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Published
by Global Star Software
Developed by Visual Concepts
Release Date: Out Now
Price: £19.99
In
the latter stages of 2003 we reviewed ESPN NFL 2K4 for the
Xbox and it's fair to say that the game still remains one
of the greatest NFL games on any platform. Many NFL fans
here in the UK will have been frustrated by how long it's
taken the latest game in this series to arrive in the UK
especially as it received rave reviews when it was released
in the US last year. Even more worrying though is that since
the game was released in the US last year the ESPN and NFL
licence is now exclusively owned by Electronic Arts meaning
that this will be the last game in the series to be adorned
by both logos.
There's
no point in beating around the bush and before we go any
further let's just say that Visual Concepts have done another
superb job with ESPN NFL 2K5. Everything that made NFL 2K4
a great game has returned and the weaker areas of that game,
not that there were many, have been improved. The game modes
on offer are Franchise, First Person Football, ESPN 25th
Anniversary, Practice, Situation and Tournament. The Crib,
which rewards all your achievements, also makes a return.
You'll all know what most of those modes entail so there's
little point in being too descriptive although the ESPN
25th Anniversary mode might need some explanation. Obviously
this mode has been created to celebrate 25 years of ESPN
and fittingly there are 25 classic NFL scenarios for you
to take part in. These scenarios range from the 1967 encounter
between the Cowboys and the Packers, where the temperature
was -13° and the pitch was frozen solid, to the Packers
encounter with the Eagles in 2004. These scenarios drop
you in mid-game with a specific challenge to complete. They
are actually very enjoyable and a great inclusion.
On
starting the game for the first time you're asked to create
a VIP (Virtual Identity Profile). This involves you entering
your name and picking your favourite team. Not only that
though it enables the game to keep a record of how you play.
You can even share this profile with a friend and have them
play against an AI opponent that mimics your style of play.
You can even play against your virtual self if you want
to. The US version of the game allowed you trade VIP's via
the Internet. Sadly though the European version of the game
doesn't support online play so for us this aspect of the
VIP isn't possible. Nevertheless though the VIP is still
a great feature and will allow you to analyse your own weaknesses
if nothing else.
NFL
2K5 manages to improve on the great NFL 2K4 in quite a few
ways. You'll notice how the receiver from the quarterback
collects the ball far more successfully (and realistically)
than in NFL 2K4. The passing in the game in general feels
better and allows for a game that flows more realistically.
The defensive side of the game also feels better (the new
tackling options are excellent) and allows you to customize
on the fly with greater ease. Those of you who really like
to sink their teeth into the Franchise mode will be impressed
by the new coaching options that are available in the week
leading up to a game. You can tell your coaches to use films
(or tell your players to watch films of their next opponents),
to instruct your players, arrange team meetings and run
player drills as well as giving your players the day off.
You don't have to dabble in these tasks if you don't want
to but they are excellent inclusions and make you feel more
involved with the off the field activities. The way the
game shows you the impact of your alterations is also most
welcome and it's very satisfying when you can see you've
improved the morale and focus of your team.
Since
the PlayStation was launched in Europe, NFL games have consistently
become much more visually impressive. NFL 2K5 is probably
about as good as a NFL game is going to get in terms of
visuals. The player models are excellent and generally the
whole thing is top notch. I like the way you're given close
ups of your spectators and coach during the game and when
you couple these with superb action replays and tactical
analysis it really is just like watching the real thing
on TV. Whilst on the whole the game looks superb though
there are a few rough edges. In the player interviews for
instance you can see cardboard cut-out crowds that look
a little ugly (which are nowhere near the quality of the
close-up shots you get of the crowd during the game). The
frame rate is generally very good but in some areas outside
of the main action it does drop a little. Overall though
the game looks great.
ESPN
NFL 2K5 is pretty much the same as NFL 2K4 in regards to
how deaf gamer friendly the game is. The tutorials are all
in text which is great because if you're a novice to the
NFL it allows you to concentrate on the basics. As with
2K4 the game has been presented in the style of TV sports
show with presenters and multiple commentators who discuss
events within the game amongst other things. None of their
comments are subtitled which is a shame. It doesn't prevent
you from enjoying the game in anyway but it's a shame you
aren't aware of what's being said because it's all been
done really well. Even player interviews take place after
a game but sadly they're not subtitled either. All the valuable
information is in text though including everything in the
franchise mode so apart from not being able to fully appreciate
the superb presentation in the game you'll have no other
problems.
For
fans of the NFL, ESPN NFL 2K5 is a must have because it's
simply one of the best NFL games ever created. I still play
the Xbox version of ESPN NFL 2K4, which was an excellent
game also, and I'll definitely be picking this up on the
Xbox too. Those of you who haven't yet purchased a NFL title
should really consider this game. Global Star has released
the game at the lowly price of just £19.99 which is
excellent. Even at £39.99 this game would be highly
recommended because it's just so playable and impressive.
The only thing missing is the online game which may or may
not be an issue depending on your opinion of online gaming.
As a single player game though it's pure class and a shining
example of what a sports game can be. Visual Concepts next
game might not have the ESPN or NFL logo attached to it
but to me it won't matter what's it's called because as
long as it's of this calibre I'd buy it no matter what.
Overall
Game Rating: 9.2/10
Visual Concepts have created another superb NFL game that
is definitely one of the greatest virtual representations
of the sport to date.
Deaf
Gamers Classification:
(Click
the letter or here
for details)
Being
a sports game there are quite a few omissions but you're
still going to be able to enjoy the game as it's the TV
style presentation that's missing for deaf gamers and nothing
that really conveys any important information.
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