NFL 2k
- January 01, 2000 00:00 AM PST
The buzz around NFL 2K has been enormously loud, especially after E3. But now that we have a final copy to review, will it stand up to the test and topple Madden? It certainly has a few good points to help it along that course.
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Why 2K?
Besides the silly name, NFL 2K looks good right from the start. The television style presentation between huddles is an eye-opening powerhouse, and it's certainly a showy way of introducing the Dreamcast's powerful engine. But the fluidity of the player animations, the ferocity of the myriad tackles, and the understated, yet very realistic attitude of the players will attract fans to the game like bees to honey. Traditionalist or novice, it won't matter with NFL 2K - the game has enough to dazzle both camps.
There are certainly players who will nitpick at the game's minor flaws, like certain money plays or the absence of nuances like juke moves. There are even little details in the graphics that will cause die-hard Madden or GameDay fans to smirk, like the minute amount of slowdown on some plays. But what can't be argued is the game's impressive play books, flawless execution, and level of game play. It doesn't beat Madden as much as match Madden step for step. Where it stumbles, it's obvious - Madden is a lot tougher to play than NFL 2K - but it's also the quality that makes it outpace the competition. NFL 2K is the most fun football game out there. This is as much fun as the original Joe Montana Sports Talk was when it debuted for the Genesis.
Ready 2 Football?
Another major kudo is the game's sound, with right-on-the-money analysis and colorful commentary that follows every accomplishment (and every foible) as if the announcers were in the room with you. There's even a halftime from-the-field report that points out the game's weaknesses and strengths up to that point. Although in a few cases the halftime commentary was off (one editor, running over the Bears 65-7, heard the reporter state that the Bears' coach was doing a fine job), the announcers were actually fun to listen to, and had fresh commentary for every play.
Control was the game's one mark down from a perfect score. Although the movement of the players is smooth and graceful, searching through the plays is sometimes tricky, and the ease of game play (especially on the easy mode) was way too simple for any real challenge. On the other play modes, it sometimes became too hard. And the game uses a "charge" system to power up players for tougher tackles that becomes too cumbersome to use.
2K or Not 2K? That is the Question.
So who wins the gridiron war? It comes down to this: Madden is the best playing game in town, with incredible depth and superior football skills, but NFL 2K is the way to go if you're undecided, because the graphics, sound, and sheer fun of the game far surpass Madden and GameDay.
