Five things All Pro Football 2k9 absolutely needs

[Mattigus]

I recently picked up All Pro Football 2k8 used at EBX. The premise of playing with legendary retired players appealed to me, so I wanted to buy this game new, until I read the reviews. After spending some time with it, I can say that there are several things that could have been easily implimented into 2k8 that would have made it a great game. Since there's still some hope for 2k9, here is a list of five things All Pro Football 2k9 absolutely needs.

5) Coaches

Having a team filled with legends is sweet and all, but why forget about the legendary coaches? Being able to choose from Landry, Ditka, and Walsh would be a great addition, and having their coaching styles affect gameplay would be great as well. Hell, we can even throw Madden in there as a bronze tier coach (and as a joke.)

4) Customizable teams

All Pro has a lot of customization when it comes to their teams. But when you can't use existing NFL teams and don't have an NFL license, you need to be able to customize EVERYTHING. My biggest beef with the game is the non-legend players. You get 2 gold players, 3 silver players, and I think 5 bronze players. The rest of the roster is filled with fake players. Being allowed to change these players names, or affect the way they play in any way, would have been an improvement.

3) Better player graphics

I don't consider myself a graphics whore, but when your game is based on NFL Hall of Famers playing again in the digital gridiron, they need to look SOMEWHAT like their corresponding real person. Some players look great, but I could barely recognize Joe Montana in the game. Case in point, spend more time modeling the faces.

2) Player personalities

Since we're talking about the players themselves, we should talk personality. Maybe they can create archetype personalities, and place players into these groups, and have them perform in this matter. I don't care how it's done, but if I see Jerry Rice do another gaudy touchdown dance again, I might puke my guts out.

1) Game modes

Besides multiplayer, the game comes with quick game and season mode. And practice. That's it.
If you're going against Madden, you need to have at least close to as many features as Madden, especially considering that Madden '08 is one of the most fully featured football games ever made. Some kind of franchise mode would have been nice (I don't care if it's not based on a real league. MAKE ONE UP!)

Since Madden ate the NFL license a few years ago, I've been waiting for a new football game that wasn't the same crap over again. Madden Wii came close, and I had very high hopes for All Pro 2k8. It has a unique premise, and plays solidly, but stil feels undercooked. I think that's what pisses me off the most. This game have a solid foundation and framework for a good game, but didn't take the time to paint the walls or install plumbing.

I'm sure no one else cares about American football games, but are there any opinions on the matter?

 

[Kakashi]

I have to fully agree with you, the game needs a lot of improvement. But I too agree with the Madden argument as well. I'm getting sick and tired with all these Madden games which is entirely almost the same thing every year, with the few added features which don't even impact the game much.

I used to love playing NFL 2K5, I thought it was a good game, just needed improvement. Sadly I have a few Maddens. Madden 00', 01', 03' 04', 05', 06', 07' and 08'. A lot of them are used, I've bought probably only one of them hah.