The Next Level - Game Preview

ESPN NFL Primetime 2002

Developer: ESPN the Games | Publisher: Konami

	Type: Sports		Skill Level: Adjustable
	Players: 1-2		Available: November 13, 2001

While many football fans this year will continue to support their respective favorites in the market, ESPN the Games is looking to step onto the field and intercept some of limelight. Designed to give players an authentic experience, ESPN NFL Primetime 2002 incorporates the hardcore action and essence of the ESPN legacy.

Visually the player models are decent, bearing resemblance to those seen in the first edition of the NFL 2K series and Quarterback Club 2002. Featuring a variety of animations, players will walk, hustle back to the line after the end of play, or even take a moment to engage in some personal praise after a well-executed sack. Overall, the players move exceptionally smooth, though personally -- I think that some additional tweaking would make the action look and feel as natural as possible. While I realize most will never pay much attention to the audience, the developers shouldn't have depicted them in such a low resolution. It makes it somewhat difficult to tell whether they're cheering for a play or standing up.

However, what Primetime 2002 lacks in cosmetics, it makes up significantly in gameplay. Player actions are responsive and diverse, allowing you to speed burst, spin, hurdle, use stiff arms and juke left and right respectively. Defensive elements consist of ball rush, line shifts, and ball stripping - essentially the required actions that define the football experience. Initial impressions of the AI indicate cleary show that its substantially intelligent. Don't expect to get away with any 'golden' play in your trek to the endzone. No two plays are guaranteed to work twice (I found this out the hard way after my passes were picked twice). The same can be said when you're on defense. With over 500 plays at your disposal, stay sharp, study the offense's strength and weaknesses - force those turnovers or you'll discover more than just your ego being shattered.

NFL Primetime 2002 contains several modes for single and two-player action which include Franchise Mode, Tournaments Practice and Scenario. Below is a bulleted list which outlines each game mode...look for our Xbox coverage, showing off some sensational screens to be featured tomorrow.

Franchise Mode

15 seasons for career mode
Trade players, sign free agents, manage rosters, release players
Players reitre or are released by computer
Computer initiates trades
Set Mode Difficulty
Toggle Salary Cap on/off
Pre-seasons games in season mode
Pre-season draft - with timer adjustment
Set depth charts, substitutions, etc...in coach mode
Edit existing NFL players
Put players "on the block" to shop them to other teams
Conduct fantasy drafts
Create players - set profile, skill attributes, model size, weight, equipment
Create Free Agents - player salary increases/decreases with ability settings
Simulate computer games in season mode
Watch computer games in season mode
Edit depth chart by quarter in pre-season, begin games with your starter but also give you rookies some playing time automatically
Players improve throughout pre-season, rookies get better o worse depending on playing time and success on the field

Tournaments

Includes most franchise mode features
Round Robin and Elimination formats
Up to 16 teams in any one tournament

Practice

Practice team playbooks and kickoffs
Toggle defense on/off in practice mode
Set line of scrimmage in practice mode

Scenario

Recreate the great drives of NFL History
Set Home/Away score
Set Quarter and Time remaining
Set Home/Away time outs remaining
Set line of scrimmage, down and distance to 1^st down

Last Update: 9/21/01

ESPN the Games straps on the pads and drives into the endzone with the action-packed release of ESPN NFL PrimeTime 2002 for the PlayStation 2, PC and Xbox platforms. A launch title for the highly-anticipated Xbox, ESPN NFL PrimeTime 2002 brings the game to the fan as only the Worldwide Leader In Sports can--by capturing all of the precision passing, dazzling catches, bone crushing tackles, and hardcore action of America's favorite Sunday pastime. ESPN NFL PrimeTime 2002 combines the wit and insight of ESPN with amazing 3-D graphics, smooth animations, and fluid gameplay.

Key Features:

Feel The Power of the NFL -- Five unique gameplay modes allow gamers to get the full NFL experience. Play an entire regular season, build a team from the ground up and pull the trigger on blockbuster deals in the GM mode, customize play in the tournament mode and hone skills in the practice mode.

Create the Next Rookie of the Year - With the extensive Create-a-Player feature, the free agent pool is virtually limitless. Plus, these rookies get better with experience…better watch your salary cap!

It's Primetime... Primetime... Primetime With Full-ESPN Integration -- From pre-game hype to post game interviews this game has it all. In addition to Chris "Boomer" Berman and Tom "TJ" Jackson in the booth, ESPN NFL PrimeTime 2002 has authentic ESPN graphics, in-depth statistical analysis from the ESPN research department, and even a bottom of the screen sports ticker.

NFL Pro Bowler Edgerrin James -- ESPN NFL PrimeTime 2002 is endorsed by two-time Pro Bowler Edgerrin James of the Indianapolis Colts.

Play The Game The Way You Watch It -- ESPN NFL broadcast camera angles, ranging from behind the quarterback to deep in the endzone, lets players change to a variety of views during the course of the game.

Graphics So Realistic You'll Be Blown Away -- In addition to true three-dimensional depth with life-like polygonal players and realistic environments, ESPN NFL PrimeTime 2002 pays attention to the most minute details ranging from coaches pacing the sidelines to dirt accumulating on players' jerseys and stadium reflections on their helmets.
· · · Bahn