Madden 2005

Freak

I played this game for about three hours last night, on PS2, I can give a few impressions.

First off, the graphics and presentation are really lacking, but then that's probably just because I've been spoiled by ESPN on the XBox. There are some new animations that look kind of cool. The big thing I didn't like about the graphics is all the players have arms like Hulk Hogan, and the faces are all still really... clay-looking.

Beyond the visuals though, I would say they definitely tightened up the gameplay this year. Defending the pass is easier which is good, whereas I thought pass defense was last year's major downfall. On the other hand, it's also really easy to pass the ball against the computer. I was playing on All-Pro by the way, maybe this game needs to be bumped up to All-Madden. One thing I really liked was that, especially in the running game, defensive players will swarm to the ball and take good angles. This makes it more challenging.

I really can't say too much more... it's a smooth game with fun gameplay, but at this point I'll be content playing NCAA and ESPN for another couple months before I really feel like picking this game up. DMW, you have to at least rent ESPN, just to SEE the game (on XBox).

DMW

Well, money's kind of tight right now, so it sounds like ESPN is the way to go. It sounds like nothing is revolutionary in the new Madden, so I may as well save myself the $30.

Blitzkrieg

Administrator

Nope. no no no no. ESPN ain't got shit on Madden. See I thought the same thing so I went out and paid $20 and got ESPN, and I don't even own the shit anymore. Gave it away. If you got the extra $30 don't fuck around, get Madden

Danny Diamond

Founder/Admin

I have played both games for hours.

I rented ESPN2K5 and had it for like 3 weeks.

I have always been a Madden guy but wanted to give another football game a legit shot.

I would give ESPN 2K5 a 5 out of 10 maybe. I would give Madden 2005 a 9 out of 10.

ESPN franchise mode is way too busy with shit that is totally irrelevant. Its hard to figure out what the hell is going on half the time, plus I went undefeated in a season the first time i tried and it was set to the hardest level.

Madden on the other hand is harder, much more realistic and much much much funner to do in franchise mode.


The graphics for the XBox Madden 2005 far surpass 2k5.

The first player view for 2K5 is fun at first until you realize that you are getting burnt on just about every pass play.


I would recommend Madden over 2k5 anyday of the week. The extra 30 bucks is well spent if you are a video game fan.

Freak

I'm sorry, but for me, that right there just lost your post all its credibility. I honestly cannot think of any one individually-modeled item in all of Madden that is done better than ESPN, except the sky and MAYBE the facemasks... that's IT. ESPN 2K5 is the first football game ever designed FOR the XBox, to use all of the XBox's superior graphic capabilities. Honestly, the graphics in ESPN will make you cream your pants, every last animation, and I'm not even someone who's especially interested in graphics. The fact that you can slow down the instant replays and watch the players clench their teeth, tense their muscles, and see veins actually moving... irrelevant, but so so so goddamn cool.

I tried playing NFL 2K3, and I hated it. Looking back on it, I know exactly why I hated it... I was simply too used to Madden. I think a lot of people suffer from this, and I still am getting used to the gameplay in ESPN (which I now find MUCH more satisfying then Madden's). And Simon... I don't know what difficulties you're playing on if you're going 16-0 in ESPN, and then find Madden HARD... I've played one single-player game of Madden 2005 on All-Pro, and I won 38-14 (both TDs I gave up were 50-yard bombs into triple coverage).

Blitzkrieg, what is it that you think makes Madden so much better? Is it the familiarity for you too?

Look, I think Madden is a great game... I will in all likelihood purchase it in a couple months. I would just love to see Sega start to get some credit somewhere... each year they bust their asses and add 10 times as much to their game as EA, while the guys at Madden rest on their laurels and develop some useless new tool to market like the HIT STICK or PLAYMAKER mode.

DMW

I picked up ESPN 2k5 today, and after playing just a couple games I'm definately satified with it. Like Freak said, it's taking a little time to get used to I am too have been a Madden player for years. I haven't played the last few Madden games, so I don't know if it's improved, but I find the run/pass balance to be much better than any game I've played before.

As for the graphics, they're great (I'm playing the Xbox version, so I don't know about PS2) and I saw Madden being played in the store and I don't see how you can say that they far surpass 2K5.

Blitzkrieg

Administrator

Hey, I'll admit that the graphics in ESPN are fuckin sweet. That isn't why I got rid of the game. ESPN's graphics might even be better than Madden, but I don't care. Two reasons why I choose Madden

1. I love the Franchise mode and to me is supperior to that of ESPN (Although I don't think ESPN is all that bad in this department.)

2. Which is the biggest reason, I hate the gameplay in ESPN. Madden has far better controls, and ESPN's players move like fuckin robots. Plus, the speed factor of the players is all fucked up. Are you tellin' me that Mike Alstot can out run Patrick Surtain?? no fuckin way. But that is the bullshit that ESPN tries to feed me...It happens all the time. Also, a QB that is rated like shit can't even get the ball anywhere near his intended receivers. Am I supposed to beleive that a guy in the NFL, no matter how bad he may be, throws like a girl??

Anyway, you guys are entitled to your opinions and like I said if you don't have the extra $30 then go with ESPN, maybe you will like it. But if you have $50...don't fuck around, just get Madden

DMW

If money wasn't an issue, I would have picked up Madden, but it was, and so far I'm happy with ESPN.

Danny Diamond

Founder/Admin

DMW, I will bet you anything that within a months time you will say on this "Damn, I wish I saved my pennied for Madden, this 2K5 game SUCKS"


Guarunteed.

Dr. Giganto

Madden's franchise mode is AWESOME. Then again, i have no point of reference

I put Ron Dayne on the trading block and when you go to his player management screen theres a meter showing his morale and its low, with a quote from him saying "I just dont think me and the Giants are a good fit anymore". That made my week

Plus you can read "articles" from USA Today and your team's local paper (New York Post for the Giants) and read about who's on the trading block, who wants a contract extension, etc.

I skipped last year's edition, but i have to say this year's is much improved over 2003. Defensive players take MUCH smarter angles to the ball, whereas in 2003 they bit every time i juked.

Also, on offense, the receivers have "option" routes, where they run the route according to the coverage. For instance, if the CB is playing back, the receiver runs a hitch, but if the CB is playing up tight, he takes it deep. Again, this may have been in last year's game, but not in the one 2 years ago.