| European Super League | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Crimson Coyote Developments |
| Publisher(s) | Virgin Interactive Entertainment |
| Platform(s) | Dreamcast, PlayStation, Microsoft Windows |
| Release |
|
| Genre(s) | Sports |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
European Super League is a football video game developed by Crimson and Coyote Developments and published by Virgin Interactive Entertainment for the Dreamcast, PlayStation and Microsoft Windows in 2001. [1]
Players can select from 16 licensed European sides including AC Milan, Ajax, Bayern Munich, Leverkusen, Barcelona, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea, IFK Göteborg, Inter Milan, Marseille, Liverpool, Olympiacos, Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica and Real Madrid, with real player names and likenesses, as well as accurate stadia and kits. [2] Two control methods are provided, a basic control method using a limited set of buttons, alongside a more advanced control method which gives players "more freedom and control". [3] Game modes include friendly matches, training, custom tournaments and leagues and the main European Super League mode (loosely based on the UEFA Champions League). [4] [5]
The game was developed using a modified version of the engine used for Viva Football , a 1998 title also developed by Crimson and published by Virgin Interactive. Producer David Casey told Official Dreamcast Magazine that their aim was to "make ESL more accessible [than Viva Football] by slowing the game down and making the controls easier to use". [3]
The 16 sides were chosen, according to producer David Casey to provide "the best teams from the major territories - England, Spain, France, Germany, Italy - and then selected one well-known team from the other countries to make up the 16". The developers were limited to two Premier League sides due to a pre-existing contract the league had with Electronic Arts, the developers of the FIFA series. Manchester United were cited as among the available teams in previews, [3] but were replaced by Chelsea in the released game. [2]
The developers also claimed to have recorded real audio at each of the 16 stadia included in the game to lend a sense of realism to gameplay and differentiation between stadia. [3]
Official Dreamcast Magazine awarded the title 70/100, with reviewer Steve Hill stating that it was "as good as any [Dreamcast football title] currently available" and that "what it lacks in finesse, it makes up for in atmosphere and authenticity". [2] Writing in Dreamcast Magazine Martin Mathers gave the game 58/100, commenting that "The visuals, while adequate, aren't exactly mind-blowing and the whole experience seems a bit too sluggish for our liking". [4] Greg Howson of The Guardian gave the game 3/5 stars, arguing that players may "marvel at Zidane's accurately modelled bald patch and the admittedly impressive stadia but groan as the match kicks off". [6]