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Super Shock Football Review
Written by Robert Workman on Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Gameplay is easy to get into, the pass system works well, graphics and camera angles look terrific.
This game will quickly drain your battery, receivers act like idiots and run back the other way, no career or season mode, limited multiplayer.
When you mention the words "football" and "iPhone", most people think of EA's Madden NFL 10. However, there is another app to consider. Chillingo's Super Shock Football is a homage to the good old days of football, where players scrambled randomly around a flat metal playfield, thanks to magnetization. Made-up football teams battle it out for superiority on the field, with you leading the charge. It's a mostly fun game, but there's a few things keeping it from dancing in the end zone.
Since Chillingo based it on the old 50s-60s style of football, you need to accept the fact that your receivers are complete morons. You'll attempt a pass play, and just when it looks like the player's wide open for a touchdown run, he turns around, runs back five to ten yards and gets tackled.
Other than that, the gameplay works great. You'll call plays before executing them by drawing routes and putting players in key spots. From there, you'll see how your coaching magic plays out, while using your quarterback to complete passes. The passing system is very easy to use. You simply tap your passer and then draw a line to the receiver you want the ball to go to. It works well, despite the ineffectiveness of the actual receiver.
There are plenty of great single-player match-ups to get into (but oddly enough, no season or career mode), and you can track your progress with others via Achievements and online rankings through the Open Feint system. Unfortunately, the multiplayer options are stuck in local mode only. However, Chillingo hopes to change this with a future update.
Super Shock Football really pushes the iPhone hardware to its limits. The 3-D visuals look wonderful, with players scrambling about and a clear representation of the field, so you never miss someone running around on the outside. The stadiums look great, too. The in-game ambience is right where it needs to be, with cheering crowds and band anthems that ring out whenever you score. It's classic college atmosphere at its finest, but without the keg stands.
However, there is a word of caution that comes with Super Shock Football. Because this game uses so much power, it'll suck your battery dry. Make sure you have your recharge cable handy, because after an hour, you'll have nothing.
Despite the battery problem, lack of reliable receivers and missing modes, Super Shock Football is a fun game of pigskin. Plus, it's budget-priced at two dollars. That's a small price to pay, especially when you see what original electric football tables go for on eBay.
