football

It took almost four years, but Sega Sports finally got it right. As an avid football gamer, I would always buy the current editions of the Madden and NFL 2k series since both offered the most exciting and realistic game play I've ever seen. But year after year, Madden would always beat out the NFL 2k series in terms of overall game play, yet the margin grew gradually smaller as the years progressed. However, I can truly say that this year's version of Sega's NFL game truly outshines Madden 2004.

This year, Sega fully utilizes the ESPN brand name after obtaining the license late in the development cycle of last years game. Playing the game is like watching an actual NFL broadcast on the world's leading sports channel. The presentation is phenomenal. Those who watch Sunday Night Football on ESPN will immediately recognize the slick graphics and music during the intros. Getting Chris Berman to do the commentary during the pre-game, half-time, and post-game shows was a home run. His unique witticisms add a certain amount of flavor to the game. Tell me if one doesn't get goose bumps when he spits out his famous, "He-could-go-all-the-way!," during post game replays. ESPN NFL Football should definitely be the blueprint as to how to successfully take advantage of a license.

Those that are familiar with the NFL 2k series know that the graphics have been one of the game's biggest selling points. This year is no different, if not better. The player models are the most realistic and detailed I've ever seen. Players are size-proportionate to their real life counterparts and sport specific playing gear only unique to them. No fan will mistaken Ricky Williams with his imposing black visor and the dreds sticking out from under his helmet. A nice touch was added cut-scenes in-between plays that showed player and fan reactions after a big play or a costly turnover. Jerseys would also get dirty and worn as the game wore on. And depending on the playing surface, the field would gradually deteriorate during the course of a game. I just loved these little details. The stadium recreations were also amazing. Being from San Diego, I was amazed at how accurately Qualcomm Stadium was rendered including the surroundings outside the arena. I even recognized some of the buildings that were adjacent to the stadium. You can tell how much care was put into the look of the game.

However, a game cannot just go on presentation alone. Thankfully, NFL 2k4 also offers fantastic game play. Gamers will immediately recognize the new play calling system. Borrowing from Madden, plays are now selected from a menu at the bottom of the screen by pressing an assigned button. Gone is the awkward cursor that you had to direct in order to highlight a play you wanted to execute. Passing and running plays are varied and there are plenty to choose from. Of course, if you're not satisfied with those that are available, you can create your own playbook which seems to be the latest craze in football gaming. An added feature this year allows the "coach" to suggest a play for you by pressing the left-trigger button. A major gripe I had with last year's game was that during passing plays, the receiver would almost always drop a pass once he was immediately tackled. This year's game fixes the problem. Granted, there will be instances when the receiver will drop a ball after being floored, but it happens much less frequently. Running is a little too easy though, especially if you have a stud running back. It isn't hard to make a ten or twenty yard rushing gain, especially with the bevy of moves that are now available for your running back. By charging up a power meter, you can pull off more effective jukes, spins, and stiff arms than ever before. The power meter stays charged for only a few seconds which makes it important to choose which move to utilize in order to gain the first down. A small gripe I have with this year's game is that on defense, it is difficult to bring down a receiver or a ball carrier with an individual tackler which makes gang tackles almost crucial to bring down an opponent. Regardless, the player animations are beautiful. For instance, when a running back is met head on at the line of scrimmage, he may continue to push back the defender in order to gain that extra yard or two. Or on defense, a cornerback will dive in front of a receiver to snatch a one handed interception. I don't think I have yet to see the same player animation twice.

The NFL 2k series have definitely grown since it's inception on the Dreamcast. Only time will tell if Sega Sports can maintain it's excellence. However, after playing this game, I think it's safe to say that they will.

It took almost four years, but Sega Sports finally got it right. As an avid football gamer, I would always buy the current editions of the Madden and NFL 2k series since both offered the most exciting and realistic game play I've ever seen. But year after year, Madden would always beat out the NFL 2k series in terms of overall game play, yet the margin grew gradually smaller as the years progressed. However, I can truly say that this year's version of Sega's NFL game truly outshines Madden 2004.

This year, Sega fully utilizes the ESPN brand name after obtaining the license late in the development cycle of last years game. Playing the game is like watching an actual NFL broadcast on the world's leading sports channel. The presentation is phenomenal. Those who watch Sunday Night Football on ESPN will immediately recognize the slick graphics and music during the intros. Getting Chris Berman to do the commentary during the pre-game, half-time, and post-game shows was a home run. His unique witticisms add a certain amount of flavor to the game. Tell me if one doesn't get goose bumps when he spits out his famous, "He-could-go-all-the-way!," during post game replays. ESPN NFL Football should definitely be the blueprint as to how to successfully take advantage of a license.

Those that are familiar with the NFL 2k series know that the graphics have been one of the game's biggest selling points. This year is no different, if not better. The player models are the most realistic and detailed I've ever seen. Players are size-proportionate to their real life counterparts and sport specific playing gear only unique to them. No fan will mistaken Ricky Williams with his imposing black visor and the dreds sticking out from under his helmet. A nice touch was added cut-scenes in-between plays that showed player and fan reactions after a big play or a costly turnover. Jerseys would also get dirty and worn as the game wore on. And depending on the playing surface, the field would gradually deteriorate during the course of a game. I just loved these little details. The stadium recreations were also amazing. Being from San Diego, I was amazed at how accurately Qualcomm Stadium was rendered including the surroundings outside the arena. I even recognized some of the buildings that were adjacent to the stadium. You can tell how much care was put into the look of the game.

However, a game cannot just go on presentation alone. Thankfully, NFL 2k4 also offers fantastic game play. Gamers will immediately recognize the new play calling system. Borrowing from Madden, plays are now selected from a menu at the bottom of the screen by pressing an assigned button. Gone is the awkward cursor that you had to direct in order to highlight a play you wanted to execute. Passing and running plays are varied and there are plenty to choose from. Of course, if you're not satisfied with those that are available, you can create your own playbook which seems to be the latest craze in football gaming. An added feature this year allows the "coach" to suggest a play for you by pressing the left-trigger button. A major gripe I had with last year's game was that during passing plays, the receiver would almost always drop a pass once he was immediately tackled. This year's game fixes the problem. Granted, there will be instances when the receiver will drop a ball after being floored, but it happens much less frequently. Running is a little too easy though, especially if you have a stud running back. It isn't hard to make a ten or twenty yard rushing gain, especially with the bevy of moves that are now available for your running back. By charging up a power meter, you can pull off more effective jukes, spins, and stiff arms than ever before. The power meter stays charged for only a few seconds which makes it important to choose which move to utilize in order to gain the first down. A small gripe I have with this year's game is that on defense, it is difficult to bring down a receiver or a ball carrier with an individual tackler which makes gang tackles almost crucial to bring down an opponent. Regardless, the player animations are beautiful. For instance, when a running back is met head on at the line of scrimmage, he may continue to push back the defender back to gain an extra yard or two. Or on defense, a cornerback will dive and grab a one handed interception from a quarterback. I don't think I have yet to see the same player animation twice.

The NFL 2k series have definitely grown since it's inception on the Dreamcast. Only time will tell if Sega Sports can maintain it's excellence. However, after playing this game, I think it's safe to say that they will.

after reading all the great reviews below of this game, i decided to buy it. i am a big fan of college football 2k3. and that is why i caution viewers of this: unlike basketball, or college football by sega, this game does not have broadcast style camera. when i first bought this i was shocked and frustrated i could not get the camera angle i wanted. despite all the games innovation, they could have had a better camera angle, heck they do on the replays. i do not like rear view and side view is too far away. i contacted espn video to see if they added this feature in their nfl 2k5 game coming out. i have not heard from them, and i am doubtful they will. that is dissapointing. also what happened to the college football series?