Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

AFL ’98 brings the high-octane thrills of Australian Rules Football to your living room with the familiar precision of EA Sports’ control scheme. Passing, marking and tackling all use intuitive button mapping that caters to newcomers and experienced footy fans alike. The game faithfully captures the unique flow of AFL: rapid ball movement, 360° player orientation and contested aerial duels that keep each quarter feeling unpredictable.

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What sets AFL ’98 apart is the brutal realism of the contest. Unlike American football, there are no helmets or pads, and EA Sports doesn’t shy away from full‐contact clashes or on-field melees. When bodies collide at full speed, you’ll see bruising tackles and even occasional blood spills, reinforcing just how physical this sport can be.

With all official teams and licensed players included, you can jump straight into your favorite club’s colors and guide them through a full season. The AI adapts to your tactics—run-and-gun style yields fast, high-scoring games, while a tight defensive zone can grind out low-scoring thrillers. Multiplayer support also means you can test your skills against friends, adding extra replay value long after single‐player modes have been exhausted.

Graphics

As with other titles under the EA Sports banner, AFL ’98 boasts crisp, colorful visuals that bring stadiums to life. The playing fields are rendered with detailed grass textures, realistic goal posts and vibrant team uniforms that pop against the green turf. Each ground feels distinct, from the packed stands of the Melbourne Cricket Ground to the compact confines of smaller venues.

Player models are robust, capturing unique physical attributes and jersey movements during high-impact collisions. Animations for marking contests look especially smooth, with slow-motion replays highlighting each leap and stretch. The crowd graphics, while polygonal by modern standards, still convey the roar of the spectators, complete with wave flags and choreographed clapping sequences.

Of course, AFL ’98 is a product of its time, so you’ll notice some blockiness around the edges and occasional frame rate dips when multiple players converge in heavy traffic. But these limitations are forgivable when you consider how seamlessly everything flows at full speed, and the classic EA Sports presentation—complete with broadcast-style camera angles—keeps the immersion firmly intact.

Story

While purely a sports simulation, AFL ’98 weaves its own narrative through season and finals modes. You start as head coach and captain, guiding a club through pre-season trials and the rugged home-and-away schedule. Every win and loss contributes to an overarching journey toward the coveted AFL Premiership, turning statistics on the scoreboard into emotional highs and lows.

Player form fluctuates week to week, encouraging you to manage fatigue, tweak your lineup and plan strategic training drills. Star forwards can go on tear, lighting up the goal radar, while your backline may suddenly fracture under a rival’s powerhouse ruckman. These dynamic story beats keep each match meaningful, forging rivalries and sparking “must-win” moments that mirror real-world footy drama.

Though there’s no cutscene-driven story mode, the integrated commentary and post-match interviews heighten the narrative feel. Voiceovers react to blistering goals, controversial umpiring decisions and on-field scuffles, making every match feel like a live broadcast. This presentation layer effectively transforms a single match into a chapter in your club’s unfolding saga.

Overall Experience

AFL ’98 stands as a landmark for Aussie Rules enthusiasts, representing one of the first comprehensive attempts to translate this uniquely Australian sport into video game form. The combination of authentic teams, realistic tackling and the trademark EA Sports polish ensures that fans get a faithful and engaging footy simulation.

On the flip side, the game’s age shows in some dated graphical elements and occasional AI quirks—players sometimes misjudge simple leads or fail to chase down loose balls. However, these issues are minor when weighed against the sheer enjoyment of mastering stylish snaps, contested marks and last-second behinds.

Whether you’re a die-hard AFL supporter or simply curious about a sport outside the American/European mainstream, AFL ’98 delivers a rewarding experience. Its deep season mode, dynamic gameplay and robust multiplayer options ensure long-lasting appeal. Lace up your boots, choose your club and get ready to feel the thunder of the contest—AFL ’98 is a true celebration of Australian Rules Football.

Retro Replay Score

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