Return to the Gridiron… Review

Return to the Gridiron…

for Acclaim’s newest sports spectacular NFL Quarterback Club. While
the format of the game can be compared to most other recent editions, the
Saturn’s superior sound and graphics open entirely new avenues for the
football enthusiast. The introduction to the game itself propels the
player into the high drama and emotion of the sport.

As the teams take the field, it becomes obvious where the Saturn system has
enabled Acclaim to improve on its earlier versions. With the eight button
controllers, NFL Quarterback Club allows the player to perform a
myriad of dazzling spins, straight arms, and bursts of speed and power that
make the running game more realistic and exciting. Many of the strengths
of this game, however, come from the facets of the game that the player
cannot control. For example, defenses are much smarter, adjusting to
offensive formations and not frustrating the player with the idiocy usually
demonstrated by the positions not controlled by the user. Pass coverage is
also improved as many defensive line players leap to knock down passes
before they even leave the pocket. The three levels of play, Rookie, Pro,
and All-Pro, see to it that the user is properly challenged as his/her
abilities progress.

Improvements have been made to the offensive passing game as well. With
effective pump fakes that draw the defense off the receiver and the ability
to reverse formations from one side of the field to the other, the user can
select from over 800 plays on each down. With an adapter purchased
separately, a staggering 12 players can participate in a game at once, each
controlling their own player. As appealing this may be to the athletically
impaired, this game player would rather go outside and play a real game
with my eleven willing participants. Sure, there is no instant replay from
1000 different angles and distances, but sunshine is good for the
soul.

Weaknesses in the new model include the following. The games are too long;
even on the shortest time setting, one half of play can take over an hour.
Part of what delays the process is the digitized referee that comes out
after each play to declare, with long and deliberate hand motions, whether
it’s a first down, incomplete pass, or a penalty. Equally as frustrating
is the fact that when you substitute one player for another, he doesn’t
seem to remain in the game for more than a couple of plays before the guy
you just removed is back on the field. A good addition to NFL
Quarterback Club might be a little home crowd enthusiasm when their
team plays well. At the present time, the only crowd noise is coming from
the people fighting over condiments at the concession stands.

Overall, the game impressively combines the high impact, rock’m sock’m
football style that makes these games exciting with the new technology
available through the Sega Saturn. Kudos to Acclaim, mission accomplished
with NFL Quarterback Club.