Summary: Arena Football replicates the unique intensity and passion of the indoor gridiron, giving gamers a completely different football gaming experience. Staying authentic to AFL rules, Arena Football will feature 8-on-8 play, including six players who play both sides of the ball, and the ability to send players into and over the walls with each exciting play. Fast-paced and high-scoring offenses allow players to launch an all-out aerial assault using playbooks created by actual AFL coaches. The arena comes alive with fans, fireworks, and a rock-concert atmosphere. For the first time ever in sports gaming, an in-game telemetry system will provide real-time information about opponents such as passing tendencies, scoring history, and player health. Players can build an AFL powerhouse in Season mode and win their way to ArenaBowl or challenge the best players in the nation with head-to-head online play.
While most kids are playing Fortnite this old man is still collecting "retro games" and boy did I just play one that deserves an upgrade. EA Sports Arena Football is one of those games that I wanted to play when it first hit the shelves and yet I somehow missed it. I loved watching Arena football with its wild play's small field and high score it made late winter a little more tolerable. Kurt Warner had a version on the PS1 that was just ok, but in 2006 EA came a bit closer giving you the feel of indoor football.
As far as the graphics go this one looks good, you have the choice of playing up close Arena style or Classic pulled back so you can see the field style. Both are very well done. You get some fluid movement that is on pare to Madden and NCAA of its time. Arena football should not be confused with that stuff the Dallas Cowboys would be playing in the Super Bowl. The field is only 50 yards long and is surrounded by walls, like a hockey rink with turf. The arena is eight-on-eight, Ironman football in which six of eight players go both ways. It's high scoring; the average game tops 100 total points. It's hard-hitting, it's fast and it's fun.
One thing that I was not expecting while celebrating, the receiver started bowing to the crowd and yelling, "I'd like to thank all you people over here," and then, turning around, "and all the people over here." Suddenly, an angry defender pummels my receiver and screams, "You're welcome, punk!" I about fell out of my chair! I could not stop laughing this really helps catch the spirit of the game.
So the sound in the game was a little odd and at first hard to get used to. A PA Announcer in a small way delivers the play by play, not some TV guy so you get some weird gaps. But in those gaps, you can here a touch of trash talking that after the hour and a half playtime it still has not grown old. The crowd is pretty lifeless in the background but is brought to life on the jumbotron cut scenes and boy it gets pretty funny to watch when your beating there team. The soundtrack of metal mix and pop plays along just fine but I have never heard of any bands that keep playing.
The only real complaint I have is that its one arena everygame you get nothing new to look at. Now that's ok because the gameplay fixes that. So if your an old school gamer like myself Arena Football is worth the pickup! Arena Football is a fantastic way to cure those post-Football season blues thanks to the numerous spectacular plays you will witness every game. This game is really, really fun.
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4 out of 5 Stars!
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Now if you will excuse me I need to go finish a season.
