Customer Reviews

Madden NFL 2004

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Madden NFL 2004 is the ultimate football game. The gameplay is magnificient, the franchise mode is exciting, the soundtrack is great, the commentary is wide ranging, and the game is just presented perfectly with excellent control and graphics.

PROS
-great graphics
-cool music
-creative commentary
-variety of gameplay modes
-interesting franchise mode
-good control
-Create-a-team (including create-a-stadium) and Create-a-player
-lots of fun
-addictive (or should that be a con?)

CONS
-If you play for too long the soundtrack repeats
-can be a little slow
-front office duties in franchise mode can be tedious

Bottom Line
-Buy it

Pro's:
Both OL and DL got overhauled resulting in a much more dynamic front and both getting the stats they should get. (2003 OL could get rarely any pancakes was fixed and DL gets more share of tackles and sacks allowing both to progress better between seasons)DB's are much more active and better at reacting to plays. WR's are much more likely to make catches on the run. Added Playmaker control which can be extremely helpful pre-snap on offense (changing the direction of the play without audible)yet somewhat clumsy mid-play (calling for blocks/ routing recievers). Defensive playmaker is somewhat limited and only provides minimal help on plays (changing direction of safety coverage). Probably one of the best additions in my mind is the ability to change the formation package with the touch of a button. In previous versions the players were locked into their positions unless changed in the formation substitutions screen requiring a pause, or for it to be done pre-game. For example, now if you wish to have your HB line up slot just rotate to your formation and push the button designated for Package until it changes to HB Slot and you will see the change reflected on the play design. Your HB will then line up in the slot reciever position. This also can be done on defense. Some cross-platform improvements: All versions now have the accelerated game clock option allowing for a full game in a fraction of the time but allowing for a realistic number of plays. This was limited to only the PC version in 2003. PC version now has FREE online gaming through use of EA Sports Online. In 2003 version PC customers had to pay after the initial trial period. Online leagues are now supported also and Owner mode is a nice addition where you control the stadium and things like concessions and ticket prices to attract customers and profit.

Con's:
If you are the type of person that likes to just call the play and let the CPU control your players after the snap (this includes coach mode on PC) then you will be extremely disappointed. With all the improvements to the linemen and defensive backs, EA seems to have somehow broken the QB's AI on human controlled teams. It isnt half as fast as it should be and results in sacks with 6 out of 10 pass plays. This can only be lessened with EXTREME changes to sliders in Options menu and blocking audibles. Even then it is not set right. Your QB runs around looking confused and half the time runs into the defender himself because he cant react to all the increased action around him and he wont throw the ball. This problem does not affect the CPU teams.
With all that said, if you are an action player who loves to control your QB then this is a great installment of Madden Football, as long as you watch the defense and make quick decisions. Strategy players or those that just like to coach have no choice but the PC version and hope they release a patch for the QB because all the other versions are unpatchable. Or else learn to control the QB.

The next Instalment in the Madden series is here with Madden 2004. But what new features are added to make us pay out our hard earned money?

New Playmaker Control: Make pre-snap adjustments to your receiver routes, direct receiver routes during a scramble, direct blocking down field during a run, or read and react to the offense to deliver a crushing tackle.

New Owner Mode: Hire your own staff, set your teams ticket prices, build your own stadium, reward key players with signing bonuses and boost player attributes in Mini-Camp drills.

All-New Game Presentation: Keep your players on the field during the play-calling screen. Watch all the highlights in split-screen replay and revel in new player accuracy details like dreadlocks, tattoo replicas, and four new helmet styles.

Most Realistic NFL Playbooks Ever: Tons of new trick plays, multiple formation variations, and the deepest NFL playbooks from all 32 officially licensed Coaches Club Head Coaches.

New Animations and Enhancements: New QB scramble transitions to improve throwing on the run, stumbles, open field blocks, whirlwind defensive reaction moves, sideline wrap tackles, and out of bound pushes.

Do yourself a favour and pick up Madden 2004. It'll be worth the money!

Madden 2004 is the ultimate football game. I have played NFL Gameday 2004, NFL Fever 2004, ESPN football, NFL blitz pro and none of them are near as good as Madden. Ever since the first madden game people have been playing the best of the best. Madden 2004 is better than ever with the new owner mode and create a stadium. With the new owner mode you can set you food, souviner, and ticket prices. It can't get any better. Well it will be next year. Get this game don't waste your money on the fakes.

Madden is possibly the best virtual football video game I have ever played. The Gameplay is so realistic you feel like you are really calling the plays and acting them out. The running game works a lot more smoothly then a lot of other games and the passing game is so exciting, you can throw a bullet and hope it shoots trough the DB's or throw one up in the air and hope when it comes down its in your recievers hands. Franchise mode couldn't be better. You can own and maintain a team for 30 years! There is so much happening that after 5 years your entire original roster has almost changed completely. You have to keep up with the salary cap and buy and trade players to keep up your super bowl appearances. Multiplayer works so fluently with numerous people on one team and when you play against your friends the play is so intense. Playing the CPU can get a little old but it is still very fun. Creating teams then creating players for your teams is very detailed and enjoyable. The controls are many but easy to learn. You can evn go into rosters and alter real characters stats. Any way, buy this definitely. GO PATRIOTS!

This is by far the greatest sports video game ever. The action is ridiculous and the playmaker feature is huge. It used to be frustrating to call a simple HB toss to the right, only to see the opponent stack that side of the field. Then you'd have to switch to one of only 3 available audibles. Now, with the playmaker control, just a tap to the left changes the whole play without letting the opponent know what you're up to. The owner mode is very cool as well.

My only criticism is that there is still issues with the numbers on the "classic teams". It drives me insane to play the 78 Steelers and see # 81 and #87 catching the ball, when I know that Stallworth and Swann wore 82 and 88, respectively...

I can't imagine how they'd improve this game in 2005, but I'm sure they will.

Well, as you might guess from the title I am a Tampa Bay Buccaneers Fan andd have been all my life. This game is so good tthat it is almost as good as being at a Buc's game! The graphics are the best, and I love that you can play with the 2003 Buc's the 2002 Buc's or even the 1979 Buc's.This game is awsome and I dont see myself trying a diffrent brand of game. I did try NFl Blitz and personally hated it. Thanks for reading.

I think this Madden is going to make other NFL games look really bad. I give it 5 stars because of the very deep owner mode, good graphics, great music, the owner mode makes you feel like the owner of an actual NFL team and plus it's very challenging to keep your team's cash totals afloat with the coming seasons ahead. I think Owner mode and the new nfl jerseys are the best things in this game. So that's why it gets my seal of approval, so get this game, you won't be even the least bit disappointed

I've been playing madden ever since madden'97. I don't think that's the first but anyways this really is the best football game of all time. This game is better than gameday,ncaa, or any of those games. Blitz has the less breakable rules which is fun but seriously dude, maddens the game. This game, even coaches should play so they can be avoiding stupid decisions. I mean c'mon you could challenge plays, that kicks ass...!!! The funniest thing is making your team and guy and start a franchise. Playing this game online is fun too.. Even though there's not really a challenge out there. (unless you think other wise) you seriously got to get this game dude, seriously. The graphics are sweet, the gameplay is sweet, the whole damn game is sweet. The think that made me give this game 4 stars is the fact that theres really nothing different between this and madden 2003. I mean there's probably a little different thing like the playmaker but really if you play this one and madden 2003 there's really no difference. You'd agree too...but anyways this games great I don't know about buying it but...yeah buy it...

This game is awsome!The new Playmaker controls are realy cool,you can put your primary reciever on a hot rout,your defence into zone,and much more.The owners mode is neat also,you can set the prices of your food,merchindice,ticket price,and even advertisements!The graphics on this game are outstanding,the face features are great,and the the gameplay is realy realistic.So if you were looking for a football game this year,get this one,I give it 2 THUMBS UP!