Libero Grande is the first football game that really allows a player to become a key member of the team and experience the thrill of playing on the pitch. A specially created gameplay system ensures that a player must learn to play effectively with his team rather than assuming anonymous control of all of the players.
The user designs their own character and can alter his attributes and skills. And then controls this one player during the match. The user can adjust strategies for the team, but plays each game as their own character.
It's conversion of the Namco Arcade hit, Libero Grande. The arcade soccer title that allows the gamer to become immersed in the action and actually become a player in your selected team.
The larger than life players have their own individual appearance with your team mates being of all race, height and build, while each of them has a unique set of attributes and playing style. Their movements are quite fluid but the character that the gamer controls suffers from a very short delay after each joypad action is instructed. This gives him a slightly sluggish feel as he is heaved around the pitch. However, once a few trick moves are incorporated into the gameplay it does seem to flow a little better.
The stadiums and playing surface seem massive when the game is viewed from the players perspective, which is precisely how it feels when you play a real game of soccer on a full size pitch. All around the animated crowd wave flags and constantly bob up and down. They really seem to be enjoying themselves. There are five impressive stadiums which may be played at day, night or dusk. Some of them look more like castles than soccer grounds, especially Foro Azzurro. There are no weather options within Libero Grande.
The crowd sounds are adequate being a constant noise of drum bashing, cheering and chanting supporters. Other effects have taken into account the third person perspective view as each touch and bounce of the ball gradually fades as the play moves away from your position. There is no commentary which is fine by me considering the usual crazy character employed to comment on these type of arcade soccer games.
Libero Grande is indeed a soccer game with a difference. To begin with you don't need to spend hours of your time trying to discover the hidden combinations that enhance the gameplay. Simply jot down the moves such as nutmeg, heel lift, loop shot, centre.... as you watch the rolling 'how to play' trailer before commencing.
Libero Grande includes several playing modes including Arcade where one player, or two on the same side (split screen), may take part in a single soccer game between any of the sixteen world squads.
International Cup begins with a preliminary mini-league where the winners go onto the knockout stages. Points, difficulty, half length and extra time may be adjusted.
Exhibition mode is similar to arcade except that two players may compete against each other in split screen mode. Maybe this could culminate in a soccer Deathmatch sometime in the future?
World League is exactly as the cover describes where up to eight players may be controlled for eight different teams in a season of international matches.
Player Challenge is a little special. This mode involves nine sessions on the training field where tasks such as dribbling, shooting at moving and static targets, passing, bending free kicks around walls, volleys and heel toeing the furthest distance, are all part of a days work. Furthermore, they are all played against the clock with points awarded for precision, timing and accuracy. I must have remained within Player Challenge for a good two hours before I even thought about playing a game of soccer. Complete the course and new selectable players will appear in the menu. Definitely a game within a game.
Manufacturer's description:
The true football experience! A perfect conversion of Namco's original arcade game, Libero Grande takes you out of the commentary box, and positions you as the star player in any one of 32 World-Class teams - the closest you can get to being out on the pitch. Compete in International Cup and World modes. New game modes exclusive to PlayStation. All new on-the-pitch perspective puts you right in the action. Revolutionary gameplay system - communicate with players to create real strategy. Co-operative and Competitive matches for two players.
Features:
- Third person perspective.
- 3D graphics
- Cartoon graphics
- Soccer theme.
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