Arena Football (2006)

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.

The tackles in the game—some of which can literally send players flying into the bleachers—are the most vertebrae-jangling hits we've seen this side of a roller derby.

This isn't a game of depth. This is quick football satisfaction and little else. Against a few friends over the weekend, Arena Football is an excellent diversion, but it won't replace "Madden" or even "NFL 2K5" until the weather turns cold again.

I have no idea why this title was even made. [Apr 2006, p.118]

While Arena Football plays well and offers some decent multiplayer fun, you'll find better sims---"Madden", NFL 2k"--and arcade-style games--"Blitz", "NFL Street"--out there. [Mar 2006, p.91]

The game play isn't as fast-paced as you'd think. There isn't that much razzle-dazzle in the playbook, although the game's pass plays are adequate.

While the overall control scheme works well enough, kicking long range field goals through the notoriously tight uprights is far too simple. The limited playbook also gives the game a stale feeling and the half baked telemetry system fails to save the gameplay with largely unimportant statistical minutia delivered in eye-straining small fonts and obnoxious menus.