Playmobil: Sports & Action

Soccer , Playmobil style. The Game Instructions (a seperate rulebook from the assembly instructions) include rules for handling all normal soccer rules plus games modes such as Kick and Rush and One - Two.

The goal is to score more goals than the other player, and the rulebook allows for a pre-determined number of a set time limit (as in real soccer) to determine the winner.

The game plays well, with the pitch divided into light and dark green stripes. A team is allocated to each colour and when the ball lands in your colour, you can move your two players and kick the ball. No more than two passes area allowed before a shot at goal must be taken. Goalkeepers are controlled via a stick mechanism with a spring, that allows lateral movement but also sideways dives.

The kit includes 4 players (2 per side) with kicking action, 2 balls, and a 97cm x 67cm playing surface with surrounds and a scoreboard. The kicking action is surprisingly good, and by experimenting with positioning your player around the ball, different shot strengths and aerial shots are very possible.

All in all, Playmobil has done a great job converting soccer into a fast and fun game for the whole family.