Espn Football!?

[slickbmw]

Hey...has anyone picked up this game yet. Im pretty sure it came out today...im tryin to make a decision to get Espn Football or Fever....anyone have their copy yet?

[DocHoliday78]

Go into the sports section and you will see some posts.

[robnyack]

The game is NICE. Very nice. Overall presentation of the game is in a class all by itself. EXCELLENT.

Berman's weekly highlight show is excellent. Spot on calls that go right with the highlights.

The game itself is smoother than last year, and a bit faster. They definately loosened up on the WRs catching balls, because now they are catching almost everything! I'm worried they might have made it too easy! In my 2 games, I am completing 65% of my passes. In my wildest dreams, I could not complete that high of a % in 2k3! And even more scary, my 65% completion % is good for only about 15th in the league! Still too early to say it this will be a problem, but I will see as I go along.

Sacks are easier to get (thank god). The computer seems to complete a ton of passes though. Running feels smoother. I like the new charge system. Very nice.

Commentary is the best out there. I always ***** and moan about Madden having Madden and Michaels and all we have are 2 unknown actors pretending to be annoucers, but the fact of the matter is, they really do the best job. Excellent commentary.

Crowds react well and looks great (I think the crowd reacts better in Fever). I do not like the new play calling system. I did not like 2k3s very well, and I think I like this even less. I love Fever's play calling layout. I wish they would copy it.

The franchise mode is awesome. The layout and design is in a league of it's own. I love the email system they use to convey all the info to you.

I have a couple concerns that will play themselves out one way or the other as I play more games, but, regardless of how they turn out, if you love football gaming, you must buy this game.

[Ugunnalose]

yeah i picked it up and its dope get espn

[l Maximus l]

I haven't played it yet, however, I did play the demo on the last OXM and I wasn't too impressed. Of course, there were huge things lacking in the demo that are not in the real game...like, commentary and stuff. It just didn't feel fun without it! lol

Personally, I would get Fever 2004 over ESPN simply to check out the new XSN sports league. But, I'll likely pick up Links 2004 or Amped 2 instead.

[Bakeman]

I bought Madden 2004, and ESPN and I rented Fever...

Fever made tons of improvements... I still don't think it's worth buying yet.

Madden is alright.. probably not worth buying either (I need NFL in a bad way, and it was first out lol)

ESPN made alot of improvements also. Mostly in presentation.. WOW. Definitly the best of the 3 in presentation..

And personally I enjoy the game play of the 3 better in ESPN.

Although I am starting to worry. I'm playing Jets vs Bengals (I hope this is just because it's the bengals). It is the 3rd quarter with 2 minutes and 5 seconds left. I'm winning 21 to 17.

Chad Pennington QB RAT - 106.7, Com - 9, ATT - 10, PCT - 90%, Yards - 111, TD - 1, INT 1 (this INT was a hail mary throw at the end of the half for no reason)

Curtis Martin ATT - 12, Yards - 127, AVG - 10.6, Long - 63, TD - 2.

Corey Dillion ATT - 5, Yards - (-3) .... :huh:



EDIT: Okay just ended the game... I won 35 to 25

Pennington 109.0, 14/18, 78%, 203 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Kitna 89.6, 7/11, 64%, 111 yards, 1TD, 1 INT

Martin 26 ATT, 180 yards, 4 TD's, 4 catches, 70 yards, 1 TD
Dillion 5 ATT, -3 yards, 0 TD's :huh:

Conway 6 catches, 100 yards

[Bakeman]

I actually like The Crib... I thought the idea was stupid..

You can play *once unlocked of course* PAPER FOOTBALL!! and Air Hockey!

And you collect bobble head dolls.. which you can make their head bobble using the right anolog stick...


EDIT: While looking around my crib just now I just passed 3 hours of game play.

[Bakeman]

I'm looking at the big play milestones..

and I have unlocked the 30 yard TD Run, 40 yard TD Run, and the 60 yard TD run.. That's 3 of the 4 TD Run Milestones.. the 4th and final one has to be a 99 yard TD..... YIKES!!!

[Rooster]

I have had the game for about 2 days now and play it every chance I get, it is just so smooth and fun to play!! I do agree that the default settings are way to easy, especially after playing 2k3 and having to fight for everything. However there are tons of sliders here so I will mess with them and see what I can get.
The presentation is the best hands down, no one can top this presentation!! I love the pre and half time show, and especailly NFL PRIMETIME!!! The Swami comes through big time in this one, the regular commentary is also dead on the money!! It is one very impressive package that will only get better with time.
Now for some, though there are many, of the things you will enjoy. THe animations are insane in this game, running backs pushing lineman, sideline catches, dives, one handers, you name it and it should be there in this game. The chaining of moves is so smooth it is scary, I can kill guys with Faulk. The charge system is great and is easy to use and get used too. The controls take some getting used to, but once you have them down it is on like donkey kong. There are a nice amount of options, there is a in game manual, practice mode, video feature showing the new features, there is customizable soundtracks, playbook editors, etc, etc.
This is one of the best football games ever made and possibly the best this year, sure Madden has the whole playmaker thing and a sweet owner mode, etc. However I think you have to give this game Best of the Year because of the huge strides it took from the previous version. It has set a new standard as far as I am concerned that will be tough for anyone to top in gameplay and presentation, also in many other areas.
I will post a full review after about 2 weeks with the game, so far it is beyond what I expected.