Madden NFL 2005 (xbx: 2004): Reviews

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Madden NFL 2005


7.2

based on 39 reviews
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based on 30 votes
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GAMES:

Force the action on defense in Madden NFL 2005. New defensive tools allow you to make more plays and be in on all of the action. The all-new Hit Stick lets you lay the big hit to turn the momentum of the game in your favor. Modify pre-snap assignments, including double teams and player-specific match ups, for any defensive player on the field. With the new Storyline Central, you get the inside scoop around the league from radio host Tony Bruno, along with local and national newspapers, to help you make critical franchise decisions. New Hit Stick Change the momentum of a game by using the right analog stick to make a huge hit, force a turnover, and send the crowd into a frenzy. Time it just right or you'll get burned for a big play. Enhanced Franchise Mode Players now react to everything that happens in the franchisereward a hard-working player by naming him team captain or trade away unhappy players. The new game-by-game progression system rewards players for their performance during the season. Your team's crowd is now customizable with new Create-a-Fan. Be on the lookout for team-specific super fans via all-new 3D fan scenes. New EA SPORTS Online Take on the best Madden players in quick tournaments, or compete in a mini-game of Rushing Attack. Improved EA SPORTS Fair Play keeps the playing field level. [Electronic Arts]

PUBLISHER:	EA Sports
DEVELOPER:	Electronic Arts - Tiburon
GENRE(S):	Sports, Football
PLAYERS:	8
ESRB RATING:	E (Everyone)
RELEASE DATE:	August 9, 2004

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Warcry

The off-the-field interface is simple and intuitive, but even Madden veterans will need a little time to learn all the new defensive playmaker calls available before the snap.

100

GameSpy

The defense upgrades bring a lot of welcome strategy to the game, and the new AI is simply superb. Its amazingly deep, well thought out franchise mode is the best I've ever seen, while the basic gameplay still can't be beat.

100

Play Magazine

In its 15th year, this well-oiled machine enters the 2005 season with one of the finest football games ever crafted. Raising the bar to an unheard of level, Madden 2005 is football at its very best. [Aug 2004, p.73]

100

GamePro

Madden remains the best in the business at presenting football plays. The playbook and playcalling interface in this year's game are clean, easy to read, and snap to use. [Sept 2004, p.96]

Gamezilla!

Madden NFL 2005 is probably the only game that I think deserves to charge more than it does. It's a game that will give you an entire year of fun in single player, multiplayer, online and off.

XGP Gaming

Madden 2005's Franchise mode is unrivaled at any level by any game. The level of creativity that can be expressed in this game is amazing.

Stuff

Once you get sucked into Franchise Mode, you very well might not make it out.

Next Level Gaming

In addition to all of the different defensive moves that you can make, EA Sports has improved the defensive A.I. The defensive is much more aggressive, and they really go after the ball. Some of the stupid mistakes that the A.I. has made in the past have been cut.

Kombo

The coolest new [online] addition is the sports ticker. With it you can see the scores of your friend's games on the ticker as you're playing so you can quickly check the results of people on your Buddy List.

GameZone

Madden NFL 2005 doesn’t really take this game to a whole new level but it does slightly rise above the amazing "ESPN NFL 2K5."

IGN

I love certain aspects about ESPN, the presentation, VIP, the highlights, but when it comes down to it, the things I like best about Madden are its franchise mode and, most importantly, its gameplay. And in the end, isn't that what it's all about?

3DAvenue

This is the greatest representation of the National Football League to hit the market thus far and the 2005 additions make the game even more value for money and interesting to play.

Xbox Evolved

The essentials of this game are near perfect.

WHAM! Gaming

Xbox users benefit immensely from the addition of online play, a feature that was noticeably absent from past games due to a tiff between Microsoft and EA.

Xbox Solution

It has a solid playbook and the football engine has to be the best out there.

GamingTrend

If you must have only one NFL football game, I say spend the $50 on Madden NFL 2005. I think you will find yourself playing it for far longer than you would the $20 "ESPN NFL 2K5."

GameBiz

Madden's game play gets better each year with new innovations and deeper franchise modes. This year the offense and defense are more balanced.

Inside Gamer Online

A little too much like last year’s game...However, its defensive gameplay mechanics are more than enough to warrant that this is a must-play game if you’re into football, and it’s a lot more user-friendly than ESPN is.

Game Over Online

Easily the deepest version of the successful franchise yet. A radically expansive franchise mode and an incredibly reactive defensive control scheme combine to make one of the best updates to a football game to date.

Electronic Gaming Monthly

[Chris]: Madden just plays better than "ESPN." There. I said it. [Bryan]: No, Chris - It plays a LOT better. And and I'm not just talking about the improved defensive play (especially in the secondary) and, with a quick tap on the new Hit Stick, the bone-jarring tackles. It's how Madden replicates the style of play of actual NFL squads. [Sept 2004, p.94]

Team Xbox

Personally, I really enjoy the authenticity and realism involved with Madden’s superior AI and gameplay feel. The hardcore Madden fans will love the subtle tweaks, fixes and upgrades throughout the entire game.

Xbox World Australia

Despite the fact that some areas feel reused from 2004, and for some inexplicable reason Xbox Live support was left out of the PAL version, there is no doubt that Madden 2005 deserves its reputation as one of the premier sport titles available. If you love NFL gaming, don't wait, grab Madden 2005 now.

Cinescape

The defensive improvements and online leagues are a huge step in the right direction.

Game Revolution

It actually offers less new material than "ESPN NFL 2K5", which struck a chord with its VIP system and Weekly Prep. However, Madden’s gameplay is more consistent and more solid than ESPN’s, especially in terms of playbook depth and passing, and ultimately that’s what distinguishes the champ from the challenger.

Official Xbox Magazine

Madden's AI is generally solid, but still way too susceptible to an aggressive passing attack. [Sept 2004, p.82]

Yahoo! Games

Madden 2005 is a benchmark in football simulations, because for the first time, it implements a realistic, versatile, hard-hitting defensive game that will pin you to the chair like a 300lb tackle.

Xbox Nation Magazine

Once again, a maravel of gaming. [Sept 2004, p.84]

1UP

It's not the best-looking of the football titles out there, but it's the most fun to play and compete with.

GameSpot

In many ways, Madden 2005 is just a bit too much like last year's Madden for comfort--but it's still a truly excellent game of football all around.

GamerFeed

Madden NFL 2005 is my favorite NFL football game of the year and it sacks "ESPN NFL 2K5" in the backfield for a loss. Not a huge loss though.

Game Informer

Madden has a knack of making quantum leaps with each successive title. This new edition, however, breaks the streak. [Sept 2004, p.101]

Gaming Nexus

If you're willing to take a chance I'd say that you should bench Madden and take "NFL2K5" for a spin. In our opinion, it's the better football game this year.

Gaming Age

With all the mixed reviews with some saying "ESPN" is the best, and some saying Madden is the best, this reviewers money is on Madden this year as to me it is worth the extra 30 dollars for what you do on an off the field.

EuroGamer

Ultimately, Madden is a sensational game in the literal sense, delivering unparalleled replayability for those with open minds.

Gamer.tv

American football finally comes across as brutally as it should.

Operation Sports

The pinball running, even if you can circumvent it much of the time with the Y button, as well as the aging game engine knock this game 10% for me right away.

G4 TV

Though it’s disappointing the presentation has taken a backseat in the development phase, Madden edges out "NFL 2K5" because, ultimately, it's the gameplay that matters after you've owned a football game for more than a couple weeks.

MS Xbox World

If you own any of the previous Madden games than personally I wouldn’t bother buying this game.

TotalGames.net

The implementation of the Hit Stick (use the right analogue stick for some hard hitting defensive plays) is a nice touch and the rest of the game's mechanics have received a subtle overhaul to ensure it plays better than ever.

The average user rating for this game is 7.2 (out of 10) based on 30 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Adam V. gave it a10:
04' was better, but still great.

Arthur gave it a10:
I've had this game since about when it came out, but I need to say something. This game is the best football you can play. Defensive playmaker makes this the only football game you can completely control your D. The offense is the most balanced it has ever been. All you EA haters out there, try this game and you will never go back to the 2k series.

Adam L. gave it a10:
Great game but ythey need to have more penalties and challenges in ranked games.

Danwise G. gave it a 9:
Hmmmm well this is a franchise that has existed since many of you out there started playing video games. I am very impressed how this game keeps evolving over the years and seems to get better and better, while needing more and more time to learn the gameplay. The graphics look great. I am amazed at the character models and facial features of the players. It's amazing how real this game looks if you just glance at the screen. That said I would love to see the crowd look a little better. The new interactive fans are neat but when you see them and then 2d non interactive fans behind them the illusion of realism is lost. I would also like to see more animations in this game after big wins or big plays. The sound is pretty good. The soundtrack I think though takes a step back from last years big name artists but is still pretty good, especially since you can add your own tunes on the xbox, "please developers use this feature more in games". I really like the new radio commentary mode, but would like it to be less repetative in the future. The on field sounds contain every hit and grunt you could want while madden and michaels give pretty good commentary. The gameplay is where this game shines. The training mode is back but is the same as last years without any new additions. This eddition includes a deeper franchise mode and finnally your backups will not decay overtime if you don't use them. Players now have traits that change over time which gives a sense of realism to the game. Also a pregame gameplan has been added which helps you figure out your opponent. The in gameplay is fantastic execpt for one small flaw. The game sometimes seems to cheat and can become either too easy ot too hard at times. ALso the kicking meter HAS TO CHANGE. It is now very easy to get a 10 yard kick out of bounds on your kick off and get a penalty on the play, while getting a bad punt or field goal has now become so easy that it is just plain stupid. Next we come to the area of replayability. Here's where this game shines. This is one game that I would say is worth buying at the store. You can literally spend months in the franchise mode with all the options you can do. The addition of online play also can keep the game fresh. One final thought before I wrap this review up. I want to make a comment on how the NCCA football series has seemed to stay the same game while this game has excelled. SHAME ON YOU EA SPORTS for putting this gem of a game out while you put a college football game out that hasn't really changed in 4 years and contains tons of unrealistic jumped balls and interceptions. SHAME SHAME SHAME! But congrats on keeping madden one of the best games on the market. For the amazing graphics, average sound, awsome gameplay and frahchise mode, and unlimited replayability I give this edition of madden a 9 out of 10.

Jim A. gave it a 10:
Awesome game! Very realistic. Lots of fun! Very addicting! Good graphics. Kicking game can be a bit tough though. People complain that Madden is mostly unchanged from year to year. Hey, I don't want Heather Locklear to change much either. When you're nearly perfect, don't do anything radically different. EA, please just keep making tweaks, don't do anything to ruin this great game!

Randy Y. gave it a 0:
Just the same as every other madden the game play sucks... if you want a real football game get espn nfl2k5... thats the best football game ever.

Jason A. gave it a 10:
This game is da truth plain n simple its too real.