LTM360
07-19-2004, 07:27 PM
Bryan:"We've got two Pro Bowlers here, definately. Madden scores big points for its near-flawless gameplay and brutally accurate reprsentation of the NFL, but ESPN stays right in it with features such as the new Virtual Identity Profile (VIP) and robust online leagues."
Patrick: "Yeah, VIP is one of the coolest features I've seen for a sports game. It tracks just about every gameplay tendency. Plus, you can download other VIPs and then go against an A.I. opponent that plays with that person's style--genuis."
OFFICIAL PS MAG--Chris B: "Same here on VIP but the thing is... Madden just plays better than ESPN. There. I said it."
Bryan: "No, Chris-- it plays a lot better. And I'm not just talking about the improved defensive play and, with a quick tap on the new Hit Stick, the bone-jarring tackles. It's how Madden replicates the style of play of actual NFL squads. When you're matched against Indy, for example, quarterback Payton Manning continually calls audibles at the line of scrimmage--just like he does every Sunday. In ESPN you won't find that level of authenticity on the field."
Chris B: "But you do get Jackass' Steve-O taunting you whenever you call an audible against his team, now that ESPN has added a few celebrity-coached squads. Who doesn't want that?"
Bryan: "Most football fans."
Chris B: "Actually, I think playing against the new celeb teams has a certain charm--and showcases the VIP feature, with Steve-O always going for two, just like I bet he would if I were really playing him. The smack talk does get annoying, though. At least David Arquette doesn't try to pitch 1-800-CALL-ATT."
Patrick: "What about Madden's new look? I'm really digging how the staduim lighting changes with the time of day, and the players--from body sizes to the number of wristbands they wear--are spot on."
Bryan: "ESPN Doesn't look too shabby either, but the player models are a bit stretched out and lack some of the finer details (not the faces, but everywhere else) you'll find in Madden."
Chris B: "Still, ESPN holds a light edge in overall presentation. The overlays feel more TV-like, featuring cool graphics that show stats like ball distribution. But Madden is a better-looking game in motion, even when it comes to ball physics. Bryan, you seemed to drop a lot of passes whenever we playd ESPN--dunno if your recievers just sucked or if it was just you. I'll admit there were some funny bounces, though."
Bryan: "I hear you. Too many wideouts with stone hands, erratic passes, and a running game that's still a bit too generous keep ESPN behind Madden on the depth chart."
Patrick: "C'mon, Bryan. Receivers do drop balls in the NFL, and not all quarterbacks have Troy Aikman-like accuracy with every pass. And those problems you mention arn't as prevalent as in years past."
Bryan: "Obviously it happens in the NFL, but not as much as it does in this game (and when you're that wide open). These guys are supposed to be pros."
Chris B: "Ok, boys, let's move on to something else--franchise modes. I still find Madden's quite deep, but I wouldn't shed a tear if talking head Tony Bruno got axed next season--the all-new weekly ramblings of him and his guests are so generic that, for the most part, you realize just how cliche-ridden sports talk radio is these days."
Patrick: "I resent that, Chris. (Pat is a talk show host) Sure, Bruno is kind of annoying, but the ability to monitor player morale via the radio show expands the experience for football junkies who truly want to immerse themselves in the NFL."
Bryan: "It's a shame that Bruno and company don't spout more off-the-cuff remakes. But the uptight NFL bigwigs would never allow that would they?"
Patrick: "if the No Fun League doesn't want Joe Horn stashing celebratory cell phones in various areas of the playing field, your "off the cuff" hopes are a no-go."
Bryan: "ESPN's franchise mode is much improved, but I'm not entirely sold on its biggest addition, Weekly Prep, either. Allocating time before the big game for practices, weight training, and even motivational speeches is great in theory, but not when it takes the form of an almost never-ending list of menus. Gotta sa I perfer the training drills in Madden."
Chris B: "My thoughts exactly. A lot of potential is missed in Weekly Prep. Meanwhile, the drills in Madden have always been fun, but EA should work them into the regular season--that would rock."
Bryan: "Shockingly wallet-friendly, $20, would rather stump up $50 for Madden?"
Patrick: "Yes. It's gameplay that keeps you coming back, and Madden is king in that department."
Chris B: "Yep. I think a casual football gamer who wants to play a game a week or so will be perfectly content with ESPN. It may well be the best $20 game ever. But hardcore players (or rich people) who don't think twice about spending $50 on the best should definately spring for Madden."
Bryan: "Agreed. And if you're ultra hardcore, fork over another $10 for the PS2-only Collector's Edition, which includes making-of documentaries (snore) and tweaked versions of Madden 93, 97, & 99]/i] with present-day rosters (score!)....I'm on that like a lineman on a free buffet."
Online Domination:
"When it comes to Internet Play, ESPN clearly runs over Madden. Aside from tourneys, you cn set up 32-team leagues with your buds through your console (last year's required a PC to do so", plus check outt stats, standings, box scores, and more at the game's website."
Final Scores:
[i]ESPN NFL 2K5
Bryan: 8.5
Patrick: 8.5
Chris B: 8.0
Madden NFL 2005
Bryan: 9.0
Patrick: 9.5
Chris B: 9.0
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Disscuss.
In my opinion they seemed way too fixated on talking about Madden, and bashing ESPN. Also "Madden looks better in motion" ok well all know that's crap... let's be real.
Eh, just another horrible EGM review. Just in my opinion.
Patrick: "Yeah, VIP is one of the coolest features I've seen for a sports game. It tracks just about every gameplay tendency. Plus, you can download other VIPs and then go against an A.I. opponent that plays with that person's style--genuis."
OFFICIAL PS MAG--Chris B: "Same here on VIP but the thing is... Madden just plays better than ESPN. There. I said it."
Bryan: "No, Chris-- it plays a lot better. And I'm not just talking about the improved defensive play and, with a quick tap on the new Hit Stick, the bone-jarring tackles. It's how Madden replicates the style of play of actual NFL squads. When you're matched against Indy, for example, quarterback Payton Manning continually calls audibles at the line of scrimmage--just like he does every Sunday. In ESPN you won't find that level of authenticity on the field."
Chris B: "But you do get Jackass' Steve-O taunting you whenever you call an audible against his team, now that ESPN has added a few celebrity-coached squads. Who doesn't want that?"
Bryan: "Most football fans."
Chris B: "Actually, I think playing against the new celeb teams has a certain charm--and showcases the VIP feature, with Steve-O always going for two, just like I bet he would if I were really playing him. The smack talk does get annoying, though. At least David Arquette doesn't try to pitch 1-800-CALL-ATT."
Patrick: "What about Madden's new look? I'm really digging how the staduim lighting changes with the time of day, and the players--from body sizes to the number of wristbands they wear--are spot on."
Bryan: "ESPN Doesn't look too shabby either, but the player models are a bit stretched out and lack some of the finer details (not the faces, but everywhere else) you'll find in Madden."
Chris B: "Still, ESPN holds a light edge in overall presentation. The overlays feel more TV-like, featuring cool graphics that show stats like ball distribution. But Madden is a better-looking game in motion, even when it comes to ball physics. Bryan, you seemed to drop a lot of passes whenever we playd ESPN--dunno if your recievers just sucked or if it was just you. I'll admit there were some funny bounces, though."
Bryan: "I hear you. Too many wideouts with stone hands, erratic passes, and a running game that's still a bit too generous keep ESPN behind Madden on the depth chart."
Patrick: "C'mon, Bryan. Receivers do drop balls in the NFL, and not all quarterbacks have Troy Aikman-like accuracy with every pass. And those problems you mention arn't as prevalent as in years past."
Bryan: "Obviously it happens in the NFL, but not as much as it does in this game (and when you're that wide open). These guys are supposed to be pros."
Chris B: "Ok, boys, let's move on to something else--franchise modes. I still find Madden's quite deep, but I wouldn't shed a tear if talking head Tony Bruno got axed next season--the all-new weekly ramblings of him and his guests are so generic that, for the most part, you realize just how cliche-ridden sports talk radio is these days."
Patrick: "I resent that, Chris. (Pat is a talk show host) Sure, Bruno is kind of annoying, but the ability to monitor player morale via the radio show expands the experience for football junkies who truly want to immerse themselves in the NFL."
Bryan: "It's a shame that Bruno and company don't spout more off-the-cuff remakes. But the uptight NFL bigwigs would never allow that would they?"
Patrick: "if the No Fun League doesn't want Joe Horn stashing celebratory cell phones in various areas of the playing field, your "off the cuff" hopes are a no-go."
Bryan: "ESPN's franchise mode is much improved, but I'm not entirely sold on its biggest addition, Weekly Prep, either. Allocating time before the big game for practices, weight training, and even motivational speeches is great in theory, but not when it takes the form of an almost never-ending list of menus. Gotta sa I perfer the training drills in Madden."
Chris B: "My thoughts exactly. A lot of potential is missed in Weekly Prep. Meanwhile, the drills in Madden have always been fun, but EA should work them into the regular season--that would rock."
Bryan: "Shockingly wallet-friendly, $20, would rather stump up $50 for Madden?"
Patrick: "Yes. It's gameplay that keeps you coming back, and Madden is king in that department."
Chris B: "Yep. I think a casual football gamer who wants to play a game a week or so will be perfectly content with ESPN. It may well be the best $20 game ever. But hardcore players (or rich people) who don't think twice about spending $50 on the best should definately spring for Madden."
Bryan: "Agreed. And if you're ultra hardcore, fork over another $10 for the PS2-only Collector's Edition, which includes making-of documentaries (snore) and tweaked versions of Madden 93, 97, & 99]/i] with present-day rosters (score!)....I'm on that like a lineman on a free buffet."
Online Domination:
"When it comes to Internet Play, ESPN clearly runs over Madden. Aside from tourneys, you cn set up 32-team leagues with your buds through your console (last year's required a PC to do so", plus check outt stats, standings, box scores, and more at the game's website."
Final Scores:
[i]ESPN NFL 2K5
Bryan: 8.5
Patrick: 8.5
Chris B: 8.0
Madden NFL 2005
Bryan: 9.0
Patrick: 9.5
Chris B: 9.0
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Disscuss.
In my opinion they seemed way too fixated on talking about Madden, and bashing ESPN. Also "Madden looks better in motion" ok well all know that's crap... let's be real.
Eh, just another horrible EGM review. Just in my opinion.