All-Pro Football 2K8

"Impressions coming from a 2k and Madden Vet"

I'll preface this like I always have to...kind of acts as a flame shield. People can't say I'm a fanboy if it's clearly proven I'm not. Anyway, I've owned every single 2k game...every Madden since 2001 (as well as a bunch before that)...3 NCAA's since it went 3D...2 QB Clubs on the N64...NFL GameDay on the PSX...and some older ones like Tecmo Bowl, Super Play Action and the old ESPN one.

Tonight I got a good 5 hours in with this game and I came away pretty giddy and impressed...a lot more so then my initial impressions. In fact, at first I even said that I suspect after I get used to the gameplay again I'll enjoy it a lot more.

The main problem with a lot of you people is you just don't give 2k a chance. You say you do, and you may play for a few games...but the whole time in the back of your mind you're thinking there's no way it can ever live up to Madden/NCAA. For you then, it probably never will. I strongly suggest all of you just give this game a try with a truly open mind. Remember this game is not meant to be Madden nor play like it, and if you try to it will ruin you experience. This is a sim game and if you play sim you will be rewarded.

GRAPHICS - I still stand by what I said before, that during play they look good but not great. Up close the detail is amazing but it doesn't translate to playing distance. There's some clipping issues, but no where near as many as before or as in Madden the past few years. One thing that is odd is the neck movement...sometimes the heads bobble around and sort of remind me of a cartoon turtle. As for the faces, some are recognizable and others aren't at all...then there's a bunch in between. They clearly spent more time on some players then others.

The animation is great as always. I've seen a lot of cool things so far, like two guys in on a tackle then a third coming in to give the final push...players running to the sideline and having a player wrap his arm around the guy to stop him from going to the bench...seeing a guy go in for a late hit by diving shoulder first into the downed player...had a receiver stop short of the sideline then gracefully catch the ball and fall in-bounds...I could go on...

The stadiums look pretty good, but they follow the same jaggy look as the players. They have a lot of detail though and the fans look amazing as does all the sideline activity. What looks worse (and still after many hours with it) is the actual field/grass...ugh it's painful.

The weather effects are the best I've seen so far. Does anybody remember those old commercials with the CGI football players? The weather looks THAT good. The snow comes in different sizes and it zig-zags as it falls and the rain falls in 3D. The coolest part by far is how the rain splashes on the players helmets.

SOUND - The commentary does have a lot of the old one-liners from past games, however it has a crap load of new ones too. There is a few robot voice moments for generally it's pretty smooth. After player some more I'm a little more please with the hit noises, but they still sound a little off. More like branches cracking then helmets. The ball sound is really bad too, never really sounds like a football falling on grass, more like a nerf ball on tile or something (?).

PRESENTATION - While not as in-depth as 2k5 it's still the best out there. They still do the half time/post game highlight reels and it's still pretty amazing how detailed they can be. There isn't a post-game interview though...which is odd given the emphasis on the legends.

One thing that occurs more in this 2k is player chatter. Sometimes it's actually pretty funny what the guys say. The coaches will pull aside guys too. The coolest thing I saw was after the AI threw an INT and I had the ball...it cut over to the sideline and showed a guy getting on the QB's case (asking him what happened with that INT, and the QB making an excuse).

GAMEPLAY - Here's where you either love it or hate it. It took me a good few games to get used to this style of play again. I always feel more methodical while playing 2k games. Madden's are so fast and borderline arcadey...but with 2k I always feel like I really need to take my time and plot out my next move. I haven't run into any true money plays yet, but even if I find some I won't use them. Back with 2k5 online I was one of the guys branded and known as a SIM player... I advise you do the same. Whether you're new to 2k or a vet just remember this is supposed to be a sim in the most literal sense.

The new kicking system is still something I'm getting used to. I can't say I like or dislike it, it's sort of like the Tiger Woods analog hitting system.

The running game is as fun as ever. I love being able to run up the middle and not have to worry about the pinball syndrome. I also love being able to charge up a move then purposely mow somebody over and feel like I DID IT, not the AI. Even though I broke a few big runs I never got an unrealistic amount of yardage yet. What I also always loved about this is how you can really see the holes develope.

Passing is also as fun as ever. I highly suggest you use Maximum Passing (click left stick before the game) because it adds sooo much to it. If you're having trouble passing just remember the whole "sim" thing. You really need to plant your feet if you want a zippy/accurate pass. You can pass on the run but don't expect the ball to launch from your hand.

The best thing about the passing game is how you can really use the pocket. 2k has been the only series where you can realistically use the pocket. Yes it's there to some degree in Madden but not like here. It just feels really good to step up into the pocket as it collapses around you then throw a sweet pass.

Defense is improved, it seems most of (if not all) the dumb mistakes the AI made in the past are fixed. No running AWAY from the ball carrier anymore. Another thing I suggest which will make you enjoy this game more is learn how to either manually play a LB or Safety. It's a great feeling when YOU cover your zone and cause an INT. Or it's really cool to see the AI take a sack because your coverage was so good.

SUPER STAR PLAYERS - I still think they need to have more in the game. And I also still think to have a really good team you can't spread out your stars too much. You should really try to focus them on O or D. I made three VERY different teams, one balanced, one O-minded and one D-minded. The best team was actually the D minded one with a bronze QB, RB and WR...the rest were on D.

Earlier reports of the stars being beasts and dominating the generic players is thankfully false. Yes they are visibly better but not to the point of it being ridiculous. They're better but in a fair way.

OVERALL - I came away tonight pretty giddy. I've seen some people sawythat they loved 2k5 but find this WORSE then 2k5. I assure you with all my heart that it is NOT worse. Just give it a while longer and remember you've probably been playing Madden/NCAA for the past few years. This game is a very different game and it might take some time to get back into the swing of things like it did for me. I wasn't starting to get into the zone until at LEAST game 3.

It's the little things that this game does best...and believe me the little things really add up. Pay attention and you'll see all sorts of things like how the plays push each other instead of just walking through each other, or the banter on the sidelines...there's so much going on.

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 07/18/07