Making Order Out of Chaos

Do you remember the first time you watched a football play unfold? I couldn’t even figure out where the ball was. I just saw a bunch of guys in helmets pushing each other around and falling down. It’s this confusion that lead so many to believe they simply can’t understand football, or that there is nothing to understand—it’s simply mass chaos. Neither perception is true, but they both alienate future fans from the outset. Football video games are no different, so it’s important to ensure that there is enough guidance available in the game to make it accessible by anyone.

Put on your game face, and get ready.

NFL Fever 2004 tackles this problem from a few different angles. Not only does it offer enough options for the complete novice to feel comfortable, but it also has a depth of training that’s useful for veteran players as well. Let’s check out what Fever has to offer—I promise you’ll feel better about football.

The top option on the NFL Fever 2004 main menu is Practice, and you’ll receive most of your education there. The practice menu contains the following options: Training Camp, Chalk Talks, and Open Practice. Let’s dig a little deeper, shall we?

Training Camp: Suit up, Jelly-Butt!
The Training Camp is less about understanding the fundamentals of the game and more about helping you feel comfortable controlling the players. There are 13 different mini-training sessions. You’ll learn and practice how to sprint, juke, spin, and shoulder charge while running; you’ll try your hand at the basics of One-Button, Trigger, and Read and Lead passing; and you’ll get a chance to practice kicking and tackling. This area should allow you to feel comfortable enough with the controls that you won’t need to think “Crap, which button do I push?”

That play could use some refining.

Chalk Talks: Sit Up and Listen
My advice to you: Watch these videos! Watch them now, and then watch them again. Chalk Talks are narrated by football correspondent Ron Pitts, who will break down all the complexities you’ll need to understand. I especially found the explanations of the offensive and defensive playbooks educational. There are a few other instructional lessons including a good discussion of Read and Lead passing and how it can benefit you. Do yourself an enormous favor and watch all of the Chalk Talks. Your game will be the better for it.

Open Practice: Once More, from the Top Please
Open Practice exists solely for you to work in a non-game environment on any plays or situations you want. It’s good for the beginning player just trying to get comfortable as well as the Fever veteran who wants to test out new tactics. You can practice every part of the game by selecting one of the following categories:

• Offense
• Defense
• Kickoff
• Kick Return
• Offense Only (this means that only the offensive unit is on the field, so you can practice timing routes without having to worry about coverage).

Practice makes perfect.

In-Game Advice
If the above pre-game tutorials and practice options aren’t enough for you, don’t fret: Fever provides a wealth of in-game guidance. During each game, your coaches offer advice and tips in the form of suggested plays, analysis of the opposition’s play-calling trends, or warnings when you’ve picked the same defensive package too many times. Listen to these guys; they’re looking out for you. Make sure you also take a look at the Coach’s Choice playbook when selecting your plays. The coaches in NFL Fever 2004 have recommendations for every conceivable situation, and when you’re unsure what to do, their proffered choices can save the down.

The advice, lessons, and available practice options are great for seasoned players if they need a refresher, but you know these features really shine when you hear a true novice say, “Oh, that makes sense! I get it now.” That’s when all the blood, sweat, tears, and groans of frustration are worthwhile. The next time someone says, “Nah, I don’t want to play, I’m just not good at football games,” just smile and point them toward practice mode. You’ll have a new competitor to play in no time.

By Alex McLain