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NFL Head Coach 09 Review

12:19 PM - August 22, 2008 by RaychelSnr

We have posted our review of NFL Head Coach 09.

Quote:


	"You don�t control the players. A football game where you don�t control the action on the field seems rather unconventional to most gamers, but there is actually a large market for players who would rather coach than play. While not quite on the same level as PC-based text simulations, NFLHC is deeper and more engrossing than any console sports simulation that has come before it. If you�ve ever wanted to look over depth charts, assess salary cap situations, develop young players, and find draft-day steals, Head Coach is for you."

NFL Head Coach 09 screenshot gallery - Click to view

Game: NFL Head Coach 09Reader Score: 8/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / Xbox 360Votes for game: 64 - View All

NFL Head Coach 09 Videos

Member Comments

# 21 TCrouch @ 08/22/08 02:35 PM

El Greazy, let me clarify that right up front: the reason it didn't impact my score is directly because of the fact that the developers are on here so much and have given us very simple workarounds. My "real" job is a technical support rep for a software company, so I'm probably more versed than most in how complicated it is to account for every little issue that arises. The support that has been given to the community to account for, acknowledge, and provide solutions to the bugs that crop up is the best I've seen from a major company with a major release like this.

Josh, I understand it sucks, a lot of reviews will slam a game for bugs. I will dock it some if it breaks the immersion and really messes up the experience, like the injury bug would have done withour your guys' giving us a workaround. Since I had simple ways to get around the issues that it does have, it didn't really dampen my enjoyment of the experience.

# 22 swaldo @ 08/22/08 02:38 PM

Bought the CE and haven't even touched Madden yet. Good review and fair score. With a game this deep you have to be cool about some of the issues. If total hours of play were the only way to score a review then Head Coach would definately get a 10.

# 23 Lintyfresh85 @ 08/22/08 02:42 PM

Do many forum posters understand the concept of what a "game breaking bug" really is?

That means that one bug has rendered the game unplayable. So we're talking a MASSIVE bug. People throw around the word "game breaker" like they throw around the word "great" when describing an above average player. There are NO bugs in this game that "break" it.

Frustrating? Yes. "Game breaking"? No.

# 24 mwjr @ 08/22/08 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by southernbelle


	great review. i wish they would make a coach sim for college football!

I'd love that, too. But I'd love to see that NCAA game from an AD's perspective.

In addition to developing your football team, what about managing boosters; allocating money to other athletic programs; building new workout and practice favilities.

# 25 deebo2246 @ 08/22/08 03:16 PM

^^^^^I do not think that concept would be as big as an NCAA Head Coach game. However they could use the AD in place of the GM and it can work that way.

# 26 sroz39 @ 08/22/08 03:17 PM

I'm stuck on the fence with this one. I've only played the demo that's on PSN and admittedly, this is NOT my type of game. I love Franchise/Owner modes and such, but I equally like playing the games.

But this one is SOOOOOOOO good at what it does. You guys did a great job with it...and also a great job with finding a way to make a demo out of a game that doesn't lend itself too well to a "quick" look, so to speak.

I have a feeling that me skipping out on buying Madden for the third straight year was a good choice, because I now have some cash to pick this one up. I think it'll be too much to resist this one too much longer. ESPECIALLY when the NFL season kicks off.

Again, nice work guys. And a great review. Playing the demo, I wasn't aware of some of the deeper aspects of this game.

# 27 Lieutenant Dan @ 08/22/08 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TCrouch


	El Greazy, let me clarify that right up front: the reason it didn't impact my score is directly because of the fact that the developers are on here so much and have given us very simple workarounds. Josh, I understand it sucks, a lot of reviews will slam a game for bugs. I will dock it some if it breaks the immersion and really messes up the experience, like the injury bug would have done withour your guys' giving us a workaround. Since I had simple ways to get around the issues that it does have, it didn't really dampen my enjoyment of the experience.

Josh, I love ya, man. And I love how you guys are here listening to us and working on fixing things to give us the best experience possible.

I was also not indicting the game in any way; I scored it a 9 on the reader's vote.

I don't think you took it that way, but I just wanted to assure you, my thoughts were that other sites/reviewers aren't necessarily privy to the same info on workarounds, nor the knowledge work is under way to address the issues, hence when they encounter the bugs during their review process it could really hurt the score. And I HATE that because, sadly, not everyone reads OS reviews to get the real deal. They'll just read IGN's or GS review and call it a day, and if they do, they could miss out on one of the best NFL experiences ever created.

# 28 Lieutenant Dan @ 08/22/08 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goalkeepr


	Love the game, but QA was lazy. "NNAMDI ASOMUGHA IS READY TO NEGOTIATION HIS FREE AGENT CONTRACT."

Okay...I have to admit that's almost signature-worthy.

# 29 Josh_Looman @ 08/22/08 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lieutenant Dan


	Josh, I love ya, man. And I love how you guys are here listening to us and working on fixing things to give us the best experience possible. I was also not indicting the game in any way; I scored it a 9 on the reader's vote. I don't think you took it that way, but I just wanted to assure you, my thoughts were that other sites/reviewers aren't necessarily privy to the same info on workarounds, nor the knowledge work is under way to address the issues, hence when they encounter the bugs during their review process it could really hurt the score. And I HATE that because, sadly, not everyone reads OS reviews to get the real deal. They'll just read IGN's or GS review and call it a day, and if they do, they could miss out on one of the best NFL experiences ever created.

Not at all. I didn't communicate clearly but what I meant is that if we get a 40 or a 50 that's because of bugs, I think that's unfair.

When Game Informer said our game was like a team going from 5-11 to 6-10, I thought that was pretty silly.

The guys on this team killed themselves on this game and they deserve credit for what they did.

Outside of the bugs, I feel like everybody is having a really fun time with the game and I think the OS review was the most fair I've seen yet.

To me, a review is meant to look at the overall experience and judge the game's value compared to other titles.

# 30 Lieutenant Dan @ 08/22/08 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh_Looman


	Not at all. I didn't communicate clearly but what I meant is that if we get a 40 or a 50 that's because of bugs, I think that's unfair. When Game Informer said our game was like a team going from 5-11 to 6-10, I thought that was pretty silly. The guys on this team killed themselves on this game and they deserve credit for what they did. Outside of the bugs, I feel like everybody is having a really fun time with the game and I think the OS review was the most fair I've seen yet. To me, a review is meant to look at the overall experience and judge the game's value compared to other titles.

Amen to all of that...and shame on GI!

# 31 enderfall @ 08/22/08 05:37 PM

I would give this game a solid 8. There is certainly much promise for the future, as long as we (the gamers) support the title. With some tweaks next year, this could be a 9 for sure (in my book at least).

What really prevents me from giving this game a higher score is that you can't AUDIBLE once you call the play. So if think the CPU is going to pound it up the middle on 3rd and short and you call a base 4-3, but they run out 3 or 4 WR's, you are screwed. Same goes for the offense, you want to air it out on 1st down, but the CPU looks like they are bringin the house, there is nothing you can do but cringe when the play falls apart, or worse.

# 32 Shakes @ 08/22/08 06:28 PM

I love playing this game and cant get enough of it. I would probably score it an 8.5 because of a couple of bug factors.

1) The fumbles. I know its been beaten to death but unlike the review its the other way around for me. I always fumble in a game it seems like but my opponents never do (and when they do they challenge and the play gets reversed)

2) The 2 minute game. This one annoys the crap out of me as you can not audible plays from the line of scrimmage. Even timeouts used can be incorrect at times. The running out of time at the end of the half when about to kick the game winning field goal is another one. .

3) Speaking of field goals, Why can David Akersw hit a 52 yard field goal in supersim mode but every field goal from 46+ ends up short (even with help fro0m a 20 mph wind at one time).

4) Defining moments. Now for the most part I think these are great but a few need to be ironed out. When I am up in a game with 20 seconds to go and I have to run one more play on 4th down, that should not be a defining moment.

The first 3 are the most important. #4 not so much. Dont get me wrong though, this game is very addicting. Personally if I were the developers I would not release one in 2010 but in 2011. Look at Madden, honestly I am not too thrilled with franchised mode and as far as superstar mode...uh why is it there again? I think you could get a much better collection of what gamers want tweaked and/or added with a 2 year waiting period that doesnt seems like a rushed game then a 1 year.

Anyway basically starting from scratch and dismantling a god afwul original HC game (I was able to draft reggie bush at the 25th spot for crying out loud once) the developers deserve alot of credit to bringing probably my favorite Football game since NFL2k5. (But um..can you not have the intro rip my favorite team with a pass to Reggie Wayne to win the SB?) For the record its going from 5-11 to 11-5 not 6-10. Still some things to work on but overall still one of the best games out there on the market for sports fans.

# 33 TCF @ 08/22/08 08:03 PM

despite the bugs i give this game a 9.5 out of 10.

# 34 erivera7 @ 08/22/08 08:32 PM

Bill Abner had high praise for the game, giving it a B+, which is real good coming from him.

http://nutweasel.blogspot.com/2008/0...-tecumseh.html

# 35 coach422001 @ 08/22/08 08:53 PM

Great review. I held off on getting Madden to see if HC was as good as the previews suggested. One question regarding the work arounds to the current bugs: I did see the warning not to edit plays from the clipboard or you get the injury bug. Are there other workarounds given and is there someplace where these are outlined/consolidated?

Thanks!

# 36 The Chef @ 08/22/08 09:02 PM

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.

# 37 Matt Diesel @ 08/22/08 09:56 PM

Does Gore know the plays you are calling? I find that when a RB doesnt know the play being called, he looks lost.

Good review. One of the more in-depth reviews I have seen on here.

# 38 The Chef @ 08/22/08 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mddst34


	Does Gore know the plays you are calling? I find that when a RB doesnt know the play being called, he looks lost. Good review. One of the more in-depth reviews I have seen on here.

He does, in fact they are all mastered since there are so few in Mike Martz' playbook. Im not going to get too involved in that here though since this is more for the review but Ive posted about it in other areas.

# 39 Perceptor @ 08/22/08 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh_Looman


	Not at all. I didn't communicate clearly but what I meant is that if we get a 40 or a 50 that's because of bugs, I think that's unfair. When Game Informer said our game was like a team going from 5-11 to 6-10, I thought that was pretty silly. The guys on this team killed themselves on this game and they deserve credit for what they did. Outside of the bugs, I feel like everybody is having a really fun time with the game and I think the OS review was the most fair I've seen yet. To me, a review is meant to look at the overall experience and judge the game's value compared to other titles.

Well said Josh and I agree about the GI comments...however, IMHO the whole review was a joke...anyhow, I gave this game a 9.5 and out of all the football games I've played, this is the most I've played since Madden 05...

# 40 druez @ 08/22/08 10:10 PM

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.

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