"I've run out of things to say, so I'm going to
start repeating myself, and you're going to sit there and take it," says NFL
Tour
commentator Trey Wingo. Funny thing is, the repetition doesn't just come from
the half-assed announcing—it's spread throughout this entire rush job. NFL
Tour is
meant as an antidote to the million button-presses needed to survive EA's Madden, but its approximation of
football is oversimplified to an embarrassing level. Every seven-on-seven game
pits helmetless NFLers against one another, and playing on the offensive side
of the ball is a real ego-boost, because the defense is helpless. There is no
defense.
Nothing you do will get you a stop during the game's NFL Tour Mode, which is
yawningly unimaginative: Each first down is an easy 10 yards. Ultimately, that
turns every game into an extra-point affair. After each score, you'll have the
opportunity to go for one point (from five yards out) or two (from 10 out).
Out-two-point your opponent, and you'll win. Not thrilling. Also, for the Tour
Mode, you'll get stuck choosing a generic create-a-player from a small handful
of cookie-cutters.
Beyond the game: With the 10-yard first
downs, lack of any flair, and overall timid feel, this one is the epitome of
the NFL: the No Fun League.
Worth playing for: The game's saving grace is
the ability to change up the rules in head-to-head play. For starters, we
recommend switching to 40-yard first downs.
Frustration sets in when: The NFL's top running
backs are like Weebles on the gridiron—they simply won't fall down. In
one sample game, Ladanian Tomlinson kept his feet while breaking nine tackles.
That means some guys missed twice!
Final judgment: Like Trey Wingo, we've run
out of things to say, so we'll start repeating ourselves too: avoid, avoid, avoid.