Publisher: Microsoft
Ages: nine and up.
Parental
Advisory:
None
Roaring onto the field, Microsoft's NFL Fever 2004 is a contender that offers a good balance between arcade action and thoughtful sports strategy. And the game's ties with Microsoft's online services make it something of a standout.
NFL Fever covers all of the football basics that include modes for practice, managing teams and dynasties and playing a single game. In practice mode, gamers can refine their skills at passing, running and more. Besides managing teams, the general manager mode lets players haggle over contracts, execute player trades, draft new players and more. An impressive new coach's feature serves animated coaches on the sidelines that offer advice.
Casual fans who don't live and breath football will enjoy playpicker options that let them simply pick a basic play, for example, running or passing. And, of course, the game offers advanced options for those who completely understand the various formations and strategy.
For advanced players, the game offers revised tackling and blocking systems; defensive adjustments that include an improved secondary. A new offensive coordinator offers play-calling. The game now offers trigger passing-an ability to control the height of passes, and "read and lead" options that let players under or over-throw passes.
NFL Fever 2004 ties in with Xbox Live to offer roster updates, updated player ratings and tournaments. The multi-player features lets up to four battle head to head. The graphics are attractive and offer first rate stadiums and players, but they are not a huge leap over those in last year's version. The game also serves good play-by-play calls and color commentary
As part of the new XSN Sports brand, NFL Fever 2004 offers technology that promises to link the Xbox video game system and Xbox Live service with personal computers. The system is designed to offer personalized and password-protected 16-game user-created seasons and tournaments, and the service provides gamers with a virtual sports page of their exploits and broadcasts up-to-date statistics, standings, tendencies and trade proposals every 15 minutes.
NFL Fever 2004 is clearly the best in the series to date, and players won't go wrong with it. However, there are major players on the field that are worth considering as well.
9/8/03 www.daytrum.com Editorial Staff
