Violence, controversy and steroid-hungry muscles can only signal one thing… Midway’s Blitz series is back! It might be hard to believe but, from what we’ve seen so far, Blitz: The League 2 (BTL2) ups the ante in the aforementioned categories to a degree that borders on insanity, making the prior Blitz titles look distinctly Disney is comparison.
If you’re familiar with previous Blitz titles than you already know the series strives for a fast paced, high action ‘arcadey’ style of American Football as opposed to the simulation approach of something like Madden. The developers at Midway have cut away the fat that hindered the quality of BTL1 and (from what we’ve seen) reworked the positives to create a much more enjoyable and well-rounded game this time around.
Clash, Crash and Clobber
Of those positive elements, Clash Mode, which allows you to slow down time to execute some truly spectacular plays, makes a very welcome return. From impossible catches to near death inducing tackles, correct use of Clash Mode can have a huge impact on the outcome of a match. Initiating Clash Mode is, like the rest of the control scheme, very user-friendly and all done at the press of a button. The challenge is that you have to fill your ‘Clash Meter’, by making big plays or landing dirty/late hits against your opponents, in order to set the mode in motion.
Perhaps the most satisfying use of this feature is the new ‘hit-targeting system’, allowing you to hone in and attack specific areas of your opponent’s body during a tackle. As you approach your ill-fated victim the controller’s face buttons appear over certain points of their body, all you have to do is press the button that corresponds to the area you want to hit. A basic mini-game then ensues, challenging you to smash the button as fast as you can before reaching the prey. If successful a short cut-scene plays showing the damage done to your opponent. These cut-scenes are truly gruesome and wouldn’t look at all out of place in a horror game, not least because the body itself is depicted without skin, allowing you a good look at the snapped bones, torn muscles and ruptured arteries in all their macabre glory.
Ball buster
The final game will feature roughly thirty different injuries, each with its own unique cutscene. Of the ones we know of so far the most horrific are undoubtedly the snapped collarbone, broken ankle and wait for it… a ruptured scrotum. Yes, we are serious. If you’re unlucky enough to be on the receiving end of an injury all is not necessarily lost, as you have the chance to repair some of the damage through another mini-game. For example, popping dislocated joints back into place requires you to time and position the analogue sticks correctly within a circular meter; something not too dissimilar to the Fight Night Round 3 system for recovering from knock downs.
Even after a successful repair job your player doesn’t instantly return to full health, his stamina level is affected for at least the next few plays. In most other ‘sports’ titles this wouldn’t be such a big deal, but stamina plays a large part in BLT2 dramatically affecting your overall ability. If your player’s stamina is reduced to fifty percent all other stats will also be cut in half, meaning he runs slower, is easier to tackle, more susceptible to injury etc.
The carnage doesn’t stop there as downed opponents can be assaulted using a variety of brutal attacks that would make the most hardened of UFC fighters squirm. These range from curb stomping to the old classic of battering your opponent’s head with your own helmet. The player on the receiving end has the ability to reserve any potential attack, so you’ll need to choose your battles wisely.
Juice me up!
BLT2’s primary single player mode is the campaign, which combines on field action with the lifestyle of professional athlete. If you’ve ever played NBA Ballers: Chosen One then you’ll know Midway has attempted this blend before – with disastrous results. The implementation and variation of the off the field elements seem to be a lot more substantial in BLT2 though, and should add to the experience rather than detract from it. Some examples include interacting with your agent, betting on matches, indulging in some good ol’ juicing – known in Olympic circles as doping – and doing your best to juggle anything up to three girlfriends.
Throughout the campaign you play as ‘Franchise’, a newcomer to the league looking to join his first team. Character creation takes the form of a press conference in which your answers determine Franchise’s position and key abilities. Fans of the original BTL should be pleased to know that the infamous matches against the prison team are set to return. Humorously the prison team’s starting QB, Mike Mexico, bears more than a slight resemblance to the currently incarcerated, former Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Vick. So if you’re a Falcons fan this is your chance to give Vick that punch in the face you’ve been saving for when he gets out.
But I thought he was on my team…
Ranging from blinding sunlight to all out blizzards BTL2’s weather affects not only look fantastic, they have a major effect on gameplay. Players are much more likely to slip and fall on an icy pitch leading to fumbles and turnovers. As matches progress the playing surface degenerates in the extreme – especially in the rain – with the resulting mud bath covering the player’s jerseys to such an extent that it becomes difficult to tell one from another.
In-game commentary is provided by Frank Caliendo, from American sketch show Frank TV. Caliendo was selected as a result of his John Madden impressions and that’s the exact role he takes up here, resulting in voice work that’s more comedy than commentary.
All in all Blitz: The League 2 is looking like a massive step in the right direction for a series that has often struggled to find a dedicated audience. Midway seem to have learned fron the mistakes of the past, which we’re hoping will result in a accomplished, polished title come release.
Blitz: The League 2 is due for a October 13th release in the US, and October 24th in Europe. Stay tuned for our comprehensive review.
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