Madden 2005 initial impressions.

[QUOTE=of course playing the same game for years will make playing another seem weird. but just cuz you are used to something doesn't make it better. to me, thats exactly the problem with Madden. it's been the same game for years..[/QUOTE]

Exactly, thats why it's still the best football game out there. Not trying to knock ESPN, but Madden has been consistent for a while now.

if it ain't broke...

i'm broke. from buying the same game every year.

c'mon, you guys are avid football fans. you're telling me that Madden has got it just right and can't get ALOT better? not even try and absorb some of the improvements to the genre that other games have made, or improve on the models+animations etc??

i'm broke. from buying the same game every year.

c'mon, you guys are avid football fans. you're telling me that Madden has got it just right and can't get ALOT better? not even try and absorb some of the improvements to the genre that other games have made, or improve on the models+animations etc??

Oh no, of course they can improve. There's always room for improvement. But as far as overall gameplay goes.......Madden is still the King.

Ill, I hear what your saying man. I also think that Madden can improve their animations. But, I also think ESPN can improve on alot more things than Madden. Like maybe the depth chart, roster management, and franchise mode. I think the whole "cribs" thing has to go.....

i suppose its how you define gameplay, cuz i define it as play on the field, and the closeness to reality of an NFL game. yeah Madden has better stats, franchise, and things that i understand many people love. but on the field i been seeing the same dumpy unrealistic player models, only-adequate physics, and too few, short, robotic animations for 5 years now.

here's some high-tech that really adds to gameplay that Madden doesn't feel is worth the effort. the near perfect, realtime tackle system of ESPN, or FEVER's (R.I.P.) Read n' Lead totally open passing system. not only are these things cool, they WORK and add alot to the actual gamePLAY. on the field. hitstick and playmaker just don't cut it compared to design and technology like that.

cribs, berman, owner mode, madden cards, even drafts and contract negotiations, while cool, is still extra, and i don't consider it true GAME DEVELOPMENT.

haha, here we go again.

If Madden loses Madden next year, I truly beleive it will be a better game. Its not like Madden does anythign for the game. We will miss some of his cheesy comments, but the commentary in the game is one of its weakest attributes. In recent years they havetn worked on fixing the commentary at all, and you still get told when you are up by 50 that this is a do or die play right here. Im sure they will still get commentators and fix all the sound of the game.

Ill, just curious, have you played Madden '05?

haha, here we go again.

If Madden loses Madden next year, I truly beleive it will be a better game. Its not like Madden does anythign for the game. We will miss some of his cheesy comments, but the commentary in the game is one of its weakest attributes. In recent years they havetn worked on fixing the commentary at all, and you still get told when you are up by 50 that this is a do or die play right here. Im sure they will still get commentators and fix all the sound of the game.

Yeah I gave up on Ill. He sticking with what he believes which is fine. I respect his opinion.

i was at the store during halftime of the HOF game (after normal closing hours) cuz that's when they called to tell me the truck with Madden 05 came. I interrupted the first SKINS game to get Madden. and like Summo, who started this thread, was disappointed in this year's release. too much the same, not enough BETTER.

conversely Matty, I know everything you've said about ESPN is based on last year's from your previous posts. have you gotten a chance to look at 2k5 yet?

Since I have been in this argument several times on this board, this is my conclusion:

If you want a football game becuase you are going to play a franchise, then you have no choice but to get madden in my opinion, its far superior if you play more than one season.

If you want a football game for head to head, or never play more than one season because you just play with current rosters, then you will probably buy espn and enjoy the extra presentation features that go along with the game.

No matter how many times we do the arguement, the franchise mode is always the most talked about. The animation factor bascially seems like its a personal preference more than anything. Everyone can state reasons why the same animation is better in each of the games. Both games have taken huge leaps from what football games used to be, neither is a bad game. So in my mind it comes down to if you want the presentation or the franchise.