Axis Football 2017
" Accessible American football simulation with deep customization but limited features and bugs "
Axis Football 2017 Review
Axis Football 2017 is a budget-friendly football simulation game for PC, developed by a small indie team dedicated to creating a moddable alternative to Madden. Many players appreciate its customization options, including player skills, team logos, and community mods that add NFL and NCAA content. The game features a franchise mode, albeit basic, and an aiming-based passing mechanic that adds skill to quarterback play. Gameplay is described as fun and engaging for casual football fans, with amusing ragdoll physics and a focus on play calling and team-building.
However, the game is not polished like AAA titles, with graphics and physics that feel dated or inconsistent. AI and difficulty can be unbalanced, and some gameplay elements like penalties, draft, and injuries are missing. Despite bugs and crashes reported by some users, the developer is praised for responsiveness and continual improvements. Overall, Axis Football 2017 is seen as a promising but rough-around-the-edges football game for PC enthusiasts willing to support indie development.
Highlights
Players praise the deep customization and modding capabilities, allowing creation of custom teams and importing NFL/NCAA mods. The passing mechanics with mouse aiming are highlighted as innovative and engaging. The franchise mode adds replay value, and the game runs smoothly even on lower-end systems. Fans enjoy the fun and sometimes hilarious physics and tackling animations, which add charm despite imperfections. The developer's active community engagement and frequent updates are viewed positively, with many players hopeful for future improvements and a potential Madden alternative on PC.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include unrealistic and inconsistent physics, such as players flying unnaturally after tackles and erratic interceptions. The AI can be exploitable, with players easily racking up sacks or the CPU making improbable plays. Missing features like penalties, trades, free agency, and drafts limit the franchise mode depth. Graphics and animations are considered basic or outdated, and repetitive announcer commentary detracts from immersion. Stability issues, including frequent crashes and controller problems, frustrate some users. Overall, gameplay is viewed as too simplistic or buggy to recommend over established console football games.
Pros
- • Extensive customization options for teams, players, and uniforms enhance personalization.
- • Modding community adds official NFL and NCAA teams, increasing content variety.
- • Mouse-based passing mechanic adds skill and engagement to quarterback play.
- • Franchise mode provides season play and team management for replayability.
- • Runs smoothly on low-end PCs, making it accessible to many players.
- • Developer actively updates game and listens to community feedback.
- • Fun and entertaining ragdoll physics and tackling animations add charm.
Cons
- • Physics and animations are inconsistent and sometimes unrealistic.
- • AI can be exploited easily, reducing challenge and immersion.
- • Lacks key football features like penalties, trades, and drafts.
- • Graphics are basic and feel outdated compared to AAA titles.
- • Repetitive and limited announcer commentary detracts from experience.
- • Frequent crashes and controller compatibility issues reported.
- • Gameplay is simplistic with limited offensive and defensive options.
Rating Criteria
Axis Football is an American football simulation featuring massive customization and a complete franchise mode