ESPN NFL 2K5

"Thats why they're the world wide leader in sports"

2k4 was a good start but this game takes the cake... armed with a virtual Chris Berman and a brand new Crib, ESPN opens up on Madden and lets 'em know who runs the football business now. The VIP System puts away any other options like create a play (even though it could be next year). The thing that caught my eye the most was the better graphics and smarter AI. Well enough small talk lets review this baby...

Ok im gonna rank on the 1-5 scale because i can get real personal with the game. Categories are Sound, Controls, Graphics, Gameplay, and Overall.

Sound 10/10: The best part about sounds this year is that now you the player can open up your soundtracks and set up the most beautiful music to even the hardest plays... imagine your favorite songs best 15 seconds played for you after a TD... and the basic package of music from the Crib isnt that bad either. The on field sound the best due to players yelling back at each other... since I usually play with the Rams I heard CBs saying... "I'm not gettin off you Holt" and other phrases like that which made me think about the noises in the field. The sounds of pads hitting sounded almost like the real game... especially if you have surround sound... it can add to the fun.

Controls: 9/10: This is really the one thing that pissed me off... the fact that no one can leave controls alone for one series of game. I know that the controls are close to the same but i used to use Y to intercept now its the black button... come on Sega and ESPN have to think alittle about this... but where they screwed up alittle they fixed with the better Juke, Spin, Stiff Arm, and Dive placements. The best control now is the use of the new feature, QB Evade. You now can move like Favre and make defenders eat a chunk of grass while you go for a big TD pass for the game by moving the second stick in the opposite direction of the defender you can break off of the little hits they cant produce.

Graphics: 10/10: This is where the game kills Madden. The Uniforms have had a full overhaul and now are 10 times better then last year. The stadiums, fans, player faces, and cheerleaders have been remodeled to their true to life counterpart, even the ball has alittle shine to it. The best graphics though are the ones from the Halftime report. It looks like a real overall of the game so far.

Gameplay: 10/10: The game goes everywhere here. I know that it has the same old franchise as every year but now its gotten even better. More options for paying your players, the ability to train them and even better new rookie faces so even in your fourth or fifth franchise you have rookies with real faces... woo. The Extras are the thing that makes this game a one and only title. The Crib has been pimped just like everything else with the new celebrity phone you can go head to head with David Arquette and Funk Master Flex. The new point system with the Crib makes it even more fun giving more of a challenge to earn certain prizes and the same old trophy room is still there but with lots more space for those big accomplishments. The Celebration changer is the greatest thing ive seen to date... with such great moves as the Fadeaway and the Dirty Bird the celebrations just keep on giving. Being the 25th anniversary of ESPN we get to relive the classics... and seeing as theres lots of great classics theres 25 reliveable games such as the "Heidi Bowl" and the infamous 2000 Super Bowl... a Yard too Short... all these games keep giving back to the gamer. First Person is back but its one of those things you play once in a while... its ok I really think if for that very in-depth gamer. The VIP Profile is what made this game what it is, with stats from every single game you can keep an eye on what you do and what the opposing coach does. Go ESPN. The coolest things about In-game is that your always signed in to XBL, you can recieve ESPN Messages from others and that you can watch every single play from the game in the Gamecast Stats menu. It is the best thing ESPN has done. Online Leagues are another big thing... even though i havent been in one yet I want to seeing as you have to conform to a schedule to play which makes it realistic...but with computer players of course.

Overall: 10/10: Even though I didn't reach every good point about the game I'll let you decide... All I know is the game rocks Madden off the market, makes me want to play right now and with a price of only $19.99... how can't you not want this game

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 07/23/04