Madden NFL 2004

THE GOOD:
Playmaker Control, Online Play, Owner Mode, and my favorite Training Camp

THE BAD:
CPU AI and game speed

SUMMARY:
As far as added features: Owner Mode, Training Camp, Online Play with headset (only for PS2/PC users) and
Playmaker Controls Madden 2004 hits the spot.

You can using your right analog stick to control more things in this game like changing the closest WR's route on the fly or telling your defense to react to the run. This is the added playmaker feature which is cool unless you are playing online with a headset. You might have the occasional pressing of R3 which turns the ehadset off. Didn't EA do any QA testing of online?

Owner mode is really cool allowing you to set prices for tickets, food, parking, mechandise, as well as coach and player salaries. You can change your team's uniforms and even build a new stadium if you want. These features add replayability to the franchise feature that...

THE GOOD:
Revamped Franchise Mode
Owner Mode
Better Defense

THE BAD:
A few mess ups in commentary, but that's it.

SUMMARY:
Not much can be said about the Madden footballl franchise except for "Wow". Madden 2004 comes back this year with all new modes and revamped play.

This year Franchise mode has the all new Owner mode. In it, you can edit prices for tickets, concessions, and merchandise. Also, you can fire and hire almost everyone in your coaching staff(at the end of the season), after some time you can even hire former players to your coaching staff. As well as being able to improve your stadium or even move your team to a new city.

The defense has been upped alot since last year. Now the QB can't stay in the pocket forever. The pancake stats for Offensive Lineman fixed up so it is easier to get pancakes.

New to this year, you now cannot see your opponents formation when choosing a play. You...

THE GOOD:
The graphics are still improving, the in-game movements are smoothing out more, and the realism keeps making you feel more like you actually ARE "in the game." I was especially impressed with the Create-a-Stadium, Mini-Camp, and Owner modes. Also, they added the 46-Bear defense, which, beign a Bear fan, I appriciate. Also, the uniform alternates are all up-to-date.

THE BAD:
Still a few bugs in the graphics, such as hands going through people, but it's getting better each year. Also, the screen tends to shake when too many players get into one part of the screen. Then there's the deduction of the All-Madden team in Franchise, and the still inability to retire numbers.

SUMMARY:
All-in-all, this is an EXCELLENT game. The best football simulation out there by far, if you go for realism and strategy. I love it.

THE GOOD:
Graphics get better every year. Build stadium feature, control all aspects of the game from ticket prices to relocating your team.

THE BAD:
Sometimes the announcers say the wrong position, or yardage. Freezes occasionally mid-game.

SUMMARY:
If you like any of the EA sports titles, this is the one to have. All of the magazines rat this game in the high 90's which is amazing! Player holdouts make this game so realistic, they have all the same features as last year but a ton more. Smarter AI makes this game a little more realistic. Playing on the highest level is a little crazy. The CPU always intercepts and you can't do anything. The player who likes a challenge will have his hands full. You now have the ability to change players name and features.

Relocation teams that aren't doing well is a blast. The detail that goes into this game make it the best football game yet. I can only see better things in the future for the...

This is about the Best Football game out there till this day. The John Madden Series has only gotten Better. It's as Realistic as it can Get. The Franchise Mode is more Real and Detailed than previous Madden games. There is the new Owner Mode which allows you to control your Teams Finances, Fan Attendance, Coaching Staff and also the new Stadium Editor.

You have the Options to set Ticket, Concessions, Merchandise, Parking and Advertising Prices. You have Fan Support, Income, Expenses, and also Expectations. You also have Rookie Scouting.

Well this game is by far the Most In-Depth football game out there. A must have for all Football fans and of course Madden fans.

[Note] It would've had a 5.0 Score if it wasn't for the Cheerleaders. Oh those Horrible Chearleaders. Can't stop having Nightmares...Help...

THE GOOD:
Love the Owner Mode. Can't get enough of tweaking numbers.

THE BAD:
Ought Oh, We have LOCK UP!

SUMMARY:
Sorry to announce a lock up. The game will freeze upon hitting "end game" ,if and I'm only speculating at my own situation, a certain amount of points are scored in a season. I had a full team of 99's, the CPU's AI was as low as possible. I was playing 4 minute quarters on all pro. I was recording record numbers in every catorgory, scoring at least 200 points/ game. Got all the way to game 14 (season one). Played the game, hit end game and BOOM LOCK UP. Tried it three times, same result. don't know the exact cause, but there you go. Other than that, the game is another extrodinary effort by EA. The playmaker control, while a bit confusing at first, is a wonderful addition. I just don't know what EA will do for an encore.

THE GOOD:
Gameplay and the playmaker option have really set high standards for football games.
I can play this game for 5 hours without getting bored.
It has so many types of games like mini camp 2 minute drill ,tournament, franchise, ect....
The thingiwas impressed with was franchise

THE BAD:
The comentary gets boring, but i dont know if that would really bug u

SUMMARY:
The franchise mode was awsome, You configured prices on eveything from adverticing to food to souvineers, You could fire your staff and other coaches, you can sign free agents and extend deals.
There was also an option for fantasy draft, That was awsome making your own team and making them the best.

Now mini camp was awsome all the drills and game situation winning madden cheat cards and player cardsits pretty nice.

If you are looking at buying this game and the espn one i would go with both, espn has the first person mode but it is not all great,...

THE GOOD:
Playmaker Controls. Owner Mode. Franchise Mode. Crisp graphics. Player animations are top-notch.

THE BAD:
Madden's Commentary.

SUMMARY:
This game is so amazing. If you like football and own a PS2, you had better get Madden '04. Madden '04 is possibly the best Madden game to date. For starters, the graphics have improved a hella lot. Stadiums are colorful and not dull. Madden '04 houses some of the best player-animations as well. There's hundreds of different tackling animations, so you just won't see a guy fall down. Owner mode is awesome, too. It lets you take control of your favorite team. You can hire the right staff, set concession prices, or even relocate your team. There's so many things to do in '04, you'll be playing this game until '05 comes out. The online options are ace, too.

THE GOOD:
Playmaker mode, Owner mode, addition of Mini Camp to offseason in frachise mode,

THE BAD:
commentary gets annoying, much much much harder than last years version

SUMMARY:
This is a great game. I loved it... execept for a few things here and there.

Lets start off with the good:

Playmaker Mode

Theis is the best! You can change a WR's route to get open for a big play, direct a blocker to spring open a huge run, cause the secondary to come up on the run or go deep to defend the Hail Mary, and more! This can really break open a game if you know how to use it right.

Owner Mode

You can set your ticket prices, concession prices, parking prices, heck, you can even throw a Fan Appreciation Day at the stadium if you want to boost your fan attendance! This is great! But beware, if lose money for 3 straight years, you will either have to sell your team and buy another or quit!