ESPN 2K5 / Madden 2005

[CamFu]

I know that this is a pretty point thread now, since EA has pretty much bought out ESPN and the NFL. But I’m going to ask my question anyway.

Which one do you prefer? ESPN 2K5 or Madden 2005? I have both games, and I feel that I can make a decent judgment call on both of them. I’m not going to go into a big long spiel on which one I prefer. I want to hear your opinions on it. Once I hear from you guys, I will jump in with my opinion.

One of the reasons I'm curious is because I'm starting to see a lot of hate build up around EA.

[MuGen]

Madden 2005 is the only EA game I play.

[Perfect Stu]

Having spent over 200 hours with Madden 2005, I can tell you pretty much anything about it.

On the other hand, I've only spent maybe 5 hours with NFL2K5.

Personally, I just love the feel of the gameplay in Madden. Ive played (play) high-level football, and follow/study the NFL religiously. Needless to say, I know how the game is played.

Madden provides the best, most realistic football experience. I also love messing around with player ratings, to keep rosters up to date. If I feel that safeties are getting burned too much in relation to the NFL, I'll raise the average speed for all starting NFL safeties. If I feel there isnt good enough outside pass rush, I'll make sure guys like Dwight Freeney and Juilius Peppers get their 88 speed rating like they deserve. Things like that makes the game very customizable...and allows me to play the kind of football I think is true to the NFL.

[Crash]

back in they day, i always preferred nfl 2k/espn

[MuGen]

well playing Madden as little as I have, i just take a team and boost them all up to 99 all around...

lol jk

[CamFu]

well playing Madden as little as I have, i just take a team and boost them all up to 99 all around...

lol jk

You wouldn't not believe how many people love doing that. Challenege me in Madden, but they get to play as their team. Or how people want to make their own person, and make it 99 across the board. 7' 3" Quarterback / Linebacker / Kicker / Punt Returner... Rated 99!

Personally, I love the graphics that ESPN has and it just feels a little more real when the players get hit. Also love how you are able to choose the cheer that is done is the endzone. Classic when you have Potris doing the Robot when he scores the touchdown! But as for play calling, it's just too easy for the defense to read what the offense is going to do. There isn't the simple switch side (the way you are going run) like their is in Madden. In ESPN, if somebody is going to blitz... they show it. Offense reads it, bam. You get smacked in the face for it.

Example, I know that running a zone is more likely to stop the run then the pass... but if they have a 3 wide receiver set, they can automatical tell if you are in zone or not, switch their call from run to pass. And zone just flat out sucks in ESPN. 2 Yards is NOT a Coverage Area! And with man, yeah you are done with running plays. In Madden, I love that you can call a play then just totally screw them up with all the changes you do at the time of scrimmage, both on Offense and Defense. It makes it very balanced.

I like how it's easier to run with your Quarterback in ESPN. During Panic attacks, it's easier to remember to release your trigger then trying to find the button that stops your quarterback to quick scrambling.

Still haven't got into the whole "Crib" thing. I think that is kind of stupid. Personally, I wish they would take the best trates out of both games and combine them.... oh, now that would be a wonderful football game.

[MuGen]

The difference between me and those people is I'm trying to just have fun.

I don't go around boasting my /\/\4[[) $[]<ILL$ and then play with a 99 rated team.

Whenever I play with friends I play as the default team the game gives.

[Stonecutter]

Madden is more realistic, but ESPN is a lot more FUN and that's all that I really care about anymore.

Next year I will buy NCAA 2006, and nothing else.

[Perfect Stu]

Next year I will buy NCAA 2006, and nothing else.

I really hope they give this game the full treatment. I absolutely LOVE playing dynasty mode with a created team. Big 10 all the way!

[Stonecutter]

I really hope they give this game the full treatment. I absolutely LOVE playing dynasty mode with a created team. Big 10 all the way!
Yes, woo for the Big 10.

Yeah, it would be nice to see a new graphics engine instead of the 2002 version again.

[CamFu]

Madden is more realistic, but ESPN is a lot more FUN and that's all that I really care about anymore.

Next year I will buy NCAA 2006, and nothing else.


More FUN? I would have to disagree... every time I play ESPN I get frustrated. Like I said before, it is too obvious on what the D is set up too do. From Zone, Blitzing, Man. In Madden, I find it more fun because you can't always tell what the D is going to do until the ball is snapped. And right now, one of my biggest whining points is that ESPN doesn't have a Quarterback Spy Defense. So when I'm playing people that are the Falcons, Vikings, Eagles... they run with their quarterback so much. And there isn't anything really to stop that. Unless I'm missing the perfect defense.

I have NCAA... but dang, I suck at that game. The option is such a big play in that game, and I can't get it down. I always get slaughtered when I run it... and thats by the computer. I won't even embarrass myself with the stats that I put up when I play a human. It's horrible. But I do like the option of raising a player from Freshman and molding him to be an NFL superstar. That is awesome... now if I could just do that.

[Stonecutter]

More FUN? I would have to disagree... every time I play ESPN I get frustrated. Like I said before, it is too obvious on what the D is set up too do. From Zone, Blitzing, Man. In Madden, I find it more fun because you can't always tell what the D is going to do until the ball is snapped. And right now, one of my biggest whining points is that ESPN doesn't have a Quarterback Spy Defense. So when I'm playing people that are the Falcons, Vikings, Eagles... they run with their quarterback so much. And there isn't anything really to stop that. Unless I'm missing the perfect defense.


Well, first, crank the difficulty up, that should solve your first problem. Secondly, you can qb spy on any play you like, just use hot coverage and cover the QB instead of a WR or RB.

[CamFu]

Well, first, crank the difficulty up, that should solve your first problem. Secondly, you can qb spy on any play you like, just use hot coverage and cover the QB instead of a WR or RB.

Nice... thanks for the pointer there. I'm going to give that a shot when I get on next time. Oh... no more stupid running of quarterbacks. Good old LaVar is going to take one out for the season! Seriously... thank you so much for that. Everytime I ask my buddies that play this game, they always tell me that there isn't a way to spy. Mwhahaha. I hope this works.

[Perfect Stu]

I like how Madden becomes a chess match BEFORE the snap at the line of scrimmage. If I'm passing, I'm looking for which coverage I'll be facing. Often, (like Cam said), it's not easy to spot...so I'll put a receiver in motion or fake a couple snaps to see what happens. Then it's all about the hot routes. Out's and swing passes against zone defenses...posts, hooks and slants against man to man. And then of course, if the guy playing defense knows what he's doing, he'll come right back at you by changing a blitzing linebacker into zone, or drawing 9 men into the box only to have them drop back into coverage.

And THEN the ball is snapped and the fun starts :D


and NCAA is just ****ing wild. Recruiting is awesome, custom building a team based on size/speed/type of players, establishing your team in the BCS rankings, creating rivalries, grooming 18 and 19 year olds to push for the heisman in a couple years. It's all gold.