Nothing say’s football like pile driving the opposing quarterback
Written: May 09 '02
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Visuals, mutli-player, no rules football
Cons: Commentary, lack of modes, rubber band AI
The Bottom Line: Well, not much has changed compared to the previous NFL BLITZ games. Hopefully, Midway will take note and add the features that made NHL HITZ such a hit (haha....*sigh*).
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| ss3goku's Full Review: NFL Blitz 2002 for PlayStation 2 |
Ah, memories. I remember quite well when in 1999 the first NFL Blitz was released on arcades. Sure, the visuals and sound might have been poorly done compared to today’s games, but back then, I thought it was incredible. The adrenaline was overwhelming due to the no rules; bone-breaking impact tackles, smack talking players, football mayhem. I would spend more money then I should have to play an endless amount of full length football games, but it was just so addicting, it was the kind of game that blocked everything away from you as you took control of an entire team, where the only goal in mind was victory. Months later, the first edition of NFL Blitz was ported over to the Nintendo 64, and again, memories were relived and recreated, but that would soon end. It takes no genius to know that you only need one copy of Midway’s arcade sports games to get years worth of entertainment. There was always a new edition of Blitz being released on game systems, but if you weren’t one to worry about the roster (and who should in a sports arcade game) then you really had no reason to purchase the new editions. However, that suddenly changed for me. When I heard NFL BLITZ 2002 was going to be totally redone from the ground up, I knew that my N64 version of BLITZ 99” would be no more. The bumped up polygons, beefed up playbooks, updated rosters, and the addition to more bone breaking tackles would tell me BLITZ would once again let me relieve those precious memories, were back then, a boxed up player with no fingers and a tiny head would bring tears of joy in my eyes.
Presentation
-4 Players
-Fully licensed by the NFL
-8-on-8 BLITZ format
-Additional “impact player” system
- Music tracks from Method of Mayhem
Plot
If you know anything about football, you wont need to read this section, however for those who have never seen, heard, read, listened, or experienced football, not only do you shock and disgust me, but you are in desperate need of going to http://www.football.com/rulesandinfo.shtml for the rules and any other information which deals with football.
Graphics:(7/10)
As I said, the graphics have been totally redone from the ground up, meaning what was once a bunch of blocks formed together to create a football player has now been transformed into a steroid addicting powerhouse freak. The football players this time around look much more realistic as for body proportion and tonnage goes. The uniforms may not be up to par as those in NFL FEVER 2002, but is still pretty impressive since you can notice the individual fingers with tape around them or the meshed uniforms and face guard helmets. Plus, what make the players even greater are the 1,500 animations and dead-on attitudes seen when playing the game. Before the ball is snapped, you’ll see both teams knelling down inches away from each other, smack talking and just begging for the word “hike!” to be yelled as they collide and whip each other aside for the sake of causing serious damage towards the receivers or QB. However, don’t think it stops there; after the ball is hiked, you’ll notice how each football player responds differently while scrambling down the field, each doing an individual action, such as protecting, opening for a pass, protecting the QB, or laying on the ground after being laid the smack down (on their candy a**; couldn’t help it). Plus, it seems as if Midway went a bit further with the football players and focused their time on their reactions, varying of course on the situation. You’ll notice how the offense team throwing their hands up in the air or hanging their heads down in disbelief when blowing a chance at gaining a 1st down in the final seconds of the game. Or how the defense will celebrate with “wooo’s!” or “yeah baby!” being shouted by the players themselves after intercepting the ball from the opponent. However, my only complaint though is that sometimes when my team had done something positive to benefit the team (scoring a interception or a first down) my own teammates will throw there hands down in disgust. Why? My idea is as good as yours, it must of “slipped” by Midway.
However, when looking past the players, don’t expect much. The stadiums are all the same except for the shades of green on the field. Speaking of the field, it takes no wear and tear! I know this game doesn’t strive for realism, but come on, even NFL2K on the Sega Dreamcast (R.I.P) showed patches of grass being torn off from the field. What’s even worse is that Midway had completely forgotten about the visuals outside the field. Sidelines are nonexistence, which doesn’t help since Midway still believes that by filling a stadium with cardboard cut out’s and giving them two mere, mindless animations, that it’s what gamers want. Seriously, I’m damn sick of seeing the same development goon’s showing their faces in all the Midway arcade sports games, is it that hard to produce a stadium full of football fans that look at least half way decent? Thankfully though, there are weather effects and night games within NFL BLITZ. Yet, they rarely occur unless you activate or place them in by pressing a combination of buttons. Weather effects are basically for show, the rain doesn’t affect the performance of the receivers and neither does the snow. Yet what really ticks me off is how poorly animated the weather effects appear, it’s as if it was taken directly from another game, which is quite sad.
Sound:(5/10)
The music in NFL BLITZ is nothing to rave about, but it’s not down right horrible. The in game tracks may have been done by Methods of Mayhem, but trust me, you wouldn’t even notice or give a damn. Reason being is because the musical tracks are looped at a time limit of 5 seconds apart. Which isn’t as bad as you would think it is, since you won’t be noticing the music due to the overly exaggerated sound effects you’ll here through out the game. The impact and sound given off from the bizarre tackling animations are really loud, which works great, giving that extra “umph!” to the game. What’s even better is hearing the trash talk that gets said between characters after they attack each other, from insulting their performance to their mother’s, it’s pretty amusing and never annoying. However, what is annoying though is the commentary. This time it’s a two-man team doing the on screen play-by-play commentary. Which I bet seemed great on paper, but it doesn’t sound so hot when you’re actually playing it. Reason being is because the original commentator of all the previous Midway arcade sports games does a decent job by pin pointing certain aspects of the game; however, “Bill” (who eerily sounds like former president Bill Clinton, hence the name), the second commentator is basically the stereotypical idiot. But now that I think about, it does make sense, that is if Midway intentionally made him similar to Bill Clinton. Still, either way, the guy is annoying by making comments like “that play sucked!” Or, “I’m gonna get some nachos!” Sure, some of you guys may find it amusing now, but imagine hearing that for the 30th time, it won’t be funny then, now would it?
What saves the game from being a total bore or annoyance though are the hilarious cartoon related sound effects. Whenever you see a football player mowing the opposing teams, you’ll hear a goofy sound effect such a rack of bowling pins falling down or shrilled yells followed with agonizing remarks such as, “my leg! My leg!” Or when the football gets tipped (which happens more then you think, but not to often) you’ll hear a sudden “boink!” So while the tracks and commentary might get on your last nerve, the much needed sound effects come to save the game, but it no excuse as to why Midway can’t produce a decent in game soundtrack of some sort or at least some intelligent commentary.
Control:(6/10)
The controls in blitz are easy and don’t require much memory as to which button does what. The left analog joystick controls your player. The 4 face buttons are easy to memorize with both “Y” and “A” being used to hurdle and pass, with “X” and “B” used for passing to a player or changing a player. The L trigger Jukes and activates the icon pass mode, with the R trigger starts the turbo meter. And finally, before the snap, you can bring up an audible menu by pressing the white button if you happen to change your mind as for which play you want to do. So as you can tell, controlling your character takes only a few minutes (full game at the most), but it’s what you do with the turbo that really matters.
The only way to get the most out of the control is by holding down the Right shoulder trigger, which is used for turbo. And as you would guess, by enabling the limited turbo function, you attributes greatly increase. You can run faster, jump further, pull of some damaging tackles, and pass better. While it sounds either extremely kick ass or really cheap, it is limited though. However, if you literally get on fire by sacking the QB twice in a row or successfully passing to the same person twice in a row, then your given an unlimited amount of turbo, that is until the opponent comes back with a play of their own (whatever it may be) that puts your team out.
Replay Value:(5/10)
NFL BLITZ comes a bit short handed when compared to Midway’s other successful arcade sports game, NHL HITZ. Unlike HITZ, there isn’t a shopping gallery in which you can unlock uniforms, stadiums, teams, and add-ons, making playing the game somewhat useless. Plus there isn’t much of a stat tracking system unless you care to know how many late hits you’ve given or the most amount of points you scored in a single game, useless crap like that in which you won’t bother keeping track of. I rather have it so I know my QB’s performance or the number of tipped passes and interceptions instead, stats that are worth keeping track of. What hurts the game more though is the fact that I can’t create a team or player. What’s the reason for that?! Last time I checked, the XBOX came with a hard drive, and with that hard drive came a mass amount of memory, memory in which video game developers were supposed to use to enhance the games they sell to the public. However, Midway begged to differ and decided to basically screw over their long time BLITZ fans.
Still, as bad as that may sound, BLITZ does offer something to those who are willing to accept the fact that there is more to BLITZ then creating teams and what not. In the season mode, you select a team, and play a full NFL season. Stats and standings are recorded as you progress through the season, while trying to gain the title of Super Bowl Champions. In tournament mode you able to set up number of games (ranging from 4 to 8 teams) until only one team is left, and is then declared the winner. Exhibition mode is where you select a football team, in which you can change at any time, and attempt to defeat all 31 teams on the NFL. Lastly, there is the quick play mode in which you can set up a quick game if you have the time and what not. While the modes may seem similar, they are completely different and add variety to the game. Nevertheless, one may only hope that the 20-03 edition of BLITZ follow HITZ and actually include the create-a-team and player options.
Bottom Line:(6.5/10)
If you’ve been waiting for a copy of BLITZ that’s well worth the money, then this game should suit you, if your expectations are to high that is. The loss of the point system and create a team / player modes really are needed in this game, but don’t make quick assumption that the game down right sucks because of that. Reason being is when your playing with friends, you won’t care anymore because the multiplayer is that damn good. However, alone…that’s entirely up to you. I personally like to get my money’s worth, so I do try out all the different modes. Which is beneficial though since your stats improve as well as your skills, and the computer is actually challenging, but it has that Midway curse of the rubber band AI. It’s all fun and games until the 4Q, then the CPU decides to blitz on each play and intercept whatever you toss, plus have 100% accuracy. But I’m not shocked, so I don’t mind, yet I can understand why someone new to the series would easily just frustrated, but hey, get used to it.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
ss3goku
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Location: U.S.A.
Reviews written: 117
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