NFL Head Coach 09... will you bite?

[DSpydr84]

It was pretty obvious that with the first installment of the game, EA couldn't have choked worse if Royce Gracie had 'em in the octagon. The optimist would say "It couldn't get any worse", but the pessimist would respond "I wouldn't be surprised." So what's a guy to do? Certainly, EA couldn't possibly release a game that's THAT bad again... could they?

One thing is for certain; it may be just as bad, but it won't be the same.

The development team revealed that "Nothing is carried over from the original NFL Head Coach" and that "all of the logic and features have been re-written from scratch".

Definitely a good start. What else is there to look forward to?

I'm glad you asked.

A create-a-play feature has been added, which makes you wonder why it wasn't in the game in the first place. Another feature allows you to change a play in the game. If your opponent is constantly beating you with a heavy pass rush, you can adjust a play to add blockers mid-game.

Also, they've added Adam Schefter from the NFL Network for media feedback of what's happening around the league. This ends up being perfect for the draft, which is as deep as I've ever heard.

Apparently, EA has hand-created 21,000 rookies with unique ratings, stories and personalities. This creates the overwhelming feeling of these kids actually being alive. They've even created mid-season fake college news, with details about the Heisman hopeful, the top-25 and big college matchups. To take it even further, they've added busts/steals in every draft class, making the scouting segment that much more important. Throw in the computer trading up and down, with itself and even offering you trades, as well as the ability to trade future draft picks, this is easily the best draft we've seen from any video game.

Even more features, such as roster cuts (from 75 to a maximum of 53), undrafted rookie free agents can enter training camp, bonuses, gameplans, personalities, creating and building your own playbook (which will have a difficult learning curve for players with bad "learning" ratings, or for some rookies), and even online play will join the fun. You bid for owners and GMs, not by using money, but by control. The more control you offer, the less control you have. An interesting twist to keep players on their toes. The list really does go on and on.

My advice? Rent it first, but I really feel EA has brought their game to a new level with this one. This truly sounds revolutionary in every sense of the word, and should keep you feeling worthy of running an NFL franchise even more so now than ever.

For more information, visit:

NFL Head Coach 09 : Release your inner Head Coach

[tdoggy]

It's a %100 buy for me

[SG_Fred]

not sure if i'm picking it up or not. i didnt really care for the first one after finding out all the problems/bugs. I'm sure it'll be better, but how much? I don't see myself playing this over madden right now, so if it was sold seperately I won't get it, and hell even if its sold with the madden package i wont get it if they have a regular madden package thats cheaper and doesn't include it.

[Moz]

One game at a time, if NCAA is what they say it will be I don't think I'll have time for Head Coach anyway.

[georgiafan]

Originally Posted by gtaspecialist12

It's a %100 buy for me

Yeah same here

[cusefan29]

Considering its basically only $30 with Madden, I am for sure buying it

[spqr-HAVOK]

I pre ordered the Madden 09 w/ Head Coach 09 edition. I really want to play HC 09 because it caters more to my style of football. I love madden but, with so much "user" interaction allowed in the series, it sometimes ruins the fun of the sport/game.

[tdoggy]

Damn I want this game more than any game this year. Just the potential it has to be the perfect game for me, and the way people have been speaking on it lately.

I'll give you guys a hardcore review after I get it and play it for about 3 days

[leftwich86]

I'm getting the madden anniv. edition so i'm getting this with it. I am more excited for madden but only slightly. i guess me and tbaggy will be the only ones on here playing Head Coach with eachother. (no homo)

[tdoggy]

I'm pretty sure Georgia,Fort, and Charger are pretty excited about it too, off the top of my head. But we're the only important ones