Madden NFL 2005

"Ready before you buy--Madden 2005 PC Unbiased."

This is my unbiased review of Madden 2005 for PC. If you, or anyone is interested in buying this, please read this honest review fist.

To start: Let me say simply. MADDEN 2004 IS BETTER. It doesn't matter what graphics card you use, what controllers you use, how you set it up.. 2004 is better than 2005. Buy 2004 if you want to put a game. Don't support this game by EA. Don't support lousy Console to PC ports.

1) Graphics: (5/10) -- 2004 if released this year would score higher.

First off, the graphics are NO better than 2004. They're worse. It doesn't matter what card or system you use. Anyone who tells you that the graphics are better are lying. I hope EA Sports releases a demo of 2005 for PC so any potential buyer can see first hand. My first response upon loading madden up.. was that it was a console port. The very first thing I found out was that, it infact was a console port. The graphics are WORSE than 2004 for PC. The first thing I tried was a franchise with the Green Bay packers. Heading in to the first pre-season drill, it was incredibly obvious. The detail was lower than last year, the animations worse. The models worse. If you could run Madden 2004, there's no reason to purchase 2005. I'd say don't for the graphics, and reasons explained below.

2) Presentation (6/10)

Everyone knows the presentation is good, this year is no different. The music works seamlessly with the game, the menus are fairly functional, the in-game menu's are pretty good. Howevere, IT IS STILL A CONSOLE PORT. It's NOT as good as last years game, it's not as well executed, and it's actually harder to navigate. The music selection, no matter what you like gives it a +2, otherwise this is a 4/10. When comparing with last years game, last years is better.

3) Gameplay (5/10)

THIS GAME IS A PORT. PLAIN AND SIMPLE. It almost looks as if it's a direct PS2 port, the graphics on the XBOX version is better. 2004 is still better than both. Is it playable? Very. But again, the score is reduced because of the INCREDIBLE difference from last years game. It's not any more fluid, the graphics and animations while there are MORE animations, they're not very good. I've seen nothing that is better than the 2004 PC version so far. This was a huge dissapointment. The default AI while they seem to get to the QB more, isn't really much different. You can get the same effect from 2004 with better slider settings.

If ANYONE tells you the graphics or gameplay is better from 2004, DO NOT BELIEVE THEM, play their 2005 game, and then play the 2004 DEMO. 2004 seems years ahead from 2005. EA went cheap with the PC version, and it's apparent. Infact, everything so far reviewed has been WORSE than 2004 PC.

4) Mechanics (7/10)

Ok, you got me here. The Mechanics are better, BUT ONLY SLIGHTLY. The hitstick is nice, and everything has been improved, but not enough to warrent a purchase. The field is shorter, passing is more annoying, running is more annoying. Again, with tweaking, 2004 is better. In 2005 the field is shorter, and everything seems more annoying. You know in 2004 how you could get "slightly" outside of the accurate kick off/punt zone? In 05, if you're even 1/10" of an inch off, you're lucky if that punt goes 20 yards before going out of bounds, or if that kickoff doesn't get you an illegal procedure. There's too many flawed things to mention here, honestly. Stick with 2004.

5) Sounds

Seen the above gameplay comments. Great implementation, lousy game.

6) Over-all. This game is lousy. DO NOT BUY IT FOR PC. STICK WITH 2004. I would have LOVED for 2005 to be a good game. It isn't. If you were unfortunate enough to actually buy it and play 2004, spread the word. IT IS NOT BETTER. I know I did not get in to key features such as the draft, and other franchise features, but to be honest, after 3 full games, I couldn't get that far. We can't let companies slip with awful games like this. Don't buy it.

I only hope Sega releases a PC ESPN 2k6 next year.. if EA wants to screw us PC gamers over like this.. you know what they say.

My review is 5/10. Don't buy it for PC. If you do, or have made the mistake, compare it to 2004 and let others know.

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 09/18/04