[redwo1f]

Impressions? Here is my steam review (regarding launch version):

Last year I gave the 2018 edition a C/C+ with a thumbs up - this year's edition I would rate it currently as a C++.

It is a pretty decent game and can be a quite fun change of pace/alternative to other football titles. Know what you are getting - for those that have 2018, the gameplay is improved moderately (definitely not substantially (almost consider it a patched++ 2018 regarding gameplay - but much better QB pocket awareness, RB movement, and overall fluidity)). There are certainly areas to improve upon - but it can play decently and games can be quite competitive and fun. It will also generate pretty realistic stats in general. You can also adjust various aspects of the game to suit your taste - like game speed for example. The player models have been improved, but the animations are the same as last year (though I believe they added a few new ones here and there). The commentary is identical to last year. The main focus for this year's edition was the back end and huge upgrades and features were added to franchise mode including individual coaches, training, morale, enhanced scouting, trading (and also of future draft picks), draft, facilities, practice strategies, extra and enhanced stat tracking (no player career stats yet though), ability to spectate any match in your league, etc.. a ton of stuff! - and a little more than I personally need, but if you are a GM freak and into all that extra stuff, you will really enjoy it. I personally like the fantasy aspect as the game has a fictional tier system with relegation and derelegation of teams depending on year-end performances, but there are mods available to introduce NFL or college teams (or XFL, etc) into the game if that is important to you. Also, you can do all kinds of graphical editing with uniforms and create your own fictional teams if you want as well - a nice bonus.

I personally wish they had spent 80% on gameplay, 20% franchise rather than the other way around, but I do know that 2020 edition is slated for a huge front end gameplay focus (and that learning the ropes of console certification for previous edition cost some time to the development cycle this year, unfortunately). But that is neither here nor there - what matters is the now and what is presented as the 2019 edition. The huge additons to the franchise and modest improvements to gameplay (which is a weaker aspect of the game) leads me to a soft thumbs up. If you are expecting Electronic Arts based resources from a very small indie group who all have day jobs (but are passionate about their work and the game of football) - then look elsewhere. The game is not targeted to be a Madden killer, nor is it. What is does offer is CHOICE, a unique experience, a fun football world, and as I said earlier - a fun change of pace. I enjoy the game and you might too. I also don't take for granted that we have this PC version (where not all indie developers are willing to go, unfortunately). This game has been steadily improving over each successive edition. Having choice in this market is a very good thing and when considering it in a broader market perspective, then my thumbs-up is given with far more vigor.

(*biases- I play coach-mode (that is the way I like to play) and also spectate a lot of others team's games AI vs AI)).

It is worthy of support as are the developers (and hopefully there will be some further gameplay adjusting patches, we will see) Many of you will enjoy this offering like I do, and if you don't, that's cool too.

Mantra - Nothing is ever as bad as some people make things out to be, nor as good as others will have you believe.