Sony PlayStation, 39.99
IT'S a funny oul' game: a mixture between ice hockey, basketball and a form of fighting. There are few rules, except to score as many points as possible. The pitch layout is even funnier. Well, maybe not, but it is certainly less orthodox.
There's only one goal and that is positioned high in the centre of an oval-shaped pitch (arena). In fact, the goal is like a spinning top upside down and at either end of the pitch - where one would expect the goals to be - are the charging points for the ball of plasma which is the sphere used in this fantasy sport.
To score, your team must first get possession (now that is orthodox!) of the plasma and then rush into your opponent's territory where your charger is placed. Once charged, you can then have a shot at the goal. There are three different areas from which to score. The nearest to the goal gives you one point, the next scores two and the other area, which is on the boundary, awards three.
As there is no referee, when you are not in possession of the plasma ball you can resort to violence, if necessary, to get it back without fear of incrimination. Throwing objects on to the pitch would normally, in any sport, cause the authorities to take severe action against the home team, but in Riot it is actively encouraged. Fortunately these projectiles will neither harm nor hinder the players on the field. In fact the players welcome such an outburst as the objects give a selection of power-tips. All the usual suspects are here: Speed Up, Power Punch, Power Shot, Health and a little more unusual, the Hawkeye. This enables the receiving player to be extremely accurate in both passing and shooting.
There are three modes of gameplay: Friendly, League and Championship, a host of camera angles, 16 teams (four players per team), replay action and it supports up to eight people with two multi-taps. Riot, as said earlier, is unlike any other sport, and while there have been various attempts at this type of fantasy game, Riot seems to have got the balance just right. That's not to say it will be everybody's cup of tea but if, like me, you have the likes of NBA inside out then it makes a nice change.
Graphics: 82%, Sound: 90%, Gameplay: 83%