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NFL 2K1

Score: 95%
ESRB: Everyone
Publisher: Sega Sports
Developer: Visual Concepts
Media: CD/1
Players: 1 - 4 (2 - 8 Online)
Genre: Sports (Football)


Graphics & Sound:

Remember this time a year ago, when NFL 2K came out, and everybody, including myself, was just like, "Holy $*#@! I can't believe how awesome that looks!" Well, get ready for that feeling again, only this time, the feeling won't go away. Prepare yourself for the most life-like, crisp and clear, animated and detailed, video game for football your eyes have ever seen. NFL 2K1 is the Most Realistic Video Game for Football on the market! Each player-model is entirely lifelike along with unbelievable, realistic player movements including all the running, catching, tackling, spinning, diving, and of course... celebrations. Plus, each stadium has been recreated to have their own significant features, such as the Tampa Bay Pirate Ship, along with another fine year of good-looking crowds.

The sounds are another huge plus, with entirely new commentary, and a whole lot of trash talking! The music is just excellent, but the sound of 22 guys hitting each other is what really sells this category. The only glitch I found was ONE TIME, the commentator kept repeating how they'd "check up on the injured guy," yet no one was injured. Other than that, this category was flawless.


Gameplay:

For the record, once I got past the graphics in NFL 2K, I wasn't too impressed with the game. No running capability, easy passes were dropped, and all of the plays were exactly the same for each team. NFL 2K1 is completely different in every way. You're now able to run, thanks to a whole new blocking scheme, and the fact that you are now able to bounce off your would-be tacklers. And now, each team's playbook is completely different, meaning your team is tailor-made for your offensive and defensive components.

A whole new mess load of features have been added to NFL 2K1. Besides the Exhibition, Season, Playoffs, and Fantasy like the original, this game has been blessed with a Practice Mode, Tournament, Franchise, and the best... the Network. In the Practice Mode, you are able to practice with offense alone, or work on the defensive side of the ball, or just practice the special moves (spinning, juking, etc.) one-on-one. In the Tournament, you can set up a tournament with up to 15 of your buddies to win all the bragging rights. The all-new Franchise mode allows you to sign free agents, cut your worthless baggage, and draft what you hope to be the future. Plus, you go through multiple seasons, which include Preseason games, the Regular season, and Post-season spectaculars. But NFL 2K1 would be nothing without the newest feature, the Network!!! Go online to play against anyone from anywhere to see how good you really believe you are. The best part is that it can be one-on-one, or it can be up to four-on-four... all which does not slow down the game. And if you're the "Smack Talking" man like I am, go out and purchase the Sega Dreamcast Keyboard. Believe me, it's all worth it.


Difficulty:

The difficulty is endless in NFL 2K1 because you are able to play anyone, which is just awesome. The default settings are Rookie, Pro, and All-Pro, but some of those guys online that I played I swear could have been programmers to the game itself! Plus, the computer AI is just incredible, as it WILL pick up on your tendencies on offense and defense. And kicking just got a little harder this year, as the arrow now moves from one side to the other, unlike last year where it just sat there. It takes a little to get used to, but you can manage. And they have also added a Tutorial for those of you that are Rookies to the game itself.

Game Mechanics:

The biggest part to this category is the Network. It is extremely addicting to play online, and it is very easy to set up an account with Sega.net. But I found that during some of my games online, there were times that the game would Lag due to the connection. I think this will get better with time, but my tip would be that when you challenge someone to play, make sure their Rating is at least Fair, if not Good. The Rating really affects how the game is run, whether it has pauses or not.

VMU wise, you can now save what you want, meaning you don't have to give up the whole thing. One more thing that you can do with your VMU is go online with your Dreamcast, and download the newest roster that Sega has available. Very cool.

With that said, get your ass back ON the couch and starting playing NFL 2K1 as much as possible, because football isn't just being played on Sundays anymore! And if you see me online, reddawg96, try and test your strength, it you've got the BALLS... I mean footballs!


-Red Dawg, GameVortex Communications
AKA Alex Redmann

Sega Dreamcast NBA 2K1 Sega Dreamcast Grand Theft Auto 2

 
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