Read This Befor you purchase ESPN Football

[thevald]

WOW!!!!!!

I have been a loyal Madden consumer for the better part of 10 years. I was so impressed with Madden, I began playing the NCAA. In my mind nothing was better than EA.

Well Times Be A Changin!!!!!

This years Sega ESPN Football game is incredible! If you want true to life simulation football, look no than ESPN. I tried the previous years and they just did not cut it.

Graphics 10
Sound 10
Commentary 10
Game Play 7

I am sure over time I will adjust the score for Game Play when I become more familiar with game, but never the less this game is outstanding.

You can look for my Madden and NCAA at a game store near you. Used and traded in.

[l Maximus l]

First and foremost, welcome to the best damn XBox fansite on the net!

But, I'm kinda curious...perfect 10s?!? I mean, come on...there has to be something lacking in those departments (excluding your 7 on Gameplay).

[CarGuy]

Why do you think Gameplay is only average?

[ThaWatcher]

Fever '04?...

[thevald]

Just not used to the game play yet. In a nut shell I suck

[Duke]

Originally posted by Maximus-XBA
First and foremost, welcome to the best damn XBox fansite on the net!

But, I'm kinda curious...perfect 10s?!? I mean, come on...there has to be something lacking in those departments (excluding your 7 on Gameplay).

I don't know that I'd go w/ all those 10's, but after getting a few games in sp yesterday, this, IMO, is the best one this year.

To be fair, only played Madden in a demo, but no xbl = can't win.

[Casper]

Honestly, I gotta do a review for this game sometime today, and right now, I'd say this. Last years version - 8.4 .... this years.....9.6 - the only complaint that I have with this so far is there's a slight, slight framerate problem during single player play that I've noticed on 2 systems and comfirmed with someone else too that they saw a slight skip in the frames after a play. Besides that, hell, this game is absolutely amazing...plus XBL - dam near perfection.

[studepaber]

IMO NCAA Football 2004 > ESPN 2k4 > Madden 2004 as far as gameplay goes and I can't rate against Fever since I haven't played it yet. Player animations seem more fluid compared to the other two and there are several other things I like better about NCAA (with the exception of lack of online play), anyone else feel the same way I do?

EDIT: Casper I notice the framerate skipping as well.

[Duke]

NCAA is a great game. I'm pretty sure we're only referencing NFL though.

[Heavens Gate]

Originally posted by Maximus-XBA
First and foremost, welcome to the best damn XBox fansite on the net!

But, I'm kinda curious...perfect 10s?!? I mean, come on...there has to be something lacking in those departments (excluding your 7 on Gameplay).

Hey Max my guy, Trust me when i say it is way before it's time in the graphics dept. Everything is 10's across the board. I'm in my 20's and love football. It's my passion. This game is the closest to virtual reality we will see in some time. It makes ANY and I mean ANY game on the box look like absolute crap in comparison. I'm still shocked and in disbelief at what this game is. I will NEVER put it down. It's better than watching a real NFL game and looks better too. Just wait till you see it. I almost got a hardon. My girl loves this game. She says she has never seen a game with so much polish. I can't get her off the damn thing and I'm having probs with roadrunner. By the way, Casper, your sig rocks. My girl is a big Dolphins fan. This game is a true Masterpiece.

[mattgame]

Originally posted by Heavens Gate


Hey Max my guy, Trust me when i say it is way before it's time in the graphics dept. Everything is 10's across the board. I'm in my 20's and love football. It's my passion. This game is the closest to virtual reality we will see in some time. It makes ANY and I mean ANY game on the box look like absolute crap in comparison. I'm still shocked and in disbelief at what this game is. I will NEVER put it down. It's better than watching a real NFL game and looks better too. Just wait till you see it. I almost got a hardon


What's it gonna be Fever or ESPN? Whta about new innovations are there any? I 'll rent it first.

[dances with broom sticks]

I dunno... Im sure it will have great gameplay and be much better than the other 2, but I think read an lead makes fever a leader this year. It actually brought something completely new (as far as i know) which the others more or less just polished what they already had.


Im pretty sure that read and lead will be making a trip to all the games next time around

[mattgame]

Originally posted by dances with broom sticks
I dunno... Im sure it will have great gameplay and be much better than the other 2, but I think read an lead makes fever a leader this year. It actually brought something completely new (as far as i know) which the others more or less just polished what they already had.


Im pretty sure that read and lead will be making a trip to all the games next time around

At last an intelligent human being! Unbiased opinions are so hard to come by on this site. Read and Lead simply stated is like being in the game itself. I mean literally. ESPN first person view does not impress me at all. It has been done before.

[Duke]

Wow, unbiased because he agrees w/ you?

I gave fever a chance this year. Heard it was soooo much better than any of the other iterations. And it is, kind of. Read and lead is good, but not a game seller. If you're looking for overall realism, you gotta go w/ espn.

To each his own. FPF is not a game seller either, and has absolutley nothing to do with how I formed my opinion. I don't think that anyone will be completely disappointed w/ any of the games, but after one game of ESPN I was hooked, not so w/ the others.

[studepaber]

On a sidenote, if you are playing with/against the Bengals they have a receiver called T.J. Houshmandzadeh (pronounced hoosh-man-zah-deh) and both of the announcers pronounce his name different from each other and both completely butcher it. I guess you have to be a Bengal's fan to appreciate this, but I about lost it :)

[Hugopolo]

Bengals have fans?
JK

[Seawolf1]

The only complaint I have with ESPN Football is the announcers. Thier voices and commentary are a bit annoying to me, but thats the only gripe I have with the game oh and I want the DOA Beach Volleyball girls as cheerleaders in ESPN Football, but I promise thats all.lol:D

[canadianboi3]

I think they have perfected the online aspect as well. I got in one game today. Damn near perfect like Casper said. It is perfect. When declining someone's challenge, you can say why. Its great. Hands down, best football/sports game this year.:cheers:

[mattgame]

Originally posted by DukeBuckhorn
Wow, unbiased because he agrees w/ you?

I gave fever a chance this year. Heard it was soooo much better than any of the other iterations. And it is, kind of. Read and lead is good, but not a game seller. If you're looking for overall realism, you gotta go w/ espn.

To each his own. FPF is not a game seller either, and has absolutley nothing to do with how I formed my opinion. I don't think that anyone will be completely disappointed w/ any of the games, but after one game of ESPN I was hooked, not so w/ the others.

Okay Duke, here we go. I bought ESPN this weekend. I was awake until 4:00 this morning playing FPF. It is hot. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. Since I have played football all of my life, I am used to the view from inside of a helmet. It is very accurate. The graphics were not all that tight to me and it had other problems. Good game though.

[Heavens Gate]

Originally posted by t_howell


Okay Duke, here we go. I bought ESPN this weekend. I was awake until 4:00 this morning playing FPF. It is hot. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. Since I have played football all of my life, I am used to the view from inside of a helmet. It is very accurate. The graphics were not all that tight to me and it had other problems. Good game though.

Come on man. How can you say anything against the graphics in this game? Everything is beautiful and does anyone turn on maximum passing? When you put your controller over the team your going to be, press the right thumbstick button and max passing will come up. Then, you can lead your receivers in any direction you want.

[CrazyCougar]

Originally posted by t_howell


Okay Duke, here we go. I bought ESPN this weekend. I was awake until 4:00 this morning playing FPF. It is hot. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. Since I have played football all of my life, I am used to the view from inside of a helmet. It is very accurate. The graphics were not all that tight to me and it had other problems. Good game though.

Hey at least the game is 1000 time better than Fever. Fever has its problems as well, as does Madden. Will there ever be a perfect game? No probably not. Because each year something new will be added, and it'll take them a year to perfect it. I lve ESPN, and like you said First Person is definitely a lot of fun!

[mattgame]

Originally posted by Heavens Gate


Come on man. How can you say anything against the graphics in this game? Everything is beautiful and does anyone turn on maximum passing? When you put your controller over the team your going to be, press the right thumbstick button and max passing will come up. Then, you can lead your receivers in any direction you want.

Don't get me wrong, the graphics are good I just think that Fever looks better. I make reference to a game I played in Giants stadium. The difference in the shadows were remarkable. In the sun you are in the sun, when you are in a shadowy area, you are in a shadowy area. There are a lot of drops in ESPN also. If a guy hits you the moment after the ball arrives you are dropping that one. Some receivers actually hang on to the ball you know. Maximum passing is cool and the control scheme is easy too. Fever is a little rough in the control area. Overall, ESPN did a great job, I just think Fever is a better football game.

[CrazyCougar]

In ESPN they hardly ever drop the ball now. That was 2k3's problem, not ESPN.

I love the rolling clouds effect, casting shadows across the field as they move by. Also, the evening to night scenario is really great. A red tint to everything at this point of the game. Thats pretty sweet, especially since I hate playing any sport during that time!!! Especially softball....dusk is the worst, i can't see crap!

[borka105]

crazycougar, can you please stop bashing fever?


it's ridiculous how you are a mod and all and spend all your time going from thread to thread posting something negative about fever.

It's a good game as is all the rest of the titles. Just because you perfer ESPN, doesn't mean you need to make it clear to everyone else that Fever sucks.....


it's just your opinion bro, don't push it down everyones throat.


-borka105

[CrazyCougar]

Me being a mod has nothing to do with my opinion. Is this a forum? Am I allowed to state my opinion? I do think so...and as you said I am stating my opinon. When I see someone ripping apart ESPN and praising Fever, I'll just sit back and ignore it from now on. NOT!

Fever is NOT a good game, nor does it even have the kahuna's to compete. I played it and was absolutely appauled especially after the punt fiasco. So I'll continue to mash it because its the truth in my opinion.

[mattgame]

Originally posted by CrazyCougar-XBA
Me being a mod has nothing to do with my opinion. Is this a forum? Am I allowed to state my opinion? I do think so...and as you said I am stating my opinon. When I see someone ripping apart ESPN and praising Fever, I'll just sit back and ignore it from now on. NOT!

Fever is NOT a good game, nor does it even have the kahuna's to compete. I played it and was absolutely appauled especially after the punt fiasco. So I'll continue to mash it because its the truth in my opinion.

Fever is the best, then Madden, then ESPN. Just an opinion and we should all respect each others right to have opinions. Opinions are just like *******s everybody has one.:cheers:

[Heavens Gate]

Originally posted by CrazyCougar-XBA
Me being a mod has nothing to do with my opinion. Is this a forum? Am I allowed to state my opinion? I do think so...and as you said I am stating my opinon. When I see someone ripping apart ESPN and praising Fever, I'll just sit back and ignore it from now on. NOT!

Fever is NOT a good game, nor does it even have the kahuna's to compete. I played it and was absolutely appauled especially after the punt fiasco. So I'll continue to mash it because its the truth in my opinion.

I couldn't agree with you more. How anybody would choose Madden or Fever over this gem is beyond me. Every face is accurate. Every stadium is perfection and the grass textures rock. The weather effects are incredible. In day games there's the blimp casting shadows overhead. In the afternoon the shadows are amazing. In the evening just like you stated. The animations are astounding. The presentation is incredible. The superbowl presentation is great. The gameplay is fluid and if you press the y button after a catch, the receiver has a better chance of holding onto the ball. Not many drops this year at all. Fever and Madden can't compete. I owned them all . Now, I only own ESPN. Who needs the rest when you have the best. My choices in order

1. ESPN
2. ESPN
3. ESPN

To be veery candid, there is no and I mean NO substitution for ESPN. It's a masterpiece in football just like it was when it first hit the Dreamcast.

[mattgame]

Originally posted by Heavens Gate


I couldn't agree with you more. How anybody would choose Madden or Fever over this gem is beyond me. Every face is accurate. Every stadium is perfection and the grass textures rock. The weather effects are incredible. In day games there's the blimp casting shadows overhead. In the afternoon the shadows are amazing. In the evening just like you stated. The animations are astounding. The presentation is incredible. The superbowl presentation is great. The gameplay is fluid and if you press the y button after a catch, the receiver has a better chance of holding onto the ball. Not many drops this year at all. Fever and Madden can't compete. I owned them all . Now, I only own ESPN. Who needs the rest when you have the best. My choices in order

1. ESPN
2. ESPN
3. ESPN

To be veery candid, there is no and I mean NO substitution for ESPN. It's a masterpiece in football just like it was when it first hit the Dreamcast. :mad:

[Seawolf1]

ESPN Football rocks! Best football game I have ever played and I've pretty much played them all. The first person view started giving me flashbacks of high school ball and how fast pace the game is. Sometimes you forget how fast the game of football is when looking at it from a 3rd person view or on TV. Try playing a game of the first person view and you will think your playing in fast forward. lol

Nice job Sega! I hope they boost up the marketing of this game. Would love to see it knock off Maddan. As far as Fever goes if Microsoft would take some pointers from Sega on how to build a good football game I would buy fever in a heartbeat. Fever just needs to mature before it gets to the next level.IMO

[mattgame]

Originally posted by Seawolf1
ESPN Football rocks! Best football game I have ever played and I've pretty much played them all. The first person view started giving me flashbacks of high school ball and how fast pace the game is. Sometimes you forget how fast the game of football is when looking at it from a 3rd person view or on TV. Try playing a game of the first person view and you will think your playing in fast forward. lol

Nice job Sega! I hope they boost up the marketing of this game. Would love to see it knock off Maddan. As far as Fever goes if Microsoft would take some pointers from Sega on how to build a good football game I would buy fever in a heartbeat. Fever just needs to mature before it gets to the next level.IMO

I guess I can't get anyone to go with Fever hunh? Alright I give up. ESPN is a great game but give Fever it's due. It will compete strong next year.

[CrazyCougar]

Originally posted by t_howell


.... It will compete strong next year.

Thats what everyone has said the past 2 years straight now. Sorry but in my book 3 strikes and your out. Fever is out and won't even see a rental from me next year.

[mattgame]

Originally posted by CrazyCougar-XBA


Thats what everyone has said the past 2 years straight now. Sorry but in my book 3 strikes and your out. Fever is out and won't even see a rental from me next year.

Ouch! What would you change about the game? Does it have any redeeming qualities? What makes ESPN so much better? I think the choice is in what does a gamer believe real football to be or if a gamer likes sim or arcade style football. What do you think? I am asking you because I respect your opinion.

[CrazyCougar]

Hey man, its just my opinion. LOL! Some people do like the game, I just prefer ESPN for a more realistic football game. Fever does have some nice graphics, but the gameplay is what kills me. Like I stated before, the game has just too much elementary school attitude. Compared to ESPN and even Madden. I don't like the the look of the passing game as it seems like the same exact pass everytime. QB's hold the ball right beside their head til they throw the ball? Doesnt look realistic to me. The players feel like they are running on air and not ground. And there are some major glitches that are unexcusable. For example : A ball punted out of bounds at the 50 and bounces back into the field of play and ends up being downed at the 26 yards line??? YIKES! Thats a huge mistake.

Just my opinion again. But ESPN is the way to go for "real" football experiences.

[mattgame]

Good enough. Thanks.

[ARONO129]

When will EA start taking advantage of the Xbox capabilities? The player models are not good. So what if I can create a player with a tattoo. It's still a lousy looking player with a tattoo. Even the grass\turf in Madden '04 is awful.

I'm sooo impressed with ESPN that I'm not even considering EA's NHL game this year. It's ESPN all the way. The worldwide leader in sports videogames.

[mattgame]

Originally posted by ARONO129
When will EA start taking advantage of the Xbox capabilities? The player models are not good. So what if I can create a player with a tattoo. It's still a lousy looking player with a tattoo. Even the grass\turf in Madden '04 is awful.

I'm sooo impressed with ESPN that I'm not even considering EA's NHL game this year. It's ESPN all the way. The worldwide leader in sports videogames.

I am shocked at all of the ESPN bandwagoning that's going on. Okay, I'm not but can we give Fever some love?

[keyhole]

Vald, I too am a loyal gamer of the John Madden Football games going back to sega days, however I must admit that ESPN really came thru this year. I still love Madden and will keep the game(as I have since 2000) but I'm telling anyone within hearing distance to get ESPN 2k4 it is well worth the buy. Anyone wanting to play can send me a challenge online when you see my tag: KEYHOLE

[Hugopolo]

ill add u just make sure u accept

[Heavens Gate]

Originally posted by t_howell


I am shocked at all of the ESPN bandwagoning that's going on. Okay, I'm not but can we give Fever some love?


Dude, if you like Fever than that's fine. That's what gaming is all about. It sounds like you want to justify your purchase and feel you MUST have the best game of football. I used to do that. I loved NBA on the Saturn. I think it was one of the best b-ball games at the time. Everybody else loved live and I hated live for the SEGA Saturn. I kept trying to justify and defend the game. Now I realize that it is I WHO COUNTS. If you like a game that alot of people don't, so what? I didn't think HALO was all that great but that's my opinion. Have Fever and Love it. It plays a great game of Ball as well. I just prefer ESPN and who knows, I might get Fever again.:cheers:

[mattgame]

Originally posted by Heavens Gate



Dude, if you like Fever than that's fine. That's what gaming is all about. It sounds like you want to justify your purchase and feel you MUST have the best game of football. I used to do that. I loved NBA on the Saturn. I think it was one of the best b-ball games at the time. Everybody else loved live and I hated live for the SEGA Saturn. I kept trying to justify and defend the game. Now I realize that it is I WHO COUNTS. If you like a game that alot of people don't, so what? I didn't think HALO was all that great but that's my opinion. Have Fever and Love it. It plays a great game of Ball as well. I just prefer ESPN and who knows, I might get Fever again.:cheers:

Thank you.