Eski33
09-13-2003, 05:54 PM
I am certain that everyone has either had an opportunity to play Madden 2004 and/or ESPN Football. For those that haven't, here is a mild comparison of the two.
DEPTH:
Madden--Owner's mode is the best around. The ability to control ticket prices, marketing strategy, hiring of coaches and (GULP) the option of relocating your franchise is outrageous. Also, retired players can be hired as coaches. How deep can you get?
ESPN--Franchise mode has no upgrades. However, the new Crib is a sweet way of unlocking cool stuff. It is a combination of Madden cards and EA Bio mixed in one. The longer you play, and the different challenges you complete open up unlockables to decorate your Crib with. The paper football and trivia game are excellent.
GAMEPLAY:
Madden--Moves very, very fast. If you have stayed away from Madden for two years, this moves like lightning. Although there have been upgrades to DBs, still too many issues with scoring. Motion capture is much improved.
ESPN--The overall feel is NFL. From fighting at the line of scrimmage, to reading blitzes, ESPN feels and plays like a football game should.
GRAPHICS:
Madden--EA has done an excellent job in duplicating faces and player-specific celebrations (Vanderjagt's dance after a FG). The player models are improved although this is a matter of preference. The uniforms getting increasingly dirty throughout a game is awesome.
ESPN--The player models are some of the best yet. The uniforms actually appear to look like cloth. The player faces are downright spooky. My only gripe is that the uniforms don't get dirty during the action. If you play in the mud, the unis get dirty at the end of each quarter. Not a big deal but something that VC could have fixed. The stadiums and sideline animations are great.
PRESENTATION:
Madden--Decent, but nothing to write home about.
ESPN--The best ever. Chris Berman and the weekly Sunday Night Countdown, complete with highlights, is too sweet. Adds greatness to an already great game.
DEPTH:
Madden--Owner's mode is the best around. The ability to control ticket prices, marketing strategy, hiring of coaches and (GULP) the option of relocating your franchise is outrageous. Also, retired players can be hired as coaches. How deep can you get?
ESPN--Franchise mode has no upgrades. However, the new Crib is a sweet way of unlocking cool stuff. It is a combination of Madden cards and EA Bio mixed in one. The longer you play, and the different challenges you complete open up unlockables to decorate your Crib with. The paper football and trivia game are excellent.
GAMEPLAY:
Madden--Moves very, very fast. If you have stayed away from Madden for two years, this moves like lightning. Although there have been upgrades to DBs, still too many issues with scoring. Motion capture is much improved.
ESPN--The overall feel is NFL. From fighting at the line of scrimmage, to reading blitzes, ESPN feels and plays like a football game should.
GRAPHICS:
Madden--EA has done an excellent job in duplicating faces and player-specific celebrations (Vanderjagt's dance after a FG). The player models are improved although this is a matter of preference. The uniforms getting increasingly dirty throughout a game is awesome.
ESPN--The player models are some of the best yet. The uniforms actually appear to look like cloth. The player faces are downright spooky. My only gripe is that the uniforms don't get dirty during the action. If you play in the mud, the unis get dirty at the end of each quarter. Not a big deal but something that VC could have fixed. The stadiums and sideline animations are great.
PRESENTATION:
Madden--Decent, but nothing to write home about.
ESPN--The best ever. Chris Berman and the weekly Sunday Night Countdown, complete with highlights, is too sweet. Adds greatness to an already great game.