Platform: Dreamcast

Genre: Sports

Publisher: Sega

Developer: Visual Concepts

ESRB: E (Everyone)

Released: Q4 2001

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NFL2K2
Score: 9.3/10

Pros: 

-Smarter game AI improves simulation factor
-Improved QB scrambling and running characteristics
-Play selection interface has been improved BUT..

Cons:

-Play selection interface still leaves a lot to be desired
-Basic, pedestrian game presentation features
-Will be the last Dreamcast version

Related Links:

Madden 2002 (Playstation 2) Review

NCAA Football 2002 (Playstation 2) Review

NFL Fever 2002 (XBox) Review

"...Visual Concepts continues to be the Super Bowl winner of football videogames, especially on the Dreamcast, where there are no other real contenders..."

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color-blind, he was always able to select a perfect defensive scheme to counter-balance your selected play just by watching the television when you were making your play-call. It got to be so bad playing games against human competition that we had to make a house rule that the defending player HAD to look away from the television until an offensive play was selected. That was the only fair way we could play. The play selection screen should have been designed similar in style to the old Tecmo Bowl interface. YOU knew what play you chose, but it didn't go so far as to HIGHLIGHT it for your opponent.

Well, this year's version of the interface has been ALMOST completely re-done, and for the better, although the color-recognition aspect is still present in a lesser, more easily disguised form. If you want a good tip for neutralizing your opponent's ability to see your plays, first select a play, which he will probably be able to see. When you get to the line, pull up the audible selection screen. Even if you keep the same play, your opponent won't know if you audible out of the pass play he saw you select for a run play or if you keep the play the same. Trust me, it's very effective. Another feature you can use is the game's Bluff Mode. Call a play then hold down the "A" button. You can then continue to scroll through the play selection interface to confuse your human opponent. Just release the "A" button to call the originally selected play.

Updated playbooks are suited to each team's strengths and weaknesses, and especially on offense knowing what each team is and isn't good at doing is a big help. Creating a winning game plan for the Pittsburgh Steelers, for example, requires one strategy: load up the "Bus" (Jerome Bettis) and motor through the defense. Don't worry if you are a NFL novice (I'm talking to YOU, Omni!). Even if you don't have a firm grasp on the difference between the "I" formation and the "shotgun" formation, usually mixing a well-balanced offense of fairly equal parts run and pass plays is the best way to launch a seriously potent attack on your rival. Updated rosters reflecting player movement in the off-season and team and player ratings based on last year's production are naturally part of the NFL2K2 package.

NFL2K2's AI is smarter than in NFL2K1. Playing with the Giants, I ran a long out pattern with my receiver, who was alone after clearing past the cornerback covering him. However, the ball was thrown too quickly, and it sailed over the receiver's head, just missing on a chance for a long gain. Deciding to test out the AI by calling the same play, I hoped perfecting my timing would give my team a touchdown. But the game's AI adjusted its timing too. Although the ball was delivered on time, instead of biting on my receiver's fake, the AI held its ground and intercepted the pass.

Smoother, more fluid and realistic motion-captured player animations give the game a more convincing real-life feel to it, although there still is not much of a celebratory reaction when you score a touchdown. Regardless, NFL2K2 is still a great looking and reacting game. Running into the line used to produce a running back in a treadmill effect. He would keep his legs churning, but his body wasn't going anywhere. In NFLK2, the RB will actually attempt to sidestep the defense and squeeze his way through any small crack that may appear in the offensive line.

Stadium and player definition is better than last year's already pleasing makeup, but only slightly. The stadiums look the same as they did before, but the players are more pronounced in their size variation. Now, big-boy defensive linemen like the Giants' Michael Strahan are visibly larger than diminutive place-kickers like Martin "dramatica" Gramatica of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This helps bring more realism into the gameplay. I have briefly played the PS2 version of the game and the visuals are definitely better and smoother, but not by much. Only the Xbox NFL2K2 hasn't been released (scheduled for a January 2002 appearance). Based on the Dreamcast and PS2 versions, the Xbox NFL2K2 should be a visual treat.

Most obviously missing is the high-quality commentary of Madden 2002 from the best football-announcing tandem in the business, John Madden and Pat Summerall. Announcers Terry McGovern as "Dan Stevens" and Jay Styne as "Peter O'Keefe" return in NFL2K2, and do an admirable job. In a nod to Monday Night Football's Dennis Miller, "Stevens" and "O'Keefe" are a little edgier and more critical in their commentary. One good comment could happen after your player scores a touchdown. In NFL2K2, you might hear how the scorer is experiencing the "joy of six". Even with the increased amount of announcer commentary, if you play a few games the same remarks eventually are heard repeating. Updated statistics popping up during the game and the usual nice replay feature give the game a slick, television presentation feel.

In terms of the actual gameplay, there are some differences in NFL2K2 from last year. Tackling can now seemingly cause more turnovers, particularly on special teams. If you can line up an opponent without being blocked on a kickoff, the impact of you hitting the kick returner has a higher chance of causing a fumble than in the two previous NFL2K games.

More turnovers, especially fumbles, occur during the normal course of the game. Previously, causing a fumble was as likely as you suiting up this Sunday for your 
favorite team in the fourth quarter to throw the winning touchdown. It takes place on a more realistic level in NFL2K2.

Penalties are more prevalent too, even when you aren't directly controlling the offending player. This can be a little frustrating at times, because it usually happens to me after I pull off a long run with a running back under my control, like Duce Staley. Invariably a few times the play gets called back because of offensive holding by one of my CPU-controlled offensive linemen, (offensive holding? Are you kidding me, you virtual zebra?!) which really NEVER (okay rarely) happened in the previous titles.

Another change is to the running skills of quarterbacks. While his job is to primarily throw the pigskin to his open receiving corps, invariably a quarterback needs to run to evade an onrushing defender or roll out of the pocket for some good play-action passing. It wasn't bad in NFL2K1, but now it is completely easy to use your QB's feet to your advantage. Running quarterbacks like Donovan "don't call me a running quarterback" McNabb is closer in NFL2K2 to his real-life counterpart. If the QB is a fast runner, like McNabb or Kordell Stewart, so is his NFL2K2 doppelganger. Similarly, a slow-running pocket passer in the mold of Kurt Warner has slow foot speed in NFL2K2, making taking off on a quarterback draw an unwise decision.

All of the typical modes expected from the NFL2K series are included: Season, Exhibition, Franchise, Franchise, Tourney, and Playoff. NFL2K2 contains all the NFL plus the Pro Bowl and custom alumni teams for you to select from.

The Dreamcast version is the only one that has online play capability. I haven't played any games online yet because I don't want to pay for a SegaNet account just to play football, but if you so desire up to eight players can clash at one time. The twist this year is that if you do play online, you will be tracked and ranked based on wins, losses and dropped connections. So no more of that "Oops, the internet "accidentally" disconnected" when you are losing 35-zip to an online competitor to keep your winning streak alive.

Visual Concepts continues to be the Super Bowl winner of football videogames, especially on the Dreamcast, where there are no other real contenders. Despite two strong challengers for the title, NFL Fever and the newest Madden, NFL2K2 again delivers the best and most accurate gridiron gaming experience available.

Lee Cieniawa

(December 8, 2001)

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