Blitz: The League

"The Best Football game of 2006."

When EA Sports bought out the game rights, I was a little angry, and I figured there just wouldn't be other good options to play football with. Thanks to the boys at Midway, I was wrong. Dead wrong. This is the most surprising game I think I've played. I bought this thinking it would be a decent title, but I didn't expect what I got, and that is, of course, the most entertaining football game probably ever made.

Game play: 9.5/10 This is probably the single best party game I've played, because the smack in it is funny and entertaining. The hits are nasty, and the injuries are shocking. Its 8 on 8 football, which give it a very NFL street type feel when you first see it, with only 3 lineman. But when you start playing, it takes a whole new direction. You find yourself giving up extra yards just to land a dirty hit on a player. And the injuries are something to look forward to, which show an X-ray of the bone breaking or the ligament snapping. The only thing annoying to me if, for example, you give a guy a sprained ankle, the X-ray still shows the ankle bone breaking.

The biggest complaint about the game play is that the AI is flawed, which it is. It will sometimes run the ball up the middle on 4th and 30. And sometimes Down 30-20, it will kick the PAT to make it 30-21 instead of going for 2. This does somewhat hinder the game play, but it obviously goes away when your playing a friend. But in all, this is a rebellious, violent and most of all very fun game, even for a serious fan.

Children really should not play this game due to some very shocking events, such as players throwing up blood, bones breaking, and some serious smack which may include the F word. So if your a parent I wouldn't recommend this to little Johnny or he might tell his teacher hes the Grim-Reaper, and to get out of his way.

Story: 9/10 This section has to deal with the "campaign" mode aspect of the game. You are hired as general manager to rebuild a team that has just moved back into the scrub division, which like European soccer, is for the worst teams. You pick a rookie (QB, HB or WR) along with a captain/veteran leader (DE, LB, CB) along with the coaching staffs you will use. Other than that, its not customizable, which I kind of wish that it was. You can rename the players and give them funny names or names of your favorite NFL players if you want. And you advance through the story all the way up to the top.

One of the best parts of the game for me is the challenges you receive nearly every week. These are tasks usually to shut down the other teams best player. For example, one might be to hold so and so to under 100 yards receiving, and you earn a reward) These include new cheerleaders from FHM that actually appear on the field, FHM covers, cheerleader outfits and game modes.

You can't scout the opposing team before each game, other than an introduction showing you a usually very interesting reel on their caption. Thats annoying because in most cases you don't know if they like to pass or run, and since these are made up teams, that is annoying. Also the storyline itself is very predictable and not all that exciting. But it still keeps you into it, which is really what its about.

Graphics: 8/10
Some of the normal tackles and such to me don't appear very realistic. But for the most part everything looks good and there is nothing that would discourage anyone from the game.

Sounds: 6/10
The announcer is pretty annoying, and the smack does get old after awhile. The grunting of players during game play is also non-desirable. There is tons of music, but the game seems to play the same song over and over again. There is an excess of profanity, which may bother some players, especially younger ones. Those who have played football will realize its probably more realistic than any other game's talk.

Extras: 10/10
Tons of stuff you earn if you do certain tasks. These include making of videos, pictures of very hot women, and cheat codes. Also known as some of the best stuff known to man. You'll have fun with this.

Buy/Rent: Depends
I bought it. But its a great rent, and only a good buy. Since most blockbusters don't carry this game, you may be forced to buy it, but thats not a bad thing. If you liked NFL Street, its a great upgrade from that, and a bye. If you hated NFL Street, then its probably just a rent for you.

World... meet The League. Its a new style, a very shocking style of football you are sure to love. Final Rating: 9/10 2 Thumbs up.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 12/05/05