Is this finally the one worth buying?

[G Willikers]

I tried 19 and had to refund it. The game just played horribly, balls flew through defenders and receivers, and throwing controls were just awful. The league setup and management gameplay was intriguing but the game itself was unplayable, especially considering they've been making these since 2015.

I saw the trailers for this, I really want to believe. It looks like the golden age of Madden (early and mid 2000's) and I'd be happy with equivalent gameplay, especially with fully fleshed out franchise and coaching modes, but I've been burned on this title before and some of the negative reviews are still making me leery.

I'm not going to buy this on potential, especially after 5 iterations. Has Axis Football finally arrived? Is the gameplay fun?

[Shady Giraffe]

gameplay is still sub par but franchise is amazing

[redwolf9]

+1 - that is about it in a nutshell

(gameplay D+/C- , franchise B+/A- )

[G Willikers]

Thanks for replying. What's currently dragging the gameplay down? Does it take away from the satisfaction of building a solid team?

I'll probably wait for the let's plays to make a more informed decision.

Edit: Looking at some gameplay videos, initial impressions are the commentary sounds horrendous, the gameplay still looks clunky but functional, though I did see a defender camp right where the ball was being thrown and it still got caught so that isn't fixed. Maybe wait another update or two? It definitely looks waaaaaaay better than 19.

Is there an option to turn off commentary? No offense intended, it's incredibly hard to do fluid sports commentary for a video game but that's why most indie developers don't bother. It sounds really bad.

[redwolf9]

lol, gameplay right now? single biggest issue - and it is BIG, is a total 180 in passing game from last year. 2019 had terrible passing game, low comp% and tons of interceptions (though tonned down somewhat)- this from unbiased gameplay (the AI playing itself - in other words, a pure test of the engine). This year, QB and WR's are supermen. Also you will shake your head over how often a WR is completely left open, and even worse, covered completely like a glove (perfect coverage) yet still miraculously makes the catch...

...it is very common to have more TD's thrown than incompletions, if that says anything to you, lol.

I mean maybe it is fun for the arcader, and I get that some people are having a blast -- but as far as simulation football right now, it ain't there.

Sacks are reasonable though now, or so it seems so far -- running game to be determined still...very much a hit or miss from my games and not fair yet to draw conclusions, but damn the passing ...yuck! -- it is still better than last year tho, but some very serious issues holding it back, imho.

Franchise features are very very good though.

Idk if the team is able to shore up the on-field gameplay over patches or not (hope so)...time will tell.

[Shady Giraffe]

Originally posted by G Willikers:

Thanks for replying. What's currently dragging the gameplay down? Does it take away from the satisfaction of building a solid team?

I'll probably wait for the let's plays to make a more informed decision.

Edit: Looking at some gameplay videos, initial impressions are the commentary sounds horrendous, the gameplay still looks clunky but functional, though I did see a defender camp right where the ball was being thrown and it still got caught so that isn't fixed. Maybe wait another update or two? It definitely looks waaaaaaay better than 19.

Is there an option to turn off commentary? No offense intended, it's incredibly hard to do fluid sports commentary for a video game but that's why most indie developers don't bother. It sounds really bad.

The ai is what is holding the game back so I wouldn't imagine it would get better until the next game or two. Yes you can turn off commentary.

[redwolf9]

Originally posted by Shady Giraffe:

The ai is what is holding the game back so I wouldn't imagine it would get better until the next game or two. Yes you can turn off commentary.

Yes, you are probably right -and i have said it elsewhere. The need to focus almost entirely on gameplay over the next two editions is going to be essential.

[G Willikers]

Originally posted by redwolf9:

lol, gameplay right now? single biggest issue - and it is BIG, is a total 180 in passing game from last year. 2019 had terrible passing game, low comp% and tons of interceptions (though tonned down somewhat). This year, QB and WR's are supermen. Also you will shake your head over how often a WR is completely left open, and even worse, covered completely like a glove (perfect coverage) yet still miraculously makes the catch...

...it is very common to have more TD's thrown than incompletions, if that says anything to you, lol.

I mean maybe it is fun for the arcader, and I get that some people are having a blast -- but as far as simulation football right now, it ain't there.

Sacks are reasonable though now, or so it seems so far -- running game to be determined still...very much a hit or miss from my games and not fair yet to draw conclusions, but damn the passing ...yuck!

Franchise features are very very good though.

Idk if the team is able to shore up the on-field gameplay over patches or not (hope so)...time will tell.

Thanks for the detailed reply! Hopefully they can patch it to be more of a sim since that's clearly the game's strength. From what I saw the running game actually looked better than passing though I'd like more mobility in the trenches (looks like they basically lock each other in place so the pocket and running lanes aren't at all dynamic). Definitely saw what you mean with passing, coverage didn't seem to mean anything.

Big steps forward from last year but somehow after 5 years they still don't have a basic football game. Very frustrating to watch as someone who would love a viable alternative to Madden. I'll keep an eye out on patching or see if it goes on sale for now. They really should have focused on that because for all the value a detailed franchise mode brings, it's kind of meaningless if the gameplay doesn't accurately reflect the roster you've put together.

Edit:

Originally posted by redwolf9:

Originally posted by Shady Giraffe:

The ai is what is holding the game back so I wouldn't imagine it would get better until the next game or two. Yes you can turn off commentary.

Yes, you are probably right -and i have said it elsewhere. The need to focus almost entirely on gameplay over the next two editions is going to be essential.

Yeah it's really too bad, they should absolutely be further along after 5 editions just in terms of basic football simulation. I'll keep an eye out for a good sale but probably check back in when 2021 comes out.

Appreciate all the input and help!

[SlumpdogTV]

Originally posted by G Willikers:

Originally posted by redwolf9:

lol, gameplay right now? single biggest issue - and it is BIG, is a total 180 in passing game from last year. 2019 had terrible passing game, low comp% and tons of interceptions (though tonned down somewhat). This year, QB and WR's are supermen. Also you will shake your head over how often a WR is completely left open, and even worse, covered completely like a glove (perfect coverage) yet still miraculously makes the catch...

...it is very common to have more TD's thrown than incompletions, if that says anything to you, lol.

I mean maybe it is fun for the arcader, and I get that some people are having a blast -- but as far as simulation football right now, it ain't there.

Sacks are reasonable though now, or so it seems so far -- running game to be determined still...very much a hit or miss from my games and not fair yet to draw conclusions, but damn the passing ...yuck!

Franchise features are very very good though.

Idk if the team is able to shore up the on-field gameplay over patches or not (hope so)...time will tell.

Thanks for the detailed reply! Hopefully they can patch it to be more of a sim since that's clearly the game's strength. From what I saw the running game actually looked better than passing though I'd like more mobility in the trenches (looks like they basically lock each other in place so the pocket and running lanes aren't at all dynamic). Definitely saw what you mean with passing, coverage didn't seem to mean anything.

Big steps forward from last year but somehow after 5 years they still don't have a basic football game. Very frustrating to watch as someone who would love a viable alternative to Madden. I'll keep an eye out on patching or see if it goes on sale for now. They really should have focused on that because for all the value a detailed franchise mode brings, it's kind of meaningless if the gameplay doesn't accurately reflect the roster you've put together.

Edit:

Originally posted by redwolf9:

Yes, you are probably right -and i have said it elsewhere. The need to focus almost entirely on gameplay over the next two editions is going to be essential.

Yeah it's really too bad, they should absolutely be further along after 5 editions just in terms of basic football simulation. I'll keep an eye out for a good sale but probably check back in when 2021 comes out.

Appreciate all the input and help!

It's not that they can't code to make it better. It's that they don't make a super lot of money to be able to afford to do really big improvements.

Money is the issue, they also have a small window for actual development. You have to go through months and months of certification to get on some platforms. I know steam requires 30 days to be allowed to be released.

I believe xbox requires a 2 month certification process on any update to the release build.

They still only have like 5 or 6 people which only 3 are actually programmers.

[redwolf9]

-- everything you said may be completely true -- and I am not knocking the team - they are very nice fellows indeed and I know work very hard :) They are approachable, dedicated, friendly.

...but my complete counterpoint is this -- you say money and time and also lack of resources the main issue. Okay. But, if that is the case, and I will conceed you that point (for argument's sake), then that must mean they have to be very efficient with where they put their resources, correct? -- and I think that is implicitly so... (and keep this in mind as it is very important)

...so that being the case, I ask you this (and I know you have followed along since 2015, as I have - indeed I own 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020) - where was the focus put in 2018? - what was the BIG selling point then? .....franchise (and was 2017 game play good enough to make 2018 franchise the major focus? hmmmmmm)
How about 2019 then? - the big push on that, and added features were where?......oh ya, franchise again (and they kinda lost me there honestly because we were told that 2019 was going to be big on gameplay adjustment - and gameplay wasn't very good - at all)
....now move ahead to 2020. This was suppose to be a MAJOR gameplay focus, but low and behold, what does it appear we get yet again?.....franchise.

Yes, the franchise is GOOD - terrific in fact. :) -- but can you kinda see where I am going with this?

-- You reap the seeds you sow --

AI & on-field gameplay is desperately crying out to be the major up front focus (was several editions ago) - and really has to be first and foremost from this point on.

(and it's also okay to be critical sometimes - that's often how improvement is made in the end :) )

[Axis Games]

I sincerely appreciate the feedback, but I do have to correct one point about 2020 being focused on Franchise. Gameplay was the focus in 2020, and it will be the focus in 2021. I honestly beg you to objectively compare footage and user experience as it relates to gameplay from 2019 to 2020.

Please don't think that I'm saying we have arrived at perfectly simulated football, because we haven't. We still have loads to work on, but what we did in 2020 cannot be grouped into the same minor gameplay improvements that previous versions have seen.

G Willikers, to answer your original question, I would encourage you to check out some of the videos from our Esports league or others that show Axis 20 gameplay to see for yourself. I can tell you that the feedback is almost overwhelmingly to the tune that Axis 20's gameplay is light years ahead of where it was in 2019 (coming from people that spent a lot of time playing 2019). Again, I'll be the first to admit that there are things that need a lot of work, but it's definitely solid enough for a great experience.

Thanks for continuing to give us a shot.

[redwolf9]

And I appreciate you responding.
I never claimed 2020 was worse than 2019 - it is indeed better and I have said that (in fact I was playing 2019 recently checking out the last patch on it -- 2020 is better! ) -- and I appologize, but I have/had the impression that more was placed on all these franchise additions.

If you say that isn't true - that you actually spent more time on the game play, then I will take your word for that and stand corrected on that point. It still is what it is. Better? yes (interception problem gone, running game better, blocking improved -- but also some new problems introduced too). Will you get there? probably in time. Can a person like it as it? yes. Can it be much better - for sure.

Thanks for replying -- I just want to be able to enjoy the game the entire year and not have to shelve it yet again - so much will depend on what you do with the passing game this year, tbh. -- and yes, a person can also watch the twitch feeds if they don't have the game and make their own decisions too after seeing it in action -- will it work for them or not?
:)

Edit- and praise where it is due - they are aware of passing issues, and latest patch seems to have improved things so far by quite a bit - kudos, and fingers crossed.

[Axis Games]

Thanks again for your perspective and feedback. It means a lot that we have such a great community that cares enough to give constructive feedback. We'll keep working to improve the game!

[fredreed2000]

Axis Football 2020 is a great game and the devs are on the ball with fixing these bugs that It currently has. They continue to improve the performance and gameplay overall. i highly recommend buying this game It's a lot better then most PC Pro football games out right now.

I would probably give this game a rating 10/10

[G Willikers]

Originally posted by Axis Games:

I sincerely appreciate the feedback, but I do have to correct one point about 2020 being focused on Franchise. Gameplay was the focus in 2020, and it will be the focus in 2021. I honestly beg you to objectively compare footage and user experience as it relates to gameplay from 2019 to 2020.

Please don't think that I'm saying we have arrived at perfectly simulated football, because we haven't. We still have loads to work on, but what we did in 2020 cannot be grouped into the same minor gameplay improvements that previous versions have seen.

G Willikers, to answer your original question, I would encourage you to check out some of the videos from our Esports league or others that show Axis 20 gameplay to see for yourself. I can tell you that the feedback is almost overwhelmingly to the tune that Axis 20's gameplay is light years ahead of where it was in 2019 (coming from people that spent a lot of time playing 2019). Again, I'll be the first to admit that there are things that need a lot of work, but it's definitely solid enough for a great experience.

Thanks for continuing to give us a shot.

From watching gameplay and reading feedback, I definitely agree it's starting to really come together but what I'm seeing is the secondary defense is way too ineffectual at the moment. What I'm not really clear on is whether that can be addressed through sliders in the game or if it's an issue that requires continued patching.

AI is a whole other issue and while it could certainly use some work, it seems like it's at a level that it isn't too immersion breaking at this point.

[G Willikers]

So I bought it. Turns out I have some unexpected free time from work while waiting for a test result.

Overall it's much better than 19 in the sense that it's playable and playing offense is even pretty fun, but even with the patch qb play is extremely overpowered for the player and AI. Ball carriers will run through defenders without resistance about a quarter of the time. It's also tough to figure if the corner is going to make a play on a ball, even when they're perfectly in position, which can be frustrating.

I ran into one screen lock with the game playing in the background and one harmless graphical glitch (a player got spaghetified).

As people said, C or C+ for gameplay but I'm very impressed with the depth of franchise and that's definitely where the game's strength lies. It'd be nice to be able to access gameplay settings from the franchise screens, make cosmetic changes to players, etc. Scouting and coaching systems look really good so far.

I don't think I'm going to refund it. This is a big step up for the franchise, warts and all. I do hope there are plans to nerf QB accuracy though as that's the game's biggest issue I've seen so far.

Not sure I can buy it every year but you've earned another customer.