This review is excellent. Although it's disappointing that the reviewer doesn't mention #FixMaddenFranchise, the fact that the core mode of an NFL 'sim' has gone unchanged again is acknowledged This is a sim game, that's why EA pressed the NFL to keep the sim license exclusive to them. The fact that they then proceeded to focus their entire energy on an arcade mode like The Yard should be challenged. Either the NFL needs to revoke the license and leave EA to build whatever the next arcade mess it dreams up, or tell them to focus on what a simulation should be doing on AND off the field. That's the measuring stick for the 'official simulation of the NFL'.
You should report on the #FixMaddenFranchise Twitter campaign, a movement by gamers who are sick and tired of being taken for granted with respect to a gameplay mode called 'franchise' that was better on the PS2 versions of the game 16 years ago.
@hosedandhappy: Precisely, the only grind is My Player and my question would be if you're so upset about VC why are you still playing that mode? I only play My GM or My League and I don't spend a dime on VC. And I have a blast, best franchise mode in sports gaming.
@JonahFalcon: Then answer this... how am I still able to play games, win games, have sensible stats at the end and play realistic basketball without spending a dime on VC? The only people who complain about it seem to be those who exclusively play My Player and want to be able to get a 90+ player within days of release. To have a competitive Ultimate Team in Madden or FIFA, EA encourage you to spend cash on packs. It's no different to 2k, but in neither case are you forced to spend money. I wish it wasn't the case but if people didn't spend the cash, there'd be no market so I blame them entirely.
@JonahFalcon: That's a myth. There's no logic that is affected by VC. You simply upgrade your player quicker or advance faster in My GM by purchasing upgrades quicker. The fundamental gameplay isn't altered by VC.
@spacegrass70: Yes. It's there if you want to use it, you can add VC in certain situations but it's not mandatory to play and succeed in My GM/My League.
@USDevilDog: Maybe they're giving them a pass because they don't purchase VC and they don't NEED to purchase it to play the game. I give them a pass because I haven't purchase any VC in at least four years.
There's no way anyone has played this game - along with NBA Live 19 - and scores them the same. The depth in the gameplay for 2k19 alone makes it a far superior game of basketball which, at the end of the day, is what really matters in a sports video game. Complaining about VC would be understandable if it was mandatory to play the game, but it isn't. I haven't bought VC in four years and it hasn't affected my enjoyment whatsoever. Remember when EA released Tiger Woods 13 and you had to either purchase additional courses or earn course mastery to play them which set you back hours of gameplay time. That was exploitative. Nothing 2k have done with 2k19 comes close. Bottom line is you can still play the mode without VC.
@tiringpillow: FIFA 18 actually scored lower because it really isn't as good. Far too much focus on Ultimate Team at the expense of gameplay is catching up with EA. I like FIFA, I will buy FIFA but I prefer PES. Simple as that, it's the better game.
AndyTSJ's comments