Liverpool (video game)

Liverpool
John Barnes on the Liverpool box art
Developer(s)	Arc Developments
Publisher(s)	GrandSlam Entertainment
Designer(s)	Jason Stoat Jon Harrison Tim Coupe
Platform(s)	Amstrad CPC, Atari ST, Commodore 64, Amiga, DOS
Release date(s)	1990 (Amstrad CPC) 1992 (Amiga, Atari, DOS) 1993 (C64)
Genre(s)	Sports simulation
Mode(s)	Single player, Multi-player
Distribution	Cassette tape, Floppy disk

Liverpool (also known as Liverpool: The Computer Game) is a football video game released in 1990 for the Amstrad CPC. In 1992 versions were released for the Atari ST, Commodore Amiga and DOS platforms and a Commodore 64 version was released in 1993. The game was developed by Arc Developments and published by GrandSlam Entertainment. Liverpool is based on the Liverpool F.C. football team. One or two players can play Liverpool. A ZX Spectrum version was advertised, but never actually released.^[1]

Gameplay

Liverpool is a football video game that allows the player to take control of Liverpool F.C. and play against other teams in the English football leagues and FA Cup. The game allows the player choose the formation and pick the team from real players in the Liverpool squad. Before practice games, the player can also set the pitch type and duration. The in-game gamplay consists of running with and without the ball, trapping the ball, throw ins, corner kicks and goal kicks. Liverpool also includes injuries and punishments from receiving red or yellow cards. The player can use a joystick or keyboard to control the game

The player can play in Full Season mode where matches in both the league and FA Cup are played, or in FA Cup Only mode, where the cup competition alone is played. The best achievement in the game is winning the double.

Each version of Liverpool for the different platforms included the updated Liverpool F.C. squad from the current season.^[2]

Reception

The different versions of Liverpool received mixed reviews. The Amstrad CPC version received a low 9% from Computer and Video Games. The magazine criticised the gameplay as "sluggish" and said the controls were frustrating.^[3] The Commodore 64 version was considerably different and received 93% from Commodore Force. The magazine praised the smooth controls and artificial intelligence of the opposition.^[4] CU Amiga rated the Amiga version of Liverpool 70%. The review said that the controls are sluggish and jerky and the animations of the players are very basic. The magazine recommended the game mainly for fans of the Liverpool football club.^[5]

References