The first Midway game I saw was Blitz, a re-invention of the venerable franchise…and I've got to say it's looking better than ever. First off, this one actually has a story that plays out during the campaign mode. Secondly the core of what makes Blitz enjoyable is still in place: play selection is quick and easy, control of your characters is fluid and responsive, and it features all of the series' dirty little tricks…only somehow they're dirtier!

As if that wasn't enough, some top-notch talent was acquired to lend their voice talents to the game. The only one I could confirm was L.T. (uh, that's Lawrence Taylor, for those of you wondering, who also appeared in GTA: Vice City, if you'll recall), but I was assured that the Hollywood talent will be representing to the fullest. Midway will clue us in to the rest of the cast in the coming months.

The game is very reminiscent of the earlier titles in the series in terms of gameplay, but the over the top "flaming football" graphics have been toned down to be replaced by a sort of "bullet time" effect when you hit the "Unleash" button. This allows for some spectacular stunts to be pulled off, and the player is always rewarded with entertaining visuals when these moments happen. The "Unleashing" comes in the form of high-powered blocks, tackles, dodges, stiff-arms, jukes and catches. The character animations are all smooth, slick, and well-done.

This game's overall presentation just oozes style, as a matter of fact. From the moment it boots up and you're in the locker room choosing which mode to play, to the campaign's story (which was penned by the onerously-cancelled ESPN show "Playmaker's" ex-scribe), the visual presentation just grabs you from the start. The camera placement and techniques they employ (shaky cam down on the field, anyone?) help to immerse the player in the action. You can almost feel the hits you take---or the ones you dish out to your opponent.

Speaking of hits you dish out, using the aforementioned "Unleash" button, you can deal out heavy punishment in the form of "dirty hits", which may injure players grievously. Once the character goes down, the player must make a choice on whether to take them out of the game, or "juice them up" (which involves a doctor and a rather long needle---that animation is not for the squeamish) to get them back out on to the field, though if they take another severe hit they could be out for the rest of the season. The injury animation even includes an X-Ray view of the injury in progress, which is seems to have been inspired by Namco's recently-released Death By Degrees.

It's obvious that this new iteration of Blitz has also drawn heavy inspiration from Any Given Sunday, and other football films of that caliber. The cuts from the ¾ overhead view down to the field as players trash talk each other (and the trash heard will be worthy of the 'M' rating this game garners). Unfortunately, due to the overall noise at the event it was hard to gauge any of the audio goodness that this game may contain, but I'm sure that the game will deliver on this front as well, if the rest of the facets' quality is any indication.

The league features 18 original teams, complete with their own star player's personalities and egos, as well as an interesting back story to the team's history (all of which was created by the aforementioned "Playmakers" ex-writer). The team you field is up to you, and on the field your 8 players face their 8 opponents with all of the toughness and gumption you'd expect from the meanest of the mean NFL veterans. During the campaign mode, L.T. plays the role of the main antagonist, and the player will also be forced to make certain morality choices during the course of the game which will affect the outcome of the storyline. The season is 33 games long, so be prepared for a bumpy ride!

As for online options, Midway will be bringing multiplayer gridiron mayhem to both Xbox Live and offer online PS2 play as well. These facets, as well as combining hard-hitting football action with a solid storyline (a first for any major football-inspired game), great character animations, and moral choices will ensure that this title is one to eagerly anticipate from Midway. Look for it as a Winter 2005 release.