Football SuperStars

Developer: in-house
Format: PC
Genre: Football/RPG

A Football RPG? You heard it here first!

You may not have heard of this title, and with good reason. Football SuperStars is one of the best kept secrets in gaming. If it's as good as it's shaping up to be it could create a whole new genre - and we've got a hunch it's going to be a corker!

The game is a free to play football MMO, published by UK Company CyberSports. It is the world's first virtual footballing world - an interactive online virtual world designed for football fans to live a top footballer's lifestyle - from on-pitch action to dropping dough in fancy restaurants with a WAG on your arm; live the dream!

Once downloaded, players re-create themselves online as a footballer and then have free reign to do as they pretty much please. Players can play their way from three-a-side up to eleven-a-side matches, gaining attributes and skills in order to specialise in their chosen playing position. Midfield general, super fast winger or sure-shot striker the choice is yours.

Players can choose between unranked casual games, ranked Football Superstars league matches organised by the developers and player organised league matches with player manager clubs. On top of that you can view downloadable replay videos of every competitive match. Could this even become a spectator sport?

Fair enough, nothing revolutionary there but here's where it gets interesting. Players are paid for the games they play in Football Superstars currency, of which there are two types: dollars and bonds. The bonds can be bought with real money and used to purchase special privileges and items. Again, following the real world, the higher the level you play the higher your wages, all of which can then be spent in the game's two virtual towns, which have the capacity to host thousands of other players online at the same time.

It doesn't stop there, away from the pitch you can socialise in restaurants, bars and clubs and visit shops where you can buy the latest branded football equipment - which aids your progress on the pitch - and even designer clothes when you go on the pull. You can train in gyms to enhance your physical attributes, which also improves your playing skills, or get your face in front of the paparazzi in a bid to enhance your fame and status.