Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

AFL Premiership 2005 delivers a deeply authentic Australian Rules Football experience, faithfully adhering to the official AFL rulebook. Players can choose from all 16 licensed teams, each featuring accurate kits, player names, and attributes. With 692 AFL stars at your disposal and eight iconic stadiums to host matches, the game caters to both die-hard footy fans and newcomers curious about the sport’s fast-paced action.

(HEY YOU!! We hope you enjoy! We try not to run ads. So basically, this is a very expensive hobby running this site. Please consider joining us for updates, forums, and more. Network w/ us to make some cash or friends while retro gaming, and you can win some free retro games for posting. Okay, carry on 👍)

The control scheme strikes a balance between accessibility and depth. Basic kicks, handballs, and tackles are intuitive for casual gamers, while advanced maneuvers—such as shepherding, shepherd-run blocks, and contested marking—offer ample room for mastery. Matches flow smoothly, with AI teammates intelligently reading plays and positioning themselves for leads or defensive support, making single-player seasons and quick matches equally engaging.

Multiplayer options are robust. On PlayStation 2, up to four local players can jump in via the Multi-tap, while online battles are powered by GameSpy across all platforms. The innovative Cameo Eyetoy support on PS2 adds a cheeky level of immersion: snap a photo of your head, slap it onto a virtual athlete, and watch “you” charge down the wing. This novelty, alongside classic couch matches and online rivalries, ensures the gameplay never grows stale.

Graphics

The visual presentation of AFL Premiership 2005 captures the vibrant atmosphere of stadium footy. Player models are well-defined for the era, with accurate uniforms and facial features that distinguish star players. Each of the eight venues is meticulously recreated, from the Melbourne Cricket Ground’s sprawling oval to the intimate stands of Docklands Stadium, complete with dynamic crowd animations and realistic field textures.

Lighting and weather effects add another layer of immersion. Afternoon games feature crisp shadows across the grass, while under-the-lights night fixtures glow against floodlit surrounds. Rain matches feature slick turf reflections and soaked jerseys, affecting ball physics and creating memorable, challenging conditions that mirror real AFL contests.

On PC and Xbox, performance is generally stable, though texture details and draw distances vary slightly compared to the PS2 version. Despite these minor differences, the core visual fidelity remains consistent across platforms. The Eyetoy player portraits, though blocky by today’s standards, inject a playful personalization that many gamers will appreciate.

Story

As a sports simulation, AFL Premiership 2005 doesn’t follow a traditional narrative arc. Instead, “story” emerges from the seasons you craft: guiding a bottom-placed club to finals glory, engineering upsets in rainy grand finals, or drafting future superstars. It’s a blank canvas for footy fans to script their own on-field dramas.

The game’s Career Mode provides a structured progression, complete with drafts, trades, and player development. While commentary is functional rather than cinematic, it punctuates key moments—big marks, goal celebrations, and crucial tackles—with enough enthusiasm to keep the adrenaline high. Supplementing this is the PS2-exclusive “100 Years of Australian Football” DVD, a treasure trove of historical highlights and classic matches that add context to your in-game exploits.

For those seeking more guided experiences, weekly challenges and scenario-based matches recreate famous AFL turning points, such as miracle comebacks or last-minute goals. These bite-sized episodes not only test your skills under pressure but also lamp the storied rivalry tapestry of the AFL to life.

Overall Experience

AFL Premiership 2005 stands as a definitive Australian Rules Football sim of its generation. Its strength lies in authenticity: licensed teams, comprehensive rules, and realistic stadiums combine to satisfy footy purists. Casual players will find the controls inviting, while veterans can dig into the nuanced tactics that govern real AFL contests.

The multiplayer suite extends the fun well beyond solo play. Local skirmishes via Multi-tap foster lively living-room showdowns, and online matchmaking provides a competitive arena to test your strategies against strangers nationwide. The Cameo Eyetoy feature, while novel, underscores the developers’ commitment to innovative gameplay touches that break the mold of ordinary sports titles.

Minor graphical concessions on later Xbox and PC ports are far outweighed by the robust draft updates included post-launch. Whether you’re chasing premiership glory in Career Mode, reliving classic footy moments, or simply enjoying a weekend backyard battle with friends, AFL Premiership 2005 offers a comprehensive, entertaining package. For fans of Australian football and sports simulations alike, it remains a must-have title that captures the spirit and excitement of the AFL.

Retro Replay Score

null/10