Blitz 2

I still have some time on my gamepass left so I picked this one up hoping to score some easy achievements.  Considering I don't like Blitz and didn't like the first Blitz league game I wasn't expecting to keep this long for a rental.

However, they have made some changes to the controls and gameplay that have improved the overall product quite a bit.  The controls still don't always work right and the AI will piss you off like you can't believe, but its not too bad.

I think the worst part I'm experiencing right now in my second career (played through division 3 as a HB/LB hybrid) as a WR/FS hybrid is the prison game.  After winning division 3...forgive me for these spoilers, but I don't think anyone will care...you get framed on doping charges and get sent to prison.  Straight out of Longest Yard, you get offered to play for the prison team, and if you win you get paroled in time for training camp next season.  If not, well...you get the picture.

Winning that game isn't the problem.  Not getting a bullshit injury that ruins your career is.  See, the whole attraction to this game is the bonecrushing (literally) injuries you can inflict on other players, and I admit its pretty cool.  You get treated to a brief cutscene of an "Illustrated Man" looking guy and the injury taking place.  There is blood, gore, and even semen (ruptured scrotum) and its pretty visceral and nasty.  Of course those cutscenes totally interupt gameflow, but thats another complaint for another time.

So you'll be playing this game, get a comfortable lead, then go out of your way to make sure your guy stays out of harm's way.  Except you really can't make sure of that, because he could get a cheap stiffarm trying to tackle someone, get the most minor of injuries, and its game over.  Literally game over, you have to restart the game.  I had to start over 4 times yesterday, twice in the 4th quarter.  Man that was bullshit.  This game either should not be in the story mode (its available in the bonus modes as well) or the injury stipulation should be removed.  But I have not come this close to setting a game disc on fire in probably over a decade.

I also rented Quantum of Solace, and found that its a halfway decent little shooter.  I'd probably pick it up for $20 if there's replay value in the single player.