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These columns (as well as the 'releases') come from weekly content that we write for the Edmond Sun, out of Edmond, OK (though we live in Chicago). This page contains the archives for said column, many of which are in their pre-published, unedited state. Some titles and editing by Brendan Sinclair.

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Blitz: The League review
Sunday, October 30, 2005

It's Halloween so here's... a football game. Football is scary, right? I knew we shouldn't have reviewed Stubbs the Zombie last week.

You want to know what's really scary? Going to your local video game retailer in late August and seeing that your only choice for football is what system you want to buy Madden '06 for. With EA's exclusive acquisition of the NFL license last year, every other company was scared (Ok, I'll stop now) to make an unlicensed football title to compete against the Madden juggernaut. Gone are NFL2K and Gameday with nothing to fill their void except for more Madden.

Finally, at the end of October, the first spark of competition was ignited. Blitz: The League is Midway's attempt at trying to appeal to a market that is sick of the NFL and their clean cut ways. For years the NFL has complained that Blitz is too violent. They didn't like the over-the-top hits and they hated the excessive celebrations. The Blitz franchise was a thorn in the saintly side of the NFL. Now that Midway doesn't have to worry about pleasing the powers that be, they can finally make a football title that is as violent and offensive as their twisted minds will allow. Unfortunately, Midway chickened out and created a watered-down experience that neither offends nor entertains for very long.

Before I get into all the features that Midway hoped would garner enough media attention to make gamers take notice, I have to talk about the actual play on the field. This is the part of the review where I would normally go in-depth about AI, physics and other features that are essential to a good football title. Since Blitz doesn't try to be a good football title, though, I won't even bother. Basically, if you've played any previous Blitz, dating way back to last century, there isn't too much new this time around. With a focus on quick, multiplayer matches the game is both simple to pick up and easy to master. There simply is not a lot of depth. With only a handful of plays at your disposal, chances are you'll find a couple that work and simply alternate them for the entire game.

Unfortunately, the most noticeable new feature is also its biggest problem. For some reason, Midway threw a Bullet Time feature into the game. Make enough big plays and you can slow down time with a push of a button. Seems cool on paper, but this completely breaks the game. The offense has a huge advantage in Blitz normally, since scoring is more fun than defense, but the inclusion of an Unleash Meter makes playing defense completely pointless. Nine times out of ten, when you hit the slow motion button, the defense either stops completely or dives out of the way. Sure, it's fun running up the score the first few times, but running for fifty yards untouched seven times a game loses its charm after awhile.

As far as the extreme new features Midway added, be prepared to be disappointed. First, you can use steroids. Only it's referred to as "Juice" for some reason. Use it when training to build muscles quickly or after an injury to get back on the field in no time flat. It does add a bit of strategy, if you use too much you may get caught, but I didn't find this particularly fun. Of course, I'm so against drugs I wouldn't even use them in the game, but even if you do like the idea of "Juicing" your players, it's hardly new or fun after the first few times.

Other extreme features seem thrown in more than anything. For instance, you can send prostitutes to the opposing team's hotel room. Only this takes place like a text adventure – you are given the option to "Send hookers" or "Don't send." Funny the first time, but doesn't add much to the title. I did like being able to bet on my team before the game. You have to bet against the spread and it's quite amusing trying to run up the score late trying to cover. Plus, equipment and training costs money, so there is actually a reason to pull a Pete Rose. It's sad that the only worthwhile new feature is the ability to bet on your games. Sure, you'll never find that in an NFL sanctioned title, but if gambling is their idea of being offensive, they should see the twisted games kids are playing these days.

What really disappointed me is that this could have been a real alternative to Madden. If they would have tried to create a real football sim first and then thrown a bunch of over the top antics on top of that, I would have bought this in a heartbeat. Instead, you are really left no choice if you want a football title. Blitz is clearly targeted towards a casual sports fan that is more interested in the
occasional obscenity and scantly clad cheerleaders than a meaty football experience. While Blitz certainly has its moments, especially in the two player mode, there isn't any reason to buy this if you've played any of the previous games in the franchise.

- Tom


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