Looks good!

I am pretty optimistic about the new movie. It seems to be a great improvement over the other 2 prequels, from all the spoliers that have leaked out.

I used to do it a lot more than I do now.

The latest stuff I have Beta Tested is: World of Warcraft, Elder Scrolls 3: Bloodmoon and Windows XP.

Woah...I'm gone for two days...

Anyway, it does look like Gone Gold has finally gone away. I am sad to see it go, but it's not like we didn't know this day was coming (when the front page isn't updated for months on end, you know your days are numbered) and we still have this site to hang out on...so it's not all that bad.

Nice job, stiffler!

Looks good.

Oh and I also have to mentiont the AWESOME new stat overlays...

Some new ones that I have seen off the top of my head:

Recieving Duo - Your Top 2 recievers stats

Sack Leaders

Possession Chart

Interactive Passing/Running Chart - AWESOME

+many more that I just don't have time to write out...

All of them have great new ESPN graphics and really make the game feel like a game you are watching on TV.

Ok, a couple more impressions now that I am more awake...

The custom music feature is even better than I thought it would be. You can pick how long you want the music to play and where in the song you want it to start...don't think the intro to the song is good for the situation you picked (ie. Sacked the QB)? Just tell the game to start the music from the :25 second mark on the song and play it until the 1:20 second mark, or whatever you want...very, very nice! I am going through all my CD's now and ripping them to the Xbox for use with this, it's awesome!!!

More about the running game...it is SO MUCH IMPROVED. It feels a lot like NCAA this year, except faster. The animations are great and the control is spot on and unlike the slower NCAA pace, this just feels perfect.

The tackles are just BRUTAL. Lots of gang tackling and it looks very realistic.

Well, I'm off to play another game of it...I'll check the AI this time and let you know about that. It seemed fine last game and it was a great close game...I lost to the Panthers 21-20...

Quick Impressions before bedtime after 1 game:

+ The Presentation is just awesome. Lots of new ingame stat overlays, great new player cut scenes etc...it really feels like you are watching a real game on TV now.

+ Halftime and Post-Game shows are amazing. I love watching the highlights.

- Chris Bermans voice is sometimes a little off on the highlights ie. BRETT FAVRE!!! (loud voice) passes over the middle for 25 yards (quiet voice). Not a big deal, but you notice it.

+ Lots of new animations for tackles and the running game is MUCH improved over last year. It feels much different.

So far, I am loving it. Oh and the graphics are the best I have ever seen in the sports game. Very impressive.

That's all for now, I am dead tired...more in the morning...

Just got back from EB with the game!  

First impressions are: The Manual Sucks (as usual) and the box is nice looking!

I'll be back in a little while after I have played the game a bit....

So, is everyone who is claiming a team in this league SERIOUS about following through with it?

Mike

I am! I loved NFL2k4 and can't wait to play in this league....

[MY EB JUST CALLED AND SAID THEY ARE GETTING THE GAME IN TONIGHT AT 8PM!!!!]

MY EB JUST CALLED AND SAID THEY ARE GETTING THE GAME  IN TONIGHT AT 8PM!!!!      

They are sending someone to pick it up special from Miliwaukee...

Ah, lucky dog Hetz!  So, I expect you'll play 2 or 3 games then come here and post right?  Please?!

You know I will!  

[MY EB JUST CALLED AND SAID THEY ARE GETTING THE GAME IN TONIGHT AT 8PM!!!!]

MY EB JUST CALLED AND SAID THEY ARE GETTING THE GAME  IN TONIGHT AT 8PM!!!!      

They are sending someone to pick it up special from Miliwaukee...

No doubt...that EGM review is going to stick out like a sore thumb.

Madden has better visuals...LOL, I don't think so EGM.

My Tag: Wakky

[Packers]

Yep, I'm in!

Packers for me.

Oh and my Live Tag is: Wakky

I would also love to be in a league of committed people.  I want the Titans.  Should I start another thread?

Sure!

I call the Packers!

I would love to be in a league of commited people, but I don't want to be in one if it is going to go belly up after the first week.

My Take:

EGM is f'ing nuts, if not on the take from EA. How they can claim that Madden looks much better than ESPN, well that just blows my mind...Madden is still using the same freaking player models that they have used since the first PS2 Madden for crying out loud!

Also, Madden brings nothing new to the table at all, with the same boring commentary, no halftime or end of game highlights, no weekly highlight show, no online leagues etc......oh but they have "Storyline Central" and the HIT STICK! Yay.

*snore*

How EGM can claim that Madden is the better game when it is $30 more expensive and has FEWER features, POORER graphics and doesn't even come close to ESPN in presentation...well it's beyond me. Oh and don't tell me that Madden's 20 yard dropback and pass for a TD is better gameplay either, cause that bird aint gonna fly...

[Here are the facts, starting with the scores]

Well, EGM in the latest issue has rated Madden quite a bit higher than ESPN NFL 2k5. This has caused lots of drama on various message boards.

Here are the facts, starting with the scores:

ESPN got a 8.5 (Bryan), 8.5 (Patrick), 8.0 (Chris B)

Madden got a 9.0 (Bryan), 9.5 (Patrick), 9.0 (Chris B) and the Game of the Month award.

Here are quotes from the review:

Bryan: So even though ESPN rings up at a shockingly wallet-friendly $20, would you rather stump up $50 for Madden.

Patrick: Yes. It's gameplay that keeps you coming back, and Madden is the king in that department

Chris B: Yep. I think a casual football gamer who wants to play a week or so will be perfectly content with ESPN. It may well be the best $20 game ever. But hardcore players (or rich people) who don't think twice about spending $50 on the best should definitely spring for Madden.

Bryan: Agreed. And if you're ultra hardcore, fork over another $10 for the PS2-only Collector's Edition, which includes making-of documentaries (snore) and tweaked verisons of Madden 93, 97, and 99 with present day rosters (score!).....I'm on that like a lineman on a free buffet.

Patrick: What about Madden's New Look? I'm really digging how the stadium lighting changes with the time of day, and the players---from body sizes to the number of wristbands they wear---are spot on.

Bryan: ESPN doesn't look too shabby, ethier, but the player models are a bit stretched out and lack some of the finer details(not in the faces but everywhere else)you'll find in Madden.


Comparison shots:

Madden 2005 -
   

ESPN 2005 -
   


YOU MAKE THE CALL.

Some new movies are up over on Operation Sports! One is a nice video of an off-season Sportscenter. They also have some screenshots of a draft preview Sportscenter and a Draft Review Sportscenter...

http://www.operationsports.com/reviews.asp?game=espnnfl2005xbox

This game is just incredible in terms of the presentation this year!

IGN's review is up...it got an 8.7...

They had basicly the same complaints that I had: lack of a visual upgrade, recycled commentary, nothing really all that new about the game this year, besides the HFA stuff.

http://xbox.ign.com/articles/530/530148p1.html

Fans of NCAA Football will love this game. It's got some nice new additions and online play on Xbox and PS2, but it's hard to ignore the lack of visual punch that's seen in the other two football games out this year. This game needs a new engine for next year and a shakeup of creative juice to progress the gameplay. This may well end up being my favorite football game once again this year, because it is a lot of fun, but I wish more had been done with the series over the past two years. Home Field Advantage is an inspired idea, the Matchup Stick rocks, and overall the game remains a solid sports title. Don't hesitate buying this if you're a fan of the series, just don't expect a revolution or even much of an evolution from last year's title.

Hetz, do you have an HDTV by any chance?  A lot of the slowdown seems to be coming from HDTV people, although a lot of people aren't saying what kind of setup they have playing the game.  I personally don't have an HDTV, so maybe that's why I didn't see any slowdown...although I only played one game.

Yes, I do have an HDTV and I've heard that if you set the game to use normal mode and not widescreen/480p mode that the slowdown goes away.

Why does EA let this slip by?

*sigh*

Once again, EA codes for the PS2 and just does a sloppy port to the Xbox. Thank goodness ESPN was developed this year for the Xbox first and ported to the PS2...

BTW, I'm playing the Xbox version.

My impressions after 3 games...

Positives:

+ Nice Animations, there are some nice new tackle and running animations

+ I really love the Home Field Advantage! The crowd gets really into the game. It sounds much better than last year, especially if you have a dolby digital surround setup.

+ The dynasty mode seems a but deeper this year with players getting into trouble and wanting transfers etc...should be fun and I will really start it when the downloadable rosters come out, for those with a Action Replay.

Negatives:

- Same old, same old feeling...come on this engine has been in use FOREVER and frankly it's starting to look like crap, especially compared to ESPN and even Madden this year. EA it's time to upgrade. The SAME player intros as last year, lots of the same commentary, nothing has really changed at all in the presentation aspect of the game. Look how ESPN Football constantly inovates with their product every year. EA needs to stop resting on their ass and bring something more to the table besides 1 or 2 new features each year...

- The game plays slow. I've heard it mentioned before, but I didn't believe it until I played the game...and it is MUCH slower than last year. When you run, it feels like you are running through quicksand or something. It's not slowdown, but it's just slow gameplay. Very odd.

- Incredible bionic DB's...they all have AMAZING closing speed and leap 15 feet in the air to bat down a pass now. I was playing against some small crap team and their DB's were playing like they were all NFL Pro Bowlers! I am scared to see how a major powerhouse's DB's act. This is going to get old after awhile...

It's still the best on the market, but I really wish ESPN would come out with a college football game...maybe next year.

YES!

I can't wait!!!

     

Just got back from EB with my copy of the game. Long story short: Gamestop had "shipping problems" and wouldn't have it until tomorrow, so I canceled my preorder with them and got it from EB instead...

ESPN gets the majority of my time, but I buy both games each year. The whole storyline central thing in Madden sounds kind of cool, but the same old crap presentation of the game leaves me cold each year with Madden.

ESPN looks like it will be the winner (not in sales , but in all other ways) again this year.

I just got a call from Gamestop and they said my copy would be in Monday afternoon!

Can't wait! Let the Football gaming season begin!

I saw that list over at OS, and it's been pretty much debunked of it being true.  I mean, there's no way in hell the 49ers are better than GB.  Only in my mind that's true

lol

Yeah that list is pure BS. I mean, Chicago and SF both rated higher than the Packers? Right...

I picked one of these up yesterday. It looks pretty damn cool, but then I am big into retro stuff and this thing really brings back fond memories of my childhood...

I'll be getting it for the Xbox.

Agreed. One of the best games I have ever played, plus it has all the original Ninja Gaidens as unlockables! Pure gaming bliss...

I picked it up at Circuit City today since they had a free $15 Gift Card w/ Purchase. I haven't had a chance to play it yet, but I will later tonight and let you all know how it is.

Congrats on the new site! Looks good!

Heh...I finally get to say it!

Oh and I am really looking forward to ESPN Football 2005!  

Nice place!