Sega promises that the game is so real it sweats. Not quite true.

Let’s tackle the game’s weak points.

First, after cycling through the offensive formations, where is the shotgun hidden?

There are some startling graphic flaws in this game. When a timeout is called, players automatically run to the sidelines and stand facing the endzone (that is a gameplay flaw, not graphic); but if you look at the hash marks, particularly the 40-yard field marker, you will see it wavering as though it was rippling water or flames.

The playing surface itself lacks the detail present in other titles, like Microsoft’s NFL Fever 2002.

At times the player heads can appear like they were put in a vise – the sides are a little squashed and they are oblong. The helmets, unlike other similar games, are not polished, but rather dull and – for the most part – unreflective. Yes, you will see something that looks like light reflections, but there isn’t much there.

There are also some difficulties with the sound of the game.

The offense has the ball on about the opponent’s 39-yard line. Instead of trying the field goal, they elect to punt. The punter angles a nice little drop inside the 10, the ball rolling out at the 8. The announcers quickly talk about what a terrible punt it is.

Some of the players are identified only by number, instead of name. Sure, the Rams kicker is Wilkins, but why is Baker (the punter) only identified as “4.”

It is very unusual for a quarterback to start calling signals as he is walking up to the line of scrimmage.

Statistically the game is a little weak as well.

The situation is third and goal from inside the defense’s 1-yard line. The handoff goes to the halfback who flies through the middle of the line for the touchdown. He is credited with the touchdown, but the carry goes down as 0 yards. According to the way stats are kept, that should be a touchdown run of 1 yard.

The game’s strong points include some nice running moves, such as a hurdle.

And there is a strictly cerebral mode of play – inviting the player to take on the roll of coach, calling the plays and then watching the players act them out without having to control players. This may seem somewhat lame to the hands-on player, but for gamers who don’t quite have the digital dexterity to juke, tackle, angle and hit or scan a field as a quarterback, this provides a nice opportunity to play the game with some success.

Replays are well done, and the score ticker across the bottom of the screen gives the game a sense of games on television.

Any game on this platform, within the same genre like football, will be compared to similar titles that is inevitable. When pitting Sega’s NFL 2K2 against Microsoft’s NFL Fever 2002, Sega’s title comes up short. It has some nice features, but to put it in NFL terms, both the Carolina Panthers and Detroit Lions have some good players, but still the two teams combined for a 3-29 record. That won’t get you even close to making the playoffs.

This game is rated for Everyone.

Gameplay: 7.5
Some nice elements is the way the game is realized on the field has to battle with some poor ones (like the aforementioned sideline line-up), but overall this game doesn’t not do a bad job of representing the sport.

Graphics: 7.5
There are some drawbacks, and some nice touches. This, again, is a case where the game has some pros and cons. Overall the look is decent, and the animation is very solid.

Sound: 6.8
There are several anomalies with the way the game is presented by the announcers. The contact sounds are good, though.

Difficulty: 6.8
This game offers several difficulty levels, but the player interface does not quickly enable players to cycle through all the play options.

Concept: 6.8
This is the third installment of football games for the Xbox, and while it does add some new features, it ranks third in the hunt.

Overall: 7
This game does offer some nice options, but really can’t compare to other games in the genre. If you are after some solid well-rounded football game play, where you have a hands-on role, this game is not for you. If you like just calling plays and watching the action play out on the screen, you may enjoy this game.