NFL Head Coach 09 Review

[druez]

This game gets a 6 from me. Maybe after they patch it a bit, it might go up.

But a couple of things to note here. The running game is bleh. The 2 minute offense is bleh. The fumble bug is game breaking. Created plays can be easily abused e.g. I created a defensive play that I get about 10 to 12 sacks a game from and it stops the run.

If this game was made by a small developer, it would be ok. Because patches would come frequently and often. We will see one patch that will only fix a few things.

The graphics are average, the sound is average.

[Josh_Looman]

Quote: Originally Posted by Pimping219

Good review for the most part, there are a few areas I completely disagree with but thats how it goes I guess. Just to throw it out there, you mention in it that star RB's will hit the hole much quicker while backups and journeyman will struggle to find the hole, take longer and have a tougher time running. Well I use Frank Gore who is now a 90 and he still cant hit the hole fast, and I have seen on more the once occasion per game him hit the hole and somehow turn and run backwards away from the hole, so dont know whats going on there.

If you are expecting Gore to make amazing runs on every single play, it's just not going to happen.

Unfortunately, no video game accurately re-creates real life 100%.

We did the best we could to make things as realistic as possible.

[The Chef]

Quote: Originally Posted by Josh_Looman

If you are expecting Gore to make amazing runs on every single play, it's just not going to happen. Unfortunately, no video game accurately re-creates real life 100%. We did the best we could to make things as realistic as possible.

Ok, whatever you say, you certainly jumped to the opposite end of the spectrum dont you think? I dont believe I said I wanted him to have amazing runs on every single play, my problem is when guys run into a hole only to turn tail and run backwards out of the hole and losing 4 yards in the process. Then there is the RB who runs parallel with the LOS and never even turns it up field. I get that this is probably more designed to get the outcome the simulater kicks out and its about the results and not how we got there but there is a serious problem with how the RB plays when watching the game unfold on the TV.

Say, since we are talking, any ideas as to how to stop a guy like Alex Smith from throwing for 300+ per game? Im not trying to be sarcastic but its a legit problem that seems to be being overlooked. Is there anything you can tell us as a hint as to what might be causing it to happen? Im talking about constant 300+ yard games, Alex Smith throwing for 5000+ yards and winning the MVP award based solely on Mike Martz' playbook. Any help would be awesome.

[Josh_Looman]

Quote: Originally Posted by Pimping219

Ok, whatever you say, you certainly jumped to the opposite end of the spectrum dont you think? I dont believe I said I wanted him to have amazing runs on every single play, my problem is when guys run into a hole only to turn tail and run backwards out of the hole and losing 4 yards in the process. Then there is the RB who runs parallel with the LOS and never even turns it up field. I get that this is probably more designed to get the outcome the simulater kicks out and its about the results and not how we got there but there is a serious problem with how the RB plays when watching the game unfold on the TV. Say, since we are talking, any ideas as to how to stop a guy like Alex Smith from throwing for 300+ per game? Im not trying to be sarcastic but its a legit problem that seems to be being overlooked. Is there anything you can tell us as a hint as to what might be causing it to happen? Im talking about constant 300+ yard games, Alex Smith throwing for 5000+ yards and winning the MVP award based solely on Mike Martz' playbook. Any help would be awesome.

My point was that it's a video game and it's not going to be a perfect representation of real life. I watched Steve Slaton hit the hole and run backwards 45 minutes ago in the Cowboys/Texans game on CBS, though.

If this is happening to you on every single running play, it's a serious problem. I watched an entire game between the Chargers and Panthers today and saw that happen once so I'm not seeing it. I'll play some games with the 49ers on Monday and see if it's happening as frequently as it seems to be happening to you.

And with the passing...is this with you calling all of the plays? Because if that's the case, I don't know why it's happening. Are you throwing on every down?

I know I've played dozens of games with multiple teams over the past few weeks and I've never had a QB finish the season with 5000 yards when I played the games. Some teams with pass heavy playbooks can throw the ball a bit much.

The 49ers were a bit heavy on the passing side, I agree. We've said from the start that we went overboard making sure that each team's style was unique and recognizable. If you start a career with the Wishbone playbook and sim a season, you may run the ball 70% of the time. We tuned it so that each team felt different each week and presented a unique challenge. We opted more for a fun sim football game vs. a realism simulator. I'm sorry you seem to be really disappointed with this aspect of the game.

In order to check into this, I need some help. What plays are you calling and how often are you calling them?

[The Chef]

Quote: Originally Posted by Josh_Looman

My point was that it's a video game and it's not going to be a perfect representation of real life. I watched Steve Slaton hit the hole and run backwards 45 minutes ago in the Cowboys/Texans game on CBS, though. If this is happening to you on every single running play, it's a serious problem. I watched an entire game between the Chargers and Panthers today and saw that happen once so I'm not seeing it. I'll play some games with the 49ers on Monday and see if it's happening as frequently as it seems to be happening to you. And with the passing...is this with you calling all of the plays? Because if that's the case, I don't know why it's happening. Are you throwing on every down? I know I've played dozens of games with multiple teams over the past few weeks and I've never had a QB finish the season with 5000 yards when I played the games. Some teams with pass heavy playbooks can throw the ball a bit much. The 49ers were a bit heavy on the passing side, I agree. We've said from the start that we went overboard making sure that each team's style was unique and recognizable. If you start a career with the Wishbone playbook and sim a season, you may run the ball 70% of the time. We tuned it so that each team felt different each week and presented a unique challenge. We opted more for a fun sim football game vs. a realism simulator. I'm sorry you seem to be really disappointed with this aspect of the game. In order to check into this, I need some help. What plays are you calling and how often are you calling them?

Im not calling the plays, Im letting my OC call them since I was afraid if I started calling the plays then paying a guy like Mike Martz to be my OC would be pointless. Ive asked around and nobody has told me if the OC serves a purpose other then calling plays, if the other factor is the increase and growth of your players then maybe I will go back to calling my own plays but until then Im going to keep letting them call. The other side of the coin is I want to see my team struggle because we have a terrible DC, so in turn I want to feel like I have an advantage with a good OC.

I really dont know how to describe it, Martz clearly throws the ball a ton, thats to be expected, I just dont see the troubles of having a bad QB under center and it makes it pointless to go out and get a new one since Smith is playing way above where he should be playing. Like I said, volume isnt the problem, its the insane accuracy at which Smith is torching teams. Im in the middle of a game but at the end I will see if I can track down Smiths season ending stats, as long as they dont reset for the playoffs then it shouldnt be difficult to find. In the end all I can say is let Martz pick your plays and see what happens, thats all Im doing and these are the results Im getting.

Ohh, in terms of Gore running backwards, its different if someone is in the hole and he is attempting to bounce it outside but Im seeing him run backwards out of a hole that is wide open without a sole around, its like the guy is seeing a ghost and is running away in fear. Its not just strange to see, its irritating to no end.

[MissionMaximus]

I am absolutely addicted to NFL Head Coach 09. The list of bugs is there but nothing gamebreaking(workarounds until patch). The Entire game is well-thought out and the design is superb. Madden is a good game but feels like arcade football compared to the true simulation that is HeadCoach 09. It's been a long..long..time since I felt this good about a NFL football game. After the death of 2k5. I thought I would never fall in love with another football game again, until she walked in and her name was NFL HEADCOACH 09

[texbuk84]

this look like its a great game.

[PRBoricua]

Excellent review, this is indeed one helluva game.

I haven't been this excited about playing a football game since the original FOF dropped, so, needless to say, Madden hasn't excited me in years. I essentially spent $90 to play Head Coach a month earlier. I know, I'm a sucker.

The fumbling bug is a problem in this game, I agree, but it's one I can look past for the time being, until a patch is released. The only time I get upset is when Matt Moore, a back-up QB for the Panthers is throwing like John Elway on "the drive" every possession and shredding my defense. That can be a bit frustrating, maybe I came in un-prepared, but I still don't think that I should get dismantled by a back-up QB like that, then again it just goes to show how into this game I truly am. The fact that I would cuss and scream at my television over a video game isn't something I've done in a long time.

Here's to hoping Head Coach prospers and becomes a regular on EA's roster.

Josh and the boys deserve a big, big signing bonus for this one!