ESPN NFL 2K5

THE BAD:
Maybe not arcadey enough for lite gamers
Can be hard

SUMMARY:
Is this game better than Madden? Can Sega compete with EA Sports. Yes. They obviously can. In order to compete with Madden NFL 2005 this year, Sega lowered the price of ESPN NFL 2K5 to $19.99. Madden going online with Xbox Live was a big move that put Madden in the right direction. Before that, ESPN was the only good football game on Xbox live. Now, not as true. But, it is still the best. The presentation scores a perfect 10, with the whole ESPN deal. The gameplay is second to none. This game is actually challenging. You have to wait for your receivers to cut before passing them the ball. You can't just run outside then sprint down the sideline with your running back. You can't chuck the ball into triple coverage and come down with it half the time. This, in the long run, makes for a better and more realistic football game. You can do all those things in Madden, and beat the computer 56-0 anytime you want. Not true on ESPN NFL 2K5. The graphics, the play-by-play...everything is so much better. Plus, you'll have more money in your pocket.

THE BAD:
Not the best ESPN voice-acting there could be.

SUMMARY:
ESPN NFL 2K5 delvers near everything that an absolute football junky, and one who isn't, fan of football would want. Serve yourself in nearly every imaginable way a real manager would. Chris Berman delivers as the SportsCaster, and does great analysis during Half-Time, PostGame, and Pre-Show team games. Just like a real ESPN telecast would. Buy things in your crib, play several seasons, and train your team without too much overworking, and you got yourself one of the greatest examples of gaming history depth-wise. A game that deserves a rent at the very least, and a game that should belong in everybody's collection would be ESPN's NFL 2K5.

THE BAD:
Gameplay is just ok
No songs for the menu

SUMMARY:
Great deal for only $20 so BUY it now. The graphics are better then Madden 2005. They have some very innovative features that I like, Crib mode is just cool I really don't know why it just is. First person view is great, but only for defense and running plays. On special teams and passing plays I am often confused about where everyone is in realtion to me. Also the presentation really makes this game fun, they show highlights and stats just like Sportscenter. Now to the negatives the gameplay just isn't as fluid as Madden and just wasn't as enjoyable. Another thing I didn't like was they just have generic ESPN music instead of having Customizable music for the menu.
Overall if you don't have much money and you want to play football this is the game to get.

THE BAD:
No true atmosphere, such as in NCAA Football 2005.

SUMMARY:
Absolutely unbelievable! Stunning graphics- the new technology that allows various surfaces of the body and uniform to be mapped seperately which inables more realistic movements and visuals. Also jaw dropping gameplay with new features such as the QB evade, all new juke control, and bone crunching maximum tackle. And don't let me forget the all new hype creator, as I like to call it, you can now assign entire pieces of music as well as favorite clips of music to various occasions. For instance, imagine scoring a touchdown and hearing Young One's hit song "Tear it Up" play throughout the stadium. The best sports game to date and at only $20 a great bargain. This is a must buy game; Get it!