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Re: Madden 2006 by mark 12/23/2005, 12:06pm PST
I bought Madden 2004 after much chin scratching and review reading. All the (non-caltrops) internet reviewers suggested that NFL2k4 was almost as good overall, did some things better, a couple things worse etc etc giving me the impression that I ought to get Madden.

The game only tangentally resembles football. It's possible to score over a hundred points a game but impossible to block field goal kicks. There are piles of counter intuitive, changing controls. If you need to signal for a fair catch, you'll probably have to pause and look for the manual. There are no idioms to help you remember what a button does like "X is always sprint", it changes continually. It's incredibly hard to teach, encouraging you never to play it with friends.

The interfaces are so fucked up that you'll never want to change lines or create new plays or really any of the management stuff. If you ask Madden for help, he'll belch out one of his 2 or 3 sampled, guttural lines like "Woah! This'll stop them for sure!" while suggesting a play that makes no sense. Are you down in the last minute or so with a 4th and inches situation? Punt it! Just unbelivable...I guess Madden is worried about the spread.

Like all good EA games, the computer opponent will become amazingly skilled if you are beating it by enough. If you've got a couple touchdowns, watch out for the machine pulling out an insane, out-stoppable 3rd and long run that goes for 15, 25, or more yards. This doesn't actually make the game that much harder but far far more aggrivating. In the lower difficulty settings, it is easy to have a perfect season.

I'm not sure if this is in the other Madden games, but in 2004 there is a fairly retarded card collecting subgame. You buy packs of cards via Madden points which are collected by making big plays and winning games. The cards allow you to either make your team more powerful or actually break the rules of the game for a play, a drive or a half. If you use them, the game is way too easy and not very fun -- but then, what's the purpose of having them at all?

In 2004, it was possible to challenge plays, but it has to be done via the "start" menu in an amazing bit of interface design.

Still, I wouldn't rate the game as unplayable, I thought it was okay; it's not really NFL football but some other related game. I'm sure NFL2K5 is better, but I've never gotten around to shelling out the 4 or 5 dollars that it costs now. Maybe on boxing day.
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Madden 2006 by Ice Cream Jonsey 12/21/2005, 8:02pm PST NEW
    You forgot to say positive or negative. NT by I need clarification 12/21/2005, 8:09pm PST NEW
    Re: Madden 2006 by milkunits 12/23/2005, 2:40am PST NEW
        Re: Madden 2006 by mark 12/23/2005, 2:35pm PST NEW
    Re: Madden 2006 by mark 12/23/2005, 12:06pm PST NEW
        NFL2k5 by mark 12/28/2005, 5:22pm PST NEW
            Re: NFL2k5 by Ice Cream Jonsey 12/28/2005, 11:14pm PST NEW
            Re: NFL2k6 by mark 11/26/2006, 3:10pm PST NEW
                Re: NFL2k6 by laudablepuss 11/29/2006, 6:15pm PST NEW
                    FHUTA NT by The FHUTA Guy 11/29/2006, 6:51pm PST NEW
                    I don't think I know any girls who know who Bret Favre is. NT by motherfuckerfoodeater 11/29/2006, 7:13pm PST NEW
                        You must not live in Wisconsin NT by Mischief Maker 11/29/2006, 7:37pm PST NEW
    Agreed. by jeep 12/23/2005, 12:07pm PST NEW
    EA may just possibly suck at making games. by laudablepuss 12/01/2006, 5:31pm PST NEW
        Re: EA may just possibly suck at making games. by Ice Cream Jonsey 12/01/2006, 5:50pm PST NEW
    Re: Madden 2006 by crap on you 12/01/2006, 8:03pm PST NEW
        Not getting it. Dumb it down. NT by Tatters 12/01/2006, 9:11pm PST NEW
    Re: Madden 2006 by Quentin Beck 01/10/2007, 8:56pm PST NEW
 
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