UEFA EURO 2004, Publisher, Electronic Arts, Formats, Xbox, PS2, PC, Price, £39.99: SVEN may be downbeat about England's chances of lifting the second best prize in world football but you can ensure Beckham et al go all the way this summer.

Euro 2004 uses the same game engine as the FIFA football series. As a result, it has all the same good points (great looking players, terrific atmosphere and all the real footballers). Unfortunately it also has some of the same drawbacks as well.

FIFA 2004 represented something of a shake-up for this venerable series.

The arcade feel was toned down, ball physics were revamped and the game was supposed to offer more of a challenge to footie veterans.

Euro 2004 certainly feels more realistic than Euro 2000 on the PS One.

The default skill level is semi-professional and, if you haven't played FIFA for a while, I guarantee that will be enough to give you a good game.

I did what I suspect most players will do - slapped in the disc, booted up and dived straight into a friendly between England and France. It wasn't the cakewalk I expected.

For a start the crossing system, while touted as a great step forward, made it insanely difficult for me to turn a set piece to my advantage.

EA reckons you can cross balls with deadly accuracy. Most of the time, Beckham couldn't even beat the first defender. Sorry EA, but it's back to the drawing board on this feature.

The build-up play is slower than the frenetic pace of older FIFA games. Both teams pass the ball around the midfield, probing a defence and looking for an opening.

The ubiquitous "sprint" button is still part of Euro 2004 but it doesn't offer the same advantage it once did. A nippy midfielder will sometimes struggle to beat a decent defender, even if you are pressing the sprint button for all it is worth. EA has also borrowed some of the better ideas used by great rival International Superstar Soccer Pro Evo.

As a manager, it's a good idea to keep an eye on player morale and fitness. Otherwise, you could be caught out like Sven when England ran out of steam (and ideas) against ten man Brazil in the last World Cup.

Graphically, the game is a feast for your eyes. It's easy to pick out individual players when you are controlling a team and the cut scenes are generally of a very high order.

Fans of the Scots, Welsh and Irish need not fret, either, as EA has thrown some of Europe's best "also rans" into the melting pot for players who fancy making up their own Euro competition.

It's sad to see that Euro 04 doesn't support Xbox Live - so there's no prospect of Internet tournaments - but otherwise this is a fine souvenir of what should be an exciting competition.

TRANSFORMERS, Publisher, Atari , Format, PS2, Price, £39.99: IT'S strange how life sometimes passes you by. Take Transformers, the game of the cartoon of the toy range.

When I was a lad, the world of Transformers was a pretty simple one. For a start, there were only about half-a-dozen to choose from and the best was always Optimus Prime (a big truck who transformed into an even bigger robot). He cost a small fortune to buy back in the mid-1980s and I remember stock shortages around Christmas time as parents rushed to snap the toys up ahead of December 25.

Things have obviously moved on a lot since those early days.

If this game is anything to go by, the shop shelves must be positively groaning under the weight of new Transformer toys in 2004.

Not only that, but there seems to be a whole new race of mini robots to contend with. These little critters are called "minicons" and when they are picked up by your Transformer, they bestow extra powers upon him.

If you want to accomplish a mission in this game, it's a good bet to bone up on your minicons. Choose well and they give you better laser weapons, extra protection and even the ability to fly. But don't go too mad or your Transformer will overload, making it impossible to succeed.

At heart, this game is a fun, shoot 'em up of the old school (i.e. blast anything that moves). Transformer fans will find it worthwhile and more, er, mature gamers should find it fun for a while.

The large levels are impressive and graphically it looks mighty fine - especially with so much happening on screen at the same time. Transformers may be a kiddie franchise brought to your PS2 but that doesn't mean it can't offer a bit of nostalgic enjoyment to the kid in all of us.

Published: 28/05/2004