1st July 1987
On-Field Football
Originally released by Activision back in June of 1985, this forerunner to GFL Football was one of the first fully-blown American football games to appear on the market. Now it has been exhumed by Firebird, and is reappearing on their budget label, along with On-Field Baseball and On-Court Tennis.
The player chooses a quarterback, wide receiver and tight end from the footballers on offer. Each has different characteristics and thus play is affected by their abilities and disabilities.
Control is executed in similar fashion to Touchdown Football, with one team member placed under joystick control. When the play is over, the next is selected from an unwieldy and overcomplicated series of options. Defensive plays are also chosen using the same menu system, and a linebacker is placed directly under joystick control.
On-Field Football is the cheapest American football game on the market, but it's also one of the oldest and most unplayable. The graphics are terrible, and the players look like little fat Lego men. Even worse is the fact that there are only four players per team - what a joke! The computer opponent always reacts in the same way, so as soon as you work out the move which gains the most yardage it can be repeated time and time again - Y.A.W.N...
PS
I didn't see this the first time around - and I'm glad I didn't.
The whole package is badly designed, comprising an unwieldy menu system, a pathetic and predictable computer opponent who is a cinch to beat, awful playability and terrible graphics.
Okay, so it's budget priced, but personally I don't even think it rates as budget material.
Verdict
Presentation 40%
Badly laid out, with a cumbersome menu system and little thought for the user.
Display 29%
Bland and blocky sprites add very little to the action.
Playability 27%
Clumsy menus and awkward control method for the players.
Authenticity 43%
The presence of rules is marred by the fact that there are only four players per team.
Opponent 25%
A complete cabbage. A doddle to beat within one or two plays.
Value For Money 43%
The lowest priced, and the lowest rated.
Overall 34%
A boring simulation which offers little playability, depth or action.
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