Common Sense Media Review
By Chris Morris
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
So-so soccer game looks to capitalize on World Cup fever.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
Stickman Soccer 2014
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's It About?
Players can play via one of two methods. The game's default has them use a virtual joystick along with two buttons, whose usage changes depending on whether you have the ball or not. Should that prove unsatisfactory, players can choose an automatic mode, wherein they control shooting and passing, but the on-screen team moves on its own. As you win more matches (or watch more ads), you'll unlock new seasons and tournament types, which deviate from standard soccer rules. This also will unlock beach and street soccer modes as well as a penalty-kick mini-game.
Is It Any Good?
Soccer may have an enormous fan base throughout the world, but only the most die-hard fans of the sport will find much to love with STICKMAN SOCCER 2014. The game's not terrible, but it suffers from two sets of poor controls, which frustrate the user in different ways. The virtual joystick isn't reactive enough and -- as several other apps have shown -- isn't the ideal way to control players on-screen. The automatic mode, though, reduces the player to spectator too often, especially on defensive plays.
The characters are cute at first but soon become a collection of on-screen blurs, largely indistinguishable from each other -- and it's hard to care who wins. The alternate game modes are fun, but accessing them requires players to slog through some not entirely fun gameplay and to watch some intrusive ads. World Cup fever might be encouraging interest in soccer, but this game won't maintain that attention.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the importance of getting outside and exercising.
Families also can talk about teamwork -- and working together toward a common goal.
App Details
- Devices : iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android
- Pricing structure : Paid
- Release date : June 4, 2014
- Genre : Sports
- Publisher : Robert Szeleney
- Version : 1.0
- Minimum software requirements : iOS 5.0 or later; Android 2.2 and up
- Last updated : November 11, 2020
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate