They discuss it on the comments for Eurogamer's review at:

http://www.eurogamer.net/article_discussion.php?article_id=85588

Apparently, it's meant to do this - you need to wait for the ball to come down before trying to move or it penalizes you for a second or so. I certainly don't remember that from the original version, though.

Hmmm interesting, thanks for that.

Certainly didn't do that on the Atari ST version, and I agree with most people on there that it is a bit dodgy.

Rob

I never played the original so that may be it, but I just don't get Speedball 2.

Is there a good summary somewhere? I feel like I am just randomly runnign around and have no idea when my playable characters switch so no idea where I should be going at a given time. I'd like to give it a fair trial, but it is just frustrating me at this point.

Had a quick look around, and there doesn't seem to be a summary that explains anything more than the "how to play" section of the trial. Having spent dozens of hours on it in my youth, everything just feels natural to me now, even the switching of player characters. You also get a feel for where the rest of your players are so you can throw passes to offscreen teammates fairly reliably. I didn't even notice the start lag until people pointed it out, I'm just used to waiting for the ball to come down.

Unfortunately, I don't have the time to try and explain everything in depth, and I'm not even sure I'd be able to.

Here is a quick run-through of the features on the pitch:

Basically the thing at the sides in the centre is a score multiplier. It can only have one person multiplied at a time.

One light is 1.5x, 2 lights is 2x - ie a goal is usually worth 10, with one light it's worth 15, with 2 it's worth 20. This is worth targetting as a priority early on and then defending like it's your goal.

However, if an opponent throws the ball onto it it'll either multiply him if there's no lights on, or cancel yours if you have any (incrementally, so if you have 2x multiplier, he'll reduce you to 1.5x). Sounds complicated but works really well.

Then you've got 5 stars which are just worth points (more if you get all 5, but again your opponent can cancel them).

There are various powerups, but target the following:

- Star one, that temporarily gives that player full capability,

- One with an S is a shield that makes him invincible for a short time.

- There's one that looks like a joystick that reverses the controls

- One that looks like a No Entry sign that freezes the opponentsO

- One with a Z on that knocks all the opponent's team to the floor.

Other than those, most of the others are fairly unexciting but potentially useful at the right time; there's one that sends the ball straight to your centre forward, others for boosting certain things, for example Defence capability. Coins obviously give you money to upgrade your team in the next match, though online you'll find you won't have time to do this as it takes quite a while.

Also there are items to collect, like boots, which will give that player increased speed, or glasses for aggression - these match the criteria on the team upgrade screen - glove for throwing, etc. Prioritise speed over everything I would say usually, and Power and the player's relevant area (ie boost DEF for defenders and ATT for attackers). And make your goalie double hard or you'll concede lots of goals.

There's also a thing in the middle that the ball can be thrown against for easy points, but can sometimes bounce away unpredictably. There are two tunnels that send the ball to the other side of the pitch. Also the pod at the side of the pitch that makes the ball red. This means that as long as it is red (and it wears off if the ball is dormant for a second or two) it'll knock over your opponent if you chuck it at him. Useful for throwing it at goalies, but otherwise can sometimes backfire if they catch it mid-air and use it against you.

It's weird, I've played it for so many years it all seems natural, but I guess it is quite complex when you write it all out. Give it some time though, it's a great game! Hope some of this helps.

Cheers

Rob