This is football. No, honestly, this is football. If you happen to be born in America, this is the beautiful game. NFL 2K3 is the latest title in Sega's American football series and it arrives well after its respected competitors, Microsoft's NFL Fever 2003 and EA's Madden NFL 2003. As such, anyone considering picking it up is going to be looking for something a bit special, or at least different.

And different it is, both in good and bad ways. It's harder for novices to get started with this take on the game, much harder, due largely to a pretty crappy Practice mode, which is nothing like the (we think, superior) tutorial modes found in the Madden or Fever competition. And the AI, in general, is very tough.

But, once you get stuck into the action, there's plenty of good stuff. Not least the new on-screen system for selecting plays. Rather than tab through a tree of options as you have to do with the other NFL games, NFL 2K3 requires you to move the analog stick over the selections you want and press the A button. It's a lot easier to use than it is to explain.

Then there's the commentary. Madden always gets slated for it, Fever's is okay, but the voice work in NFL 2K3 is the dog's naughty bits. With spot-on comments that make you feel the guys in the box are really watching the game you're playing, the sense of immersion - not to mention the satisfaction you get when you pull off a huge play and get patted on the back for it - is complete. And it makes you feel a right idiot if you screw up, too. Which happens a lot.

Realism wise, NFL 2K3 is great. Players' faces and relative sizes are all present and correct, with the latter having a sensible, tangible effect on play. It doesn't just look real from a distance; it looks real with your nose pressed against the TV screen. There's the usual depth with this kind of game but, even if you just pick it up for a quick Exhibition match, it'll give you a great run for your money.

Power
There's always loads going on, but it doesn't quite have the polish you'd expect.

Style
Looks fantastic. Smooth, TV-like ESPN presentation with satisfying replays for great boasting value.

Immersion
As deep as the Gulf of Mexico, you can gt lost in the Franchise mode for the rest of your life.

Lifespan
If you're a die-hard NFL fan, you'll play this for a year. Potentially infinite on Xbox Live.

Summary
This is undoubtedly a great American football game but it's possibly too much of a challenge for total novices.

1. ESPN network TV atmosphere
2. Mind-blowingly good commentary

1. Steep learning
2. Rushing is very difficult