Soccer Showdown

Soccer Showdown is a game app I downloaded several months ago, but uninstalled due to frustration over bugs in the game operation. I reinstalled it about a month ago and I haven't been able to stop playing, even though nothing has been fixed.

It's a shootout-style game, winner is whoever has scored the most goals in five rounds. In the event of a tie, extra kicks continue until a winner is declared. Teams are national sides, each with strengths and weaknesses on offense and defense. The version I play has a 16-team league setup and 16-game regular season, with four divisions of four. Eight teams make it to the playoffs, which consist of three head-to-head rounds. Gold is earned through tournament wins, match wins, and consecutive days played. Gold is used to upgrade the size and speed of the gloves, as well as to upgrade the ability to control the ball.

I'm about to take my first shot of the game. The ball and the glove
 both have national team colors.

As for gameplay, finger swipes determine the flight of the kicked ball, as well as what part of the net the gloved hands cover.

This game is addictive and enjoyable. It doesn't take long to play, as one match takes about a minute to play. I've learned to control the ball pretty well, though I shank a few, and other shots look like my 7-iron shot on the golf course. I do well defensively, though I have trouble covering the high corners.

The game is not without flaws. A shot that ends up in the back of the net can be scored a miss and cost you a game, which sucks in the postseason. Having the better record in the playoffs doesn't always mean you get last shot, which should be a reward for good regular-season play. There is no payout for coming in second in the tournament. A win scores 500 gold pieces, second place gets nothing. I typically play with Belgium (2014 World Cup scars have healed, and it's nice knowing Vincent Kompany might be on my team) and have seven of the eight upgrades, but if I want to select a different nation (South Africa? Canada?), all upgrades are set back to zero and I must start over again.

I'm defending, leading 1-0 as the U.S. is about to take
 shot #2.

My biggest beef is scoring a goal and not getting credit. It doesn't happen often, but it happens enough to be a nuisance, and rare is the occasion when it actually changes the outcome. I'm able to wrap my head around it by equating it to the shoddy officiating we actually see on the pitch.

I play an older version, since the 2014 and 2015 editions don't seem to have tournament options available. Game ratings on the app store go back several months talking about the goal flaw I've discussed, so it's apparent it won't be fixed, especially with newer versions in existence. Graphics are solid-- having the stadium in the background is a nice touch and adds to the realism. Paying cash for gold bars is an option, and any purchase removes all ads from gameplay.

7 out of 10 stars, for fun gameplay that doesn't have all the kinks ironed out.