Reviewed: September 14, 2000
Reviewed by: Mark Smith
Publisher
SEGA
Developer
Visual Concepts
Released: September 5, 2000
Genre: Sports
Players: 4 (8 online)
ESRB: Everyone
9
9
9
9
9.0
Supported Features:
As September approaches each year you can be certain of several things and one of these is the rash of computer and console football games to flood the market. Ever since EA Sports started the fashionable trend of releasing the same sports game each year with minor updates and new team rosters, everyone has gotten on the sports bandwagon and SEGA is no different.
Being only one year old (btw: Happy Birthday Dreamcast), we are just now entering our second season of sports titles for this console and let me tell you, things haven't looked better. I didn't actually do a full review of last year's NFL 2K, but it was one of the launch titles that I did purchase and played until I couldn't stand it anymore. There were a few minor bugs in the initial release and even a few glaring ones, but Visual Concepts has addressed all these issues and given us plenty to keep us busy until NFL 2K2.
Everything you loved about the first game is back in this finely tuned sequel, plus they've added all the missing moves and other elements people criticized the first game for lacking. Glaring bugs like Player 2 not being able to use the menus have been fixed, and we now have perhaps the most sought after feature of any sports title; online multiplayer gaming. That's right. Until now that modem in your Dreamcast has been almost a novelty feature. Few games supported it and when they did it was usually some cheap stab at connectivity just so they could say their title had "modem support". Well NFL 2K1 uses that modem to put up to four players in your house up against up to four other players somewhere else...anywhere else.
People are already comparing NFL 2K1 to the new Madden and I say, "Why not"? Madden is a fine game and the fact that NFL 2K1's gameplay can be compared to an established franchise such as Madden says something for SEGA's efforts to make this the best NFL game you can currently buy for any console system. It may play as good as Madden, but when it comes to the polished graphics of the Dreamcast, Madden never gets off the sidelines.
If you thought last year's version was good just wait until you see all the goodies they added to 2K1. Perhaps the biggest complaint last year was the poor running game. Well that is no longer a problem. The running game is back with new juke and power moves plus the blocking (both offense and defense) is much better. I've had some games where my rushing yards actually exceeded my passing yards. In a recent Colts game I had over 180 yards rushing which is more than I had in an entire season of NFL 2K.
The kicking game has changed slightly. Now that yellow arrow slowly sweeps across the arc, so you have to position it ahead of your target and time your power to the alignment of the arrow. I must admit the first time I saw this I thought my controller was improperly calibrated, but now that I realize it is part of the game I must say it makes things a bit more realistic than the simply aim and kick of last year's game.
The playbooks are expanded and mimic actual NFL playbooks so you have virtually unlimited play possibilities. You can still use VMU play calling but the on-screen play picks have been enhanced to show defensive coverage. A great way to learn the plays is by simply picking an offensive play then scrolling through the defensive plays to see which one covers the offensive pattern as they are both displayed on the same screen. One particularly nice feature is the inclusion of player numbers on the play-previews so you now know who and where your players are without having to check before the snap. Of course when it comes to competitive gaming you don't want your opponent to know your play so SEGA has included a nice little feature that lets you scroll around the playbook even after you've picked your play. It's a great way to hide your play without having to resort to text-only VMU play calling. I just not familiar enough with NFL plays to pick them without seeing the graphics of where everyone is going.
As expected, the rosters have all been updated for 2000-2001 and you can update them even further throughout the season using the modem to connect to SEGA's NFL site.
Once you tire of "playing" NFL 2K1 why not trying managing the teams with the new Franchise mode. You can coach and manage any team(s) you wish with all those fun management details like salaries, drafts, retiring players, and new rookies signing on. It's not as detailed as EA's franchise mode but it's more than adequate to extend the life of this title. Of course the Fantasy League is also back giving you even more playability.
When you are ready to play a season be prepared to dedicate an entire VMU. NFL 2K1 requires 180 blocks; 11 less than last year, but basically still your entire VMU. This leads me to one of my few complaints about this game. Why does SEGA insist on my having the VMU in Controller 1? I have 4 controllers and 5 VMU's plugged into my system at all times yet I am constantly shuffling VMU's. I know other games can search any VMU's present in the system so why can't a second-generation title like this do the same. Hopefully future games will use any VMU presently connected to the system...you listening out there SEGA?
Presentation and graphics were some of the strongest assets for the first NFL 2K and things have only gotten better. New high-resolution player models using over 2000 motion-captured animations makes this the most realistic football you will see on your TV other than Sunday afternoon. Each player looks like their real-life counterpart and there is a good variety of shapes and sizes for each team member. Defensive linemen are huge hulking monsters while the running backs are these little wiry guys that gracefully move around the gridiron.
While it has no bearing on gameplay or this review it is only fair to mention that the opening movie is stunning, featuring awesome NFL footage shown in MTV-style high-energy clips with a thumping techno-rock track in the background. Replays are equally stunning although they are still limited to only the last play with no way to save them to the VMU. Zooming in on the replays really shows off the detail that is easily missed in normal gameplay such as the Wilson logo on the football or even the textures on the jerseys or cleats on the bottom of the players' shoes.
Weather effects are excellent and they have even added fog to the list of inclement conditions you are forced to play in. The natural grass fields really look like grass with patches that get kicked up during the game. The field even starts to show wear after a few quarters of play with a subtle hint of brown showing through the green. The crowds are more animated this time, much like NBA 2K but with less detail since you never get too close to the fans. The people on the sidelines are still 2D sprites that spin around to face the camera, but this is only noticeable during the replays. Other nice touches are the arena-specific graphics such as the "Indy Pride" banners hanging from the walls during my Colt's home games.
The menu interface looks and works the same as last year but has been redone in high resolution. The simulated TV graphics are acceptable but not quite up to Fox Sports standards. The fancy wipes before and after replays is a nice touch but the TOUCHDOWN with the gleaming letters is very "computer-sim-like" and just looks cheap.
The audio in NFL 2K1 has been greatly improved. The crowd is much more active and "reactive" to what is going on. If the home team gets a penalty you can be sure the stadium will be filled with "boos and hisses". Conversely, if they connect with a 40 yard TD pass they are going to get loud.
But the crowd isn't the only one doing the talking this year. As you are forming up on the line you will hear various players talking "smack". I about died from laughter after I intercepted a pass and was lining up for my next play and heard one of the defensive linemen say, "I'll be getting that ball back."
Commentary is hard-core this year. Dan and Peter are dishing out the play-by-play along with some color commentary that is hit-and-miss. I was hoping to hear Dennis Miller in the booth for the Monday night games but apparently he signed on too late in the production of this game. I am amazed at how accurate the commentary can get at times. The programming for the speech must rival that of the game itself. It is so impressive that when they do say something inappropriate it can easily be overlooked. They always have something interesting, if not insightful, to say about the teams and various players before the coin toss.
As with any sports title there is no defined end. You can play a complete season and you can manage a complete season, but I doubt you will put the game away after that. NFL 2K1 is a great party game allowing up to four players to battle it out or challenge the computer. If I had to guess I would say you will be playing this game non-stop at first and then periodically until next year when the next version comes out.
As previously mentioned, up to four can play at home in any configuration. You can all take on the computer or it can be 3 on 1 or 2 on 2 or 1 on 2 or any combination you want. But where NFL 2K1 really shines is in the online Internet play where you can have up to eight players going at it.
I'm willing to bet that many of you DC owners have never even plugged in your modem. I did for my review last year, but it hasn't been plugged in since...until now. NFL 2K1 represents the first "true" online gaming experience for the Dreamcast. Yes, I know other games use the modem, but they don't count once you experience the glory that is NFL 2K1 Online.
Taking your football action online requires a connection to the Internet and you have a couple of options. You can use your existing Internet account, or you can sign up with the new SEGANET gaming service that started on September 7, 2000. You can expect some quirky bugs with any new online service and SEGANET is no exception. Personally I do not subscribe to SEGANET, so I am resorting to a bit of "hearsay" when I talk about it. I use a national Internet provider (Concentric.net) for my dial-up access and my Dreamcast connects up very reliably at 44K almost every time.
Of course when it comes to playing NFL 2K1 your weakest link is your weakest connection so make sure whoever you are challenging has a reliable connection. It also helps to find someone who won't bail out of a game when you start putting on a clinic. I won't lie to you. Often there is lag and it can interfere with gameplay, but for the most part the game is very playable. I've read numerous postings on the Dreamcast newsgroups and even chatted with SEGANET subscribers who all swear they have flawless play using the SEGA online gaming service. SEGA themselves even says that as long as you are using their service you will get fluid 60fps gameplay just like you were at home. You take your chances with any other service.
Keep in mind that lag isn't as critical in a sports game as say a first-person shooter like Quake 3 (which is just about to release for Dreamcast and SEGANET). When I did experience lag it was usually in menus or while selecting plays. Once the ball snapped, the game played flawlessly. Results varied with each person I played and it did seem that the two people I played who were using SEGANET offered me the smoothest gameplay. I was probably their weakest link for not using SEGA's service.
If you don't already have one, GET A KEYBOARD! If you join SEGANET you will get one for FREE along with that nice rebate check. Without a keyboard you are doomed to silent games. With a keyboard you can chat with your fellow gamers and make lots of new friends.
NFL 2K1 is just an appetizer of things to come. Even with the ominous Playstation 2 release date looming closer, Dreamcast has nothing to fear. After one year they are as strong as ever and this game proves it. While Sony and Microsoft sit back and wait for broadband Internet access to become a household standard, all of us Dreamcast owners will be enjoying great online titles such as NFL 2K1.
SEGA has brought us a refined football sim that is as easy to learn, as it is fun to play. With other next-gen sports titles such as the new NBA, NHL, and baseball titles just around the corner, Dreamcast sports fanatics have a lot to be excited about. Now if I can only find some sucker to buy my old NFL 2K game...
