NFL Quarterback Club '97

Review

by Joshua Romero

Acclaim is slowly but surely building themselves a better reputation. Bringing out titles that put more emphasis on quality rather than depending on a licensee to push the title, Acclaim seems to be turning over a new leaf. However, no matter how much something chances, there is always evidence of things past. And this is no more evident than with NFL Quarterback Club '97.

To start off with, one would think that the game would have some upsides to it. And to a point, it does. However, there are several major factors that hold the game back from acquiring any potential it may have had. Starting with the graphics, it's obvious Acclaim didn't try to put the emphasis on graphics. Which is good, because that means there is more time to work on other areas. The graphics are a mix between Madden '93 for the Sega Genesis, and ... well a mess. The clarity just isn't there. Stadiums are okay, but it's sad to see the graphics slide.

So, if the emphasis isn't on graphics, what is it on? Good question, because is certainly isn't gameplay. NFL Quarterback Club '97 plays like you're in a family car going mud-bogging. All that adds up for nasty control and plain out mediocre gameplay. You have your basic moves like spin, hurdle, juke, and whatnot, but with the gameplay suffering like it does, those moves become trite when compared to the overall package.

As for the bells and whistles, they're all there. They perform their job accordingly, not groundbreaking, but adequate. Music is fair, and nothing more. Overall, average.

In a genre full of wannabe's, NFL Quarterback Club '97 could have been a step above the rest. Sadly however, lack of attention to gameplay and a rush job make for, at best, mediocre gameplay. And that's the bottom line.