ESPN NFL 2K5

"Sega has officially stolen EA’s thunder."

Another year, another season of football…Except this year, the season started early for Visual Concept's ESPN NFL 2k5. As the story goes, in and effort to compete with Madden, Sega got an additional publisher and was able to lower the price of ALL of this years ESPN games, including NFL 2k5. To top that off, they released it a month earlier than Madden. But in my view, even if it were still $50, it would be worth it. Just now, more people will get to try it due to the budget price. Which means by-by Madden for a lot of people, and for good reason.

Graphics-10/10: As far as this department, ESPN totally blows away Madden on the Xbox. This is without a doubt, the best looking sports game out there. The player models and uniforms are very well done, and you can see the little details even without playing the “First Person Football” part of the game. Play in the rain, and you will see individual players get dirt and grass stains on their uniforms from being tackled. Play in the snow, and at the beginning of the game, the field will be covered. But as it progresses, you will start seeing grass below the snow as players are tackled. The biggest thing is the presentation. You have not been really immersed in a football game until a replay is shown of one of you're backs, who is then circled, get caught holding. However, there is a very obvious lip synching issue, which is pretty noticeable during halftime and sideline reports.

Sound-10/10: This game just keeps bringing it. Everything sounds spot on. And the ESPN special sound mechanic only further enhances it all. The commentary is active but not repetitive, and the fans chanting sikes you up here more normally than it would in any other sports game. The biggest place where all this is evident the most is down on the field in “First Person Football” mode, because you're right in the middle of it. Even shouting out plays while in the huddle. To top it all off you can customize the stadium and presentation music, as well as the jukebox in you're crib.

Gameplay-9/10: Though it does not have all the offensive options of Madden, and it does seem a little easier to sack the QB than it should, at it's base, the gameplay is great. Calling hot routes is a nice addition, and you're players can no longer stop and turn on a dime, if you're running left up the field, and change you're direction and start going right, there will be a fluid, but delayed motion. This makes the game more realistic even though it may seem like a small touch. Being able to rapidly tap a button for a speed burst to break away from a tackle, and the inclusion of maximum tackling helps the offense further, and the new quarterback evade feature is priceless. On the defensive side, you can adjust you're entire team, even down to individual players and tell them to blitz, allowing you to mix up you're initial play. As far as franchise, Sega doesn't skimp. You can set schedules for you team or specific players by making them watch videos and scout you're next opponent, from scheduling weight lifting to full skirmishes, all of which will affect the player's stamina and rate of injury.

Features & Replay Value-10/10: The amount of replay value in the game is just insane. You can customize nearly everything. The “First Person Football” and “The Crib' alone are enough to keep you going. But with the addition of the VIP (Virtual Identity Profile) you can now play against a mimic of you're opponent, which is great for scouting online opponents in tournaments and leagues. The VIP system works similar to the Ghost Saves in Project Gotham Racing 2. Only every player has one, not just the top ten. As was mentioned earlier, you can customize stadium and presentation music, which allows you to play you're favorite music to sike you up in between plays. The First Person football is chaotic and fun, and the Crib lets you deck a pad of your own out with points you earn playing offline, online, and franchise. And the Practice and reference guide will help unfamiliar players. I have not even talked about the online play or leagues yet, there is just so much. Madden can't even touch it in this area.

Overall (Not an average)-10/10: Sega has officially stolen EA's thunder. Jammed with features, online play, and nearly infinite replay value, all at a budget price, there is enough to keep you playing this game way passed February. If you are any type of sports gamer, there is no reason not to buy this game.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 07/26/04