Athens 2004

Athens 2004 is the official game of the Summer Olympic Games held in Greece. It contains classic disciplines: athletics, swimming, gymnastics, weightlifting, shooting, equestrian sports and team sports. Each discipline is controlled in its own way, so the game does not become boring and forces you to switch between different types of reactions. The competition is structured like a tournament: country selection, qualifying stages, medals and overall standings table. The result depends on accuracy and rhythm: in some places you need to press a button in time, in others you need to calculate the run-up, and in shooting you need to hold your breath. It’s these little things that make up the Olympic feeling, and the disappointment of losing a hundredth of a second is also real here. In addition to official competitions, there is training and quick tests, where you can practice a specific type and understand what is preventing you from showing results. The game works well in company: short attempts and constant changes of disciplines turn the evening into a series of duels. It is also worth noting that different disciplines require different tempos: in some places you need to press quickly, in others you need to accurately calculate the moment, but in gymnastics rhythm is more important. Such variety does not let you get bored and makes you return to those species where it didn’t work out. This is the correct structure for an Olympic collection. For its time, the design and presentation look very decent, and the commentary and music convey the atmosphere of the stadiums. This is a solid sports collection that is nice to return to for a change.