oh that makes no sense, IGN gave Madden 9.4 to the Gamecube version (which doesn't have multi), but gave 9.2 to the xbox and ps2 version

YA I didn't like the shaky cam, it ruined the car chase scene and most of the action sequences.

Overall a pretty good movie, I like his last comment at the end

I think the 1st was better than the 2nd

read the tourney thread...

Devil are you in?

I was respectful and let you have Eagles if you want it...

weird the only problem i had was the roster verification, but that only happened once.  Since then I have no problems with connecting to people

After playing it my 2nd day my impressions have change quite a bit. I like it better. I'm getting used to the controls, and not focusing on things I don't like as much. I still hate the playbooks the most, it's hard to ignore that

I bought the new released DVD and it came with a free ticket for the new movie.  I'm going to try to see it this weekend, but it depends if I survive the Sheriff Physical Agility course tomorrow

[naednek]

I played naednek last night -- his 49ers versus my Jaguars -- and that was great fun.  A really close game at 14-7 for Jacksonville, but Ken's final drive didn't come through.  I love the picture-in-picture feature that keeps the action focused on the field, and I really like how strong the online play is.

He and I both had the validating roster problem, but I expect all that to be ironed out on the next few weeks from VC or MS or whoever knows how to fix it.

My first online game this year, though, was with some wank who dropped before the first quarter ended (it was 7-10, my favor).  I am all about the negative feedback when people are wanks.   But I gave Ken positive feedback on a great session  - and maybe I can catch him or another one of you guys online tonight.

What an awesome game.

I had a blast driver, that was my first real game, and after play NCAA all week, I was still getting used to the controls.  In fact, I'm still am.  

I was hoping you would put on your mic.  It's more fun talking, and I haven't talked to you in a while.  

Tomorrow I have my written and physical test for the sheriff, but the weekend I should be free.

[1st Playbooks]

here are my impressions..

I absolutely loved ESPN 2004. I thought it was better than Madden even with the terrible running game and bad CPU AI (clock management).  It just gave games a breath of fresh air, madden was getting stale.  I was extremely excited for this year's version.  All they had to do is to build off of the previous year, since they already a template to go by.  From what I hear, they went beyond from just updating last year's version, they made a new engine that takes advantage of the xbox console system rather than going the Madden route building it for the lowest common denominator in mind.  It's about time developers reward people who spend the money on new technology.  So with that said I was looking forward to this year's version especially watching the videos.

Unfortunately I think I watched too many videos, and gave myself a sense of false expectation.  Kind of like when Star Wars I came out, I read the book and visited the fan sites before that move came out, and when I went to watch it, I walked out fairly disappointed.  That's kind of how I feel today with ESPN.  The excitement never came.  I felt it when I bought it and put it in the xbox, then **poof**, gone.

I played two quick games, 1 online game and 1 preseason game from franchise last night.  Unfortunately I forgot to save my franchise so I have to start over.... no big deal.  Anyways since I've stopped playing I've sat down and thought about why I feel disappointed, and unenthused.  I also read the Impression's thread (since I don't have internet access at work right now, I had a friend email me the thread) and I find that agree with a lot of points that people have already pointed out.  So here are my thoughts...

1st Playbooks

Having a variety or lack of variety of plays makes or breaks the game.  Madden had a decent playbook that had an intense variety of plays you can choose from.  Unfortunately with ESPN 2K5, that's not true.  Their playbooks are exactly the same as last year and they were terrible back then too.  In ESPN 2K5 you have many types of formations (4-3, Bear, Nickel, Dime and others) in these formations you have different packages that you can choose from, this is where things start to feel the same.  Each package will have separate categories based on where you want your defenders to move.  For example you might have Twist Left, Twist Right (depending on where you think the play will be moving to)  when you select that package you get to choose which play you want.  Granted there are quite a few to choose from, but when you from Twist Left to Twist Right, it's the same plays from Twist Left, except everything is to the right.  That makes sense, but when you change formations to Nickel, those same plays start to appear.  Sure some personnel might be different but overall it's pretty much the same.  There is also a lack of variety of types of plays (Zones, Coverage, Blitzes and so on).

It seems to me from my initial impressions that most defensive plays are either Zones or Blitzes, and rarely any man coverage.  I had 3 big beefs with last year's game, and this was one of them.  I find the offense side is fine and offers enough variety, but the defensive side surely needs to be addressed.  And they failed to do that this year.  I often find myself not giving a rat's ass on which play to call.  This is one reason why I feel bored playing.

Another thing I don't like, and I took noticed then when I was playing as the 49ers (or the San Francisco Seahawks ) The playbook always started at the Triple WR formation and I would have to scroll up or down to get to the I-formation or some formation that doesn't use all those Receivers.  Why can't it either remember where I left off, or set it to a decent formation so I don't have scroll like crazy.

2nd Weekly Prep

While the weekly prep in franchise is a cool idea, it's cumbersome, and repetitious.  You have to make a schedule for what you want your players to do, whether it be, working out, studying film or doing yoga.  That in it self takes a long time because you have to do make this list for the positions you want to have trained, and then decide what days do that.  So if you are like Bill Parcells and have no mercy in your aging bones, you would make them work out every day of the week.  Now I've heard that when you play the next game the schedule you made from the previous week will still be there.  So you can choose to have them do the same thing, or you can edit the type of training you want them to do.  However this is still time consuming.

They should have put in a template.  Or let you save configurations.  It's just too time consuming, and gets old quick.  Cool concept, something I've thought about many, many times in the past.

3rd, Graphics

Graphically, it looks good but there's not much difference between last year's version.  I really do not see a huge difference from the previous version.  Even my brother (who has watched me play several games last year) walked in my room and commented that it looks the same as last year.  But how much different can you make a game look, especially a sports game, those will always look the same.  I think that's one reason I loved ESPN over Madden last year, it was something new, the presentation was far different from what I was used to, everything else I adapted to.  But from what I saw on the videos and read from forums it didn't meet my expectations.

However, I will say the animations and the details have greatly improved on a game that excelled the previous year.  You really can see the veins in player's arms, and the new tackles, and overall feel of actually watching a game on TV.  You can easily see how much work they put into it.  But I keep thinking, did they spend all their time adding to the presentation and forget things like the playbooks and customizing the weekly prep?  I don't know, maybe next year those things will be worked on to make it a better experience.

4th, Sound

Granted I do not have a 5.1 speaker set up.  Where I'm located it's not really practical at the time.  However, just playing on 2 speakers I noticed the game doesn't sound much different from the previous year.  I absolutely hate hearing the QB's snap counts over the PA system or whatever it's coming out of.  It's too distracting and doesn't really match.  I know when I go to the 49ers games at Candle Stick Park/3Com, they don't broadcast that.  I'm not sure why it's like that in this game.

The stadium music isn't working, the music is too loud and drowns out the announcers, and I still can't figure out how to lower the volume.  It looks like you can't.  So it's broken right out of the gate.

However the ambient sounds are pretty cool and it's fun to hear what coaches and fans have to say.  During one cut scene I watched my coach (supposedly me) give a pep talk to some players sitting on the bench.  I thought that was cool, and I look forward to see things like that as I play along.

5th, Game Play,

After playing ESPN NFL 2K5, it doesn't really feel any different from last year.  The running game is much harder and more realistic, but everything else, feels exactly the same.  Last year, probably because it was my first time with ESPN, it gave me a fresh experience.  Because I'm seeing the same plays in the playbook, hearing the announcers saying the same play calling, everything feels like I've done this before.  I don't know why I'm thinking this would be a new experience, but from the people at espn were saying, they had me going

Difficulty

I realize it's early and there's plenty of time to adjust that sliders and get a better feel on the difficulty level, but Pro is too easy, and All Pro is hard.  I'm going to have to fiddle around the sliders

VIP

I like the VIP idea, I haven't had the chance to fiddle around with it.  But the possibilities for this is going to be great, and it's a great innovated idea that VC made and we'll probably see this as a standard feature in future sports games.  It is a truly an innovated idea.  This feature and the Weekly prep had me excited from the day I heard about it.  Unfortunately the weekly prep didn't turn out.

Bugs

There's a huge bug that was just confirmed regarding the clipping penalty.  Who knows if they waited the 2 weeks they might have found it.  Hopefully a patch can fix it.

Conclusion  (insert applause)

As I said before I loved last year's game.  You can ask Gellar and others on irc, we would have many arguments on why ESPN was better than Madden and vice versa.  This year I was excited for both, both games looked like they added enough to it to make it feel new.  However after playing a few games, I feel disappointed and during some games I was bored.  To me, it feels like all they did was focus on presentation, and kept the game play basically the same.

Even with the bad playbooks I'm still going to give it more time.  I think it will grow on me.  Besides the PC Version of Madden doesn't come out till Sep so I have plenty of time to fool around with it.  Maybe my expectations where higher and I fell under the Hype disease.  I can certainly see why people new to his brand are enjoying it, it's a whole new experience.  I think I shared your experience when I played ESPN NFL 2004 for the first time.

I'm going to keep at it.  Maybe it will grow on me.  But I felt pretty bored playing it.

[commit]

Titans are claimed by the League Admin.  Sorry.

To help clear things up:

Eco- Titans     (Admin)
Hetz - Packers
Denog. - Bills
Pr0ner - Chiefs / Redskins (?)
Caveman - Panthers
LD - Raiders
Ralph W - Ravens
Soulbringer - Rams
altair27 - Texans
Stiffler - Falcons
TML - Patriots
Driver - Jaguars
Naednek - Seahawks
gellar - 49ers
Devil - Eagles (if "In")
JeffJones - Dolphins
AgtFox - Vikings
Rage - Colts

 -   -   -   -

League will begin after everyone has a chance to try the game and make sure they like it enough to commit to the schedule.

Start date:  to be determined.  (if we wait for TML - maybe around Aug. 20 -  This should be discussed)

Most likely we will begin the Tournament before the league begins.

Let your thoughts be known regarding the above.

LD

If Devil isn't in, I still get the Eagles right?

Last night I had the best game (yes I rented it)  I am USC and I'm playing in dynasty mode.  I'm playing in All Star Difficulty lvl, after fooling around in Varsity for a while.  This is my 3rd game in that lvl, and before the 3rd game I'm 1-1.  I'm playing against the Oregon State Beavers, and I'm struggling on scoring (don't know why, they are supposed to be an easy team)  It's been back and forth all game long, and I managed to tie it up 14-14 with about 30 seconds left.  I managed to stop them and forced them to punt.  However I'm out of Time outs, and they have all 3.  What do they do?  they punt the ball to me instead of just running it down and forcing OT.  They just had to wait 12 more seconds.  WEll they punt, and I run it back for a TD and I win the game.  It was amazing, one of my favorite sport gaming moments, but it also leaves me baffled.

How long is the braket going to take?  I say we wait till after that, or maybe start a few weeks after that

Ok, i took the 49ers on the bracket one, On this league I want to have a chance, should I be mean and pick the Eagles ?      

If devil isn't in, I'll take the Eagles, if not, I'll take the Seahawks.  I probably won't have Internet access till tomorrow afternoon, so if it's a problem taking the eagles, put me down for the Hawks

The rumors floating around that it might be released on monday is looking promising

http://www.espnvideogames.com/community/forums/viewtopic.php?t=23529&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

Woot

I just learned Hollywood Video does a gamepass that is similar to BB, so I guess i'll be dropping Gamerang.

I'm thinking we should do a league instead of brackets.  You can set how many weeks to play and a time limit on when you need to finish that game.  The game controls that for you.

You know what is cool?

Go here and login (register if you haven't)
http://www.espnvideogames.com/community/forums/

then go to this thread...
http://www.espnvideogames.com/community/forums/viewtopic.php?t=23000

put the user name and pw in the ps2 section

if you get a message saying it's invalid input the username and pw again but delete the last * and it should work.

And then you'll be amazed

I rented it and it's pretty cool.  I'll stick to the NFL tho

Well  I was going to do a poll but I don't see that option

Anyways what version are you going to get.

Generally FPS games suck on Consoles, however there are a few exceptions like Riddick.  

Coop doesn't really excite me so that doesn't matter to me.

I personally will be getting it for the PC, since it will have better controls, modability (yes it's a new word ) and will look and play better.

glad I didn't buy it.  I'll just return spiderman for a refund.

They should have made a Steve McNair Box...

Somebody slap Eco!

Don't need to, just watch McNair get slammed around all season like normal, and then choke in the playoffs

Damn that sounds like Garcia too

because it was the better NFL game last year

RIDDICK.

that's why gamerrang and gamefly are awesome.  for $18 a month you rent 1 game at a time.  I try to finish 1 game per month (I split time with lots of pc games and already owned xbox games).  That saves me about $30 a month.

I have to return Spiderman 2 because of it being so crappy, and I tempted to exchange it for NCAA.  But I'm not big into college sports, and ESPN is close.  But I'm really tempted.  What to do, What to do

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...

Damn I forgot you read these boards, Why did I admit that

Bah - I'm not that high on the Eagles this year in terms of winning it all. My secondary has been gutted and I'm not sure I trust the backfield yet. I'd say they should be ranked around 8 in the league. TO is nice and all, but I'm not sure how much he helps.

I always play with the Iggles so those years in the late 90's are coming back around for me!

you'll just have 2 WR's who likes to drop balls

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

Here's Football Friday for 07/09/04.

Only 2 weeks left baby  

http://www.espnvideogames.com/nfl2k5/

Isn't that a little misleading?

It said it shipped 2 million, not all 2million have been bought.  Or are they counting that as stores bought 2 million?

You can always skip past the cutscenes if you don't enjoy them .  I don't really care for Suzy either, but I welcome the presentation style that most games can't even touch

I think why people enjoyed ESPN moreso than Madden because ESPN brought something new, that Madden hasn't done.  

ESPN did an excellent job with the presentation, it was like watching a game on ESPN.  But that's not the sole reason why people like ESPN.  Online is one key feature that up until now, Madden didn't have.

Espn felt played and looked better than Madden.   Everything looked incredible realistic, while Madden wasn't as pretty.  

Gameplay, ESPN had some bugs, tackling issues and AI were two components that really brought down the game.  Apparently it's fixed this year.  

I do agree that Madden had a better play book, and it looks like they will again this year.

Madden has become stale over the years, and when they added the owners mode last year, it really didn't make it any better.  Who wants to sell hot dogs.  I prefer ESPN's franchise mode, where what you do effects your game.  

Madden looks incredibly good this year, especially with it's revamped defense, but ESPN was the king of football last year, and with the $20 price tag, it  looks like it will be just as good if not better than last years.

Man this is too much hype even for me  

funny how you say they are late, they are actually on time

All I ask, is that people who are signing up to play, realize it's a commitment, and if you are flaky, you are not hurting just you, you are ruining the fun of others.   Last year was really frustrating and I had serious reservations of joining this, the only saving grace is that it's a bracket, and it's not too long.  I'd love to do a league, but from past experiences (ESPN NFL, and Links) those didn't last long.  

So I reiterate, if you are going to join, please think about the longterm.

Forever faithful,

I'll pick the 49ers  

Can I just say that Jeff Gerstmann is a tool?  He gave the game a 7.2...way too low in my opinion.  Right now I'd probably put it in the 80s, maybe low 90.  The graphics aren't the best, but when you look at the sheer size of what you can see with no loading you begin to respect the graphics for what they are.

Anyway, Gerstmann is the worst Gamespot reviewer.  He's the one that famously gave Shenmue a bad score, GS got a bunch of hate mail and then someone else had to do a new review of it and Gerstmann's review went to vapor...never to be seen again.  I just wish Gamespot had a way to look up reviews via writer, I want to see Gerstmann's list.  He has been spot on at times, but he has some glaringly bad reviews from a score perspective.

Well I do agree about the repetitiveness of the sidequests.  I have a feeling the mainquests will be short, and all you have left is the sidequests are mostly the same.    However I do think they scored it too low, I'd give it a low 8

I cant wait for this, but I'm getting it for the PC.  Gonna be a lot better on the PC then a console.

umm simon?  where are you

cool, because that would drive me nuts.

ok, looks like I wont be using Gamecast.  talk about annyoing and stupid (replays are good, the stupid insults are lame)