AFL Live 2

[18 eighty 5]

Walked into JB hifi today to look at their games selection and saw on the new release shelf the brand new Aussie rules football game AFL Live 2. It had broken street date by a whole week. AFL live is the work of True Blue games. The game was available to play on the PS3 so I jumped on and had a go.

It plays and looks very much like one of the AFL titles released on the PS2. Whereas I thought the Live game on 360 & PS3 was a take and ball up fest this is more free flowing but not great.

You can virtually transfer the ball coast to coast hand balling the whole way. Kicking the ball feels a bit hit and miss and there are three buttons assigned to different types of kicks . Just on the little of the game I played I thought it was ok but absolutely nothing new. I really felt like I was playing an old playstation 2 game. It doesn't represent AFL football very well but at least there are gaming companies willing to have a go.

I love the AFL but I am passing on this one especially at its current release price of nearly $70.

[18 eighty 5]

Re: AFL Live 2

Ok, I caved and bought a copy earlier today. With Richmond making their first finals series in twelve years (and losing) I couldn't help but give AFL live 2 a comprehensive chance. After playing at home on my own big TV I am going back on my original post. This game is pretty good. I will give a better review of the game in a couple of days when I have had a chance to play it alot more.

But for now, I am impressed and go back on what I said in the above post.

PS playing as the Tigers wearing the pre season jumper that I own is a top little touch.

[fingerbumau]

Re: AFL Live 2

Man I'm rocking this game on ps3 loving it

[lhslancers]

Re: AFL Live 2

Can I find a demo on either the 360 or the PS3? I have US UK and Jap PS accounts.

[donkey33]

Re: AFL Live 2

I just can't bring myself to purchase it yet. Be interested in a review when you get time.

[18 eighty 5]

Re: AFL Live 2

Can I find a demo on either the 360 or the PS3? I have US UK and Jap PS accounts.

You know, i don't think there is a demo. I am sure there is nothing available here in Australia either. I sound uncertain because i don't have internet connectivity. But last i checked at my brothers house a couple of weeks ago nothing was up.

[18 eighty 5]

Re: AFL Live 2

I just can't bring myself to purchase it yet. Be interested in a review when you get time.

Whilst I wait for GTA V to finish installing I will say this about AFL Live 2 it is a surprising good representation of Aussie rules footy. I totally understand your reluctance especially following the last version of the game. I will comment further tomorrow but one area where this game shines as a sports title is in the unpredictability in the action on the field just like on the real thing.

I am so far thoroughly enjoying playing as the Mighty Tigers.

[lhslancers]

Re: AFL Live 2

Whilst I wait for GTA V to finish installing I will say this about AFL Live 2 it is a surprising good representation of Aussie rules footy. I totally understand your reluctance especially following the last version of the game. I will comment further tomorrow but one area where this game shines as a sports title is in the unpredictability in the action on the field just like on the real thing.

I am so far thoroughly enjoying playing as the Mighty Tigers.

Is the first version worthy of a cheap pickup on eBay?

[18 eighty 5]

Re: AFL Live 2

Is the first version worthy of a cheap pickup on eBay?

Sorry for the slow response. I didn't like the first version at all. The gameplay was slowed down significantly due to the over the top frequency of ball ups.

For example as soon as the ball was in the open whoever took possession of it was tackled and the umpire called for a ball up. But this happened every few seconds. It felt highly pedestrian and the ball moved in terms of inches, all sense of speed was lost. It just made the game unenjoyable for me and didn't represent AFL much at all.

Here in Australia the game is still almost full price to buy so I don't know what it would be like to purchase online, i am sure you can find it for cheaper. If you really need an AFL fix maybe give it a go but the new game fixes this problem and creates a far better experience.

[18 eighty 5]

Re: AFL Live 2

Overall the game is really fun. It does one thing well we all hope sports games can reproduce and that is the unpredictability in play that is so indicative of real sports and in the this case Aussie Rules. It means every game feels different especially when playing against the CPU on the right skill level relative to your ability.

As in the real AFL clearances at stoppages are important but can be crucial at centre bounces. If the CPU wins a clearance they can enter their own 50 and take marks on you almost unopposed.

At times the game can be scrappy and a dog fight played between the halfback lines and at others it can be free flowing and fast. I love how it captures enough of the typical ways of aussie rules. It really feels like an Aussie Rules game and not a hybrid of other sports games.

Mind, it takes some time to master the controls and come to terms with the camera angles. To enjoy the game patience is required. Once you learn the controls and pick up the pace of the game it is great fun and the gameplay opens up.

I was surprised at the player models, how from a distance they display a superficial but keen likeness to their real life counterparts. I play as Richmond and so noticed the iconic hair styles of Ivan Maric with his mullet and Dustin Martin with his shaved sides (and neck tats).

One strange quirk is the reporting and sentencing system for in game infractions. In the second game of the NAB cup i had three players go up for report for striking and rough conduct and the sentences they received were extremely harsh. Jake King copped a 7 week suspension, Maric 5 weeks and my mad up Pro got 4 weeks. In real life these would be absolutely massive sentences for really bad infractions. Some balancing issues need to be addressed here.

Players can get injured too forcing you to utilise your list which adds immersion to the experience.

Overall AFL Live 2 is a really enjoyable game and a good attempt at video game aussie rules. The additional stuff like having all the proper stadiums and some extras, all the right kits including alternate jumpers and additional teams in numerous but limited leagues is great. A very good game that serves well for a video game footy fix.

[Lemieux667]

Re: AFL Live 2

Can anyone tell me is AFL live 2 is or Rugby League Live 2 are available for download through games on demand (xbox 360) (NTSC)? These games looks like alot of fun. It appears that they are available on Australia marketplace but not US, can I still purchase? will they work? Thanks in advance.

[Oakland86]

Re: AFL Live 2

I was wondering the same thing. I was thinking about importing the game thru Amazon. I admit I don't know anything about Aussie Rules but I have a friend who lives the game itself and wanted to give it a try. Would a disc work on my American PS3? Would I need that HD TV to play it?

[jesmith29]

Re: AFL Live 2

Does anyone know if this is available in the USA and would it work on the PS3?

I enjoy the AFL and it was quite a match between the Bulldogs and Essendon early this AM.