Gameplay: Offense
This is perhaps the area that both ESPN and Madden have seen the least amount of improvement in when compared to their predecessors. But, hey, this doesn't mean they still aren't different.
ESPN
The area of ESPN's offensive game that has seen the most adjustment is its running game. Gone are the days of those runners who could simply cut directions at will. Now, a bit of the Madden-styled momentum (but just a bit) has been thrown into the mix, making it tougher for your ball carrier to simply stop and start when trying to dodge defenders. It definitely feels much more like a real running game, and it makes rushing the ball far more satisfying. As for the passing game, developer Visual Concepts has continued to work on allowing fewer dropped passes. Yes, dropped passes still occur but with far less frequency than in recent years. The flip side to this is that the passing game can be a lot easier now, especially if you're a reasonably experienced player. A boost in difficulty can definitely fix this, however. There is one mechanical change to the offensive game, so now quarterbacks have the ability to specifically dodge sacks by tapping the right analog stick. This works well for athletic QBs, but your typical stationary pocket passers are still going to get drilled 90 percent of the time.
Madden
Most of the changes made to Madden's offense are based on presnap functionality. A new formation shift feature has made its way into the game, letting you move players wherever you'd like without actually changing the play. This isn't just simple motion, mind you. This allows you to shift players all over the place in a quick and concise fashion, and it works quite well. Another addition is the new option route system. Essentially, option routes are curl routes that feature two dotted directional routes attached to them. If your receiver determines that the defensive coverage is such that he could probably run in either direction after hitting the curl on the route, he will. The basic feel of the offensive game hasn't really shifted much in this year's Madden, with only the running game feeling slightly different (and easier than it has been in the past). In fact, if it weren't for the formation shift and option routes, we'd swear they just stuck Madden NFL 2004's offense in there with a new coat of paint.
Which is better?
The couple of mechanical changes made to Madden's offensive game are cool and everything, and Madden does feature a slightly better sense of speed--as far as speed bursts go--but as a whole, we prefer how ESPN's offense plays. It just feels more natural and realistic to play offense in ESPN, and while both games can be quite easy at times, Madden feels a little too easy--even with bumped-up difficulty levels. Again, neither offense has shown much in the way of differentiation from its respective predecessor, but ESPN takes this comparison simply because it's just more fun to play.
Winner: ESPN NFL 2K5
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