I just finished playing my first game. This is a VERY DIFFERENT game than years past for the 2K series. The gameplay is realistic and it isn't too easy to score. You can earn rewards to buy stuff for your "crib" and the VIP mode is awesome. It records like all of what a player does and makes an AI for them, so it's like playing against one of your friends, even though they aren't there. It is a very cool new feature. I would recommend buying it to everyone, because it is well worth the $20. I don't think I'll even get Madden after playing this game. It is just like an ESPN Sunday Night Game, from pregame to halftime to postgame. For $20, you can't go wrong.