NFL 2K

"Wow! Could use improvement, but WOW!"

Quick Facts (major areas scored quickly)


Graphics................................ 10/10
Overall Gameplay................... 8/10
Sound/Music.......................... 10/10
Running Gameplay.................. 6/10
Passing Gameplay................... 9/10
Defensive Gameplay................ 8/10
Stat-Tracking.......................... 5/10



When I bought my DreamCast the night of my brother's wedding (25th Sep 1999), this is one of the games that I unloaded $50 on. So, after the festivities were over that night, I came on home to fire up my DreamCast. So, I fired my new powerhouse and was treated to the best damn graphics in a football game that I had ever seen. I was so impressed, that I had to make my parents look at it... and that's a rare occurance.

I knew this was DreamCast football and that the system could produce some REAL eye candy. Graphics in PC football titles are still years off from this. Why? Because I just learned by playing the EA Sports titles, that they try to cater to EVERY PC-owners needs. This is one thing that REALLY seperates the console and PC-gaming markets. That and the fact that the PC is a multi-purpose machine... Well, more on the game...

Beside breakthough graphics, *NFL 2K* has some stellar gameplay, killer announcing, and a nice play-calling scheme. Plays are either selected by using the VMU of ''bluffing'' play calls by using the television screen. By ''bluffing'' plays, you make your call, hold down a certain button while scrolling through the other plays, making it near impossible for another human player to know what you are selecting. The VMU (DreamCast visual memory unit) play-calling option displays the list of formations and the names of the plays ONLY. You have to learn your plays to utilize this. Either this or take the long route and ''draw'' your own playbook.

Well, I've run my mouth about play calling and graphics, but does the game have its money where its mouth is in the gameplay department. I think I may have said yes earlier, but I am going to say it again anyway.

Running is a tad hard. The most effective way to gain yards with a runningback is to design a play or select a play that goes to the outside. With a fast runner and the right play, you'll be rather successful. Running up the middle isn't worthwhile. Passing in *NFL 2K* is the real way to go.

Passing is the traditional icon-based fare... standard, but nothing beats icon-passing as far as I am concerned. And praise the lord for being able to alter your path and still catch the ball. Sometimes, the only way to catch a certain pass is to ''fake a defender out'' in order to get into position for the snag. Some plays where receivers make cuts to the middle of the field, are a tad easy. A nicely-angled throw works quite well.

Defense is great, but not without its flaws. You'll be an expert swatter of passes in no time. To make up for this swat-happy defensiveplay, Visual Concepts makes it nearly impossible for us to intercept balls with out it being tipped and THEN picked off. This makes for unrealistic LOOKING plays, but not bad PLAYING ones. Rushing in for the sack is quite the fun bit of activity. You'll want to take a fast LB or DB and set him on the very edge of the line. When the QB hikes the ball, run like fury to sack his tush.

What sets this game far, far away from the others (non-graphics-wise), is the amount of animation used in this game. And I must say, it is used REMARKABLY well. I'm not sure of the exact count, but you can rest assured that all of your plays won't look the same. Defenders will perform wrap-around tackles, defensive ends will body-slam quarterbacks to the ground, and players will limp off of the field with a certain injury.

Stadiums look NICE. My first game was played in the Washington Redskins' new stadium. I was awestruck. This is by far the best looking scenery in a sports game with 32-bit+ graphics. In addition to the lush grass and high-res stadium models, players had vapor coming from their mouths due to the cold. Many of the combatants were even wearing long-sleeved shirts to protect themselves from the chill-factor.

In *NFL 2K,* seasons, tournaments, exhibitions, and practice modes are playable. You also have the man-power to create your own player. While the actual face of your new superstar cannot be altered too much, the rest of him can. Loads of face guards and other accessories can be used. Nose strips, wrist-bands, neck-rolls (or whatever they are called), and eye-black can be transferred onto your player's being.

The stat-tracking in *NFL 2K* is a little weak. Not since the revolutionary *Tecmo Super Bowl* has hardly any advancement been made in this field. I mean, when are we going to get a game that has an easily accessible leaders menu? There may be some, but none stand out especially.


SUMMARY

What do I think overall? Visual Concepts has stunned me with their ability to make such excellent, top-of-the-line, first generation software. At the time I write this, it may be a tad too late to justify picking up a new football title, unless you need a great pigskin simulation for the summer. I mean, the sequel is right around the corner.


FINAL WORDS

*NFL 2K* was a definite system seller at launch time. Now we can wait to see if *NFL 2K1* (or whatever they call it) will breathe the same type of life into Sega's online network. Frankly, I don't think they can pull it off with 56K... I mean, Chu Chu Rocket has 2+ second lag! They'd most DEFINITELY need a faster network.

(4/30/00)

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 05/02/00, Updated 05/02/00