adden has had a knack of making quantum leaps with each successive title. This new edition, however, breaks the streak. Don’t get me wrong – I appreciate a lot of the fun things it does, but the collective impact of these changes is less than fans are used to.
Defenses benefit greatly in 2005. I noticed more aggressive play from defensive backs, resulting in increased interceptions and pass breakups. I really like how linebackers are less timid and will now shoot the gap to disrupt running plays in the backfield. Being able to change up player assignments is quite useful, but doesn’t let you change from zone to man-to-man coverage. On offense, the option routes are sweet, but I wish you could choose them as hot routes, which the developer took out from an early edition of the game.
In general, the tackles in this title jar the senses. The timing on the Hit Stick will take a little getting used to, but it rocks socks off. The best thing about it is that it triggers varied animations, and it isn’t just some automatic tackle that sucks players together like magnets. Overall, the game is smoother, and the contextual correctness of the animations is notable. There are more over-the-shoulder and low catches as receivers adjust to where the ball is thrown (however, because a cheat called jet-packing has been stopped, receivers won’t jump for balls). I was glad to see more broken/missed tackles and that quarterbacks’ ball release is quicker. The downside of this is that there are some collision cheats and faulty throwing animations. The presentation of Madden tries to catch up to ESPN, but even with extras it’s not as good. I don’t like the bulkier new models that make everyone look like Adam Sandler in The Waterboy.
At the end of the day, I wanted something new from Madden that changed the way I approached the game, but this doesn’t do it. For instance, when Owner’s mode debuted last year, I could help my team by hiring the best trainers and coaches. And when Training Camp was first introduced (it’s unchanged this year), I loved how I could actively help my players’ ratings. Now, however, the only thing I have to do differently is not bench my star players so their feelings aren’t hurt (see sidebar at left for more). This is fun, along with the Tony Bruno Storyline Central stuff, but they are very passive, surface changes for Franchise mode. Perhaps, due to the gameplay fixes and the pre-snap options, those that play online will benefit most this year. This isn’t a bad thing, not only considering it’s on Xbox Live, but given how much more personable the online experience is with trophies and the like. Count this as a side step for the series.
The Edge
Madden’s entrance into Xbox Live, along with great 480p hi-def support, gives that version a slight edge, as it looks better than on Sony’s system. Unfortunately, there is a new juke control for the Xbox that some might not like. If money is an issue, online play on PS2 is free, but that edition doesn’t support 480p. Both make use of a sports ticker and have the anti-cheating measures. Of course, GameCube isn’t online at all, so I’d only get this version for its slight step up in the graphics department from the PS2.