Disappointment abounds after less than enthusiastic impressions of All-Pro Football 2K8
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By late in the evening, the thread at Operation Sports had nearly reached 350 replies. Multiple threads on the 2K forums were created, including ones with different theories and conspiracies about why the game wasn't being touted as the greatest thing ever.
The first frustration came from sitting though a multi-hour show that everyone seemed to feel was completely worthless and embarrassingly bad. That likely didn't help matters.
After finally getting to the discussion on APF, they laid out many details of the game that were previously unknown and gave their overall impressions on it.
-Essentially the game is NFL 2K5 only with Legends/generic players replacing the NFL license
-Were surprised by the low quality trailer
-Graphics are mediocre. Looks like 2K5 with polish.
-May have downloadable content
-30 stadiums (did not like the over-the-top nature of them)
-Didn't have enough "time" to implement a franchise mode
-Customization can't be used online. No custom teams, plays, uniforms, or created players,
-Players were generally too skinny looking
-Natural Motion was not utilized
-Still has the button mashing for speed burst
-Pass defense seemed to be done well
-Ability for custom soundtracks
-Didn't see a halftime show or highlights. Presentation has taken a hit after losing ESPN license. It could be that they just didn't see it or it wasn't in that build however.
-Full resources were not given to the game as they want to see how it sells as is before committing more to it
-2K fans should still enjoy the game
-Not a real next-gen experience
A few months back I laid out how APF could be successful in the current marketplace. They haven't followed much of what seemed to be obvious. The marketing has been lacking to say the least and there have been many questionable decisions along the way.
It was a risk to abandon their fans on the PS2. The same ones who bought the game for $20 because it was a bargain. Many of those have not moved on to new consoles, yet they're left without the opportunity to buy the game. With it looking like the game could have been made for the PS2, that could very well end up being the most regrettable decision of them all.
There is still much we don't know about how APF will work, let alone if it will be any good. Hell, 2K has yet to even confirm release date. That doesn't instill a great deal of confidence in those who are following along.
As I've been saying for a while, the talk behind the scenes was that APF wasn't shaping up to be anything extraordinary. So the continued support of that belief has not come as a surprise.
Regardless, the hardcore 2K fans who want to support it will still purchase the game. Unfortunately, that group is no where near strong enough to support it by themselves. If that is all that comes out for it, there won't be any follow-ups in the series. Will there be enough interest to expand to others? Will Madden and NCAA fans give it a chance? There is no way to know that just yet, but the recent revealings haven't given much hope that they will be swayed to do so.
June 12, 2007 at 6:45 am
I admit, the graphics so far arent as nice as they should be (next gen) but we will not know anything about anything until the game drops. If the game is fully customizable, why can you play it on online w/ the team you customize. If 2k sports didnt say it on their site or a rep from 2k didnt say it… its all speculation. First they didnt say if the game had hall of famers on it and people trashed it, now it does cause 2k says it does… Its cool to say stuff, but if you are wrong then what??? NBA 2k7 looked like trash and EA NBA looked so dope that I copped EA’s version… Hugh mistake. I think I will rent booth games and see for myself on this one.
That trailer sucked for all pro though…
Shoe
June 12, 2007 at 3:31 pm
i agree that the trailer of all pro 2k8 was 2k5 with a shine 2 it! i got doubts about buying it now and i’m a huge nfl 2k5 fan!!!! madden duzz blow it out graphic wise though>>> i hope that aint the official game! i did’nt see any true next gen detail in the graphics..it was all foggy!! 2k whut’z up???
June 14, 2007 at 6:30 am
I don’t agree. I’ve reviewed the trailer on numerous occasion (downloading the Quicktime version from the 2k site) and I transferred it to my 360 so I could see it in a larger view. While the models do resemble 2k5 there is more than a little more sheen on it. Also, side to side comparison of pictures of the game compared to pictures of madden prove that this is more than a slight graphical upgrade.
The trailer shows many things well like the way the running game is comming along, lineman actually created passing and running lanes – actual movement at the point of attack where both sides of the line are actively trying to gain advantage. A spin move that was actual efffective, a boat load of new animations, real time reflections, real weather effects (the way the rain was forming and boucing off of Mike Singletary).
At a glance it does not seem like much is going on, but if you reviewed the video you would have noticed these points.
June 14, 2007 at 7:11 am
I think one thing to consider is that a trailer is supposed to catch people’s attention. If you’re marketing the game, you’re lucky to get consumers to watch it once. Suggesting that once you watch it multiple times or in different ways that you’ll pick up on things may be true, however it is not realistic to think that will translate to people who are on the fence whether to buy the game or not.
June 20, 2007 at 8:27 am
Continuing the anti blur during gameplay campain.
I have one question. Did 2K turn on the blur during gameplay? If not, my guess is that people will assume the graphics are superior to NCAA, or Madden, due to the use of the blur effect in those games.
The campain continues