Video Game Reviews
Title: Madden NFL 2004
Review rating: ****
Platform/console: Playstation2, PC, Xbox, GameCube
Release date: August 2004
Genre: Sports
Players allowed: 1 to 4 (more with on-line capabilities)
ERSB rating: E
Production company: Electronic Arts
The biggest enhancement to this latest installment of the
Madden NFL game series has to be the on-line capabilities.
You can now test your skills with players all over the world
in the on-line mode. Other new features come complete with
a red indicator bar beside them because, let's face it, this
game has so many options and modes it's hard to figure what's
new and what's not, especially for people who don't spend
hours a day in play time. Newer players should go through
Football 101, training camp and practice modes to help improve
their skills. Training camp offer several ways to improve
a player's skills, but make it count because each player only
get to try it once. You probably want use your bench players
for camp activities that include chase & tackle, trench
fight, precision passing and ground attack.
The gameplay has much more realism in the graphics and statistics.
Don't look for easy passes anymore because interceptions are
much more frequent. The franchise mode (1 to 2 users), song
jukebox, owner's box, mini-camps and 2-minute drills expand
gameplay even further. You can also create teams, players,
playbooks and have historic teams.
Al Michaels and John Madden serve as announcers and the box
style graphics and statistics add to the game's visual appeal.
This title as the flexibility to play as simple (Play Now
mode) or very complex (building a team from the ground up
by drafting players, forming rosters, building stadiums, etc.).
Full use of the controls and cheat filter for on-line play
also improve the best pro football title out there. A highly
recommended sports game that everyone will be wanting in his
or her game library!
Review by Michael Siebenaler
© Electronic Arts
®
