was often a chore, with its "pass anywhere" mechanics more often leading to chaos than creativity, WTS gives you a wider array of moves and some leeway in pulling them off while not reverting too far into the "magnet-ball" era of the pre-2k1 days.

The commentary is not as varied, detailed, or enjoyable as FIFA's Motson/Gray tandem, but it doesn't detract. I find the menus often hard to read with lots of tiny lettering and such, and certainly a more European design. Goalkeeping is interesting, as they are not the stone walls that FIFA so often produces, they will sometimes give up a soft goal, or stop a sure-thing. I do have a problem, however, with the keepers leaping into the air with every shot taken. Normally, the netminder will react with proper positioning, occasionally executing full-body dives if the situation warrants. In WTS however, the keeper too-often plants his feet in the center of the area, then explodes into a dive when the ball is finally shot, which gets ridiculous after awhile.

Cards and free kicks are given with a likeable amount of randomness. Sometimes you'll get away with things, other times not. Rarely, even the "safe" standing tackle might result in a card if done with the intent of riding off the attacker from the side or in a vital zone. Many have applauded the ball physics in this game, and i must concur. The amount of angles the ball takes always makes for interesting gameplay, and it's nice to be able to not only time headers, but to also direct them where you want them to go. Shots are also handled well. And the sheer amount of ball-handling options is very impressive, and all can be done with relative ease, once one gets familiar with the game.

And that's another very impressive quality of the game: it is possible to get good enough to really be overwhelming to a newer competitor. It's nice to have skill and experience be the tide-turner, instead of dumb luck, or cheap money-plays. Replays are also highly customizable. And with over 300 teams, from many places and leagues that don't show up in FIFA, it makes World Tour Soccer a worthy alternative. With the right amount of polish and attention to detail, this could be the soccer equivalent of NFL 2k3 taking the crown from Madden.

This is a much better game than FIFA 2002. The graphics and sound may not be as good for sure, but the game itself is phenomenal.
The moves are much more realistic and the best part is the game doesnt cheat unlike in FIFA 2002.

If you are looking for a footie game with a lot of great looking graphics and stuff, this may not be the game. This game even has handballs called which is neat!

graphics wise, this game isn't as good as fifa 2002, but gameplay is a lot better than fifa... But of course, this game doesn't rank as the best soccer game out there... i still prefer playing Konami's Pro Evolution Soccer...

The graphic is very good even though the number of stadium is limited, but the stadiums are beautiful. When customized the players shoe color you can see the color while playing so I don't know while people complain about the graphic, it's less glare than FIFA 2003, and more resolution than I thought, in the menu the letter are too small to read though. In this game you can score from 25 yards too so it's really fun to pull off a long shot sometimes in the game. The crownd chanting is not anoying and you can customized player to give them more stamina, strenght, speed, shot power and accuracy ect...I play FIFA 2002 & 2003 and think 2003 is worst than 2002 and the camera angle is messed up. This game [for the money it costs is] worth every minute playing it and it's fun. I play every day for 2 weeks now anh only half way at amature. There're pro, world, and master class, so this game is long. the player can do air balls so it won't be ground passing all the time, I thought it's neat compared to FIFA 2003. For [the money] you can't go wrong with 989 Sport World Tour Soccer 2002.

This days having a better game than FIFA is....EASY!!! I love soccer, and EA Sports makes the best sports games, but not in the soccer depot. WTS2002 plays good overall, nice stadiums, teams, player faces, uniforms, all are done the right way. Passing is very good, as well as tackling ans stealing the ball, the only minus is shooting ala "FIFA" I wish shooting would be more realistic. The most realistic shooting game there is in the soccer games is MLS. FIFA well you all know, unrealistic goals from unrealistic places. Buy this game, its the best there is on the market right know. We should wait for the Madden of soccer in the future.

This game isn't the best soccer game in the world. I was pretty disappointed when I first bought it. Sure it gives you more than 300 teams to choose from but they don't really show the team stats very well. FIFA 2002 is a much better game. Also, when you want to change the player's name, you can only change the first name which really sucks! Sometimes during a tournament, the game says that your team is invalid and you can't play the match. For those who love soccer games, I would definitely go with the FIFA games such as FIFA 2003. I have also heard that the Winning Eleven games are pretty good too so you might want to check those out. Overall, I have found this game as a so-so game and a definite rent-first.

World Tour Soccer is a very good game for most soccer fans and for some that aren't that big of a soccer fan. There are competitions like World tournament you can participate in. Be sure to read the playbook before you play a game or match. Don't give up playing a match right away, because it gets easier to control the more games you play. After you win a cup, you can show your friends the cups you've won in Trophy Case. It's a lot of fun once you get used to it. I hope you enjoy this game.

The best footie game in America by far.

Since konami seems to shy away from releasing any of its titles, sega stuck in acade, and ea continuing to make the slowest and most boring series ever, I figured that someone sometime somewhere was going to make a title worth playing. I just didn't figure that it would be Sony and Soho doing it.

The game isn't perfect. It is a little slow and the camera is limited in its options. The J-league is left out and there is no realistic market. The only gameplay flaw is a weak shooting system, same dumb FIFA 2002 aerial system, and a non-existant offensive player switcher (its a bust when you loose controll of the ball).

However, what's good about the game gives it a five star review. The ability to play in multiple divisions is a blast (I'm taking my midlanders all down). The graphics a darn good and not as confused as FIFA and the crowd atmosphere is suprisingly good. Passing and crossing is actually usable and fun. wee! Enough competition to keep any fan busy for a while.

A good effort and utill Konami wakes up, the best around. Sorry about the sloppy review, but I hope my 3 minute rave gives you some idea of what this game is like.

this game is all right, but besides the fact that the graphics are not that great, this game is more realistic than fifa. this game, in mine opinian could be better. Plus, this game's tournaments and leagues are good, but thier is no trading of players, which suchs, but i still kind of like it.