APF 2K9: What Could Have Been

[RaychelSnr]

All-Pro Football 2K8 wasn't a best-seller by any means, but it did manage to create a sizable following among football fans due to its solid gameplay, wrapped in a non-licensed football game. However, thanks to 2K scrapping the All-Pro franchise -- at least for this year -- gamers are left wondering what could have been with All-Pro Football 2K9. Caley Roark has a few ideas about what could have been and writes about them in his article, APF 2K9: What Could Have Been.

"One game that we won't see is All-Pro Football 2K9. After being announced, this game was quickly shelved by 2K Sports. But, with my five keys in mind -- and a healthy dose of imagination -- let's look at what "could have been" for APF 2K9."

[rudeworld]

I thought it was going to be customizable, but even though it wasnt it was still fun for that one season....then it got boring....should of had a "franchise mode"

[NovaStar]

Re: APF 2K9: What Could Have Been

Yep. if any game screamed for a franchise mode it was definitely APF2k8.

[yamabushi]

Still playing it. Still Loving it. Gameplay this superior easily trumps the lack of features.

[asu666]

APF 2K10 needs to drop the Legends and all ties to the NFL. 2K should release the best playing football game on the market and turn the presentation up to a ten like they did on 2K5. Without the Legends or an official TV partner, the game with be a lot cheaper to make and they can focus on a stadium creator, franchise mode option (league options), player editor/ creator, and file sharing. 2K only needs to build the best playing game and let the community edit it and share the files. Cheap to make and easy to love.

[NovaStar]

Re: APF 2K9: What Could Have Been

Still playing it. Still Loving it. Gameplay this superior easily trumps the lack of features.

That is also true. I still play this game quite frequently. The gameplay is unmatched to date. Man! Can you imagine if 2k had the nfl license? Everytime I play APF I just can't help but think that. What a freakin shame!

[asu666]

I think ESPN 2K5 is still the best football game ever made. 2K8 was close, but even big fans of 2K5 like me didn't buy it day one because we were afraid the lack of a Franchise mode would kill the fun right when it was really getting started. I thought 2K9 would have one and probably let users edit and share files so I waited. Now it appears the best football franchise ever is wasting away.

[NovaStar]

Re: APF 2K9: What Could Have Been

I think ESPN 2K5 is still the best football game ever made. 2K8 was close, but even big fans of 2K5 like me didn't buy it day one because we were afraid the lack of a Franchise mode would kill the fun right when it was really getting started. I thought 2K9 would have one and probably let users edit and share files so I waited. Now it appears the best football franchise ever is wasting away.

I agree. I too think 2k5 was the best (total package) game ever made. But APF did some amazing things with the individual style of each legend, the line play and, overall competiveness of the ai (in single play). With the updated roster files from the 2k5 fellahs, and Finns editor, I see no need to really go out and purchase a new football game that can't outplay 2k5.

[Radja]

online, there is no better football game available. i play online 4 or 5 times a week against a quality opponent. each team i have is different and each player is different. there are plenty of combinations still to try. i will playing this a long time.

[StormJH1]

They made so many wrong turns with 2k8...a lot of people focus on the "Generation 6.5" graphics, or the fact that the commentary and other elements of 2k5 didn't evolve at all. But to me, all of that would've been fine if they could've released a true next-gen port of NFL 2k5, and stripped it down to allow for generic players, customizations, file sharing, etc. All of those things have been done well in other 2k games, so why not APF? But in my opinion, the biggest screw up of all was getting arid of the ratings system. I understand not wanting to anger the "Legends" by comparing them, but even the generic players in that game have no perceived abilities. Even if the players you're using are "fake", you could still enjoy using them if you had some idea what they were good at, or had some franchise mode to develop their attributes. Not possible in 2k8, which is why it sits in my drawer right now, mainly b/c I'm too nostalgic to trade it in for $4.

[yamabushi]

Re: APF 2K9: What Could Have Been

The lack of '# ratings' never bothered me, in fact, I would prefer 'ratings' removed from all sports games.
What coach knows that 1 player has 2/100ths more agression then the next guy?

[nickaepi]

I agree with the above poster. I would love a next-gen port of ESPN 2k5.

[bigjake62505]

I agree, if they would focus on stadium and team customization, add a franchise mode, and raise the bar on gameplay it would be great and I would have no reason to buy the EA football product.

[DJ]

Re: APF 2K9: What Could Have Been

The lack of '# ratings' never bothered me, in fact, I would prefer 'ratings' removed from all sports games.
What coach knows that 1 player has 2/100ths more agression then the next guy?

Yep. The # ratings system is broken, IMO. I really liked the attributes system 2k used in APF. Gave you a better idea of what each player was really good at, and helped you better select your teams.

[asu666]

If I was really wealthy I would donate money to Visual Conceots to pay for continuing the 2K Football Series. The NFL license doesn't mean much when everything can be edited and shared by a devoted community online.