Zombies. They're frick'n everywhere.
In all but the lowest difficulty, running up the score against a computer opponent is a good way to set yourself up for throwing interceptions, fumbling the ball, not being able to recover an onside kick, or your opponent’s ball carriers suddenly being able to shrug off eight tackles in a row. It’s not a huge problem since the CPU AI is largely brain dead, but it’s very transparent.
The routes your AI players run on offense vary greatly in intelligence. Sometimes you’ll pitch the ball on an option only to have your running back gracefully step out of bounds. This could also be a control issue, but until I got better at calling plays, I had a harder time keeping my offense running smoothly.
Other game modes include Blitz Battles, which is your standard online versus mode as well as Elite League - where you create a fantasy team from packs of cards you buy using your Blitz Bucks from the Blitz Store. You’ll earn Blitz Bucks by playing online. (I’m pretty sure this is the most I’ve typed the word "blitz" in succession since my high school papers on World War II.)
Setting up a co-op game is fairly simple. You can either hit “Play Now” and set one friend to your team (local only), or select “Online Co-Op” and do the same. The game supports four players locally, but with only two players on a side. Unfortunately this means the local co-op is limited to just two.
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Realism is for chumps.
While playing in co-op, the lead profile will start out as quarterback and handle all play calling, then continue to do so through the next set of plays on defense. After that, your partner takes over for a set of offense/defense, and so on. You can change this behavior via a cheat, but only after you unlock it in the Blitz store. Whoever isn’t leading the charge can use their player to run more effective routes, or be more aggressive on defense. I had a lot of success by having one of us take safe coverage on defense while the other took pot shots at the opposing quarterback.
Playing Blitz with a friend is just as fun as it ever was. The following house rules are key for having a good time while playing co-op:
- Never punt
- Field goals are for quitters
- That free extra point? Ignore it. Always go for the two point conversion.
- That play you selected? Ignore it. Your partner is better than any AI player.
- “F the Steelers” - Andrew ‘Cubninja’ Gaskill
Pretty much every mode will allow you to bring a friend along for the ride, but Blitz Battles and Elite League require you to be playing against other players. I was disappointed that we couldn't play co-op with a fantasy team. The more robust game modes are versus human players, only.
NFL Blitz is a solid package with a wealth of competitive modes and wackiness to keep things interesting. I wish more of the game were playable in true co-op, but as is, there’s very little I could ask of EA. I’m pretty happy with this revival, and being released on the download services was a very good idea. Hopefully the next entry can expand on things a bit.
Editor's Note: The Co-Optimus Co-Op Review of NFL Blitz was based on the Xbox Live Arcade version of the game.
Verdict
Co-Op Score
Overall
The Co-Op Experience: NFL Blitz supports two player local co-op as well as two player online co-op.
Co-Optimus game reviews focus on the cooperative experience of a game, our final score graphic represents this experience along with an average score for the game overall. For an explanation of our scores please check our Review Score Explanation Guide.