Let's play: ESPN NFL Football

By Paul Beevis

We have soccer; they have football (well that's how they view it).

But if chasing an oval pigskin while wearing two tons of body armour is your cup of tea then you'll be pleased to know a new contender has just juked onto the scene. Make no mistake, ESPN Football is good.

ESPN NFL FOOTBALL Format: PS2 Price: £39.99 Publisher: Sega Genre: American football

For fans of the Madden series, what will immediately strike you is the similarities between the two games.

The menu system has been lifted and re-garnished to work in more of a TV presentation style, with standard game options including training modes, a franchise league, quick set-ups and the like.

While the game loads you are treated to profiles of possible key players before entering a pre-match commentary scene where the pundits choose their 'one to watch'.

Gameplay is very similar to that of Madden 94, and while graphics and player animations are very good, they are not quite as sharp or contrasting as the old favourite.

On the plus side, the stadiums are more detailed, presentation is fantastic and the information graphics much clearer.

Replays are very smooth and there is an excellent feature where the commentator highlights the area on screen to show where any infringement takes place when a flag is thrown into play.

One brave new inclusion is a first-person mode.

Step inside the helmet of the quarterback and attempt to play the game through his eyes.

There's a realistic claustrophobic sensation as the linemen pile through attempting that sack before you can launch the perfect pass to an open wide receiver.

Manage to launch successfully and you find yourself in the helmet of the nearest receiver and must attempt the catch.

VERDICT Graphics: 85% Playability: 89% Sound: 79% Lastability: 89% Overall: 87%

While this mode is a great idea it is hard to get your bearings at times and a little too easy to run with the ball, but there is definitely some short term fun to be had.

While ESPN Football may be similar to Madden it does have some nice touches and is very enjoyable.

If asked whether this is better than Madden 94 I would have to say no, but if you like American Football and want two games then this is worth a purchase.

Currently the Madden series is the quarterback among rookies but through slacking off and reproducing yearly re-hashes they might be heading for a hefty sack from ESPN lineback.