Madden NFL 2003

"Madden Takes A Step Backwards in 2003"

For years, Madden football has set the pace for what a football simulation should be. They were the first to have Franchise Mode, full drafts, trades, free agents, and all that wonderful stuff. Each year Madden adds on to its previous accomplishments, and each year it just gets better and better. That is, until now.

2003 brings us many new options. The ability to straff with a defensive player is a nice way a to pin down a half back. However, in bringing in this new option, they have also reduced the need for diving tackles. Basically, this means that while your pinning down your target, if he spins, hes gone. Diving at him will only slow up any other players around him. Its a nice addition though as not many players can dive 5 yards and make a tackle, but most players can dive further than 5 inches. Now it looks like theres an emergency fall on your face button instead of a dive.

Another change in the game is the ability to run more effectively in the middle. Its much more rare now to run into a solid wall. Offensive linemen can now create holes, giving you a small lane to get into. The downside of that is that theyve given running backs more tackle breaking ability to get through. Whats that mean? When they get outside, theyre impossible to bring down. Sometimes it takes 4 or 5 guys to take down an average running back, let alone the top names.

The passing game has also changed. You can no longer zip bullet passes around and have them rarely batted. Now LBs and DBs have the smarts to stick a hand in the air and swat it down. This does two things. It adds realism, because any good player will try and knock a ball down. BUT, it adds a lot of cheapness. Fast paced timing routes are useless now. You cant bullet in a slant pattern or itll get knocked down or intercepted. So this leaves one option, lofting. The problem in that is that a lofted pass is generally meant for a reciever to run under. Lofting a 5 yard pass is stupid, there needs to be a medium. The other main problem with the new passing is that interceptions occur way too often. It really cheapens the effect of the game when youve got a crossing pattern, rifle it in and a linebacker makes an incredible interception, 3 times in one game.

One of the best changes made was the salary cap issue. You cant take a team and just clean house of the bad talent anymore. Each time you release a player, you take a hit in the cap for ending thier contract early, just like in the NFL. Its a good feature. I also believe that if you release a player at the end of the year and they get signed elsewhere, you dont take the hit, but I cant confirm this.

The commentary still needs flare. Madden is still packed with info about everyone, but still loves to say the same stupid thing over and over, though that is close to real life. At least hes not drawing on the screen during a IR. Its a step up from previous maddens, but it still needs work.

Injuries happen a lot more often, sometimes 10 or 12 in a game. Its a bit too much, but serious injury is still rare. Now you get more minor injuries that people play through, which is a nice touch.

Overall, its a step up from last year, but its an even bigger step back. Hopefully next year they'll fine tune this years new features and put out a really good game.

Graphics 10
Sound 9
Control 8
Replay 2
Cheapness Factor: 100/10
Overall 3/10

Reviewer's Score: 3/10, Originally Posted: 08/18/02, Updated 08/18/02