The "2005" edition of the best-selling Madden NFL sports game series hits the field with another new season's worth of refinements and additions. Attention has been paid to the defensive game in this version, with enhancements intended to give gamers more options and more control when they're playing from the other side of the football. Many of this year's new features involve the NFL players themselves, however, calling upon gamers to maintain and develop their star athletes. Players are now rewarded for their good performances throughout the season, and individuals can be affected by the ebb and flow of morale.
Madden 2005 offers "hit stick," control, which allows the right analog stick to be used to perform the kind of huge, momentum-shifting hits that fans will hear way up in the nosebleed section. Risks are involved, however, and players who miss tackles under the hit stick system's less rigid controls have only themselves to blame. Gamers can also involve themselves more deeply in defensive strategy than they could in earlier versions of Madden NFL. The new Defensive Playmaker Control system allows them to modify assignments for any player on the field, to set up blitzes, jams, and individual man-to-man coverage, right up until the moment the ball is snapped.
Madden fans who are in it for the long haul will also find new Franchise mode features in this year's game. As they progress through the seasons, they'll be able to name their team's captain, claim their top stars as franchise players, and allow other players to take free agent status. A virtual Tony Bruno presents a weekly, in-game radio show that discusses all the major events in the league, and may allude to the personalities behind the players. When a player is unhappy, he won't play his best; the gamer can choose to make adjustments or trade him away. Franchise gamers can also read sports page-style announcements and check their in-game email to keep up on all the latest information.
Once again, John Madden is joined by Al Michaels to provide color commentary and the play-by-play. Jill Arrington reports from the field. Gamers can even customize the fans in the stands of this year's game, choosing from thousands of possible combinations of clothing, headwear, face paint, and unique, team-specific accouterments. Other convincing new elements include pre-game and post-game shows, featuring confetti and fireworks, and environmental effects, with realistic lighting and weather that can change in the middle of a game. Hundreds of new animations have been added for more realistic player movements, both on the field and on the sidelines.
As in earlier versions, network-connected Madden NFL 2005 gamers can log on to EA Sports Online to find a live challenge from a fellow fan.
MADDEN DID IT AGAIN MADDEN 2005 DID IT AGAIN. I STARTED TO PLAY IT THIS WEEKEND AND COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN. THE "HIT-STICK" IS REMARKABLE IT ADDS A WHOLE NEW EFFECT TO THE GAME. THE PLAYERS LOOK REAL AND THE STADIUMS ARE AMAZING. FORGET ALL THE OTHER FOOTBALL GAMES OUT THERE MADDEN IS THE KING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Submitted by james (ohio) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
dang when will it end when will the madden stuff end im sick and tired of buying new madden's its a waste of money every year a new one comes out but whats the point of buying it if another does come out forget going through that ill just watch ESPN 1 or 2......I love football but it need to stop sometime. Submitted by dragmaunlimited (cleveland,OH) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
ESPN ESPN-better graphics,Commentary,player ratings,realism
madden-better franchise mode,better soundtrack
Final ratings
ESPN=9.5
madden=8.3 Submitted by mike (iowa) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
EA Sports vs ESPN Despite the fact that Madden has lots of new features that should lord it over ESPN, like Storyline Central and the Hit Stick, and old ones like Madden Cards (You can kick impossible field goals from 60-116 yards, make it virtually impossible for them to tackle you, etc.), I enjoy the ESPN games (NFL 2K5, 2K4, 2K3, etc.) about the same amount. After all, ESPN regularly has features that no Madden game can match, and it is overall more realistic. Submitted by rbulman (Melbourne, Vic, Australia) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
2K5 is better Madden keeps getting lamer in the gameplay every year.2K5 has better commentary,penalties just overall better.Madden puts in a few things yearly but not good enough,those of you who give Madden 5 stars maybe don't see the unrealistic football play.A defender can't jump 30 ft in the air and swat a pass down and no one is too fast they can't be caught from behind. Submitted by Auburn got robbed (IRAQ) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
New "Hit Stick" control allows you to take your game up a notch by making strong hits and forcing turnovers
A deeper "Franchise Mode" impacts your player's on-field performance and team stature
Modify pre-snap assignments such as running blitzes and changing match-ups by using the new Defensive Playmaker Control
Put your game-face on and go online to challenge the best of the best
Controls
Controls
MENU: D-Pad Up or Down = highlight menu items X Button = select, go to next screen DEFENSE X or Circle Button = cycle through defenders L1 Button + D-Pad Up = spread the defensive ends outside the tackles L1 Button + D-Pad Left or Right = shift the line left or right R1 Button + D-Pad Up = spread the linebackers out R1 Button + D-Pad Left or Right = shift the linebackers left or right Square Button + Square, X, Circle, L1 or R1 Button = call an audible Triangle Button + D-Pad Down = put the DB's into bump and run Triangle Button + D-Pad Right = shift the safeties and linebackers into better position to cover their assigned man Square Button + L2 Button = reset original play L3 Button = pump up crowd L2 Button = coach's cam without defensive assignments L1 Button + Right Analog Stick Down = make line crash in L1 Button + Right Analog Stick Left or Right = make line crash left or right R1 Button + Right Analog Stick Up = call off all linebacker blitzes R1 Button + Right Analog Stick Right = blitz the left outside linebacker Triangle Button + Right Analog Stick Left = shift the safeties' zone coverage to the left Triangle Button + X, Square, Circle, L1 or R1 Button + D-Pad Up = play of the receiver Right Analog Stick Up = linebacker hook zone, defensive back deep zone, defensive line hook zone Right Analog Stick Down (twice) = quarterback contain Right Analog Stick Right = flat zone X Button = control player nearest to the ball Right Analog Stick = the hit stick Circle Button = sprint, shove blocker R2 Button = strip ball R1 Button = strafe OFFENSE Square Button + Square, X, Circle, L1 or R1 Button = call an audible Right Analog Stick Left or Right = switch the direction of a running play Right Analog Stick = hot route primary receiver Triangle Button + D-Pad Down = curl pattern Triangle Button + L2 or R2 Button = left or right slant pattern Left Analog Stick Left or Right = send eligible player in motion L3 Button = quiet crowd R2 Button = coach's cam with play diagram Circle Button = fake snap X Button = snap the ball D-Pad or Left Analog Stick = move player, run Square Button = dive Square Button (hold) = QB dive Circle Button = spin L2 or R2 Button = stiff arm left or right X Button = bring up passing icons Right Analog Stick = direct the nearest receiver L2 Button = scramble, toggle passing icons on or off X Button = control intended receiver Circle Button = sprint BLOCKING Square Button = cut block Triangle Button = jump Triangle Button + R2 Button = change to a blocking assignment to the right AFTER THE PLAY Circle Button = spike ball to stop the clock Square Button = fake spike ball trick play Select Button = call timeout KICKING GAME X Button = start kick meter, stop kick meter upswing or downswing Square Button + X, Square, Circle, L1 or R1 Button = call an audible Square Button + L2 Button = reset play KICKOFF OR PUNT RETURNING Left Analog Stick = move return man
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