NFL Head Coach 09 Review

[MissionMaximus]

I am absolutely addicted to NFL Head Coach 09. The list of bugs is there but nothing gamebreaking(workarounds until patch). The Entire game is well-thought out and the design is superb. Madden is a good game but feels like arcade football compared to the true simulation that is HeadCoach 09. It's been a long..long..time since I felt this good about a NFL football game. After the death of 2k5. I thought I would never fall in love with another football game again, until she walked in and her name was NFL HEADCOACH 09

[texbuk84]

this look like its a great game.

[PRBoricua]

Re: NFL Head Coach 09 Review

Excellent review, this is indeed one helluva game.

I haven't been this excited about playing a football game since the original FOF dropped, so, needless to say, Madden hasn't excited me in years. I essentially spent $90 to play Head Coach a month earlier. I know, I'm a sucker.

The fumbling bug is a problem in this game, I agree, but it's one I can look past for the time being, until a patch is released. The only time I get upset is when Matt Moore, a back-up QB for the Panthers is throwing like John Elway on "the drive" every possession and shredding my defense. That can be a bit frustrating, maybe I came in un-prepared, but I still don't think that I should get dismantled by a back-up QB like that, then again it just goes to show how into this game I truly am. The fact that I would cuss and scream at my television over a video game isn't something I've done in a long time.

Here's to hoping Head Coach prospers and becomes a regular on EA's roster.

Josh and the boys deserve a big, big signing bonus for this one!

[Stain]

From one professional sports videogame journalist to another ... Mr. Crouch .. an outstanding article. Truly. Best on OS in quite some time. Impressive.

[Gim77]

Re: NFL Head Coach 09 Review

GI never gives good reviews unless it's Halo, COD or Zelda. I happen to love the game, Ive just had that freeze issue. If thats fixed, I will buy this game every year you release it.

[JRod]

Re: NFL Head Coach 09 Review

I disagree with Terry on the impact of the bugs and the final review score.


Let's say you don't visit or OS. How would you know about the bugs? Bugs that have been posted in various threads should knock down the review score.

Not because the game is bad but because it makes the game LESS PLAYABLE but not UNPLAYABLE.

Bugs whether or not there's a workaround should always impact a review and I believe the final score. Fix the bugs and then re-edit the review. That's how I believe it should be done. IGN doesn't do this, they usually will lowball a game and not edit the review to reflect the changes.

I think Terry's review, was the opposite. It was more of a grade on the potential if (now when) the patch was to be issues. I don't agree with it. Outside of that, I think it's a fine review. Covers all the details well.

[SlyBelle]

Re: NFL Head Coach 09 Review

I disagree with Terry on the impact of the bugs and the final review score.


Let's say you don't visit or OS. How would you know about the bugs? Bugs that have been posted in various threads should knock down the review score.

Not because the game is bad but because it makes the game LESS PLAYABLE but not UNPLAYABLE.

Bugs whether or not there's a workaround should always impact a review and I believe the final score. Fix the bugs and then re-edit the review. That's how I believe it should be done. IGN doesn't do this, they usually will lowball a game and not edit the review to reflect the changes.

I think Terry's review, was the opposite. It was more of a grade on the potential if (now when) the patch was to be issues. I don't agree with it. Outside of that, I think it's a fine review. Covers all the details well.

I have to agree. A game should be reviewed for whatever condition it is in at the time of the review not for potential or the fact the developers are very active in the community. Don't get me wrong, I personally like the basics and atmosphere and will be playing it quite a bit this year. However, there are quite a few issues (maybe none of them in some eyes enough to break the game completely) but when you string them all together, can be frustrating and potential buyers should be aware of these. I would fully support a second review once the patch is out, but although a large number of issues are being fixed, not sure all the rest will be addressed and likely won't.

If every game got reviewed on "potential" and the "development team" is great guys, well I think a lot of games would be ranked very high. I also don't think the developers should get down on these reviews, because in general it is a pretty decent first version and compared to other games where bugs are the norm, probably not that bad.

[ShaneTheMaster]

Re: NFL Head Coach 09 Review

Im not calling the plays, Im letting my OC call them since I was afraid if I started calling the plays then paying a guy like Mike Martz to be my OC would be pointless. Ive asked around and nobody has told me if the OC serves a purpose other then calling plays, if the other factor is the increase and growth of your players then maybe I will go back to calling my own plays but until then Im going to keep letting them call. The other side of the coin is I want to see my team struggle because we have a terrible DC, so in turn I want to feel like I have an advantage with a good OC.

I really dont know how to describe it, Martz clearly throws the ball a ton, thats to be expected, I just dont see the troubles of having a bad QB under center and it makes it pointless to go out and get a new one since Smith is playing way above where he should be playing. Like I said, volume isnt the problem, its the insane accuracy at which Smith is torching teams. Im in the middle of a game but at the end I will see if I can track down Smiths season ending stats, as long as they dont reset for the playoffs then it shouldnt be difficult to find. In the end all I can say is let Martz pick your plays and see what happens, thats all Im doing and these are the results Im getting.

Ohh, in terms of Gore running backwards, its different if someone is in the hole and he is attempting to bounce it outside but Im seeing him run backwards out of a hole that is wide open without a sole around, its like the guy is seeing a ghost and is running away in fear. Its not just strange to see, its irritating to no end.

I am see similar things, too. Many times RB are running backwards when there is clearly a hole there.

[bkrich83]

Re: NFL Head Coach 09 Review

I don't understand the score. While I've read a lot of great reviews from people, there is still a large list of bugs and glitches, some of them being game breakers yet it still receives a 9? What is going on here? A GAME BREAKING BUG means it completely ruins the game. That's like saying Halo 4 gets a 9 but oh yeah, there is a bug where your opponents won't die in online matches, ie: game breaker!!!!

Even still, I'm very much looking forward to testing this game out. Goes to show you EA what can be done to a game when you take the time to put some work into it, **coughMADDENcough**. If EA can make the patches a go, as promised, then I could warrant the reviewers rating of a 9.

Wait you're calling out a review score and talking about gamebreakin bugs, but haven't played yet?

LOL.

[AgustusM]

Dugg

[biglami]

i dont get y this game exists, but i guess if u have horrible stick skills and wanna manage a team then go for it

[adembroski]

Re: NFL Head Coach 09 Review

i dont get y this game exists, but i guess if u have horrible stick skills and wanna manage a team then go for it

Because some of us are football fans. Some of us enjoy the game as it exists, and don't particularly enjoy people dropping back 25 yards and going for it every 4th down.

Oh, by the way, some of us can spell, punctuate, and use capitalization as well.

[SinsemillArmy]

Re: NFL Head Coach 09 Review

i dont get y this game exists, but i guess if u have horrible stick skills and wanna manage a team then go for it

Well I dont get why Madden really exists. I guess if you have no football skills and are just a joystick jockey, and just want to delude yourself that you think you know football; then go for it dude.

[kingdevin]

Re: NFL Head Coach 09 Review

When watching the game unfold, what camera angles are available to watch??

[chuckm1961]

Re: NFL Head Coach 09 Review

When watching the game unfold, what camera angles are available to watch??

There are about five--defense view, press box, cinematic, broadcast, some others.

They need to improve this next year. There is no "coach on the sidelines" view, which seems bizarre in a COACHING GAME. And the press box view is like watching from outer space.

The ability to quickly flip through views during the game.... that's a major winner, keep that in please!