Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

This Is Football 2 delivers an engaging and deeply strategic football simulation experience. From the moment you step onto the digital pitch, the game’s refined controls and responsive mechanics stand out, allowing for precise passing, realistic dribbling, and tactical set pieces. Whether you’re executing a quick one-two break or orchestrating a sweeping counterattack, every touch feels deliberate, rewarding careful positioning and timing.

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The game’s AI has been significantly improved over its predecessor, adapting intelligently to your playstyle. Defenders close down space more effectively, midfielders provide better passing options, and attack-minded opponents exploit your weaknesses if you leave gaps. This dynamic responsiveness ensures that each match remains unpredictable and challenging, giving you a genuine sense of accomplishment when you outsmart the computer or a human adversary.

One of the standout features is the comprehensive tactical system. You can tweak formations, adjust player roles, and set detailed instructions for pressing, passing style, and defensive line. Coupled with in-match adjustments—such as switching to a more defensive posture or ramping up the tempo—this level of customisation ensures that you feel like a real manager, adapting to the flow of the game as it unfolds.

Graphics

Visually, This Is Football 2 makes a strong impression with its authentic stadium recreations. Dozens of famous venues from England, Italy, Mexico, and beyond are painstakingly modelled, capturing unique architectural details and pitch characteristics. These environments, combined with dynamic weather effects like rain-slicked fields or sun-drenched pitches, create a sense of immersion that transports you to some of the world’s most iconic football arenas.

Player models are richly detailed and benefit from the FIFPro licence, meaning you’ll recognise the kits, faces, and playing styles of your favourite professionals. The animations are fluid, from the way defenders jockey for position to the dramatic leaps of goalkeepers diving for a last-ditch save. Crowd animations and ambient sounds further enhance the spectacle, with chants and cheers responding believably to key moments in the match.

Lighting and shadow effects add another layer of realism, particularly during evening fixtures under floodlights. Reflections on the wet pitch feel convincing, and the subtle movement of grass blades under players’ feet helps ground the action. While the game may not push next-generation hardware to its limits, it strikes an excellent balance between performance and visual fidelity.

Story

While This Is Football 2 doesn’t feature a traditional narrative campaign, its Career Mode provides a compelling sense of progression and personal achievement. You begin as the manager of a modest club, tasked with building a competitive squad through transfers, youth development, and tactical ingenuity. Each decision—be it a high-profile signing or a gamble on a promising academy graduate—can shape the trajectory of your tenure.

Embedded within Career Mode are memorable moments that simulate the drama of real-world football: local derbies, cup upsets, and playoff showdowns. Commentary, match highlights, and post-game interviews punctuate these events, weaving an organic storyline as you navigate the highs and lows of a season. These emergent narratives keep you invested, even in matches that start as mere league fixtures.

In addition to Career Mode, the game’s Tournament and Cup competitions offer standalone challenges, from domestic leagues to international cups. These glitzy showpieces provide structured “story beats,” such as overcoming group-stage adversity or staging a dramatic comeback in a knockout final. Though not a scripted story, the emotional stakes feel genuine, driven by your own successes and setbacks on the pitch.

Overall Experience

This Is Football 2 succeeds in blending realism, depth, and accessibility into a cohesive football simulation. The combination of real player names, iconic stadiums, and fully licensed competitions creates an authentic backdrop for intense matches. Whether you’re a seasoned tactician or a newcomer to football games, the intuitive controls and adjustable difficulty settings cater to all skill levels.

The game’s attention to detail, from lifelike player models to adaptive AI, means every fixture feels unique. The strategic depth of the tactical system encourages experimentation, and the emotional highs of Career Mode keep you coming back season after season. While there’s no traditional story campaign, the emergent narratives in tournaments and league playmore than compensate, providing memorable moments that rival real-life football drama.

Overall, This Is Football 2 stands out as a robust and engaging football title that will satisfy fans seeking a deep managerial simulation and passionate players looking for authentic on-pitch action. Its combination of features, realistic presentation, and immersive atmosphere make it a compelling choice for anyone eager to experience the beautiful game in all its glory.

Retro Replay Score

7.4/10