With three years to simmer, All-Pro Football brings the 2K style of the sport into a new generation and it feels a lot like… 2K Sports football. There are few notable changes aside from the licensing once on the field, and fans will clamor at the chance to play this updated edition even if it is more of the same.
It’s obvious when before you're even presented with an option menu that this is definitely a series heading in a new direction. You’re thrust right into the team creation mode. Gone is the NFL license, now replaced by 240 classic non-active stars. In what had to be a legal nightmare, Jerry Rice can snag a pass tossed by John Elway, and Walter Payton can run over everyone as he did back in Tecmo Bowl.
Each memorable player has a star rating attached to them, and only two of the highest rated players can be chosen. The strategy involved in choosing a squad is immensely involving. Once the key players are selected, generic ones fill in the holes, and these can be universally custom crafted to fit your play style. Each of the players has special abilities, yet this is the only information available for them. There are no numbered stats or sliders, just a few specialties. For the lesser-known stars, this can make choices difficult.
That play style will likely resemble the one you used back in NFL 2K5. Purists will notice tweaks, especially when it comes to zone coverage and the aggressiveness of the cornerbacks. Both have been radically improved to eliminate money plays and stick to their man tightly. Throwing on the run also has a massive effect on the ball, and trying to hit a receiver while running backwards will rarely be successful.
Tackling has received a boost, now performed in conjunction with the right analog stick. This allows for precise hits. High and low tackles can be more effective depending on the defensive player in control. The same goes for left or right, which allows that extra lunge to snag a player slightly out of reach. Tackling animations are incredible, with almost no clipping.
Even with some heavy hits and improved physics, this is still the sports game many fans came to love. This is not Madden, and those purists will have a hard time adjusting. The animation style leads to stringent game play that doesn’t have the familiar loose flow of 2K’s competitor. This tighter feel allows the developer to control the flow of the game a little a more, while taking some of the openness away from the player.
Article comments
1 - Ken Edwards
I am a little upset, there is no Bo Jackson!
All joking aside, I could not agree more with your review. I am quite disappointed in this release. It does not not have the fit and finish of Madden, and is weak on modes outside of season play.
It is still 2K football, which I prefer to Madden, but for a full price title, this is only average.
2 - zettrane
u guys need to understand that madden has alot of money to spend on graphics and all the fancy shmancy stuff. just look at the ads in the stadiums, thats 2k attempt to recoup some of the money they may lose making this in competition to madden. the three year gap was not used to make this game, it was a result of them losing their nfl license to madden. i for one think madden has sucked on next gen, but b/c there is nothing else i have to get it every year. oh, ill play it for like 2 months until the game play starts to get on my nerves from my cornerbacks are ice skating on grass. 2k has much better gameplay and i feel that people will see this and hopefully lots of people buy this game to let the nfl there is someone else on the block and they will rethink their madden exclusivety. if that happens the next version may be loads better. worst senario is that this little compitetion makes madden much better. either way good for the consumer not the monopoly.
3 - b
"trying to hit a reciver while running backwards will rarely be succesful"
realistic?
4 - Matt Paprocki
"madden has alot of money to spend on graphics and all the fancy shmancy stuff"
That's great. No one is complaining about much graphically except the grass.
"the three year gap was not used to make this game, it was a result of them losing their nfl license to madden."
You're crazy to think they didn't work on this extensively between that period. Right after 2K5, they had to of started working on a next gen engine, and while it may have stalled, they definitely has plenty of time.
"ill play it for like 2 months until the game play starts to get on my nerves"
Like making no major improvements or changes to the gameplay after a three year wait? That's getting on my nerves. It may be the better than Madden in terms of how it plays, but it's a full priced product, and there's not enough here to justify that.
"either way good for the consumer not the monopoly."
It's not a monopoly, but the statement is true regardless.
b:
"realistic?"
Yes?
5 - Ken Edwards
2K ReelMaker for All Pro Football 2K8 is now out. So you can make videos of all those snazzy looking jerseys.
6 - Greg Thomas Gould
Matt,
You asshole! Stop talking smack about 2k. Madden has sucked since 2001. 2k is at least original. This is there first football game since 2k5 and I think it is unique and exciting. At least it's not a rehash of 2000 like Madden!
7 - Matt Paprocki
2K has done less for the genre in three years than Madden did in one between 2006 and 2007. That's not exactly original.
Madden has been refined nicely for the next gen consoles, and oddly has become more like 2K in terms of feel. Both still need to pump up the features department though.
And if you feel 2K8 is a $60 game, more power to you.
8 - Ken Edwards
Hey Matt did you see that 2k8 has online leagues, something that Madden doesn't have yet. Which it likely will when Madden 08 ships... but still.
Oh and the friggin' uniform codes are insanely long.