'Official' Madden 2005 Impressions Thread...

[Spooky]

Well, after a few more games last night, one thing that I cannot help but notice is...this game really looks like ass! I mean, it's really bad. The player models are nice and the movement is great, but what the hell is up with the grass??? Please correct me if I am wrong, but, isn't grass typically green not 'pea soup grey'? Also, what's up with the lighting and the faded / washed out look in all of the night games? It's like a giant opium den in these stadiums at night.

Oh well, it doesn't affect gameplay right!?!?!?

Anyway, after a few more games on All-Pro, I too am having a hell of a time trying to get a good running game going. That's kind of a bummer. I am still loving the feel of the game and the control, but I am now a bit frustrated with running.

I played an online game against a random opponent (I know big mistake, but there were no DSP guys online) and he cheesed as best he could. He never once ran the ball and used this blitz defense every down. Now, I am NOT a big Madden guy so I do not know the 'in's & out's' of the game to try and take advantage of this idiots velveeta, so I quickly was down a couple touchdowns (mostly my fault as I am still having a very hard time with the kicking meter so my FG attempts and punts suck ass). Anyway, I couldn't take it anymore so at halftime I requested a 'Friendly Quit'. No go there so I just quit the game. F*ck him! I have absolutely NO time for that kind of bullsh*t. Lesson learned, no more strangers (and I know better, that's the sad thing). Oh well, still can't wait to play someone on my 'Friends List'.

The online game was very smooth though, I'll tell you that. Really nice.

[Leebo33]

Also, what's up with the lighting and the faded / washed out look in all of the night games? It's like a giant opium den in these stadiums at night.

Anyway, after a few more games on All-Pro, I too am having a hell of a time trying to get a good running game going. That's kind of a bummer. I am still loving the feel of the game and the control, but I am now a bit frustrated with running.

Night games look awful. I made sure I was playing in the afternoon last night because it is a lot better.

I couldn't run on All-Pro and the CPU couldn't either. I increased the run sliders by 3-5 and decreased the tackle and break block by 5 for both the CPU and human and it really helped. I played 2 great games after making those two simple adjustments. I also started recognizing at the line when my original play would have no chance in hell of working and I started to change the direction or audible to a new play. This really helped and I may be able to lower the human run slider a bit tonight.

[Alan_Bernardo]

"Anyway, I couldn't take it anymore so at halftime I requested a 'Friendly Quit'. No go there so I just quit the game."


The thing to do, which I do instantly, is just keep taking delay penalties on offense or go offsides on defense.

It drives the cheesers crazy.


Alanb

[Spooky]

"Anyway, I couldn't take it anymore so at halftime I requested a 'Friendly Quit'. No go there so I just quit the game."


The thing to do, which I do instantly, is just keep taking delay penalties on offense or go offsides on defense.

It drives the cheesers crazy.


Alanb

Nice. I'll have to try that. Might as well get their goat before saying 'bye'.

[Brando70]

I did say I was proud of you to an extent. I worked with Jrod over at OS and have participated in forums with him for a few years. He is a good guy but possibly the most negative gamer to ever post on a forum. It is what he does, many of us are used to it I guess, he is a hardass on games (any game - even the untouchable Winning Eleven). When he is not compaining about something in a game, he is complaining about his local Gamestop. He might be the only person banned from every Gamestop in the country. They have a picture of him at every store. He will say otherwise but as a former Gamestop employee I know the truth!

LOL, BD, that is so true. I love reading JRod's posts, he is the Harvey Pekar of video game posters.

[dbdynsty25]

I agree about the night games. What the hell is up with that? I played the Chiefs and their helmets are a nice bright red, but their tops, which supposedly match their helmets in color, were so washed out and faded (like they had been through the wash like 50 times prior to the game). I thought it was just me...guess not.

BTW, the Bengals I saw the same thing with the Bengals jerseys. What the F are they thinking.

[Spooky]

I agree about the night games. What the hell is up with that? I played the Chiefs and their helmets are a nice bright red, but their tops, which supposedly match their helmets in color, were so washed out and faded (like they had been through the wash like 50 times prior to the game). I thought it was just me...guess not.

BTW, the Bengals I saw the same thing with the Bengals jerseys. What the F are they thinking.

Yeah, it's really bad. How does that sh*t pass QA. Anyway, I think it is maybe just on the X-Box version. Look at the screen differences from the IGN 'Head-to-Head' (the grass color is a dead giveaway):


http://mediaviewer.ign.com/ignMediaPage ... %3Dpartner

[dbdynsty25]

That's pretty bad. The two more powerful consoles (Xbox and GC) get the worst of the graphics. WTF?

Although there are a crapload of jaggies on the sidelines and midfield logo so I guess it's a 'wash' pardon my pun.

[Slumberland]

I'm probably going to pick this up today. That side by side comparison is pretty stark, but is there really any reason to choose the PS2 over the XBox version? I figure I gotta go Box, since that's what most everyone here will be playing online.

[dbdynsty25]

I'm probably going to pick this up today. That side by side comparison is pretty stark, but is there really any reason to choose the PS2 over the XBox version? I figure I gotta go Box, since that's what most everyone here will be playing online.

There's nothing really wrong with the look...it's just kind of annoying and it pales in comparison to the beauty that is ESPN. It doesn't effect the play at all, and you're right. Most will be playing online via Xbox Live.

[Toper]

I'm probably going to pick this up today. That side by side comparison is pretty stark, but is there really any reason to choose the PS2 over the XBox version? I figure I gotta go Box, since that's what most everyone here will be playing online.

Slumber,

Unless you want the extra features of the CE version for ps2, I think you can't go wrong with the xbox version.

I got the CE version and I'm very happy...best feature is the inclusion of ALL the playoff teams (around 150!) of the last 15 years. Of course no names, but hopefully someone will take on a historical roster project similar to the excellent one done for Ncaa 2005.

Toper

[Toper]

I retract what I said earlier...if you have a choice, go with the ps2 version. Just played the xbox today, and it controls a tad slower (not slowdown) than the ps2 version. It's a little sluggish when it comes to the running game for some reason (which may explain why people here are having problems with the running game). Graphics look beautiful, tho...at least Ea got that right.

Toper

[Inuyasha]

I retract what I said earlier...if you have a choice, go with the ps2 version. Just played the xbox today, and it controls a tad slower (not slowdown) than the ps2 version. It's a little sluggish when it comes to the running game for some reason (which may explain why people here are having problems with the running game). Graphics look beautiful, tho...at least Ea got that right.

Toper

Thanks for the info. I thought that would be the case since NCAA for me on Xbox was unplayable. I will trade in my Xbox version for the PS2 version tomorrow. There is nothing drastically wrong with the Xbox version, I just think the PS2 version will probably play better. And I am not surprised it looks better on ps2, EA really has given the Xbox the shaft this year when it comes to graphics and gameplay.

[Toper]

Don't get me wrong, I think the game looks gorgeous on the xbox. But gameplay-wise, the ps2 wins IMO. Looks like it's ea sports on genesis-vs-snes all over again.

Toper

[Jason]

My frustration with the controller configuration has me strongly considering selling Madden. I'm going to give it another shot tonight and if I don't enoy it, I'm selling it for $40 with USPS Priority Shipping with Delivery Confirmation and Tracking included at no charge. Using the default control scheme in Madden is also throwing off my ESPN and NCAA gameplay.

*** This is the PS2 version. ***

[pk500]

Boys:

Rented Madden this evening and played a quick game or two. VERY initial impressions:

-- This game looks like ASS compared to ESPN NFL. It's almost like comparing a PSOne game to a Dreamcast game. It's that stark.

-- The Madden audible system is simply awful. Very unintuitive, just as in past editions.

-- The number of pre-snap options on both sides of the ball are mind-boggling in Madden. Really something for pigskin sim heads. A bit daunting for me, though.

-- I'm not seeing Mario running like I have in the past in Madden. I'm running for some yards, but not a ton. But the holes are easier to follow in ESPN, and it's more rewarding to follow your blocks in ESPN than Madden.

-- A lot more zip on passes in Madden. Seems more realistic than the floaters hung up by ESPN quarterbacks.

-- I don't understand how everyone is saying Madden plays so smoothly. If anything, I find Madden to be more herky-jerky in its animations than ESPN. The game seems to move a touch faster than ESPN, which probably is more realistic. But it doesn't seem that smooth.

-- Madden has better DB play, hands down. In fact, it's almost too good. DB's and LB's bat down balls at a rapid rate.

I can see why everyone says both ESPN and Madden have something for everyone. But I'm not blown away yet by Madden, and so far I'm glad I didn't shell out the $50 for it. It doesn't seem $30 better than ESPN from my initial impressions, but I can see where it would be a pigskin purist's dream due to the myriad pre-snap options and deep franchise mode.

But again, based on initial impressions, Madden seems to be more of a virtual football clinic, while ESPN seems to be more of a virtual football game. Madden seems to be the Full Spectrum Warrior of console football, while ESPN seems to be more of the Rainbow Six of console football.

Both good, but both very different.

More impressions to follow this weekend.

Take care,
PK

[pk500]

A few more early impressions:

-- Receivers run much crisper routes in Madden. They run the exact route as shown in the play diagram, which makes timing routes so much easier and effective to run. Much nicer than ESPN, which can have receivers run some pretty f*cked-up routes that are different than what's drawn up.

-- Madden's defensive back coverage is so much better it isn't funny. Guys always are in position to make the tip or break up passes. Sometimes coverages are blown, resulting in open receivers. But when guys are in double and triple coverage, they don't catch the ball. A refreshing change from ESPN. You don't see guys backpedaling while their receiver is blowing past them in Madden, either, an ESPN glitch that drives me nuts.

-- I still HATE the audible system in Madden. I hate that you can't see the audible you're calling.

-- If EA wanted to improve control on defense, it succeeded. I can play safety and linebacker in Madden and do it pretty well because the control is smooth, and my AI teammates do what they're supposed to do. I usually end up playing D line in ESPN because I end up sometimes trying to compensate for dopey DB AI if I'm in control of a linebacker or DB.

-- Madden does the "little things" of special teams a lot better than ESPN. Punts don't outkick the coverage by 10 yards, giving the opposition an easy return of 10-plus yards. Kickoff teams actually set up a wedge and create lanes instead of just using one-on-one blocking like it's a play from the line of scrimmage, which is a flaw in ESPN.

-- The speed of Madden just feels weird. Some plays, especially runs to the outside, the game feels like it's moving in slow motion. Other plays, especially pass plays over the middle, the game feels like it has OD'd on Mountain Dew.

-- ESPN does a much better job of forcing QB's to set their feet when passing. It's still way too easy to roll out in Madden and throw darts, even when throwing off the back foot or across the QB's body. There's not enough defensive line pressure in Madden, either. You need to make your reads a lot more quickly in ESPN when playing at a comparable skill level.

Both games really have a lot to offer. Right now, the decision comes down to price for me. ESPN is just a better value at $20, as I think both games have equal strengths and weaknesses. If both games were $50, man, this would be a conundrum of a pick. A real toughie.

That said, this is the most fun I've had with Madden in five years. More impressions to come.

Take care,
PK

[Zeppo]

Hey PK; don't give up on this game too soon.

I had major adjustment problems at first, but i'm starting to come aoround and I think it's the madden I've ever seen.

Make sure you get some games in online. I find the game very different v. human players. It is getting more and more fun to me every time i play.

For me, this is the kind of game that is hard to grasp at first, but becomes better and better each time I play it. The adjustment stuff is key, but don't worry about screwing up. There is a lot to do, but it really is pretty easy to grasp once you start experimenting like crazy with it. The more you play the game, the simpler and more intuitive it will all seem. Mess around with all the options liberally until you get the hang of it. you'll be surprised how quickly that will happen.

I told you before I thought you were wise for holding off; i'm starting to change my tune, and about to tell you to find a copy on Ebay, cause this thing is one hell of a football game.

Check spooky's post in your other thread there, it is very much the case that they both have things i miss when i'm playing the other one. But still, this madden is no slouch, not by a long shot.

And it is smoother! The animations are much smoother, players feel like they have mass and thus momentum, the transitions are much better, and don't forget the speed burst button is key on O and D (it's all about when you first hit it when you have the ball, then you oughta hold it down from then on, and when running the ball i have more sucess when I wait until i hit the hole to jam that speed burst).

One big thing madden has is the mini-camp mini games. These are superb at teaching you the rhythms of the game, in passing, pass defending, running, tackling, D-line play, kicking. These are very very useful IMO in helping get the hang of the game play.

Let's get some games in online before you get rid of it.

[Zeppo]

One more thing: I'm realizing that using the L stick to lead the pass is so very key in Madden. I don't use it in ESPN, i find it too sensitive and extremem, but in this Madden I'm discovering that on a heck of a lot of throws, it is critical that you use it. Especially the deep bomb, lofted over the top.

[pk500]

Zeppo:

I'm not giving up on it at all -- in fact, I just finished a hell of a game between the Colts and Bolts that was really fun. Colts won, 20-17, and it was refreshing as hell to see no major AI flaws in the game. Never yelled or dropped the controller once.

One quick follow-up impression, and sorry for the stream of consciousness: It seems to me, that at equal skill levels, I have to "think football" more in ESPN than Madden. I know that sounds odd considering that Madden is considered by many the better sim and has more pre-snap options. But I'm not confounded at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball in Madden like I am in ESPN. Maybe it's just me.

Take care,
PK

[wco81]

You can save audibles in both Madden and NCAA to your profile so that each time you load it and select the playbook with the audibles, it will always be the same ones.

Or if you want to try a different playbook each time you play, you will get a set of audibles for that playbook. But you can select different ones from the pause menu.

However, if you need reminder, at the line of scrimmage, you hit the coaches' cam and it'll diagram what the routes are. On the PS2, it's the R2 button. Not sure what it is on the Xbox.

[pk500]

WCO:

Thanks. I guess I'm just spoiled by the play menus appearing when I call an audible in ESPN.

Speaking of ESPN, I've returned to that for a comparison. That game seems a lot lower scoring than Madden at comparable skill levels, ironic again considering Madden was tuned for defense.

One thing ESPN does better than Madden due to Madden's uncanny DB play: ESPN makes you pay for your mistakes dearly. For example, I'm playing Colts-Bolts again, and I'm playing inside LB. I pinch in the LB's because it looks like SD is going to run Tomlinson up the middle. Brees then throws a dart on a straight pattern to a WR in the slot, which would have been covered by an LB if I didn't pinch in the LB's on an adjustment. It also didn't help that I stepped in with the LB that I was controlling before realizing Brees was going to pass. Sh*t -- bad adjustment, blown coverage, first down Bolts.

ESPN really kills you for your mistakes. I haven't felt that fear yet against the pass in Madden because the DB's and LB's break up passes so well. I think you can be much more aggressive in your defensive playcalling in Madden because you know the DB's and LB's will bail you out in pass coverage.

More to come. This comparison sh*t is fun!

Take care,
PK

[Badgun]

It's pretty cut and dried for me. If you care anything at all about anything that resembles real franchise play, then Madden is the game. If the franchise stuff doesn't matter to you, then by all means, ESPN is definitely your game.

While ESPN's presentation and animations are in a league of their own, the franchise mode is laughable at best. On the other hand, Madden is a franchise junkie's dream game and the gameplay is not too shabby either.

I'm going to keep them both. Madden for my franchise game and I'll use ESPN when I want to play online. Now if Sega releases some kind of update that fixes all the broken stuff in franchise mode, then all bets are off.

[pk500]

Bad:

I never play franchise, so it's not cut-and-dried for me at all.

Both games are superb -- two of the best console football games I've ever played. It's really a push between them.

After a 20-17 barnburner between the Colts and Bolts in Madden, I just finished a 7-3 defensive squeaker as the Colts over the Bolts. Key turnovers, big stops kept the score down. But again, I just feel that I have to "think football" just a touch more in ESPN than Madden on comparable skill levels.

Fun times.

Take care,
PK

[Spooky]

Great impressions PK. Interesting take.