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The Plot:
 
 
I was very impressed with "NFL Fever 2002". While it's not an entirely fault-free offering (some of the AI didn't seem entirely right and elements of realism were questionable), last year's offering boasted smooth gameplay, excellent graphics and a solid overall presentation.
This year's edition really does not provide anything boldly new at first glance. Or at second glance, unfortunately. Although the addition of online play capability is now offered with this edition, XBOX online play won't be available until this Winter. As for gameplay, "NFL Fever" still moves at a hurry-up pace throughout the games, with energetic gameplay and smooth character animations.
The computer AI seems somewhat improved, as the defense of the opposing team didn't seem to let me fly through for the touchdown as often, leading to games whose scores and general gameplay seemed slightly closer to realism. There's still several little faults in regards to the title becoming a more convincing football simulation, though, such as the fact that the computer team never seems to not punt on fourth down, even when they have inches to go to reach the first down. The problem with last year's passing game, with passes that seemed to hang in the air for too long, is still a problem here.
The game still offers a handful of different ways to play: practice, single game and season (the last of which includes both dynasty and fantasy modes). Additional aspects of the game available in the General Manager section, such as trades and player/stadium editor. The game allows allows players to play as some classic teams, which is a fairly nice touch.
"Fever" is still a very entertaining game that compares to much of its competition well. Still, I was looking for the game to provide more of a leap over the prior edition. While online play certainly sounds entertaining and may change my overall opinion of the game, there are still some issues in this new edition that I was a bit unhappy to see still existing. This edition gets a slightly lower score, not because it's any worse, but because it's not as improved over the past year as I'd expected.
Rating: 8.8/10
The DVD
Graphics: The graphics in "NFL Fever 2003" are as impressive as the graphics in the "2002" edition. Unfortunately, they're only "as impressive" and not much more - if any - improved. Still, it's a little disapointing that more attention wasn't given to adding a little more variety to the player animations. As with the prior edition, players still look remarkably detailed and the animations - while not terribly varied - are smoothly presented. Stadiums are also impressively re-created for the game.
Rating: 9.0/10
Sound: "NFL Fever 2003" offers commentary from the team of Kevin Calabro and Ron Pitts (Pitts did commentary for 2002, as well). The commentary offered on the prior edition was not entirely enjoyable, providing too many little remarks and not enough solid information. This commentary fares much the same way, offering a rather sparse amount of discussion and a few too many comments that don't advance the understanding of the game. More than that, their comments simply don't have real energy, sort of a practiced Still, "Fever"'s ambient sounds of the crowds and game sound effects remain excellent again this year, with crisply rendered sound effects and realistic details. I was a little dismayed that the menu title song didn't return this time around, instead we get a few audio clips of the announcers backed by basic electronic background music.
Rating: 7.9/10
Gameplay: I really found Fever's control to be quite easy and smooth, especially on offense, where choosing which player to throw to was easy and clear. Defense is fairly easily controled. There's really no change in gameplay from the prior edition.
Rating: 8.9/10
Rating Issues: "Fever 2002" is rated "E" (Everyone), which is certainly appropriate for a normal Football offering.
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Final Thoughts: For those who are not concerned with online play, "NFL Fever 2002" is a perfectly fine and similar football experience that can be found for $30.00 less. If future online play (Nov. '02, according to the front cover) is important, "Fever 2003" offers the same largely entertaining gameplay, but it's a bit of a bummer that some of the gameplay concerns haven't been smoothed out and all that's new (aside from online play) are a couple of tweaks.
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