AFL Evolution 2: How will it fare?

As countless Australians currently sit agitated in lockdown, AFL fans patiently await the release of True Blue Entertainment’s AFL Evolution 2 on gaming consoles.

With the release of a brand-new trailer, one question remains: will this second instalment relieve the boredom and frustration of fans who want their footy fix?

The release of the near 90-second trailer on Friday has received mixed reviews on social media over the weekend. Although some have noticed an upgrade, many have criticised the lack of improvement in graphics and animations.

Despite this remaining a common opinion among footy and gaming fans, others are quick to identify the smaller monetary scale of developers Wicked Witch Software and publisher True Blue.

It’s simply not fair for fans to expect the kind of standard set by global companies like 2K and EA Sports. However, fans should be able to expect something that is realistic and enjoyable – a game worthy of customer dollars, particularly given the current climate.

On that topic, it will be interesting to see how the current coronavirus pandemic affects sales of the game. Does the lockdown and newfound spare time lead to greater sales figures? Or with greater unemployment will non-essential, luxury items such as console games take a hit? Does the lack of real-life AFL football actually help or hinder the success of the game?

Although bringing the release date forward by a week is a good start, it’s difficult to ascertain the prospects of the game, with many features and details still unknown.

While many questions remain unanswered, we do know that AFL Evolution 2 will offer the chance to boost the egos of footy fans attempting to claim bragging rights over their mates.

Will you be buying AFL Evolution 2 when it’s released on 16 April?