Madden NFL 2004

"All-Madden, All The Time"

Where to begin?

Graphics Overview
Madden 2004 uses an updated version of the 2003 engine. Huge range of resolutions and tweaks mean it's playable on anything from the lowest system to the highest and it still looks pretty crisp regardless. Lots of clear detail, the white-face problem from last year has gone too. With the current patch you get the dirty uniforms and extra shiny helmets too. All in all a superb effort.

Graphics : Animations and FE
It's the animations that Madden has really stepped up a gear in now. The players fight, twist, turn, juke etc all in an attempt to get to the ball. Even the magical ball sticking to receivers from 5 yards away problem has been eliminated. All animations are as smooth as butter which helps the ability to juke and jive, spot holes developing etc.

The replay mode benefits greatly from this new tightness. No longer is a review of a call a guessing game, you can see as clearly as a Fox replay what happened. And if his knee wasn't down, it wasn't down. The choice of replays too is tremendous. They really pick on what the key feature of that play was and demonstrate it well.

The Front End has also had a makeover. You can now specify your favourite team and it runs some stats by while they strut and preen. Most things within the game are then skinned to your team colours.

Sounds
John, as per usual, seems to be recycled from 2003. Which was recycled from 2002. He does have a few new phrases, a few better comments to go with the action. But at the end of the day John is John. Al however has really stepped his game up. Some really realistic insightful comments. Finally he knows if no-one is gonna stop you on a break-out run, counts the yardage as you stroll towards the end-zone etc.

On field sounds, stadium announcers, tackles etc, are the most improved element aurally. It really is boom and whap.

Gameplay
There is a Madden level to suit all. From Rookie to All-Madden. If you are a freshman or a 10 times All-Pro vet, you can be challenged. The sliders (adjustable elements of gameplay) can be tweaked to assist areas you are weak in until you get better, to tone down some unbalanced AI, basically to make the game play totally as you wish it too.

Playcalling is now a joy with far-less generic playbooks for both offense and defense and of course the ability to create your own plays and playbooks. The playmaker (right analogue stick) really gives that extra element of control whilst at the same time you don't have to learn how to use it. It's more like and extra expert mode.

Running, passing and defense benefit so much from the new animations and tighter gameplay that it's truly a joy to play and easy to juke out people or strip the ball.

However there is one fly in the ointment. All-Madden is still cheats way too much and the fourth-quarter comeback AI is greatly lessened from previous years but still usually evident. Nowhere near as bad as it was in 2003 though so only 1 point docked off the final score.

Summing up
So it's the most comprehensive, gorgeous to look at, fantastic to play, great sounding Football game out there.

And I haven't mentioned the new owner mode with coach transfers and stadium relocations and upgrades and price settings and fan expectations and etc etc etc.

Buy it now. It's the only sports game where regardless of whether the real-life sport is ongoing I play anyway, it's that damn good.

Iron out the All-Madden issues (make it smarter not cheatier) and this is a sure-fire gold 10/10.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 01/06/04