*I'm referring to the PS2 edition*

This is one of the worst games I have ever played. I can't believe I used a Blockbuster gift certificate to rent it. This movie should be shot and burned. Sega should never be able to produce a video game again. No wonder you can BUY this game for $20. That's even too much. Madden '92 on my Super Nintendo is better for Christ's sakes. I can't wait for Madden 2005. -Pat

I spent the $20 to hold me over til Madden.

And I really don't like it.

I got one of those pre-ordering things for Madden after work today.

August 12, the day my wife weeps.

I beg to differ, with Pat's analysis at least.

I know many people like Madden, and many like the ESPN 2K series. I myself switched from Madden in 2002 and haven't looked back...

ESPN brings true NFL simulation to your fingertips, while Madden seems to be a video game. I'm not bashing Madden, since I played it since it came out in 1990 (Wow...what in improvement from Tecmo Bowl!), but I got a little tired of being able to get out of situations by throwing the bomb or a hail mary with 95% effiecieny on the highest difficulty level.

I admit that I've never had too much trouble with football games cause I do think I have at least an armchair command of the game. I know how to shift my DB's, assign blitzes, change routes, call audibles, etc. Not exactly rocket science, but some things that can affect your overall playing experience.

ESPN 2K5 is the first game that has really challenged me. I think it not only represents the game of football in an accurate simulation, but it portrays the strength and weaknesses of each team accurately. Eric Moulds is a great receiver for my Bills, but Bledsoe still gets the crap kicked out of him because the O-Line sucks. Player ratings are also good (though I disagree with TO being a 100, I think that's mainly cause he is the poster child for 2K5. He should probably be around 96 max).

I will say this: this game kicked my ass on All-Pro difficulty before I made some minor changes. When I played this last nite before bed, I was throwing a fit...I think the exact words were: "Holy shit, I didn't know the fucking Cheifs enlisted Jesus Christ to play both cornerback AND wide receiver!!!" :p

I toned down the CPU coverage by a notch as well as the CPU catching. I turned up the human coverage and catching likewise. Ever since then, I really can't complain. It's been great today, I lost a close one to the Raiders 21-17 and beat the Browns 27-14.

Another thing is the scoring. Unlike Madden, it's not 78-10 against the computer. The scoring is very realistic. No more blowouts because the passing game is so flawed.

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Also, this game is a steal at $20. Every website has given this either 9.0 or better (out of 10) and 4.5 or better (out of 5) and it is an amazing game. It's $19.99 because Visual Concepts/Sega is being really cool...all of their sports games are fantastic, and better than EA's (with the exception of Baseball...I love EA's MVP Baseball 2004) and are trying to broaden their audience by making the games available to everyone, rather than charging what, is in my opinion, an exorbitant amount of money ($50-60 for a game?!?) for something you play for one year and then buy the new one.

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If you want a true football simulation, buy ESPN. If you want to play a football game, buy Madden.

I'd love to hear your thoughts, as well as advice on sliders and strategy.

-DJ
(Buffalo Bills 2004 Superbowl Champs...virtually :p )

Okay, yesterday, because I have no clue how to play, and I absolutely hate tapping the damn X button, I decided to "learn the basics", but ah, the f-ing players are invisible.

It would take me weeks before I got it down to so I can play with ease on a difficult level. And I'm not going to do that. I'm just going to wait. Maybe I'll read that Truman book now.

Diff strokes for diff folks...

BTW, even if Jesus wanted to play for the Chiefs, Carl Peterson would screw up negotiations and he'd end up playing RB for the Raiders.

Oh it definitely is a steal at $20, and great marketing by ESPN.

If you do the training, it helps alot actually. I was doing pretty sucky at running because I never bothered using the finesse moves (other than straight arm) in past years, so now that I do the juking and stuff, I gain alot more yardage. Plus nothing is better than blasting past the line of scrimmage with a speed burst!

JJ, the best thing to do is start on an easier level until you learn the controls. Hell, I started with 2K2 on Dreamcast, and I had to re-learn the controls for PS2 after DC died :p

Anyways, this link might help, I visit here from time to time:

GameFAQ\'s ESPN 2K5 Message Board, Reviews, and FAQ

Okay, my on-going analysis:

Passing: I'm getting better, I finally was able to figure out that the games automatic drop-back really does work, because I always tried to do it myself and my passes sucked. Let go of the controller once you hike the ball and you'll get the proper drop back. You can still move in the pocket, but this give you better accuracy.

Running: Damn, in every football game I've ever played, I own running to the outside. Alot of power and sweep routes work well for me. Some of the iss packages are okay but you need to know who is the DE's you'll be up against...not recommended against Warren Sapp, let me tell you. :p

Overall: I'm elated and pissed at the same time. Of course, I guess it's pretty realistic, since my Bills can win most of the games you would expect them to (i.e. versus Jacksonville, Cleveland, etc.) and they lose in the difficult ones (i.e. Denver, New England, etc.) so I can see that the teams are properly scaled.

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As far as difficulty goes guys, this is what I've done:

All-Pro difficulty...notched human catching up one, notched human coverage up one or two. Notched CPU passing down one, CPU catching down two, and CPU coverage down one. This makes it pretty even, since I haven't had to adjust any running. The computer can make passes to open guys, but has diffuculty in coverage...if you don't change, you get catches from the CPU in triple coverage :p

I think its actually a really good game especially for $20, the best alternaitve to Madden since NFL Quarterback Club for SNES

btw I miss Tecmo Bowl Days

I rented yesterday and its pretty cool.

psst...emulation

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Update:

Passing - Sweet, I own passing. I mastered the routes, and playing with the Bills, it's nice to utilize both Lee Evans (the high-speed wideout) and Eric Moulds (the All-Pro catcher) in different situations. Evans has an easier time blowing away the coverage in pursuit situations, but Moulds has a better chance of getting more yards after the catch because of his experience.

Running - You can really see where this game shines. I ran over some teams like Pittsburgh, and I barely ran for 75 last night against the Panthers. First game where the team profiles are really, really accurate.

Defense - Okay, the LB and DB adjustments are not only cool, but crucial...when you play Jerry Rice, it's a good idea to toss an extra cover man on him But anyways, it's great. I use Gildon as my on-the-fly blitzer, and usually have London Fletcher lay back in coverage or zone in on the RB. Takeo Spikes and, if he's in, Jeff Posey, are usually the two guys I use to cover the runner. It's pretty cool.

Overall - Great game, but I reduced the quarter length from 8 minutes to 5. As much as I like football, it still drags on if you are either getting blown out or blowing out the other team and going through the motions. When it's a close game though, I love it. Haha, great game.

BTW - Pat et all, you all sound like this is a brand new series to the market...for the last 6 years, the 2K/ESPN series has been competing with Madden (and yes, all the other games cost $39.99 Dreamcast and eventually $49.99 on PS2/X-Box). :p

Is'nt steve-o on this game?

Yeah. And the celeb things are really annoying, because unless you play on rookie difficulty, they kick your ass every time, and have breaks go there way. Plus, they ALWAYS kick onside and ALWAYS win it, so...

I just ignore the celeb challenges.

Exactly. I also here if you win his team on the hardest difficulty they show you something very raunchy.

psst...emulation

Oh I got them, Tecmo Bowl and Super Tecmo Bowl, I made Emulators to play on my sega Dreamcast

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I totally avoid the crib, the worst part of the game

Is Carmen Electra really in the game? They talked about it on Jimmy Kimmel Live last night. What does she do?

Well whoever buys Madden tomorrow, I wanna hear if its good. I heard its just the same as last year.

all she does in the game is plays against you. double-j, i didnt have to much trouble with the celeb games just use the nfl all-stars team considering thats what they are anyway. peters i highly doubt that considering it is rated e even unlockables woudlnt go that far.