ESPN NFL Football

"Difficult? Yes. Fun? Without a doubt."

This game is fun. Period. I love Madden, and Madden will always have a soft spot in me (I want to own both games now), but you cannot deny how good this football title is now. The additions, the Crib, the new ESPN feel to the game, the revolutionary First Person Football, the always excellent commentary - it's all in there. So let's look at a breakdown.

Presentation: 10
The ESPN license helps this game out tremendously. ESPN football music during the front screens, and the entire game has an ESPN feel to it. It almost looks like a Sunday Night game. Menus are presented well, and the playcalling screens have been overhauled to give a more Madden-esque feel to them. The sheer amount of plays is enough to have you in this title for a while.

Graphics: 9
Not as realistic looking in some points as Madden's player/coach models, but the faces really do look like their NFL counterparts. Stadiums are beautifully rendered, and even clods of dirt kick up when you're kicking the ball or playing in general on a grass field. When you look at a stadium, there's no doubt as to which stadium it is. Cheerleaders dance, and cut aways to realistic fans cheering on their team (I was momentarily blinded by the site of 6 topless fat guys spelling out ''Seahawks'' on their chests). It looks good all around, and the replay system is tons better than Madden, with commentary to go along with the replay (and even a telestrator!). And speaking of commentary...

Sound: 9.5
This is where ESPN towers over the competition. Only NCAA 2004 has (arguably) more realistic commentary. The sounds on the field are well done, although they can get repetitive at times. Chris Berman is, well, Chris Berman.

Gameplay: 8.5
The game seems a bit sluggish when RBs are running, but don't let the low score fool you - it's still pretty good. There are a TON of different hot routes, and you have control over just about every aspect of the field. Receivers and backs (FINALLY!) move in motion, and you have to know how to play defense to be successful. Conversely, a good knowledge of offense will keep your loss totals low. Each team does what their NFL counterparts do. And they've finally stabilized the kicking meter on FGs. Speed bursts come from tapping the button, and there are a lot more moves available when charging the X button. Max passing is there, and still as good as always.

Intangibles: 9
Franchise mode is good (I like the email system), but lacks Madden's massive depth, especially Owner mode. I'm not big on ESPN's franchise mode, but it gets the job done. No, the two areas of great importance here are First Person Football (FPF) and The Crib. FPF is revolutionary, as it gives you the opportunity to step on the field with the big boys. Lining up opposite a RG, swimming by him and sacking the QB never felt so fun. Your view is limited by the view of the player, so just like real football, you won't be alert of exactly what happens on every play. It's different from looking over the field, but a very welcome addition.
The Crib is probably more addictive than Madden cards. You start with your personal area, pretty bare. By performing certain tasks, (like running for a 30 YD TD or passing for 300 yds) you will unlock items to place in your crib (some of them being team specific). From couches to team signs to bobbleheads and even some free agents, it's pretty addictive to try to unlock all the items. There are even games like Paper Football, a trivia game, jukebox, and air hockey. In your entertainment room you can watch unlocked commercials (like for SportsCenter or the intro to NFL2K3). There are a ton of things you can unlock and place in your crib to best suit your liking, and none of them get old. It blows away Madden's card system.

All in all, ESPN comes out with a spectacular follow-up to their previous installment. The ESPN license is everywhere; it helps the overall presentation immensely. Get this and Madden; truly they are the best titles for this year. But if you have to go with one, go with ESPN.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 09/22/03