"New Star Soccer app review"

New Star Soccer for iPhone and iPad 

Take over the life of a footballer in a game that will appeal to anyone who played football management games in the late 80s and early 90s.

New Star Soccer
New Star Games
Free

It might not look much but New Star Soccer is a game that has had me addicted for the last couple of weeks. The basic arcade game is free and very simple. The object is to score as many goals as you can while more obstacles - defensive walls, high winds and so on - are put in your way. You drag an arrow to aim your shot then tap on a football to determine the height and degree of spin.

A 69p in-app purchase (on iPhone and iPad) will upgrade you to career mode and this is where the fun really starts. You take over the life of a footballer. You still have to score goals, as in the arcade mode, but now you have to use your wages to upgrade skills, buy boots and build your relationship with your teammates and manager. As you get better, clubs will bid for you and you can increase your wages by moving up.

Complicating matters is the need put aside some of your wages for lifestyle items - mobile phones, cars, even houses. Better houses will help you maintain your fitness, while lifestyle items will help you get a girlfriend, which will boost your happiness and help you to play better. You can even visit the casino if you want but be prepared for your reputation to take a knock if you are seen gambling too much.

The game becomes about managing your resources in a bid to build your skills while keeping everyone happy. It's a classic 'just one more turn' game that keeps you playing for hours.

The graphics will look simple to younger gamers but those who grew up in the late 80s and early 90s will find them charmingly retro. There are in-app purchases that can add to your cash but though it's tempting to take advantage of those early in the game, you don't really need to. Patient progress will soon see your cash flow reach decent levels.

If there's a weakness, it's that the game doesn't really develop much after you've played three or four seasons. Shooting and passing remains about the same difficulty and keeping everybody happy can become a chore. However, you'll find yourself spurred on by the attempt to get your skills to their maximum level or to get one more hattrick. There is always some little benchmark to aim at.

Prepare to get addicted. If you've ever played Football Manager, The Sims or even Angry Birds, there's a good chance that New Star Soccer will grab you and not let go. You'll find yourself itching to play in every spare moment and anxiously checking your friends' scores to see who has more international goals.

It's a wonderful little game but it will eat your life. Don't say I didn't warn you.