The series that redefined the standards of football gaming returns for a brand new season.
There have been so many complaints about this game in the gameplay arena. Some are valid. It seems really impossible to sack in this game. The secondary has impossible speed. You can't challenge plays. Okay, they're issues... but you know what? It doesn't hamper the experience. The AI in this game is one of the most balanced I've ever played. They adjust to your tendencies. And if you're on D, and you're gettin' run over by a back.... they will continue to find holes and chew up yardage until you find a way to stop the run.
The franchise mode is the standard of excellence with good reason. Salary caps, trading blocks and phat stats are all here. I just wish that a franchise mode will find a way to incorporate coach/ player relations that affect gameplay. For example, I want to see a satisfactory bar to let me know how happy a player is. If he isn't, it might affect his gameplay, and he might demand to be traded, or refuse to be re-signed at the end of the season. Just a thought.
I love the random during-the-week injuries that NBA 2k3 have. NFL 2k3 should take a cue from it's NBA brother.
Wow. THE most realisitc player and stadium models I've ever seen. The lighting efx are ridiculous (this means really good). The facial animations are pretty good. The stutter steps and tackles are superb. There is a slight weird robotic stride happening on running animations, but easily forgiveable. I love the passing cloud over the turf effect.
The sounds of football are pretty much here. The crowd, the player trash talking. I wish I couls here the coach on the sideline, though. I also want to hear more groans on botched plays (dropped catches, fumbles, etc.) and celebrations after big plays. The commentary keeps getting better, even ever so slightly.