First Impressions 1/10/1998
Well it has finally arrived and the first question is, is it different enough to warrant a purchase?  From my first hour of play (which I have duly recorded to video tape for posterity) all I can say is, "Hell Yeah!". All the niggles that the ISS Realm felt were in the previous game have seemingly been addressed.  Don't believe what anybody else says that it is too similar, as it is not.  They have not played it, or even the previous one enough to realise this. Lets just say that there is much more improvement in this one version than the Fifa series as seen in ALL its versions, and then some.  ISS64 whipped any other soccer games butt by at least 5-0, now it is 10-0.  It is that far ahead of any game it is just not funny.

Presentation
First thing that strikes you is the intro - brilliant.  The ISS Realm has already assigned the three original ISS Mentors with new names derived from the intro!  Also the voice of Tony Gubba - the commenter - who is clearer than the previous chap, but not as excitable. He seems to be in the similar vane as the Fifa English commentators: dull!   The repetitiveness seems they same ("surely this time" is common when crossing), and already spot an error! Gubba yelled, "surely a penalty", in mid-field! The overall sound quality is much better and so is the theme song.  Though, for all the diehards, a really re-worked version of the original can still be heard amongst some of the menu screens.  The menus are much more "adult", though still functioning the same as always.  The in-game graphics have seen the least change.  The low-res slightly washed-out look still remains, but the animation and histrionics have been even further improved.  I mean, the goalie actually kicked the ball out of play so his team could make a substitution!  The graphics quality does look "tired" though; especially in-light of other sports games.  It is a pity that the game does not use one of the N64's higher resolution modes, or even have the facilitate to accomodate the upcoming RAM-pack for the hi-res.  But then, ISS has been all about gameplay, right? Anyway, there are now a series of replays from a variety of angles, rather than the solitary one as before.

Gameplay
Remember how ISS 64 wowed the socks off you the first time you played it?   What about the brilliant, dynamic and intuitive gameplay? And what about the sense of what was fundamentally correct upon the first execution of a through-ball?  Well this game gives none of these feelings as on the surface, it is the same.  The controls are the same and they still behave the same.  But it has been refined, enhanced and on initial plays, improved.

What you first notice is the faster pace - the game seems quicker.  Not really the game speed, but the plays and commands.  Everything is so much crisper and controlling is really tight.  It is even more arcadey than the previous version.   It is actually very similar to ISS Deluxe in how it controls - no bad thing.   Everything flows beautifully.  But what seems to have really been addressed is the AI of both your team and the opposition.  I played L3 and had a real hard time.   Far more guys were making runs, and your team-mates really harassed the ball carrier once they get close to the penalty box. The interceptions were of the highest quality, but they were not cheap interceptions where seemingly free players suddenly had their passes intercepted out of no where.  Basically, if an opponent is near your man, it will get intercepted.  This works for both sides too.

Other things noted are:
* tackling - much more effective. Also, team-mates will dispossess opponents if they get to close. They only standing-tackle though.  No slide tackles.
* smaller turning circle - it seems the players change of directions are not as great in distance. Sure they can go back and forth and around with gusto, but the distance travelled is much less.  It would seem to be more difficult to out-manoeuvrer defenders now.  The defenders have had there tackle circle reduced accordingly.
* AI - both teams AI is significantly improved, and different.  Just like the difference between the two SNES versions
* goalies - really good.  The L3s seem to be better than before.  They also punch a lot more.
* strategies - the CPU now activates these (default or you own ones) automatically for you. Of course you can over-ride this. There is also a whole bunch of defensive strategies now
* the through-balls have been improved. Now "straight" passes can be played with your team-mates quicker to respond in running on to them
* jigging - yep, the jig button has had it's effectiveness from Deluxe restored. The over-nimble players from ISS64 are now gone, and it is up to jigging to get by defenders.
* strolling - it would seem that with the reduced manoeuvrability and improved AI, it would be much harder to stroll through defences - the worst part of ISS64 (highly prolific when using top teams against humans!). Fiddling around trying to do this just seems to allow the defence to get back and harass you.  Of course, I have not played versus mode yet but with my own CPU team-mates now harassing the opposition and the new defensive strategies, eradication of strolling in versus mode would seem a formality
* corners and free kicks - not all of them are accurate!

In Versus Mode
As was likely, ISS 98 in versus mode is indeed a much different proposition compared to ISS 64.  It certainly is much harder to score and further enhances my view of the game.  In fact, it is when playing a human that the AI refinements really shine through.  In the seven games we played, the average goals per game was 3 - much more realistic compared with 6 of the previous game.  The balance seems perfect.   In ISS 64 it was easier for novices to score, now, I believe, it is easier to defend.  Your CPU team-mates will harass the ball-carrier once they get close to the box, and with the improved tackling and interceptions, the game now FORCES you to pass to break down defences rather than simply strolling through which the previous game allowed you to do.  You can still stroll, but it is more a case of subtle direction and pace changes, use of the jig, and the surprise element.

Other things noted:
* shots - seem to be weaker, the classic blast running along the edge of the box is almost gone.
* swerve - using the "Z" or "L" with the directional pad or stick is now required, instead of just the stick only.  Harder to do (so it should be!), but previously, bending the ball would also move your man highletted.  Now he stays put - in position.
* new animations - won't mention them all, but the one I really like was the penalty taker kissing the ball before placing it on the spot!

Really, this is football heaven - it simply does not get any better than this. 10 out of 10.

A full review will follow after some serious ISS Wars have been held.

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