Kind of Soccer Review

The FIFA World Cup is looming ever present, and I'm ready to be incredibly disappointed (yet unsurprised) when England is knocked out very early on. Perhaps they'd have a better chance if they played by the rules of Kind of Soccer. Designed with non-fans in mind, Kind of Soccer is almost a kind of anti-soccer game. It's shallow yet quite fun and stress relieving.

Initially, Kind of Soccer looks a lot like a typical soccer game. A pitch forms the focus of what's going on, with a series of players scattered around liberally. The key to winning is to strike the referee with the ball by lining up a shot, dragging backwards, and flinging the ball at him. Miss and allow the ball to fall away from the other players and a point goes to the opposing side. After the first level, members from the opposing team also emerge to make things harder with them able to grab the ball from the player.

It's a simple idea yet occasionally quite tricky. 5 points must be earned to win the game with a new stage and power-up unlocked, proving to be that bit harder to beat than the earlier level. Eventually, a Time Mode is unlocked for extra competition. The power-ups prove steadily more useful too, with lasers available for precise shooting as well as typical things such as freezing the opponents for a moment.

Kind of Soccer keeps it simple throughout so it's never overly complex or revolutionary, but it is strangely satisfying kicking a ball at the referee. As a fun title to dip into, it'll entertain to a point. Just don't expect Kind of Soccer to be a title to remember for weeks to come.