Pass the Controller | Latest news, reviews and reviews in video games
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Videos
  • Community
  • About
    • Contact
    • Meet the Team
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Features
  • Videos
  • Community
  • About
    • Contact
    • Meet the Team
>

Taken for a Quickie | Dino Dini’s Kick-Off Revival

17/10/2017

 
Picture

In these modern footballing times it’s not uncommon to see expertly coiffured hair, diamond encrusted earrings, and luminous-boot-wearing defenders alongside the beautiful game itself. Hope does exist for those of you that miss the golden age of perms, headbutting the ball/goalkeeper into the net, and John Motson’s ghastly jackets, though, as legendary developer Dino Dini returns with Kick-Off Revival, the plucky underdog to title-challengers FIFA 18 & PES 2018.

Picture

by Rob
​Holt

Picture

@acousticmagic

Picture
Developer: Koo Games
Publisher: The Digital
Lounge

Platforms: PS4, PS Vita,
PC

Players: 1 - 2
It’s a throwback to simpler times, then?

You betcha! Those hoping for modern visuals, multi-button controls, abysmal current chart music and shed loads of options need not apply, for this is football boiled down to its simplest form - and it’s as hardcore as you’re ever likely to get in a sports game.

I see - so does it play like Barcelona or Portsmouth?

Unfortunately, KOR leans firmly towards the Portsmouth end of the footballing spectrum (honestly, chums, I’m not a Saints fan…). The one-button controls give off the promise of an easy-to-pick-up-but-difficult-to-master game of football, though, in reality, they only achieve the latter. This wouldn’t be an issue if the game came with an excellent tutorial, but the practice mode and its ugly, retro instructions only manage to solidify the feeling of an open goal missed.

​It took us quite a few games before we scored a goal by design, instead of by luck, with both sets of players wandering the pitch in a seemingly random, headless-chicken formation that reminded us of our days playing under tens footy.


That’s a shame. Does the presentation help matters at all?

We’re going to have to say no again, regrettably. The simple sprites of the players and ball are fine, but the overly simplistic crowd and stadium are the kind of retro aesthetic that gladly died in the late ‘80s. KOR only provides the player with one pitch type too - Dino and his team really should’ve looked to Kick-Off-inspired Super Arcade Football for ideas in this key area of play. The delightful spring in the net every time a goal goes in is fabulous, mind.
This is football boiled down to its simplest form - and it’s as hardcore as you’re ever likely to get in a sports game.
Anything else hamper Kick-Off Revival’s title challenge?

Well, the severe lack of options holds the game back from the opening whistle. To only provide players with three modes in exhibition, European Cup (based loosely on Euro 2016) and online play (no problems with lag, but it’s no FIFA Seasons/PES Divisions) would have been stingy twenty years ago, but is downright criminal in these modern times.  

So, it’s safe to assume the underdog won’t be winning the cup?

KOR tries its best to stand up for the little man, but unfortunately finds itself knocked out of the competition at the group stages. The lack of modes and sheer difficulty of mastering the controls ruin what could have been a joyously simple return to pure football. If you’ve got a pal for local fun then perhaps consider going for it, otherwise, fire up that dusty old copy of Sensible Soccer for your retro footballing fix.


Dino Dini’s Kick-Off Revival is available now for £7.99 on PS4 and PS Vita, and £6.99 on Steam.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.



    Read More

    News
    Reviews
    Videos

    Comment Here

    Categories

    All
    A Gamer's Guide To Life
    Community
    E3 2018
    Event Coverage
    Feature
    First Impressions/Quick Look
    Head To Head
    Indie
    Interview
    List
    Opinion
    Preview
    Real Life Story
    Team Talk
    Video


    Archives

    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015


    RSS Feed

Pass the Controller

News
Reviews
Features
​
Videos
Forum
About

The Forums

Gaming Discussion
Xbox
PlayStation
PC Gaming
Nintendo
Off Topic
​Achievements and Trophies

What is PTC

About Us
​Meet the Team
​
Contact Us
OpenCritic
Find our reviews on OpenCritic
vrgamecritic
Find our reviews on vrgamecritic
© COPYRIGHT 2014-2019 PTC / JMP.
​ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.