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There's an old Season 1 Tony Soprano quote I like to use regarding sports video games... "If you are going to show up, come heavy, or don't show up." Of course, we aren't talking about packing actual "heat"- but the same addage applies on the virtual gridiron. In short- up until this time, NOBODY has shown up feature heavy on next gen in terms of football. Of course, I'm talking about Madden 06 and Madden 07 on next-gen, as well as NCAA 07 next gen. All three titles were pale imposters of their current-gen, relatively feature-heavy cousins. Some will say that EA got lazy since it owns the exclusives to the NFL and NCAA football, while others point to the problems inherent to rebuilding engines on new hardware and the time needed to accomplish that. Whatever the case might be, one fact remains: The next gen efforts paled next to the current gen versions in terms of features. And...features directly correlate to depth, which feeds into replayability... However, things seem to have changed. By all accounts, NCAA 08 Next Gen, and Madden NFL 08 Next Gen- look to be some of the most "feature-fat" offerings of any year of EA football... and I'd probably say that- at least on paper- its the biggest feature bombardments since the inception of both series'. (Madden Football on 16 bit, and Bill Walsh Football on 16 bit.) And EA seems to be hitting some key areas where us hardcores were screaming. I'm talking about new AI blocking, new physics, gang-tackling, branching animations, owner mode (for Madden), enhanced recruiting (for NCAA). With the exception of online franchise and axing the radio announcer on Madden in favor of a real 2 man team, I have to say, about 90% of my "gripe-list" has been addressed ..at least on paper. As much as online franchise is near and dear to me, I have to also confess that even despite it not making it into this year's game- I never would have expected the total amount of things from my "must get in the game" list that are making it into both EA football games. Color me impressed.
But our season doesn't end there... 2K is back in the football game, and they are doing it with a focus that is near and dear to my heart- I'm talking legendary players from NFL history. Montana, Butkus, Sayers, E. Smith, B. Sanders, Marino, Elway, Campbell...it's an old NFL fan's smorgasbord! What is really interesting with this product is that it seems to fill gaps that the EA products haven't yet addressed. Online season, the ability to take edited teams & uniforms online, custom online uniforms, etc. Then, if that wasn't enough, picking 2 gold level legends, 3 silver, & 6 bronze.. and assigning those special players to your team at the positions you think are best opens up a whole new strategic can-o-worms. The fact that everybody has to do this should (in theory) level the online playing field. This could be one hot tournament product if its done right. This is aimed at being a thinking-man's football product. No offense to Madden or NCAA, but the inherent advantages of taking the Patriots or USC against an online opponent speaks for itself. However, with APF2K8, everyone has the same 11 legend, 3 tier rules. If the team you have doesn't cut the mustard- its on the guy who picked the players (i.e. you!) It's often been said by game reviewers everywhere that the best products are the ones that take chances. Well...if taking chances equates to potential greatness, then 2K's new football franchise might knock our socks off. Yeah, it won't be for everybody. I know the "franchise" gurus are up in arms because there's no franchise mode. For me personally, when I heard the focus was solely on classic players, I completely understood why there was no franchise, and the problems inherent in doing that. At that point, you'd have to model your "legends" at various years. If Joe Montana's best year was 89' (and I believe it was), then -like in real life- does that make it so he's got about 3 full seasons left in him at that point? How do you sim that? Also, with "retiring" legends, would you not have a problem maintaining the 2 Gold, 3 Silver, 6 Bronze "balance" that this product is centered around? Of course many of the franchise buffs don't want to hear that. (I say that as a guy who loves franchise modes in games that sim real life teams & players, mind you). The "replayability" in this game centers around the strategy involved with what legends you pick for your teams. It also stems from having 240+ legends to get to know and tinker with... as well as online season, uniform editors, stadium choices, playbook decisions... So I think there's alot there that could be great. APF2K8 is "football different", and it could be a refreshing kick in the ass that football has needed over the past few years. With EA revving the engines of their two football products this summer, and this new and different 2K product, this could be the biggest video football summer ever.
As always, see you on the virtual gridiron.
Quietcool72
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