How would you rate 2k8? Review wise.

[Rocky]

Re: How would you rate 2k8? Review wise.

It's the best football sim to date IMO and it's not even close. It's amazing how a "3 year old engine" is still LIGHT YEARS ahead of any other football engine(and I would argue it has the best sports engine) to date. I'm a FOOTBALL fan first. I love FOOTBALL, so to me any game that does FOOTBALL justice can't get anything less than a 8 to me.

I love the dynasty mode and other extras in NCAA '08, but could I honestly rate it over APF if it isn't half as nice on the field? Wouldn't that contradict what I've always said over the years?

[spankdatazz22]

Re: How would you rate 2k8? Review wise.

I'd give it a 6 or a 7.

I'm enjoying the game online, for the most part, but there's some glaring issues that I just can't ignore. The DB AI being one, lack of gameplay modes, lack of customization, the graphics, herky-jerky player movement, catch out of bounds bug, paying $40 more for a game I feel plays very similar to NFL2K5, etc. It all needs to be considered.

I honestly hope this just isn't a one year project. It's nice having another option to EA's games.

So you feel the game should be priced less than Madden current gen - not only less, priced more than half of what that game is - has [all the problems you feel the game has] but you hope the game isn't a one-year project? As I said in another thread - I think if Madden had a quarter of the things in APF people would be dancing on the ceiling. Hell, even the Madden blogs had people excited that they were finally being paid some attention. But I just don't get how both games can have such different things expected of them, expecially when they're not playing on an even field. I'd think if I were a VC dev and most people felt the way you do, it would be highly unlikely I'd try to bring out another game.

[Sully]

Re: How would you rate 2k8? Review wise.

As I said in another thread - I think if Madden had a quarter of the things in APF people would be dancing on the ceiling.

In the same token, VC could've packaged 10 Yard Fight with a APF 2K8 label, and the 2k fans would love it just because it isn't Madden.

I don't play favorites, and have been highly critical of EA's football game in the past. I'm simply calling it like it is.

[GMonroy]

Re: How would you rate 2k8? Review wise.

In the same token, VC could've packaged 10 Yard Fight with a APF 2K8 label, and the 2k fans would love it just because it isn't Madden.

I don't play favorites, and have been highly critical of EA's football game in the past. I'm simply calling it like it is.

You are so full of it.

[GMonroy]

Re: How would you rate 2k8? Review wise.

It's the best football sim to date IMO and it's not even close. It's amazing how a "3 year old engine" is still LIGHT YEARS ahead of any other football engine(and I would argue it has the best sports engine) to date. I'm a FOOTBALL fan first. I love FOOTBALL, so to me any game that does FOOTBALL justice can't get anything less than a 8 to me.

I love the dynasty mode and other extras in NCAA '08, but could I honestly rate it over APF if it isn't half as nice on the field? Wouldn't that contradict what I've always said over the years?

That is so true.

[Sully]

Re: How would you rate 2k8? Review wise.

You are so full of it.

Great post!

Then again, I've noticed that 90% of your posts in this forum are you agreeing with someone that praises APF, and disagreeing with someone that doesn't!

Way to be opinionated!

I'm all for having a discussion on this topic, and I think that's what spankdatazz is trying to do as well. As for you, you're just trolling.

[GMonroy]

Re: How would you rate 2k8? Review wise.

Great post!

Then again, I've noticed that 90% of your posts in this forum are you agreeing with someone that praises APF, and disagreeing with someone that doesn't!

Way to be opinionated!

I'm all for having a discussion on this topic, and I think that's what spankdatazz is trying to do as well. As for you, you're just trolling.

Trolling? Hardly. Just because I like the game does not mean I am trolling. I have stated what is wrong with the game but the gameplay itself is not part of that. This guy is painting with a broad brush. He is labeling people who like the game. I have not done anything like that. This is a great game gameplay wise. to me all of the other features while nice to have are just that features. They have no effect on the actual gameplay itself which is what makes this game the best ever. Call me what you will. I tell it like it is.

[Sully]

Re: How would you rate 2k8? Review wise.

Trolling? Hardly. Just because I like the game does not mean I am trolling. I have stated what is wrong with the game but the gameplay itself is not part of that. This guy is painting with a broad brush. He is labeling people who like the game. I have not done anything like that. This is a great game gameplay wise. to me all of the other features while nice to have are just that features. They have no effect on the actual gameplay itself which is what makes this game the best ever. Call me what you will. I tell it like it is.

Yay, an opinion of your own! Good job. I knew you could do it.

What it all boils down to is what YOU expect from the game, and what YOU like/dislike about the game. Not everyone is going to share the same opinion, and you have to respect that.

[GMonroy]

Re: How would you rate 2k8? Review wise.

I do. Like I said this guy was just lumping everybody who likes 2K together. I do not see why you are on me when he was doing that. Oh well it takes all kinds no? :P

[Skerik]

Re: How would you rate 2k8? Review wise.

I'll give it a solid 5.

Let's see....incredibly bare-bones game modes, including lack of franchise mode which has been in every sports title for the past five years or so. Stale animations. Very stale commentary. Braindead CPU DBs who don't react to the ball as it's moving past their heads. Ridiculous "pound on the A button" running system. (What is this, Track and Field for the NES?) Lousy playbooks with no variety. Every team pretty much plays the same. Overpowered legends who can't be tackled or caught by mere mortal default players. Overdone and overexaggerated momentum system. "Realistic" moves like charging up a QB for a super-throw by holding down the A button.

Etc, etc, etc. I could go on, but I agree with Sully's point that 2K could take a steaming dump in a box and sell it for $60 to 95% of their fanbase. So pointing out the flaws in the game is pretty much a wasted exercise at this point. But it is funny that for all the talk about the NFL license exclusivity meaning that Madden would lack innovation without any competition, 2K's fanbase is so happy with such a stale and dated game.

But I guess you can't really improve what's already perfect.

[JayBee74]

Re: How would you rate 2k8? Review wise.

I don't play favorites, and have been highly critical of EA's football game in the past. I'm simply calling it like it is.

Actually Sully, you are calling it like you see it, which is fine, but I still don't understand your "pricing reasoning", where you are paying $40 more for a game that is essentially 2k5. As critical as you have been of EA's football games have you ever called them to task for having the audacity to charge $50-$60 for a game? 2K should be penalized because they ridiculously lowered the price of one of their games 3 years ago? There is a greater "night and day" between 2K5 and 2K8 then the Madden and NCAA series of the last 5 YEARS. The legends, the atmosphere, the tier no number ratings, the attributes, the online factor where you're not seeing the same 3 or 4 NFL teams all the time, THE IMPROVED DB AI (hey, they don't jump 10 yards from the ball anymore do they?), and the commentary (well 6 out of 7 ain't bad).

[spankdatazz22]

Re: How would you rate 2k8? Review wise.

In the same token, VC could've packaged 10 Yard Fight with a APF 2K8 label, and the 2k fans would love it just because it isn't Madden.

I don't play favorites, and have been highly critical of EA's football game in the past. I'm simply calling it like it is.

C'mon man - there's no need to make this into a "2K fanboys accept everything" argument. I respect your opinion. The thing that stuck out to me in the comment I quoted was the referencing of the price point - yet again. Before APF released, there were many threads debating it's price point - an argument I'd say we don't have for most other games. Some yes, but I think more often than not the 2K5 $20 price point is used against it. Then why aren't other games held to that standard? While the price point helped them gain a bigger market share, it also seems to have given people the perception that it should be the lesser priced product. 2K5 offered more than what Madden was at the time, yet there wasn't an outcry for Madden to lower it's price. Nor is there the perception that Madden should be priced less - as I said, the CG game is priced at $49.99. And I think it's safe to say it won't be much different from '07, which wasn't that different from '06.

It's not a fanboy sentiment imo. I don't visit a lot of sports gaming sites, but the ones that I do - even Maddenmania - have had relatively large pockets of fans that appreciate APF for what it is and what it's bringing to the table. Many of Madden's biggest features are gang tackling, double team blocking, branching anims, the ability to replay any play at any point from the game - all features that were in 2K5. Which was three years ago. And which was as you say, $20. Yet I think it's safe to say no one will bring that up in a review as a negative - it probably won't be referenced as anything but a positive. No one will argue that it should be priced less because these were things we got for a lesser price years ago.

Obviously I love APF - it feels like football, it brings emotion back to videogame football that hasn't been around. And they did it without the benefit of a blueprint in not having a license. Sure, they missed on some aspects - but they hit on a helluva lot more imo. If the game is only marginally successful I kinda hope they don't come out with another one. Collectively we don't deserve it. Especially when I'm willing to bet next year Madden/NCAA will look more like APF than vice versa - the same argument some of us were making 3yrs ago w/2K5.

[Bizzy Da Kid]

Re: How would you rate 2k8? Review wise.

In the same token, VC could've packaged 10 Yard Fight with a APF 2K8 label, and the 2k fans would love it just because it isn't Madden.

As for longevity, obviously, YMMV, but I just don't see it. I've played this game offline for a week, and I'm bored of it.

So true.

I would love to see a thread with the opinion of those people who have never played 2k5.

[spankdatazz22]

Re: How would you rate 2k8? Review wise.

But it is funny that for all the talk about the NFL license exclusivity meaning that Madden would lack innovation without any competition, 2K's fanbase is so happy with such a stale and dated game.

But I guess you can't really improve what's already perfect.

It's funny and sad that you see people talking positively of the game, yet your interpretation is they're saying "it's perfect".

Your feeling of staleness, that it's "2K's fanbase" that's only accepting the game - despite the fact that there are 2K fans that don't like it because of the direction they took, etc. is your opinion. As I said, Madden and NCAA will look more like APF than vice versa next year. I think Tiburon's movie thing is a great idea. But outside of that, other than the obvious (graphics/franchise), there isn't much I'd say APF needs that either NCAA or Madden has, or will have. Gang tackling, double team blocking, etc. - let's be thankful that Tiburon's getting these ideas from somewhere.

[Sully]

Re: How would you rate 2k8? Review wise.

Actually Sully, you are calling it like you see it, which is fine, but I still don't understand your "pricing reasoning", where you are paying $40 more for a game that is essentially 2k5. As critical as you have been of EA's football games have you ever called them to task for having the audacity to charge $50-$60 for a game? 2K should be penalized because they ridiculously lowered the price of one of their games 3 years ago? There is a greater "night and day" between 2K5 and 2K8 then the Madden and NCAA series of the last 5 YEARS. The legends, the atmosphere, the tier no number ratings, the attributes, the online factor where you're not seeing the same 3 or 4 NFL teams all the time, THE IMPROVED DB AI (hey, they don't jump 10 yards from the ball anymore do they?), and the commentary (well 6 out of 7 ain't bad).

In fact, yes, I have criticized EA's games for their lack of innovation. Regardless, it's my choice to pay the $60 for the game. With that said, I can't recall EA ever stripping as much from a game as VC did with APF2K8. They opened themselves up to such criticism because they chose to price NFL2K5 at $20.

That's neither here nor there. I'm speaking exclusively about APF2K8. The DB AI is still a major issue with the game. Saying that it's better than what we saw in NFL2k5 isn't saying much. I've seen DBs standing still, like they're stuck in mud, as the ball sails over their head. I've seen AI controlled DBs run directly past the ball carrier to a blocker a few yards away. Granted, I have seen some good, such as DBs going stride for stride with a receiver. However, when the ball is thrown, on several occasions my DB failed to even make an attempt on picking it off or swatting it away. So, yes. If you're asking me if I'd rather have DBs jumping from 5 yards away to swat a pass down, I would agree. At least that's...challenging. Furthermore, if you've played this year's NCAA game, it's been toned down. Still there, but toned down. I guess I'd compare it to the slight improvement from the DB AI in NFL2K5 to that which I've seen in APF2K8.

What APF really has going for it is the atmosphere and presentation. Best I've seen. The commentary is awful, and I'm sure we can all agree on that, but it's still better than what we'll get with NCAA and Madden.

As for longevity, obviously, YMMV, but I just don't see it. I've played this game offline for a week, and I'm bored of it. Luckily, I see it having some legs online, but only if I'm involved in leagues that institute an offline draft. Still, we're capped at 15 teams because there aren't enough bronze legends to distribute amongst a larger league without having duplicates.

As I posted in a previous reply, for the most part, I'm enjoying the game. That doesn't mean it's perfect, in fact, it's FAR from it. Just because I think it's a 6 or a 7, that doesn't mean I dislike it. That just means there's a lot of room for improvement. And if you (not necessarily you, JayBee) can't see that, you're lying to yourself.