Never mind that the NFL is playing solely for EA Sports, it was only a matter of time that the house that Madden NFL built would secure the rights for another pigskin fan favorite … the AFL. If you think this is an indoor version of Madden NFL or the NCAA Football game, think again because Arena football plays by a different set of rules that gladly have you knocking players over the boards into the crowds. Are you ready for some intense, bone-crunching football? Then let me tell you about Arena Football for the PS2.

If you’re unfamiliar with Arena football, allow me to introduce some of the game’s finer points. For starters, there are eight players in this game that play both offensive and defensive but most importantly this is a game that plays an old-school Ironman-styled football game on a 50-yard field. There are dasher boards that are considered in-bound so you can slam your opponent against it. In this football game there are no ties and its fast pace means a higher scoring game. The games other league rules can be found in the game’s Arena Football 101 tutorial but by the middle of the game players will already be more than familiar with the games rules.

And that’s the beauty of Arena Football, it’s easily one of the most accessible and easy-to-get-into football games that even gamers new to the sport will find simple to pick up and start playing. It’s also a game that brings all the things we love about the AFL, including an updated roster and favorite teams (from the Arizona Rattlers to the Los Angeles Avengers). Most of EA Sports usual additions are present in this game, including the option to create your own team and players as well as a Practice mode. Where Arena Football does drop the ball is in the game mode department. There’s the play-right-now exhibition mode and there’s even a Season Mode as well as the option to play online. I know, I know, it makes me sad too but then again the game’s saving grace is its gameplay and the solid controls that make this game such a joy to play.

The game’s controls are handled perfectly and on the PS2, everything from kicking to pulling off a sweet power tackle is not hard at all. While you’ll be tempted to fall into the familiar NFL rules pattern, you’ll be constantly reminded that the AFL does things differently (like once a player is substituted, they are considered “dead” and may not re-enter the game until the next quarter). Playing defensively or offensively, the game handles both well and since the game runs at a quick pace, you’ll be grateful that it does. New to an EA Sports football game is the ability to control a Receiver on the fly and the best thing is that you can create your own route as you attempt to evade the opposing coverage. It’s a nice touch that works well in this particular style of football.

Also new is the Telemetry system that allows you to catch a real-time peek at the opposing team’s fatigue level, strategies, passing tendencies and other weaknesses you can use against the opposing team. By moving the right analog stick you can light up the field and you’ll be able to pit a fresh receiver up against a tired defensive back (if the cone below their feet is red that means said player is running on empty) on a pass route. Even the new kicking game works great since it does a better job of giving the player more control over your aim. It’s great stuff, all right.

The game’s Season Mode allows you to play 20 seasons and it does so with most of the bells and whistles of a Madden game including the ability to modify even the littlest details of your team’s on-field and off-field decisions. There are even challenges that unlock teams and other goodies in the Milestones section of My Arena Football. It is here that you get to unlock extras by completing challenges like winning the Kicking Challenge or get six sacks in a game with the same player.

Graphically speaking, Arena Football is not the prettiest PS2 game. In fact, while the game does give us a great number of neat player animations and some decent player models, there are way too many PS2 graphical glitches that are just too hard to ignore. The game isn’t as sharp as Madden or the NCAA football games, making the fans look unrealistic and spoiling great tackles with some obvious clipping. The game doesn’t even offer a televised presentation feel but then again with great arenas and enough spectacular-looking plays, it’s a hard not to be impressed by what we get to see in this game. I mean, the first time a Nevada Gladiator is sent over the wall you cannot help but stand up and yell, “I hope your momma saw that.”

The game’s soundtrack is made up of some hard rock tunes from artists like Stain’d, Korn and Story of the Year just to name a few. These tunes suit the game’s fast and brutal gameplay but you’ll only hear it during breaks or during the main menu. There are no commentators so don’t expect any play-by-play here. What you will hear is the cheering fans, the linebackers make loud comments on the field and the pounding of pads and helmets.

Once again, EA Sports has hit the right note when it comes to football and this time it manages to bring a new kind of football game to fans of the game. Arena Football for the PS2 is a turbo-charged game that plays fast and plays hard but darn if you won’t have a good time on this field. It might not bee as deep or as packed as the Madden games but if you love good football or love the AFL, this is a game you won’t want to miss.

Gameplay: 9.2
The game plays like an Arena football fan’s dream come true and with the Ironman football style done right and the AFL rules and regulations in place, you’ll have your hands full with a football game that’s both fast and hard-hitting. The game modes are very limited but at least Season Mode and the online multiplayer mode will keep fans busy for a long while.

Graphics: 7.5
Visually, Arena Football on the PS2 just doesn’t look as sharp or as detailed as the Madden games on the same platform. There is some rather annoying flickering and clipping issues and the camera can be a bit shaky at times. Then again, there’s some great player animation and the arena looks packed with fans.

Sound: 7.0
There is no commentary to be found in this game but you’ll certainly hear a lot in this game. From the bone-crunching tackles to the Mac Linebacker pumping up his teammates, the arena sounds are nicely detailed. Even the fans sound great and the soundtrack isn’t bad at all.

Difficulty: Medium
Don’t let the different rules and high scoring style fool you, Arena football is easy to get into even if you’re unfamiliar with the sport or the AFL. Gameplay-wise, the opponent AI does a brilliant job of offering a good offensive and defensive challenge. 

Concept: 8.5
It’s Ironman-styled football and it’s well represented in this game. While the deliciously brutal gameplay makes this an intense game complete with all the AFL rules intact, fans will enjoy the worthwhile Season mode that almost makes up for the lack of Madden-like game modes. Oh, as for the Telemetry system is concerned, it just plain rocks!

Multiplayer: 8.5
Aside from playing with a friend using a single PS2 console, the real fun comes online against Arena football fans. Online the game runs at a steady framerate using a Broadband connection and with enough teams, there’s much to love here.

Overall: 8.7
All the general rules and fast-paced AFL action is present and accounted for in this game so fans of arena football will have a lot to cheer about with Arena Football for the PS2. While it certainly lacks in the game mode department and the presentation can be a bit disappointing at times, the games plays great and does a great job of bringing us a good sense of what Arena football is all about.