Madden came out earlier, so a lot of people bought that one instead? I mean, I'm a big NFL 2K fan from the beginning, but this year I went with Madden mainly because they were about equal (well, Madden was generally liked more in reviews) and Madden came out first, and I couldn't resist. Plus, NCAA 2004 got me hooked.
I haven't played any of the new ESPN game, but here's what I generally hear:
Madden:
Playmaker control gives greater control over plays, etc.
Import graduating classes from NCAA 2004
Madden and Michaels... this could be good or bad, depending on taste
Online only in PS2 version
The drills you can practice with are pretty fun
Lots of unlockable features/cheats in the form of Madden cards
Curses any player unlucky enough to make it's cover
ESPN:
The ESPN interface is pretty slick
Generally considered to be a harder/more sim-like game, though I've heard conflicting reports about this year's
Seems to have more accurate player models, though Madden has improved
Online via Xbox Live as well as on PS2
I'm sure someone who's actually played a lot of both games could correct me and point out more...
Y2K Falcon
09-04-03, 02:24 AM
I've heard that Madden Pro level is very very very hard...
nickdawgy
09-04-03, 02:39 AM
Madden has owner mode, and a great franchise, that is leaps and bounds better then what ESPN has. There are so many little things I have noticed in Madden that I never saw in the 2k series, it just blows my mind.
Keep in mind, before Madden 2004 came out, I was a 2k fan all the way. Sega totally knows how to make a true football sim. I always thought Madden was way too arcadey for me. I played Madden 2003 and thought NFL 2k3 was way better. However, now it's exactly the opposite. As far as I know, the only thing new about ESPN football is the first person mode. Besides rosters, and maybe graphics tweaking of course. I could be, and am probably wrong, though :D
effigy
09-04-03, 11:57 AM
Madden takes skill, it's for the real football gamer fan. ESPN is for the casual fan, who anyone can play and easily win games. ESPN has better graphics, but for gods sake .. it's a football game, it's about the gameplay and the features. Madden wins in that area.
Mad Dawg
09-04-03, 12:42 PM
The truth is that both games are phenominal, both are challenging, and both have a lot going for them. Once you cut through the devotee stuff from the different "camps" of gamers, you'll find that you can't lose either way you go.
Madden's Owner mode rules. Compared to a pretty deep and fun ESPN franchise mode, it leaves the 2K series well behind. Presentation, graphics, and animations easily go to ESPN. Gameplay-wise, there is really no point in discussion. If you like the Madden engine, you'll probably not like ESPN, and vice versa.
Personally, I've prefered the 2K series over the years, but after playing Madden much more in the past month than I have in years, I really dislike the lack of player momentum in ESPN. However, one-handed catches (a little too frequently), dragging toes to stay in bounds, and other small nuances are helping me through that. Madden's dedicated wrap tackle/ball strip button is also sorely missed in ESPN. The dive button serves a dual purpose, and I've found that it will burn you if you aren't careful. ESPN also needs a little work on the pressure sensitive controls, primarily the lob vs. bullet passes.
I can safely say that I have enjoyed both so far, and both are missing things that I'd like to see in the other. Personally, I feel that defensive secondaries are smarter (so far) in ESPN, something that really had me frustrated in Madden no matter how much I tweaked the sliders. The running game seems a little better for me in ESPN as well. It's pretty interesting to see the RB get behind a blocker and push him until a hole opens.
So the bottom line is that enjoying ESPN's gameplay over Madden's doesn't make you a knucklehead, and it doesn't mean you lack skill. It may just mean that the Madden style isn't your cup of tea. The same is true for the reverse. I say rent both games and see which fits what you like.
nickdawgy
09-04-03, 02:00 PM
Yeah, the dive control in Madden this year is way different. Gone are the days when a dive was a guaranteed tackle. Now you have to time it just right or your man is gone. Like I said, it's the little things that make Madden so great :D
mr.snowmizer
09-04-03, 02:11 PM
Originally posted by effigy
Madden takes skill, it's for the real football gamer fan. ESPN is for the casual fan, who anyone can play and easily win games. ESPN has better graphics, but for gods sake .. it's a football game, it's about the gameplay and the features. Madden wins in that area.
Madden takes skill, and ESPN is for the casual fan?!?
Based on last year's versions, that's 180 degrees out of whack. Just think back to which game forced you to throw with precise timing on routes to ensure the receiver had a chance to be open, lest you end up with a drop when the defensive player makes contact.
I've yet to play Sega's offering this year yet, though.
The one consistent thing I've read is playing as anything other than a defensive lineman is guaranteed failure in Madden, while ESPN succeeds in letting you play any position. And it's always been more fun playing D in the 2k series.
There's 1/2 of your gameplay right there.
Kellehair
09-04-03, 02:13 PM
pro: Madden
con: ESPN
It's a pretty simple choice, this year especially.
Mad Dawg
09-04-03, 02:15 PM
Originally posted by nickdawgy
Yeah, the dive control in Madden this year is way different. Gone are the days when a dive was a guaranteed tackle. Now you have to time it just right or your man is gone. Like I said, it's the little things that make Madden so great :D
I was actually talking about the dive button in ESPN being the tackle button as well. So, much like Madden, if you hit that button and aren't close enough, you'll get burned. Also, on pass rushes, if you hit dive/tackle too early, you'll dive right into the QB after he's released the ball and get flagged. Having the strip ball button in Madden helps a lot.
And I do enjoy the danger of going for an open field dive tackle looking for the big hit. If they juke away from me, great. My problem, though, is that the Madden CPU will rely on a completely unrealistic spin move to change direction. Spin moves are great, but they are for breaking and avoiding tackles, not magically reversing field.
dfriedland
09-04-03, 05:36 PM
You can play ESPN on xbox live
evenflow
09-04-03, 06:04 PM
Originally posted by Kellehair
pro: Madden
con: ESPN
It's a pretty simple choice, this year especially.
Yeah, what she said.
Kellehair
09-04-03, 06:42 PM
Yeah, what she said.
I'm a guy. Isn't everyone on the internet?
evenflow
09-04-03, 07:01 PM
Originally posted by Kellehair
I'm a guy.
Oh you are?
You're sure about that? ;)
RyoHazuki
09-04-03, 07:08 PM
Cons for ESPN: Fanboys
Cons for Madden: Fanboys
mr.snowmizer
09-04-03, 07:49 PM
Originally posted by Kellehair
pro: Madden
con: ESPN
It's a pretty simple choice, this year especially.
Just about every messageboard you could go to, the impression now is that it indeed seems to be a pretty simple choice, with ESPN on top.
Now, I just have to track down a copy for myself to see just how "staggering" the improvement is from last year. [I don't think I've ever read the word "staggering" so many times in one day. :) ]
Tarantino
09-04-03, 08:20 PM
I just got ESPN and I really like it. It seems more realistic than Madden this year.
I've played both and I think ESPN is superior in almost every way.
Face/Off
09-05-03, 03:05 AM
Forget both of them! It's Gameday all the way! :)
Still waiting for Tecmo Bowl 2k5 though...
fujishig
09-05-03, 11:40 AM
Actually, Gameday is supposed to be much improved. Not that I would pick it over Madden or ESPN, but a lot of reviews have been saying that Gameday may soon rival the big two...
Which is funny, because just the other day I was wondering why 989 even bothers anymore. Surely people aren't buying the game just because it's 10 bucks cheaper, are they?
Buy: