Axis Football 2020 Reviews

Even from a few hours, it's clear it's a huge improvement over last year, mainly in gameplay. The franchise mode has had some updates as well, but it's still the best football franchise mode available, and improving every year. Think of the purchase of this game as an investment into the future of a football game that finally cares about franchise mode. Some good things - Physics-based tackles can look really cool when they work right. Obviously it won't every time, but it's still cool when everything works right and you wince a bit from the impact. - New catching animations look great, and lead to better passing play. - Pre-snap options are extremely useful, and I hope to see even more options in the future, like motion to see if the defense is in man or zone. - Lots of interestingly designed run plays, which is much appreciated. The art of a well-designed run play is often lost in videogames, so it's nice to see some complexity here. - Scouting in franchise mode is interesting and doesn't feel like busy work, it does a good job of keeping track of the best prospects for your team, and what needs you currently have to fill. - Trade logic is improved and makes it feel worthwhile. - Coach mode is loads of fun. There's something really exciting about crafting a team and a series of plays, but not having direct control. - The awards and stat-tracking for players is fantastic, and gives you a really detailed look at your team if you want to get that deep into it. - Even at normal difficulty, the game feels sufficiently tough against similarly graded teams. Side note: My favorite thing about franchise modes in sports games are the randomly generated players that come up through drafts. The real players aren't as fun to me, as you can't project a personality onto them from their play style. This whole game is basically that idea. The starting players aren't randomly generated, but they are fictional, and only exist within the game. They are whoever you want them to be, and I love projecting personalities and storylines onto them. Some small things I've noticed that I hope can be patched for this version, or added/fixed in future editions. - When calling hot routes, if you call for a Corner route (B on the controller) it will also change your camera view, because that is also bound to B. - No way to designate someone as a returner, it just automatically chooses the WR at the top of the depth chart. I don't mind manually switching to a 3rd down back using the subs function, but designating a returner would be appreciated, rather than trying to remember to switch that out so my WR1 doesn't get injured. - No option to design your own plays and playbook. This is one of the things I loved from Madden when I used to play it, and I'd love to see some kind of implementation here. - Seemingly no designed QB runs. Would love to see some bootlegs and the like for the goal line. I always love using quick QBs to try and get an edge over defenses who aren't ready for it, and having to call a pass and just scramble the QB is not quite as satisfying. - You can adjust uniform designs, but you still cannot fully create your own team. Would love an expansion draft option for franchise. Overall, it's a very enjoyable game. It doesn't have a big budget look, but that's because it isn't. What it is is a quality franchise sim with fun gameplay, both for watching in coach mode, and playing against some friends. If you're a franchise addict like myself, this is the football game you want, and despite the issues I listed, it's a good game from a great studio who communicates well with their community, listens to them, and knows what makes franchise games fun. If you've just stalked the game in previous years like I have, this is the year to hop on and buy a copy for yourself.

I tried to like this game, but the lack of an American Football Conferences just ruins it for me. I don't need real franchise names or real player names. I do need the emulation of American football. The gameplay has improved, but the running game is not up to par. They might be 2 years away from having something really special. Sierra/Dynamix kind of special. Please get rid of the tiered system, it is not enjoyable.

I've been longing for a new football game, being frustrated with the horrible Madden games being released every year. I've known about the Axis games for awhile and wanted to wait till I felt the series got to the point where it would give me a truly positive experience, and I am relieved to say this entry has. Important for me to mention first, I mainly play this game spectating the matches and not actually controlling the players, however I have spent time controlling players too. The Madden games frustrated me with the lack of depth to their franchise mode. But Axis Football 2020 provides a great franchise mode with a shockingly good amount of depth to it. You have an entire coaching staff that you can make changes too. You got your head coach, offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, special teams coordinator, all your different position coaches, and your 4 scouts. They have ratings that affect how well they do their job, some coaches also have badges that provide additional bonus. An example is my offensive coordinator has the "O-LINE EXPERT BADGE", that gives +1 to all my offensive linemen's attributes. You can also upgrade facilities and your stadium to improve many different aspects of your team. Unlike free agency during the season in Madden, you can actually sign a free agent to a contract longer than 1 year and you can change the amount you want to pay. The mode includes a much better draft experience. One thing that is better is that it shows what positions of yours are a weakness, showing the bad player's stats. It then will show a player in the draft you should target to replace them, being a huge quality of life feature. Stats are great in this game, you're able to see the league leaders in so many different specific stats. On one screen it'll show the top 5 QBs for passing yards, TDs, least INTS, completion percentage, and more. There are also league leader stats for the other positions. You can expand the list to show the complete leaderboard too. Another great feature is you can watch your games rather than play them which I enjoy playing as a GM, you can also play coach mode and only call the plays. You can of course play the game normally controlling everything or simulate it. There is definitely room for new features and improvements. My only 2 real complaints about the franchise mode is that when you look at a player's career stats, it does not show what team they were on that year. I also am not a fan of the "Tier System" the league has. Would love an option for the league to be formatted in a similar way to the NFL. Now the big question, how is the gameplay. It's solid, but definitely needs work. However it looks like the best the series has ever offered. The game is enjoyable to play, just remember this isn't a AAA studio. But the game only costs $30 compared to the $60 tag you'd normally get. Passing the balls feels good and running is solid. Though the AI logic is very frustrating. They will be running the ball with less than 30 seconds left when they need a TD to win. Also the QB too often will throw dump off passes and not throw down the field. Often even when someone is a bit open. I'd definitely buy this game, I was hesitant at first but can for sure say I got my money's worth and more. I haven't touched Madden since I've been playing this. Understand the game isn't perfect, but with your support it will only continue to get better.

I'm mostly interested in the franchise management aspects of the game. Some aspects of that are pretty sadly lacking here. In particular, trading of draft picks is horrible, has seemed buggy at times, if you have more than one pick in the same round you can't tell which one you are trading. Trading is also just not very user-friendly. Finances are kind of weird ... not really a salary cap, but there is a budget, and not really signing bonuses, but if you trade or release a player it penalizes you 1/3 of their remaining contract salary. Some of the quirks you could get used to I guess but the trading aspect, especially relating to draft picks, is a deal killer for that part of the game. I didn't play twitchy style, just coached or observed, so I can't speak to that, but overall the graphics, logic and simulated physics aren't terrible, considering how complex those things are. I know it isn't easy to develop something where tackling is both realistically simulated and looks that way, and I'm willing to pay into the game to support that development, but the team management aspects should really be a lot easier to program and they need a lot of work.

i really wanted to like this game. i read the previous reviews and it seemed the biggest knock was the graphics. I thought that doesnt matter to me and honestly it doesnt as i havent actually played one game of axis, after 30 hours of playing axis as a franchise sim only type game i have quickly realized this game has alot more to do before i will purchase again. As a sim only player I enjoy putting the roster together drafting setting gameplans making draft pick trades when i see a player worth trading up for and the career stats all time leaders etc. I saw axis getting alot of buzz from folks i follow on youtube figured i would give it a try. First off the ui is great no issues with the menus as they all seem easy to navigate and everything is laid out with thought and works as it should. The problems for me come in with what I am looking for in a sim game. Axis does have career stats but only accessible through the player cards. there is no history tab to go back and look at who led the legue in sacks 4 years ago or who is the career passing touchdowns leader in your save. you cant see where your defense has ranked in the league for the last few years are we trending up or down? Another area the franchise play falls short for me is in the draft pick trading, twice i have tried to move up in the draft to try to grab what i felt were cornerstone players, we settled on a trade it auto saves i return to the draft and the draft pick trades dont switch homes they still have their choices and i mine but after the draft you dont get the players you drafted, this is a big issue for a player that plays like i do. alot of draft day happens in football but in axis this is definitely an area that needs work. While I'm on the draft subject the scouting players really needs work even scouting through the regions top talent for only one scouting assignment or interview you are out of points by week 15 and you havent even looked at any of the c+ players, maybe it was just my save but far too many players go down in scouting ratings for the points we are alloted to scout with, I dont know if c+ players can be scouted and go up in ratings as ive never had enough points to get to that point so im drafting on little to nothing to by round 4 or 5. Also you cant set your teams strategy unless im missing it, yes i know from videos you can pick it at the game start if you plan on playing every game but that doesnt make sense if i can buy poolrooms and spas and travel conditions for the players how can i not change a defense from a 4-3 to a 3-4? I love the franchise depth or being able to purchase upgrades for your team and stadium and i feel this game could be something special but it its not there yet. since the game already tracks stats i feel that could be fixed by adding a career stats tab that can be sorted by any stat and any year or a career and by team league and tier. for me this game comes in third this year i guess it is front office football and draft day sports football for me this year as they have better career play options for me. best of luck danny i really hope your product succeeds and i have no doubts you will be back next year with even more improvements

[b]Axis Football[/b] has always been remarkably deep as a franchise-focused football sim. Although the core gameplay isn't near the polish of AAA football titles, the appeal for most players will be the sheer amount of depth in its franchise mode, and [b]Axis Football 2020[/b] is no different. Rather than judge this game in comparison to what other titles lack, Axis 2020 is a solid game on its own merit. Improving on 2019's franchise mode, the 2020 edition adds new, under-the-hood improvements to critical areas such as trade logic, drafting, and scouting. The on-field gameplay also received some upgrades, as receiver catch animations, blocking, and AI logic are all different enough from 2019 to justify playing this year's release. However, also keep your expectations in check; this is a game developed by a small indie team, and as such, the gameplay is still prone to awkward moments and clunkiness that aren't as prevalent in games with vastly more resources. Particularly, in using a physics-based engine rather than animation-based, some of the tackling may seem awkward. Frankly, this is a catch-22, as the opposite effect would be canned animations that get nauseatingly familiar after hours of gameplay. If you can overlook the true indie feel of the on-field product, you'll still find enjoyment in the gameplay's pacing and mechanics. Further, the game's true bread-and-butter is the franchise mode, which is miles above any other independently-developed title. Purchase this game with the intent of playing franchise mode or spectating AI action. Get acclimated to the quirks and feel of the on-field gameplay, and your replay value only increases.

Guess I will be the first negative review...oh well...is it better than 19 yes, is that saying a whole lot nope not really. Everything that happens in the game feels random like the attributes of the player don't matter, speed ha yeah right your 99 speed WR can get instantly caught by a LB with 82 speed. Catching and DB play are totally RNG hell my A rated DB can stand directly in front of a WR and it's like he might as well not even be there. Better AI..Where? Half the time my DBs stand around in the middle of the field while WRs and TEs run all by themselves. Customization is kinda lacking I understand we have mods when those get made but not being able to at least change team names in game is kinda disappointing. Also for a deep franchise mode not being able to change names of the player draft pools each year or your own roster for that matter is weak. Overall yes it is better than 19 and if they keep going maybe in 2 or 3 years it will be where it needs to be but honestly after reading all these good reviews my bar was super high going into this game and after 5 games of dynasty, Im already over it game play wise. With that said I do think it makes for a nice pure simulator which is the only reason I will keep it..

This is now the sixth edition of the series (I have purchased all of them except the first 2015 edition) and needs to be reviewed accordingly (the free grace/free pass period is over). If this was the 2017 edition, I am sure most would be extremely excited about the game's future - however, it is not. It is now 2020. So where are we at then? Cut to the chase: I play coach-mode and spectate (I don't control players on-field) - I like to play as a strategy game (coach & GM) and enjoy also being part of a living, breathing league (so I like to watch other teams' games as well throughout the season) - and my review will be from this point of view. This is the first game in the series that is actually worth keeping on the hard drive the entire year, I think. On-field Gameplay: C/[C+] At release, a "D+", but improved with patches. This is the best the series has ever played on the field for sure. That being said, it still isn't "great", but it isn't horrible either. Interception problem from last year fixed. Blocking is better. QB play is better. In comparison to real professional football (which has to be made because the game is attempting to be a "simulation football game", and not arcade), passing is still too successful/potent - average completion % still too high (but much better than release (which was insane!), running game needs a bit of help (on the lower effectiveness side vs NFL - but approaching "reasonable"), sacks looking good, int% good. There will always be a few plays per game, however, where you will question, "what the heck happened there!?" Lapses at times in coverage and moments of frustration abound. It is an area that the series still needs a lot more work and I hope they put major effort in this in the future. Was hoping it would be at a B by now, but nope [C+] Graphics/Animation: [C] Rag doll physics and animation look wonky often, but smoother and definitely improved over last year (I know they lost their new animator guy over the developmental cycle and were left scrambling, I think - it's unfortunate). It is what it is - it's also unity engine. Lighting was improved however, and looks more natural. The stadium work is better for sure. Individual teams also got graphical overhauls/re-branding and I dig most of them. Also note the UI is improved greatly and is definitely more slick and also much better over last year (+). Franchise: A-\[B+] They have spent the time to really put together a deep, fun, and engaging franchise -well done. Definitely the major pro of this game. I really like how they identify team needs and make recommendations prior/during the draft. It has a wealth of features and stat tracking. Incredible depth. You can also watch any game of any team at any point in the season if you choose to (aside from coaching/playing your own team) - which is a big plus for me personally as well. However, you are forced to use the game's 36 team, 3 tier system of promotion and relegation (similar in may respects to British premier league soccer/football) - and that is a big detractor for many (though I am personally fine with this different and unique approach). Having this as an option and the return/option of a more traditional league style may be something the developers may want to look to in the future. Customizability/Mods: B-/[C+] On the one hand, you can change the uniforms, teams, etc. with internal graphics editors (or use external and import in) as well as sounds and I believe stadiums too. On the other hand, you cannot change rule sets or modify league structure or number of teams. There is also mods available for current NFL season and I believe a college one is also in the works (though of course they have to be modified to fit the 36 team and tiered structure (locked-in). The best game of the series without question. Is it far enough along at this point in time? Probably not. Is it a keeper though? I think so. There is fun to be had. Overall Grade: B-/C+ -- and a thumbs up.

Look, before you read further let's be honest. This is not a Madden killer. This is not a game with superb graphics or animations. However, this game is a game built around a community. It's come a long way in a short time. I've grown tired of Madden and their continual support of MUT over franchise/single player gamers. I've supported Axis for years to help their growth. It has come a long way. Their franchise mode is growing year after year. They are trying to be a fun alternative for football, not a competitor to AAA titles. They have an insanely active discord where their team responds and listens to your commentary. They want to make the game play the way we want it to. This game is 100% physics based and is a bit tricky to play because of that. You don't get lock on animations that cover user error. What you get is plays based on player ratings and physics. This isn't for everyone, and that's understandable. It can be frustrating to miss an interception because you took a chance. However for me, I take it as it is. I messed up and was too aggressive. I believe in backing hardworking indie devs that are working hard for the community. Danny Jugan sold me YEARS ago when I had a launch save broken and he personally emailed me some options to fix it and got me up and going. Danny and his team at Axis care. I believe in them not only from their hard work, but their results. I've seen the progress through the years. This is the first game I've spent this much time with. I'm a husband with two kids and don't have a ton of time to play. I finally had the time to play and bought the game 2 days ago. I'm already 10 games in on my dynasty this year and felt like I was ready to review. This review is all over the place because it's just me talking. If you are looking for a group to get behind and support but aren't sold, we welcome you to the discord. Share your feedback from what you see in gameplay videos. We want all the feedback we can get. Football gamers deserve progress in video games. In my opinion, Madden franchise hasn't been as deep as Axis 2020 since '05. I welcome anyone to their discord to get in on the conversations. https://discord.gg/mCyGFnP Axis Football 2020, Make Football Gaming Great Again.

~1000 hours of Axis Football game play going back to 2017 if mobile versions are included with steam time counter. The game feels so SMOOOTH. The in stride catches, the draft mode, unquestionably a step forward. Add to that the new 2p Coach vs Coach mode. I've never been into coach mode gameplay but I am now. I also almost always turn off the announcers/menu music for sports games but not Axis, that caught me by suprise. The game is worth the price tag just to do franchise and quick sim the games, franchise mode is THAT fun. All the teams have undergone complete redesigns and in every case look way better. All the customizational ability is there, in fact I would say it's better than last year, but I don't want to get into the boring details as to why. But I enjoy the actual game too, as I said a clear step up from last years version. Thank you for reading my review, I don't do a lot of these, but had to for Axis. -TheNachoKing Edit: Added Time Played to the top