Football Highlights 2052
Eagle-Gryphon Games
Play Time: 45-60 Minutes
1-4 Players
Football is one of my greatest passions, and I’ve always been on the hunt for a great adaptation on the tabletop. Growing up I had Battleball, which was satisfying as a kid but eventually didn’t have enough depth for me as I grew up. I wanted something with less luck and more simulation. Eagle-Gryphon Games recently released Football Highlights 2052. It’s a new take on the game that integrates traditional mechanics into the rules. It also makes changes to the game to make it fit in the tabletop setting.
As implied by the title, Football Highlights 2052 takes place in the year 2052. Robots and humans now play the game and there is a new defense known as the “Maul” defense (More on that later). The game starts with two players choosing the superstars for their team. After choosing the superstars, the game utilizes a fairly simply drafting mechanic. Players chooses a card from their hand, then passes the hand to the next player and choose from what is left. This will continue until both players have a full team.
Drafting is only a part of the game. The rest of Football Highlights 2052 is won or lost through card management. Football Highlights 2052 simulates an entire football game quickly. Both sides are playing offense and defense simultaneously. One player will play a card to simulate an offensive play, then the other player will play one on defense. All cards have both an offensive and defensive play on them. When a defensive card is played, the offense play on the other side is used on the next turn. When the offensive card is played, it is recycled and set aside. It’s a smooth transition that allows the game to move at a great pace. There aren’t any turns, so both players are constantly making decisions and planning ahead.
Markers on the board state where on the field the players are. The offensive cards say how far they run or pass will go. If the play ends in the endzone it will result in a touchdown. The offensive and defensive cards interact in various ways. They each say “Pass, Run, or Maul on the card, as well as the direction that the play goes (right, left, or center). If the defense matches the offense and direction, the play usually results in a loss. If only one is met the play usually favors the offense a little. Getting neither usually results in a big play for the offense. A “Maul” defense card is a freebie and is a guaranteed success, making them especially valuable. When playing a defense card, the player will always need to consider what offensive play is on the other side to succeed. This is especially so if it is third or fourth down. After every turn (or down), players are reset back at the starting area of the field.
Play continues until both sides run out of cards, then halftime adjustments can be made. A smaller draft is done to change up the deck, then one more half is played exactly like the first one. Whoever has the most points in the end wins.
I simplified the game quite a bit, as there is a lot going on. Audibles, injuries, field goals, and penalities all play a big role in the game. There are also keywords in most plays too, such as QB Sneak, Fumble, or No Huddle that affect outcomes as well. All of the systems are overwhelming in the beginning, but after a game or two, the game clicks and is enjoyable. Playing both offense and defense gives Football Highlights 2052 a fast pace that never has any downtime. While there is a decent amount of luck present, this game is all about skill. Committing to a strategy and executing it is satisfying in Football Highlights 2052.
There are many ways to play Football Highlights 2052. What I’ve described so far is the basic game for two players (or two teams of two players). There are also Tournament rules for 4 or more players and a league campaign that allows for a season to be played but with many players. There are slight changes to injury and drafting rules, but these modes don’t change the core experience too much. There is also a solitary mode where a player can play against an AI with a few variants. It’s an enjoyable mode and its fun playing through a season against the AI.
The value in the box is excellent too. The base game comes with 95 players/plays to draft and use in the game. The cards and components are of excellent quality. The scoreboard is one of the flashiest aspects of the game. it comes with inserts with tons of cities so that players can imagine playing as their favorite team.
The cards have excellent art and flavor. As mentioned before, every card has two plays on it, but they also have a player on display. The players on the card tend to reference greats from a certain franchise. Players like T.Y Luck and Leveon Brown fill the cards with personality. The playmat balances utility for gameplay and aesthetics for the football field. It’s great that Football Highlights 2052 looks and plays well. Few sports games nail aesthetics and gameplay as well as Football Highlights 2052 does.
The only people who might not get much value out of this game are those who don’t care about the sport much. This should be obvious though, as the theme clearly comes with a target audience. Football fans will find tons of value in this game and owe it to themselves to give Football Highlights 2052 a try.
Football Highlights 2052
Football Highlights 2052 is one of the best games of its kind.
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Gameplay
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