ESPN NFL 2K5 > Madden 2005

purbeast0

No Lifer
Sep 13, 2001
53,475
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well as of today I have played both of them. and i must say that ESPN NFL 2K5 is better IMO.

Graphics are better, the sound is definitely better, and the animation is better as well. Just in general, the character models are better in ESPN. The ones in madden still look like someone squashed them into the ground. the animation in madden isn't as good either. as for the whole presentation, I think ESPN is also better. feels alot more like a reall football game. the gameplay, again IMO, is better in ESPN.

don't get me wrong though, madden is still a good game. but just if you asked me which one I would rather play, I'll go with ESPN :)
 

Deeko

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
30,213
12
81
superficial stuff: espn > madden
gameplay/out-of-game depth: madden > espn
 

Argo

Lifer
Apr 8, 2000
10,045
0
0
Originally posted by: Deeko
superficial stuff: espn > madden
gameplay/out-of-game depth: madden > espn

That's exactly why I'm paying $25 extra for Madden :)
 

purbeast0

No Lifer
Sep 13, 2001
53,475
6,316
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so you all are talkin bout like the fantasy drafts and franchise modes and stuff being better? i never get into stuff that deep with sports games so i dont really care heh. i just do quick games or seasons, then play with friends.
 

Argo

Lifer
Apr 8, 2000
10,045
0
0
Originally posted by: purbeast0
so you all are talkin bout like the fantasy drafts and franchise modes and stuff being better? i never get into stuff that deep with sports games so i dont really care heh. i just do quick games or seasons, then play with friends.

No, we're talking about gameplay. Like receiver routes, pass difficulty, pass rush etc. Played ESPN and it was a little too arcady for me.
 

PoPPeR

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 2002
6,993
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i didn't play madden too much last year so all this playmaker stuff is really going to confuse me
 

SportSC4

Golden Member
Aug 29, 2002
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the only issue i have with espn nfl 2k5 is that it's too easy on the default setting and interceptions happen way too often.
but i'm still sticking with it, no reason to buy madden for me.
 

Fingolfin269

Lifer
Feb 28, 2003
17,948
31
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Originally posted by: Argo
Originally posted by: purbeast0
so you all are talkin bout like the fantasy drafts and franchise modes and stuff being better? i never get into stuff that deep with sports games so i dont really care heh. i just do quick games or seasons, then play with friends.

No, we're talking about gameplay. Like receiver routes, pass difficulty, pass rush etc. Played ESPN and it was a little too arcady for me.

Hah, in Madden you just find the single covered receiver and chuck the ball in the air. More than likely you're going to catch it. You get punished for that kind of crap in ESPN if your opponent is halfway decent.

Madden costs roughly 2.5x what ESPN costs and there is no way that any feature in Madden could cause me to pay that much more for a second football game when I already have one. And let's not forget that I already spent $50 on a certain EA college football game that has a nifty little 'slow down' feature on my Xbox.
 

Homerboy

Lifer
Mar 1, 2000
30,890
5,001
126
ESPN is better there is no question (Ive had madden for about a week now or so).
Madden outshines ESPN in depth of play calling and play-books, but the feel of ESPN is much much better IMHO. GFX are better (not a huge selling point to me but...) INTs? Im sorry there are not that many in ESPN if you know WTF you are doing. In Madden 04 and still in Madden 05 to some extent, passing over the middle resulted/results in an INT prob 50% of the time. LBs seem to have better hands than WRs in that game.

The atmosphere in ESPN is very good too. I feel as if Im watching a game on TV sometimes. Its damn nice.

I enjoy Maddens minicamps and such over the game preperations and such from ESPN, but then again I seldom play seasons/franchises by myself so that point is kind of moot to me.

If EITHER company would allow for online franchises (ala Madden 02) that would be the deal cincher to me and A LOT of the community. I have begged an pleaded with people I know at EA to no avail. Its simply dumb not to offer this. They push and push the single player franchise and online gaming, but dont combine the 2. Only seems logical doesnt it?

If they could simply combine the 2 games.... ** drool **

If anyone wants Im selling my Madden, w/ 2 month live card $40 shipped.
 

Homerboy

Lifer
Mar 1, 2000
30,890
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Originally posted by: SportSC4
the only issue i have with espn nfl 2k5 is that it's too easy on the default setting and interceptions happen way too often.
but i'm still sticking with it, no reason to buy madden for me.

Ummm too easy on default? You realize there are dif difficulty settings right? Try playing on Legend... it ain't easy.
 

Rob9874

Diamond Member
Nov 7, 1999
3,314
1
0
I only play franchises, and have been known to simulate a season after week 8 just to get to the offseason. That's why I will be sticking with Madden. Some things just don't need to be messed with. I'm excited to discover the improvements each year with Madden, but I couldn't switch to a new game after being a Madden fanboy after all these years (has it been 10 for me now?!?!?).
 

Homerboy

Lifer
Mar 1, 2000
30,890
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Originally posted by: Rob9874
I only play franchises, and have been known to simulate a season after week 8 just to get to the offseason. That's why I will be sticking with Madden. Some things just don't need to be messed with. I'm excited to discover the improvements each year with Madden, but I couldn't switch to a new game after being a Madden fanboy after all these years (has it been 10 for me now?!?!?).

You know they make VERY detailed and interesting Sim Franchise football games right?
 

Fingolfin269

Lifer
Feb 28, 2003
17,948
31
91
I must suggest to all of you considering Madden... get the special edition if you are getting the game! It includes an updated Madden '93 and that's /drool material. :p
 

darkjester

Golden Member
Aug 14, 2001
1,424
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I actually like ESPN's gameplay better. Of course, I definitely like the presentation better, too. I just finished playing Madden, and I'm missing ESPN NFL 2K5.

I'll keep playing both, but the controls have already started to run together on me. :)

Just a matter of taste...
 

wyvrn

Lifer
Feb 15, 2000
10,074
0
0
I'm playing ESPN right now, and it's very solid. Interceptions do happen way too often, for both teams. I average 2-3 picks a game with my defense.