Madden NFL 2004

"Ehhh, Its still the same thing but it is still good"

I wanted to try this game ever since first heard they heard coming out with a madden 2004. When the day arrived, I went to rent it and bring it back. I was surprised to how much madden 2003 and madden 2004 are so much the same, its like madden 2004 is just an expansion pack for madden 2003. I will explain why it looks this way in the below following.

Graphics (8.5/10): Same as usual, very good. Not much different from the graphics from 2003. Either way, the graphics have always been good looking, the plays and the players. I can not see much edges what so ever (if any). But the thing that brings down the score is the point that there is really not much improvement (if any) from 2003.

Controls (8/10): The controls are easy to learn for beginners and advanced players will know them right from the start since, just like the graphics, they are the same from 2003. There are very few controls that are different like how to look at the play while the players are on the field. The playmaker control is best here though. What this is is that you can control the closest blocker to you and try to pave the way for a touchdown. The downsides to this is that you don't have complete control. You can move the blocker in a very few directions before the computer takes over again making it difficult to make him pave the way. Another downside is that moving 2 people at once is confusing. Most of the time you will find yourself moving the blocker forward (the way your guy is going toward the endzone) and you want him to move off to the left or right. The upside though is that this can really make a difference between being sacked a few yards back and 6 points. Either way, this is a really good addiction to the football legends video game.

Gameplay (8/10): Unlike other people, I don't always focus on gameplay. The gameplay can go either up or down. At times you will want to rip apart your controller because your half back didn't move fast and got sacked and then you try the play again and you get 15 yards and now your tapping back your controller. It can get very frustrating like how the player substitutes moveability for speed while sprinting toward the endzone. In my old days, you can sprint all you want and you could still turn on a dime. But since these aren't the old days anymore, I have to get used to it. Another thing, why do they label create a play or team as new? These have been in a previous madden game like 2003.

Replayability (7/10): They have many modes in this game that will keep you playing for awhile, unless you played madden 2003. Then this will only keep you playing for a few days. Many things from Madden 2003 was ported to Madden 2004 like mini-camp (my fav.), franchise (why was this called new also?), and many others like create your own stadium. You can also go into owner mode in franchise and control alot of aspects of your team and stadium including concession stands, advertising, fan appreciation day, and merchandise. Now if they think $6 is too much for a hotdog, they will start to leave and attendance will go down. I wasn't into this much since you can only go into owner mode if you are using a non-custom team, the salary cap is on, and the fantasy draft pick is on. Best thing though I think was how you could make your own plays and formations (again this was called new but wasn't). You get a warm feeling inside you when your play is literally better then every other coach's plays.

Overall (7/10): This game was overall great and all but not exactly for people that played madden 2003. It will immediately seem like the same and get boring fast. People that haven't played Madden 2003, go out and buy this game right now.

Rent or Buy: Have played Madden 2003: rent and if you are not bored with it, buy.

Haven't played Madden 2003: BUY IT NOW, you will like it sooner or later.

Reviewer's Score: 7/10, Originally Posted: 08/19/03