Unlike most football simulation, FA Cup Football concentrates solely on the prestigious footballing
event of the year: the FA Cup. The game is a very simple one, rather than choosing the players
you want to field and worrying about transfers and the like FACF just asks the player(s) to
choose the tactics of their teams (either attacking, defensive or balanced).
Once loaded, the number of players (from 1 to 8) and their initials are typed in. The players
can select the eight teams they would like to manage from a pool of 124 (the players take turns
in choosung). Every league team and all the good non-league teams are listed in the program, but
if the local side doesn't appear then the name of one of the listed teams can always be changed.
By the way, don't expect any local team to do amazingly well - all the results are calculated
on the ability of the teams in real life, and a changed name team is automatically given the
ratings of a non-league side. So, when Liverpool do battle with the Ludlow Lethargics don't expect
miracles!
Once everyone has chosen their teams the FA Cup competition can begin. The players can choose
either to start from the first round (non-league and third and fourth division sides only) or
from the third round (all league and non-league teams). Either option leads to a cup draw. When this
takes place two numbered balls spin onto the top of the screen, and the teams with the corresponding
numbers play against each other.
The computer then goes through the matches one at a time, quickly flicking through computer
vs computer matches, but stopping when a player's team crops up. Here the relevant player has
to choose the tactics of his/her team, either attacking (4 - 2 - 4), defending (4 - 4 - 2) or
balanced (4 - 3 - 3). Occasionally a newsflash crops up and is displayed at the bottom of the
screen.
Once all the team's tactics have been decided then the matches commence. Eight matches are
shown at once, although the screen display can be cycled during play to show the other matches.
A timer constantly ticks away throughout this period so the players know exactly how much match
time has elapsed. All the scores constantly update themselves, so during this part of the
program the players just have to sit and bite their nails.
The time goes pretty slowly, but it can be speeded up by holding the space bar down. Once the
full ninety minutes have been played all the scores can be viewed, prior to the replays, which
are played in the same manner as before.
When the round has been fully completed the game reverts to the cup draw screen and the next
round is compiled. As the rounds progress managerial problems become more apparent. The tactics
chosen for teams can be changed at half time and at semi-final and final levels at quarter time.
Substitutes are also introduced, and the player is given the option to field them.
Starting at round five are questions which try to test a player's managerial experience.
For example a star players could ask for an immediate transfer. What happens? The player has
to choose what he thins is the right decision from the three options provided. As the players
approach the cup final increasing numbers of questions are asked, and if a wrong decision is
made it can effect the outcome of the match.
When the final occurs match updates, state of pitch, players etc are constantly printed out
so the players know exactly what's going on. The winner of the match is printed up on-screen in
porky fat letters, and the border flashes until somebody presses a key, whereupon the program
resumes to its post-loading title screen.
