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Blitz: The League proved an NFL license wasn't necessary for a football game to flourish, not when you have a sordid storyline filled with more scandals than a tabloid newspaper. The title happily explored the taboo subjects of steroids, drugs, women, and profanity in professional sports, wrapping it all up with the same exaggerated action that first endeared the series to arcade addicts in 1997. After all, a game of Blitz is not about breaking records, it's about breaking bones. Though it's been a full year since the PS2 and Xbox games hit the shelves, Blitz: The League on Xbox 360 is less a sequel and more a slightly enhanced remake.

Clash Dance

Even if you haven't touched a Blitz game in years, you won't take a long time to adjust to this game. There are 30-yard first downs, late hits, nonexistent penalties, and plays organized by terms such as power, speed, and trick. The biggest addition to the classic formula is the "clash mode," which temporarily slows the action down so you can perform dramatic jukes, catches, stiff arms, and quarterback evasions. Yet before you can unleash a clash move on an unsuspecting rival, you have to first fill a horizontal meter by gaining positive yards.

Delay of Game

Linking together multiple clash moves, scoring touchdowns, and taunting earns you tokens to fill a second horizontal meter that activates an "unleashed mode." If clash is all razzle, then unleashed is all dazzle. Unleashed moves can result in one-handed grabs or superhuman stiff arms, with tackles more likely to trigger fumbles or twinge-inducing injuries that show bones snapping in CSI-style cut-scenes. While the moves are entertaining to watch, the transitions between the "normal" game action and the clash/unleashed modes is like flooring the accelerator and then slamming on the brakes, disrupting what should be a frantic, fast-paced experience. It can also be disorienting, as the camera moves closer to the action and suddenly reverts back once the slow motion ends.

The Business of Football

While the on-field action is certainly different than the earlier Blitz games, the campaign mode is even more unusual. The edgy story follows a fledgling team's pursuit of a championship -- not for pride, but so the owner can generate the revenue needed to secure a city-purchased stadium. After creating the team's name and choosing a city, logo, and one of three home stadiums, you'll select two position "stars" from a pool of three rookies and three veterans. A trainer is also required, who will address a certain team deficiency and can help individual athletes improve their attributes by assigning them three-week regimens. Cinematics before each match-up show the behind-the-scenes wheeling and dealing that goes on, which further draws you into the action.

A Date with "L.T."

The goal of the campaign is to win a certain number of games in each of the league's three divisions. You will be challenging 15 fictitious teams on your way to facing off against your chief rival, the New York Nightmares, led by team captain Quentin Sands (voiced by Lawrence Taylor). Players begin the campaign with $100,000, which can be used to purchase shoulder pads, helmets, gloves, shoes, and sleeves for your team. Each piece of equipment adds to the team’s overall stats in areas like tackling, agility, and catching ability.

Cash Incentives

In between games, players can decide to “juice” an athlete by purchasing expensive steroids and other enhancements to improve his conditioning at the risk of getting him hurt or caught by the league. A cell phone lets you receive text messages from the owner, team doctor, or league rivals who talk smack before each game. These rival messages often involve side challenges to focus on during the upcoming game, such as preventing a specific lineman from sacking your quarterback, for a cash bonus. Extra money can also be earned by wagering your team's funds to cover the weekly spread.

Pass or Play?

If all this sounds familiar, it's because Blitz: The League for Xbox 360 is a near carbon copy of the game on PS2 and Xbox, warts and all. The catch-up AI quickly turns potential blowouts into nail biting and controller slamming affairs, the loading times are still way too long, and the visuals aren't much of an upgrade. The online community is sparse at best, and the single-player campaign features the same storyline, with the only differences being some extra team logos and city name options, and the inclusion of Bill Romanowski as the voice of Bruno Batagglia. While Blitz: The League addresses a void on Xbox 360 for hard-hitting, arcade-style football, owners of the year-old original will flag this version for unnecessary toughness.

Article by: Scott Alan Marriott
Video produced by: Jonathan Solin