Blitz II features a significant upgrade over the first game in the graphics department. The first Blitz was ported to the Xbox 360 and didn't feature a huge jump in graphics over the PS2 version, but this time around, Midway has put together a great looking game. The cutscenes from the game's opening look great, and most of the bloody injury animations even have a certain realism to them. Character animations are fluid and fun, as are the touchdown celebration sequences.
However, with all that said, there are a few reports of graphical glitches, not so much in regards to clipping as in regards to the game freezing up on me a few times, or certain graphics not disappearing from the screen when they should. Quitting and re-entering the game seemed to fix these issues, however, so it doesn't appear to be anything devastating. That being said, the sidelines definitely could have used a bit more "decor", as right now, they're populated by a bunch of 2-D images of teammates. I found that bit out one time when I got run out of bounds and slammed into the ground, right through one of my teammates.
The soundtrack fits the game well, though it can get a bit repetitive the more you play. The voice acting, however, outshines both the soundtrack and many other elements of the game. Jay Mohr does an excellent job as your character's agent, while Frank Caliendo brings his hilarious John Madden impersonation into the fold. Seriously, Frank's Madden-esque lines are one of the best parts of the entire game. Lawrence Taylor returns and does a great job as Quentin Sands, as well. Former NFL star Bill Romanowski does not return as nemesis Bruno Battaglia, but to be honest, he's not really missed.
Online play doesn't offer much else besides the ability to play with people from all around the world, but it's done pretty well. Lag is not really an issue, and hey, it gets rid of the A.I., so I guess it's a plus. The achievements range from those that are simplistic to some that are incredibly difficult. They'd be a lot easier to get if Midway hadn't gotten smart and made half the achievements unlockable only in Franchise Mode, thus taking away the old tradition of using another unmanned controller to run up your stats and the score.
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