Review: Premier League Player
A significant absence of a robust football game in Virtual Reality has been observed, which is precisely where Premier League Player intends to make its mark. The critical question now is whether it has ultimately achieved the goal of providing a satisfactory football experience in the medium.
A Game Of Two Halves
Upon entering the pitch for the first time, you will receive a brief tutorial that outlines the mechanics of the primary mode. The objective is quite simple: score by getting the ball into the net. However, do not underestimate the challenge; it is more difficult than it appears. You manoeuvrer your players by swinging your arms, akin to operating a puppet. This method proves to be as challenging as it sounds, as achieving accuracy is a struggle, often resulting in excessively powerful passes and shots. You may assume that practice would lead to improvement, yet after dedicating three to four hours to my review, I observed only minimal progress.
It is advisable to establish some preliminary expectations; this is not a comprehensive football game. Players will not be maneuvering across the field; rather, each individual will remain in a fixed position upon receiving the ball. The experience resembles a collection of mini-games designed to simulate the sensation of being on the pitch.
The principal mode of the game is referred to as Moments, where players have the opportunity to replicate goals from the 2023/24 Premier League season (locked behind level progression). You will be responsible for executing passes and scoring goals, which is intended to immerse you in the excitement of the game. Nevertheless, the requirement to control your legs through arm movements can diminish the enjoyment significantly. The experience feels somewhat cumbersome and can quickly lead to frustration. The level of precision required for successful passes and shots often results in repetitive actions, as any mistakes force you to restart from the beginning. The game includes a free play mode that allows you to practice your passing and shooting skills; however, as previously noted, it does not significantly become easier or more enjoyable.
Although the Moments mode did not particularly appeal to me, I found some of the included mini-games to be quite enjoyable, and they represent the highlight of the game for me. The first mini-game is called Headers, where balls are launched at you through a portal, and your objective is to head them back into the portal. The difficulty increases with each level you complete. Additionally, there is a keeper mode, featuring Premier League players or ball launchers taking shots, allowing you to parry, punch, or catch the ball, depending on what you find most manageable and the type of shot. As you advance, the shots become progressively more challenging to save. Both of these modes are well-designed, but the goalkeeper mini-game stood out as my favorite.
A License That's Lacking
Premier League Player has evidently faced limitations due to budget constraints, resulting in a game that lacks visual impressiveness. Although it features officially licensed players and teams, the character models resemble wax figures rather than realistic representations, making it challenging to differentiate them from a distance. Despite the shortcomings in player design, the stadiums have been crafted with considerable attention to detail, providing an enjoyable experience on the Old Trafford pitch while recreating memorable moments or engaging in mini-games. With all twenty club stadiums included in the game, players can experience standing on the pitch of their favorite club. The game provides a somewhat immersive experience during gameplay; however, it does not fully engage you in the overall experience.
A player creator has been incorporated, allowing users to design their own avatars; however, the customization options are quite restricted. Consequently, the avatars tend to resemble semi-detailed wax figures. As players progress through the game, they will unlock additional Premier League players that can be placed in the Player Sanctuary, a space where friends can view the collection of characters amassed. Visually, this feature appears rather simplistic, and it is not something I would find particularly appealing to showcase to others.
In terms of audio, the game offers minimal functionality, yet this is sufficient for its purpose. During key moments, players will experience the sound of the ball being struck, the crowd’s reaction, and the original commentary accompanying the goal. In the mini-games, players will encounter some standard background music, the sounds of the balls, and an audio cue indicating a successful header into the target or a saved shot. Ultimately, this level of audio engagement is all that the game requires.
Comfort
The Verdict
Premier League Player offers a gameplay experience that reflects the concept of two halves; however, it falls short of delivering an authentic football experience in Virtual Reality. It is evident that the team at Rezzil has made considerable efforts to address the challenges of simulating ball kicking without foot-tracking capabilities on the Meta Quest. Nevertheless, the reliance on arm movements feels less intuitive and detracts from the overall immersion. While the heading and goalkeeping mini-games provide some redeeming qualities, they do not justify the £19.99 price point. Consequently, I find it difficult to recommend this game, particularly when there are alternative mini-game options readily available in the market.