EA's extremely popular pro football franchise Madden NFL 2005 has been the top selling football game for 15 years, and counting. This year EA has tough competition from only one competitor, Visual Concepts highly acclaimed ESPN NFL 2K5, and the superb game also retailed for $30 cheaper. EA's popular franchise has sold nearly 37 million copies and counting, and every year EA tries to add more features to justify a purchase of its popular football franchise, the real question is did EA do enough this year? Yes. This year, EA addressed the issues of high scoring games, by implementing robust defensive tweaks, adding a bit to defensive playmaker control, and also adding the hit-stick. This years Madden NFL version focuses solely on defense, most of the tweaks made to the game fall heavily into the defensive area, and to complement the new defensive additions EA aquired the heavy hitter Ray Lewis as the 2005 cover boy. One of the biggest and most fun addition is the hit-stick--although there are consequences using it. In some ways its a momentum based system, if you try to tackle a big back like Jerome Bettis with a corner or safety most likely the tackler will most likely be knocked to the ground, but this isn't the only consquence of using the hit-stick. The hit-stick, also relies heavily on timing--if your timing is off most likely you'll miss the tackle, in turn the runner will make a big gain or even score a touchdown, depending on the situation. If your the only tackler on the field, you might just want to go for a regular tackle instead of using the hit-stick. Nonetheless, the hit-stick may very well be the most exciting addition of any sports game this year. EA has also added defensive hot routes--you can double team a specific reciever, but you must have a free safety in order to do this. The defensive playmaker has also been revamped, you can assign linebackers to a QB spy, which is very effective against a scrambling quarterback such as Mike Vick, or Donovon McNabb. The linebackers can also be assigned to blitz, or they can cover the middle of the field to deter or defend incoming slant passes. All of these new additions to defensive playmaker, can be assigned to virtually any player on the field. This year, EA has made defense a fun way to play, and if you vamp up the difficulty it can be quite a challenge, but if your a Madden veteran you'll still beable to blowout the CPU--nonetheless EA's latest additions are plentiful and superb. In terms of new features Madden NFL 2005 definitely has a lot of them--infact this could quite easily be the most Madden packed game of all time. While not all the new features are truly breathtaking, they are overall solid. This years Madden has debuted EA Sports Radio Show, hosted by Tony Burno. While there are many repeats of segments, its easily a interesting feature, and the phone calls by fans is usually entertaining to listen to. The Tony Bruno Show features also interviews by several NFL coaches such as Andy Reid, Dick Vermeil,, and of course NFL players such as NCAA Football 2005 coverboy Larry Fitzgerald, and Ray Lewis. The interviews can be quite interesting at times--but it's dissapointing since Tony Bruno basically asks the same question to every one, but it's really a solid addition to make Maddens franchise mode that much better. Also EA has also added a very cool newspaper feature--which basically ties with the Tony Burno Show into one complete package; Storyline Central. There is a choice for newspapers, one is National Newspaper, and Local Newspapers, you'll most likely want to go in the Local section, since it focuses solely on your team. Also there is a new e-mail feature where you will get feedback from the owner, and players. There is also a new create-a-fan feature, which is mostly geared towards die-hard fanatics who just has to have crazy fans in the crowd. The cutscenes are very well detailed--but not great compared to ESPN NFL 2K5s. There isn't a lot of options to customizing the player, which is a dissapointment. The franchise mode has been revamped--and definitely the best franchise for any football game. As mentioned earlier, there is now a Storyline Central which features the on-going off the wall news that we expect from the NFL every year. The Storyline Feature is cut into three categories; Newspapers, E-Mail, and the Tony Bruno Show. This year EA also took sometime, by adding a morale system. If a player isn't getting enough playing time and he thinks he should be, his morale will go in the dumps. The NFL draft has also been improved, you can also make trades by offering different players or draft picks for a certain round and pick. The graphics in Madden NFL 2005, are improved and overall solid. There has been minor tweaks, but nothing off-the wall, or even comparable to ESPN NFL 2K5. The player models dont look as detailed as ESPN NFL 2K5. One of the strong aspects of Madden NFL 2005 are definitely the stadium complexes, are extremely well done, and detailed. The weather effects are also well-done, in rainy games you will see water bouncing off the field, these little effects are what makes Maddens overall graphics package solid. The sound in the game is definitely stale--and compared to ESPN NFL 2K5, Madden and Michaels just dont seem as if they are excited and tend to repeat a lot of phrases. The commentary needs a definite overhaul, but the other sounds in the game, such as the rain hitting the field is well done, and should be extremely appreciated. Madden NFL 2005, continues Maddens historic legacy--to sum it up for you, its quite simply one of the best.. The new additions to the defensive side of the ball, to the hit-stick, and everything else form a complete football experience that shouldn't be missed by a die-hard football fan.
Gameplay: It's another Madden game that is always coming with great gameplay. It is fun just to play with friends and even against the AI, but that can be very easy at times. Even on the harder levels. The gameplay is de... Read Full Review
By PatsFanVince | Review Date: Nov 15, 2006 | XBOX
Madden 2005 at the moment is one of the best football games out there today. In my opinion I think Madden 2005 beats out any of its successors that are out today. First off et me just say if your not a Football fan and... Read Full Review
