Contents:
Introduction
Theme
Rules
Strategy
Variants
Representative Comments
My Take
Introduction
Streetsoccer is a little game by <PERSON> that is simply one of the best two player soccer games out there. It’s specifically for 2 players, and it has a 6.82 rating on BGG, which is quite high for what is at heart just a roll and move game. If you are a soccer fan you owe it to yourself to try it, and even if you’re not you might just enjoy a game of Streetsoccer.
Fortunately, you can buy before you try, because it is very easy to play this game online. Two of the websites that host this game are www.littlegolem.net and the designer’s own site: http://www.mastermoves.eu.
I’ve started playing games on the latter site a month or two and I’ve enjoyed myself immensely. In fact, while a friend of mine owns the real game, we never bother play it face to face, because the online interface is so friendly and easy to use. My apologies to the designer for not actually buying the game - at least not yet - but perhaps this review will make up for that.
Theme
In Streetsoccer each player gets 1 keeper and 4 players, which are placed on the following board:
You’ll notice that the board shows a grass surface, which I suppose doesn’t quite make sense if this is meant to be Street soccer. In fact, when you play this game it actually feels much more like a real game of soccer, even with fewer numbers of players. As in professional soccer, it’s important to keep possession, it’s important to have good positioning to allow for smooth passing, and it’s important to roll high numbers. Wait a minute! Scrap that last bit. High numbers are useful in this game, but just like in the real game, smart play is frequently rewarded. No matter what all the naysayers argue.
Rules
A homemade version by Colonel <PERSON>
Just for once I’m going to indulge in a shameless act of plagiarism. I’m going to copy the rules straight from the Mastermoves website (I cannot vouch for whether they completely reflect the board game version). At least if I get something wrong now you can't blame me.
Quote:
Rules of 'Streetsoccer'
Summary: In StreetSoccer both players try to make the most goals in 25 turns (eventually maximum 10 turns extra time).
Kick-off: The first player places his figures, then the second player. Your goalie starts in your goal, one field player in the middle and at least one on own and one on opponent’s halve.
First Turn: The first turn both players roll the die. 581
The player with the highest die-roll starts to kick the ball with the figure in the circle by the difference between the 2 die-rolls. You are not allowed to score a goal in this turn. After the first turn players get alternate turns which start each time by a die-roll.
Each following turn: You choose 1 of your 5 figures to move. The die determines the number of steps you can move. You cannot walk diagonally. You can change direction after each step. If you reach the space with the ball, then your figure stops there and you kick the ball. The ball you move by the unused number of pips on the die PLUS 1. The ball you can move in any direction, and can change direction once from diagonal to straight or from straight to diagonal. You cannot shoot through a space with an opponent. You can reach a space with your own figure. Then you add one step for the ball movement, and you can choose any direction again, and the pass by this other player can have one direction change again.
Goal: You score a goal if the ball passes the endline and the last space before it passes the endline is one of the 2 spaces in front of the goal.
After a scored goal: You place your defeated goalie in one of the 2 spaces in front of your goal, and bring the ball in the field again starting at your goalie. You throw at least a 2.
Sudden death: If the game is equal after 25 turns for both players, then the game continues for a maximum of 10 moves both. If you score during these extra turns, then you win immediately.
Anti kill-joy rules: Only the keeper may move to one of the two spaces in front of his goal. (except if there is a ball)
Only one outfielder can be in the 2 spaces in his own penalty area.
You may not surround the ball so that your opponent’s figures cannot reach the ball without moving outside the lines. 597