Madden NFL 2004

"And Madden makes another Touchdown"

Madden03 offered some of the best gameplay up to date, but now here comes 04, and it truly takes the cake for ''Best Football game ever.'' New plays, new tackles, new modes, it's everything you wanted, and more.

The main thing that changed which got most recognition is playmaker controls. It's a secret audible used by the C Stick. On running plays you hit it in the opposite direction of which way the running play goes and it changes direction without the defense knowing. To switch back hit the C Stick back. Or on a passing play you can change the primary receivers route. On defense, when you play zone coverage you hit it left or right and the coverage switches to one side. And all that is before the snap.

After the snap on offense, if it's a running play, you use playmaker to control a blocker to help you get by, while at the same time controlling your HB(half back). On passing plays you control the closest receiver so he can get open. It shows your QB(quarterback) pointing to where he wants the receiver to go, too. On defense you can cheat against the run or pass, but it must be directly after the snap. If you see a running play, hit the C Stick down and everyone will come in. Hit it up and everyone drops back. But use this carefully, for if the opponent does play action and you cheat against the run they can hit their receiver for probably a touchdown, unless you have fast defensive backs.

The next new thing is Owner Mode. This let's you take on the owner of your organization. You price concessions, tickets, parking, advertising, merchandise, etc. Food is unique to what part of the US your team plays in. So it's very diverse. You also have advisors which tell you how the fans feel or what you need. It's usually best to follow what they say.

Another thing is they put in Training Camp before preseason. They have a number of drills designed for specific positions. You can only do each drill once and only one player can do a drill. The drills are the same from mini camp in 03, except this time you get points for what trophy you get. You start on rookie, and if you get a trophy you get to compete in the next level, all the way up to all-madden. Or you can keep your points and quit. Whenever you quit, you can give the points to key parts of your player, like catching or throw accuracy. Stats are updated too, and there are a lot of new tackles. A lot of them hard hitting, and man it's great.

Interceptions are harder to get, and rightfully so. In 03 there are certain times when you can always get the pick, in 04 your players will go for them but a lot of the time not come up with it. It's very balanced out.

Challenging plays is still there. You get two a game, and if it isn't reversed you lose a timeout. A real problem is how muffled the referees voice sounds when he talks. You can't understand him. I've also found that the sound is good or bad depending on how you have your system hooked up. If you have the red, yellow, and white jacks then everything will be very clear(except the referees). But if you have the screw thing(That you screw in the back of the TV), then everything will be static. So for good sound have the red, yellow, and white jacks.

Overall the game is generally the best Madden out. It improved a lot over 03. Injuries aren't as often as 03 either. That's a plus. Get the game, it's great.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 10/23/03