When I was 10 years old, I got my first Playstation for Christmas. I remember the anticipation killing me, as I knew I’d be receiving it, but I couldn’t wait. Because I knew the only game that’d be coming with it: NFL Blitz. My parents, being the technologically savvy people they are, (my dad, to this day, still calls my 360 a “Game Boy”) forgot to buy a memory card. I played an entire season as the New York Jets on Christmas day, and was hooked. Point being, I hold a soft spot in my heart for the Blitz series. Even after EA bought the license to the NFL, I played and loved the original Blitz: The League. So when the sequel was announced, I was giddy.

The first thing to do when popping in a Blitz game is to leave any seriousness at the door. This is not how football was meant to be played. It takes thirty yards for a first down, running the ball with anyone but your QB is worthless, and late hits are abundant and encouraged. This game, from its offensive-minded gameplay to its offensive storyline, graphics and content, screams over the top. While that may sound bad, it’s not; it’s just the mindset needed to enjoy the game.

For anyone who has played Blitz before, this will be much of the same. While there are new teams and the campaign mode is a bit more fleshed out, it’s essentially the same game. There are a few new features. A new tackling system allows you to target a specific body part, like shoulders, the head, the chest and the knees. It sounds nice in theory, but the system is mostly for show. When I heard this, I couldn’t wait to crack an opposing running back with a helmet to helmet tackle. But that’s not the case. There’s only a few canned animations that seem to pop up at random, regardless of where you’re hitting the player. A new late hit system follows the same logic, as you can beat down certain body parts. This is fun, simply put. There’s nothing more fun than drilling a kick returner with your kicker, taking his helmet off, beating him with the helmet and watched the blood splatter on the camera like you’re watching Dexter.

The graphics in this game are very impressive, doing things even Madden doesn’t do. Games with inclement weather are particularly impressive. Playing in a driving downpour really looks like it, as the rain seems to pound down in bunches as opposed to a steady rate. Raindrops will also accumulate on the camera, which is a unique touch. Snow actually seems to accumulate on the field as games go on, which is a nice change from Madden’s graphical style. Cutscenes in both the campaign story and pre-game film strips look great, and the player models and stadiums are diverse enough to really make the League come alive.

Things get over the top when injuries come into play, graphically speaking. While the cutscenes for some injuries (shoulder stingers, bruises, concussions) are tame, some are insanely bloody and graphic. Even bone breaks end up spewing blood and the bones look horribly disfigured afterwards. These scenes fit the overall tone of the game, but get old quickly and could offend the squeamish.

The gameplay is solid, if only a bit easy. It isn’t going to be long before you find your money play and run it to death. Games normally only end close due to Blitz’s legendary rubberband AI. Things on defense should seem hard, due to the offensive happy rules, but unless the AI is passing short or running, you can all but eliminate the passing game by demolishing the wideout long before he gets to the ball.

The meat of the game will be found its campaign mode, as you play as “Franchise”. Franchise is the first player to play both ways in years, and is fawned upon by every franchise in Divisions 1, 2 and 3. You are selected number one overall, but opt to play only for your hometown team, which you create and is placed in Division 3, the lowest of the three. In a nice take on things, you pick your two positions (offense and defense) and all your important skills by answering questions at a press conference. Despite the game letting you create a team and your player’s skills, it does not let you customize your character’s appearance, which we found to be quite odd.

As you play through the campaign, you’ll rise through the divisional ranks by winning their respective titles, similar to the promotion/relegation system seen in European soccer. Of course, the story won’t make it easier on you, as the commissioner of the league holds a grudge against you for shunning your responsibilities to the Los Angeles Riot. The storyline, penned by the writers of the old ESPN show Playmakers, flows nicely and has some nice twists.

 Our biggest complaint with campaign is the twist following the Division 3 season, as you end up playing in a prison game. However, you have to beat the game and cannot be injured in it. But since it’s a prison game, there are no pads. And your player plays both ways. This makes it nearly impossible to avoid being injured throughout the course of the game. I spent a good part of two days trying to beat this, nearing crushed my controller eight times in the process. Also, the campaign is predetermined, so you’ll be facing the same teams in the title games every time, if you choose to play through it multiple times.

All the promos for the game feature Lawrence Taylor, who plays teammate Quentin Sands. But the game also features voices from Jay Mohr, Bill Romanowski, and Frank Caliendo, who lends his John Madden impression to the in game commentary. While some of it is genuinely laughable, I think I’m a bit burned out on Caliendo (blame TBS’ playoff baseball coverage) and he doesn’t have that many lines, so they’re bound to be repeating. All in all, the voice acting is very solid, but the soundtrack is forgettable.

Online mode runs smoothly if you need a break from the campaign mode. There’s also a tournament mode (very handy for local co-op), and a slew of bonus modes like the aforementioned prison ball and “Lucky 7s” mode, which docks you a point for every offensive that you don’t score on. The bonus games are worth a few playthroughs and are infinitely more fun with a friend.

All in all, Blitz isn’t going to be for everyone. It’s not that deep, lacking the polish of Madden’s franchise and NCAA’s online dynasty. But if you’re looking for pure, unadulterated fun, you don’t need to look much farther than Blitz: The League II.

Be sure to check out TestFreaks.com for more expert opinions on Midway’s latest title, Blitz: the League II!