The most fun games are sometimes the simplest. Fancy graphics, very detailed controls, no fancy IPs (Mario, FIFA, etc.) connected. What’s fun is that it’s easy to understand and even easier to play. Retro Goal fits this category very well. It’s not, so it might not look like much, but the core gameplay is simple and solid enough to keep you entertained. Maybe (it’s soccer here in the US, sorry for the rest of the world!), but Retro Goal has a solid game for everyone.
The simplistic nature of Retro Goal means the game doesn’t have to say much. It’s just a matter of choosing a football team to control and running through different leagues to become champions. The catch is that you can only control your actions on the field when your team is attacking. The rest of the action (defense) is communicated via on-screen text, so you can never be sure what happened to your team.
The rest of the game is managing your team. You’re in charge of your team’s budget, so surprisingly, this is a bit more detailed than you might think. At first, this seems like a fairly easy task. Fields and various facilities can be upgraded. However, if you’re not careful, you’ll run out of money to sign/withdraw players from your team for next season. It makes you think about what is worth upgrading and what you should avoid during the season. Again, a fairly simple gameplay element added to a simple soccer match.
That said, the whole point of Retro Goal is that it’s a simple game, which makes it a game that lacks replayability. I’m not a football fan and I got bored with the game after a few hours. There wasn’t much new to explore and we experienced everything the game had to offer. Made it very difficult. Some people love this style and may find it an addictive gameplay loop. I think it depends on how you enjoy soccer.
After all, Retro Goal is a solid game that does simple soccer well. It has a simple control scheme (thanks to its simple gameplay) and offers surprisingly detailed management elements. Its simplicity is the only downside I can bring out, as you can experience all of the game’s attacks incredibly quickly. Your longevity in this game will depend on your love of football. If you’re like me and aren’t a huge soccer fan, you’ll find hours of fun in Retro Goal.
