Football games are way too damn serious these days. Sure, they’re
entertaining, but some players may not be prepared for the onslaught of
statistics and simulation rules that both Madden NFL 12 and NCAA Football 12 bring. So it’s nice to see EA Sports lighten up a bit and bring back a gridiron game that refuses to take itself seriously – NFL Blitz.
If the name sounds familiar, it’s because Midway originally released Blitz
in the arcades back in the 90’s, including such over-the-top antics as
players catching on fire and ridiculous hits that would send a normal
person to the hospital. As it did with NBA Jam: On Fire Edition,
EA Sports retains most of the energy that made the original game click,
while adding some new features that are sure to spark an interest in
the football community, even though we’re in the playoffs.
Most of the features of the original Blitz remain intact for
the remake. Offensively, you’ve got to gain 30 yards within four downs
to head downfield, eventually shooting for the end zone on run and pass
plays. Defensively, you’ll need to use your utter strength to stop the
other team from gaining yards. Do enough on either end and you’ll earn
turbo energy. Reach capacity and you’ll be “on fire”, with unlimited
energy for a few seconds.
When it comes to gameplay, EA Sports keeps it simple, and it works so
fundamentally well The pass plays are solid, as your highlighted
receiver automatically lights up so you can see if they’re surrounded or
not, and the offensive moves during runs, like spins and shoves, are
ideally inputted. Defensively, the hits are excellent to pull off, as
your guy goes diving across the field like a cougar pouncing on its
prey. The tackles are outstanding, as players are driven to the ground
with a great deal of ferocity. The only thing missing is the late hits,
namely the leg drops and flying elbows that you could perform on a guy
after you bring him down. Apparently, the NFL can’t completely shake
the idea of sportsmanship, despite the fact this is an arcade title.
Along with quick match-ups, both online and off, NFL Blitz
also retains the cool code entry system before match-ups, so you can
activate cool power-ups such as a chrome-colored ball or cosmetic
changes to your players, including the return of the Big Head. If you
don’t know the codes, don’t worry; playing through Elite League gives
you the chance to earn them through career match-ups, along with other
bonuses, such as the Ultimate Team-like card packs and other goodies.
(Your progress is tracked through online leaderboards, so you can see
how you’re doing compared to your buddies. Great feature.)
If you’re in the mood to unlock NFL Blitz’s best bonuses,
check out Blitz Gauntlet. Here, you’ll face off three with three
particular teams before facing a Boss Team, comprised of a fantasy style
player, such as lions (no, we mean actual lions, not the Detroit Lions)
and zombies. Conquer them and you unlock the team for use in the
game. Though they don’t all have the best stats, some of these teams
are worth checking out. Ever see a zombie Tebow look-alike?
Visually, NFL Blitz maintains the status quo when it comes to
rough-and-tumble football. Though it’s hard to tell one authentic
stadium from another (they mostly look the same), the animations are
fantastic, with players flying everywhere and celebrating after
intercepting or scoring in the end zone. The menus are clean and easy
to navigate, and old-school players will recognize some of their
favorite plays from the original game, including the all-too-easy-to-use
Da Bomb.
As for the audio, the music leaves a slight bit to be desired, though it is tuned to what worked with the original Blitz,
so we don’t mind it too much. The sound effects are fun, with lots of
“thuds” and “oofs” to make the aura of arcade football come to life.
Last but not least, Tim Kitzrow deserves praise for returning to the
commentator’s booth, providing upbeat feedback as you play through your
match alongside an equally enjoyable cohort.
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