From the Manufacturer
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This series' mixture of showboating flash and primetime play is
an intoxicating combo that hides its simple premise as a
pick-up-and play, multiplayer-on-the-couch game. This brand of
football was defined in the original NFL Street perhaps a little
too well. I say that because it's sequel time and all NFL Street
2 can come up with on the field is one new move.
The game has expanded in other ways, but this was mainly to
diversify and get away from the grinding, boring structure of the
first title. You can play through challenges with your created
team (NFL Challenge), take your favorite team against all the
other NFL franchises (NFL Gauntlet), or cruise the city picking
up players and playing Street Event minigames (Own the City
mode). When you step back and think about it, NFL Street 2 has
diversified to essentially offer three different ways to play the
game. I'm torn as to which way I like to play best, and it's
almost a shame there isn't one ultimate way to experience the
entire title. For instance, I like the feeling of building up the
skills of each team member in NFL Challenge, but this is absent
in Own the City. For its part, however, this mode changes things
up with Street Event minigames some of which are better than
others (all are online, however).
Despite the myriad ways to experience the game, at its heart,
this sequel is virtually unchanged in the gameplay department. I
loved the wall jump, which works really well as an evasive
manuever, but the GameBreaker 2 (see below) is a big, egg.
Apart from the lack of additions, there are problems that aren't
cleaned up as well. Players' response to your commands can be
sluggish, there are no hot routes, and defenses lack any kind of
ball swat move. I also don't like how the impact gear isn't
prevalent.
This series is one that posits itself as of the pick-up-and-play
variety, which is certainly true. But that doesn't leave it long
enough legs to help it run away from the moniker of "mediocre."
Concept:
You'll love the wall moves, but the majority of the changes this
year are structural
Graphics:
I was surprised that there didn't seem to be a lot of new tackle
animations
Sound:
Contains the usual host of EA Trax tunes, including a clutch of
exclusive songs
Playability:
Players' response to your controller inputs is a tad slow, but
signature moves are easier to pull off
Entertainment:
More fun than the first, but not by much. This is the game last
years' should have been
Replay:
Moderately High
Rated: 7.5 out of 10
Editor: Matthew Kato
Issue: February 2005
2nd Opinion:
Ryan Leaf comes to mind when I think of the new GameBreaker 2.
All this hype and excitement, and they turn out to be the most
disappointing aspect of the game. It's a major buzz kill that the
computer controls these maneuvers for you. I want to play the
game, not watch it from the sidelines! And why does this game
make Xzibit look like the greatest talent in football? What's
next? Ray Charles in NFL Street 3? On a positive note, the new
wall moves are implemented nicely and really open up the running
game. Own the City mode also offers up a nice variety of
challenges and unlockables. At its core, this is still a
hard-hitting game, but the majority of new content just doesn't
sit well.
Rated: 7.5 out of 10
Editor: Andrew Reiner
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- Add more style to your game by making no-look, one-handed grabs, dive tackles, button-mash ball strips -- plus new hurdle wraps and run-specific defensive line moves.
- Seven New Game Modes never seen before in any football game.
- Rub it in - Celebrate that winning score with one hand as you make a mid-air snatch with the other.
- Recruit new players by hitting the streets - take over neighborhood leagues and dominate the competition.
- Revamped GameBreakers for dramatic sequences -- running backs launch off lead blockers, linebackers throw defensive back over the line to force turnovers and much more.