Madden NFL 2005

Of course the biggest news for EA Sports is their inclusion into the Xbox Live family this year.  The other big news is that Microsoft decided to skip this year’s crop of sports games, leaving EA with less competition.  Of course Xbox owners, even without this information, should buy the title regardless, as it is the most complete football game out there… again. 
 

Fans of the Madden series have come to expect things from each and every year from EA’s dominating football franchise: They expect better graphics, more features, and the same rock solid gameplay that Madden has mastered.  Well, history does indeed repeat itself, and this year’s version is better all around for every console, but particularly for the Xbox.

Jordan Edelstein, producer at EA, showed me the new gridiron of Madden, and he stressed the graphical improvements first.  All the player models have been completely rebuilt.  There is more muscle definition, more distinctness in body size, even wrinkles in jerseys.  Dynamic weather has been added as well.  Start a game in the late afternoon, and you’ll eventually see the orangish light of dusk, the stadium lights turn on, and nighttime overtake the skies.  The whole effect is awesome, particularly the look of the stadium lights.  More than one thousand (yes, one thousand) animations and three hundred cutscenes have been added all over the game.  There’s more sideline action, more tackles, and more celebrations, including a Gatorade tub dump on the coach that allegedly gave the artists nightmares.  EA has even added a create-a-fan option, so your superfan will be present during the cutscenes.  Give him a Wisconsin cheese head, give him Oakland spiked shoulder pads, or that silly rainbow wig… just make him yours.  No more will the cutscenes be boring, nor will they be skipped by gamers… they’re now part of the game instead of a nuisance that wears out its welcome after the third game. 

Gameplay has seen some improvements as well.  As Edelstein noted, last year’s Madden Challenge final ended in a 70-51 score (or something like that).  I pondered a bit to try and remember the last time I saw a game with that kind of score, and readily accepted the onslaught of defensive adjustments that he was about to present me.  The coolest new feature is the implementation of the hit stick, a flip of the right analog joystick that sends defensive players into one of several random tackles with some Oooooomph!  The system is based on a risk/reward system, so don’t just flip the hit stick at anytime.  Defensive hot routes have also been added for individual defensive players, so now QB spying, zone defense, double coverage, and blitzing is easy to order for any defensive specialist.  This addition is a must have for any defensive mastermind who wants to put a little extra pressure on that pesky wide receiver who snags anything, or that scrambling QB who eats up yards on the ground.  Individual cornerbacks can also be put into bump and run this year, no more sending the entire defensive backfield into bump and run or relaxed D.  Offense wasn’t neglected enhancements, and their main weapon this year deals with the AI.  Option routes for wideouts have been added based on the defensive coverage.  In the play calling screen, a receivers route may be shown with a solid route and an alternate ‘dashed line’ route.  Based on the defensive coverage, the wideout may run the dashed line route instead of the normal route.  These usually amount to little more than breaking out wide for man-to-man coverage, or running a quick curl for zone coverage. 

Franchise maniacs will be pleasantly surprised with the additions to the mega-mode.  Storyline Central shows a real local newspaper after every game, with headlines about the team’s performance.  Underlying issues may be in the press here, such as a team’s whiny star player not getting the ball enough, Terrel Owens anyone?  These issues may need to be dealt with by management in the way seen fit, or risk confidence and team chemistry issues that will manifest themselves on the playing field.  A talk radio show has also been added with even more in-depth analysis of the team’s performance.  It really adds some depth to the managerial perspective, and forces managers to make decisions based on the fan’s wants and needs.  Your franchise squad can finally get on the practice field as well, an addition Edelstein longed for and finally got. 

Other additions include online minicamp games, Jill Harrington working the sidelines, and of course, Xbox Live implementation.  EA has scored again, and this franchise could… go… all… the … way…

For All E3 2004 Previews