Goals Scores as Best Game for Atom Developer Challenge

I wish I was better at sports video games. I can do platformers, puzzle games and racers like nobody's business, but get me on Madden or FIFA and it's about 5 seconds to epic fail. I'm just not wired for those games. I quickly scan for an open man then pause to recall the combination of commands I,...." darn it I lost the ball again"

I know I'm not the only "dude" out there who has this problem. That's why we retain our gaming masculinity by crashing cars and shooting aliens and zombies so much. Well thank the high heavens for The Game Creators who created a soccer "football" game for AppUp that's just darn awesome and recent winner for outstanding game for the Atom Developer Challenge. (Note: TGC is also a recent Black Belt for the Atom Developer Program so a cool proof point that there is something behind that status.)

Full disclaimer I'm not awesome at this game. It is a sports game and the same principles apply but I don't suck so much that I'm frustrated. Instead I'm moving up the learning curve quickly where I want to get better. This also perfectly describes my golf game.

One reason I like this game so much, is that it stands out as an amazing netbook game. It sounds weird to say that, but this is a "netbook" game. It is perfectly designed for what I call "vacation" computing. Vacation computing is using a computer for anything but being productive, which is why like my Netbook so much. Using my netbook is really like a vacation from how I normally use a computer. And when I sit down with my netbook, it's a bit like looking at a new box of ice cream cones... you have a Pavlovian reaction of something good to come. And sometimes video games are serious business, especially complicated sports franchise games. But Goals is not like that, it's the ice cream for my netbook cone.

Here's my break down of what makes Goals a great netbook app and why I think it won for best Netbook Game.

Graphics: Good field of view of the game field, and well animated players with clever and seemless AI, make the game feel like you are hovering above a match. TGC obviously put time into the look of this game and they take advantage of DirectX capabilities on a netbook to deliver this sports simulation.

The real estate is used well. There are not hovering windows, dialogue boxes, annoying bottom thirds to make it look like a sports casted show. It's a simple design that keeps you focused on the game.

Controls: Ultra simplicity in the control not designed exclusively for a mouse –so many game developers forget that the mouse is just not there for most of us anymore. Arrow keys or mouse keys allow you to select the player while on defense or while on offense direct your player. A simple X key kicks the ball or Z for long kick. There are also mouse button equivalents. And TGC also use these buttons/keys throughout. Z passes long, switches players while X is short pass or tackles players . So all you do is move your man in the direction of an open player downfield then kick the ball. Soccer mechanics is in play here, get the ball to the outside down the field then inside to a player to make a goal shot. You can change the level of game and the speed of the game. For me Easy mode and Slow action allows me to be a real player. I can see my players and the opposing players with enough time to pass my ball down the field and make a shot on goal.

Sound: Wow the sound is amazing. Great way to add to the experience. This feels like you are at a match. Just need to smell of beer and a sausage and I'd think I was there.

Experience: Beautiful utility is how I describe netbook apps that are well designed like Goals. Like "My Little Artist" or "Country Connect", this game is beautifully designed but focuses not on doing a lot of things, but rather focuses on doing a few things really, really well. That's not to say this game is not rich in features. You can choose a friendly game or cup tournament. There are controls for specific features of the game like Goal Kicks and Throw Ins. You get all the real action of a fun soccer match, without the frustration, and enough features to make the game challenging for the more avid sport gamer.

Overall a stand out game. A must for any netbook gamer, and for us sports challenged gamers, a challenging but fun game that is more play than work to score a GOOOAAAAL!.