NFL Blitz 2001
Score: 80% ESRB: Everyone Publisher: Midway Developer: Midway Media: CD/1 Players: 1 - 4 Genre: Sports (Football)/ Arcade
Graphics & Sound: The newest arcade hit has made its way to Dreamcast as NFL Blitz 2001 arrives, and let me be the first to say, there is no difference in appearance. If you have ever played any of the Blitz games, you know what they look like, and that’s what you get from Sega as well. But if you have never played this kind of series before, I'll tell you what the graphics look like. Basically, you have 14 guys on a field who look like they're all on steroids because their arms are bigger than their legs with all their muscles. But the graphics are tight, and the player movements move in a smooth, fluid movement. The sounds are also just like the arcade. The bone-crushing tackles and trash talking that goes on throughout have always been key elements of what makes the Blitz series different from the rest. This game is no different from its past in that all those sounds are there, if not enhanced even more.
Gameplay: For those of you that don't know, NFL Blitz 2001 is not any regular kind of football. The best way to explain it is this may be the closest thing to the XFL out there. In other words, hardnosed, smash mouth football. It's 7-on-7, and there are basically no rules. Late hits are encouraged, and being a "wuss" is looked down upon. Obviously, winning the game is the most important thing to do, but getting a few cheap shots in can always make you feel better about your performance. Be prepared for fast action gameplay, as you try to avoid getting your head ripped off by a defense that thinks you were talking about their mamas. As the saying goes: "No Refs. No Rules. No Mercy." Besides this being an all-out brawl on a football field, there are some features to this game that add to its enjoyment. A new On-Fire mode has been added, which is much like NBA Jam. If your team is doing well play after play, they become "On Fire," and are even more unstoppable than before. You are also able to create players, teams, and edit your playbook, along with having a season and tournament mode. Much more advanced than I thought it would be.
Difficulty: It's an arcade kind of feel to NFL Blitz 2001, which means it's got a few different settings for difficulty. And with the game pace being so fast, it may throw you off right at the start. There are a few special games you can play: 1st & Goal Frenzy, Goal Line Stand, and QB Challenge. With 1st & Goal Frenzy, you get four downs from a point on the field, and you need to score... with no first downs! Goal Line Stand is just the opposite, you can't let the computer score. And QB Challenge is directed towards your reflex skills as you have to throw the ball to the flashing receiver, but you only have a few seconds to do it. All these little exercises may help you deal with the actual game difficulty.
Game Mechanics: NFL Blitz 2001 never loses a step with the amount of action that takes place every down. And your VMU won't be packed full after saving a season, which is always good. Plus, the controller configuration isn't too complicated once you get the hang of it. All in all, if you liked any of the Blitz's before, then NFL Blitz 2001 will not disappoint you in the least bit.
-Red Dawg, GameVortex Communications AKA Alex Redmann
Grand Theft Auto 2 Sydney 2000