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Madden NFL 2004 for xBox Game for Xbox Videos >>
Madden NFL 2004 for xBox Game for Xbox
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Madden NFL 2004 for xBox Game for Xbox
70 reviews   3.61 of 5

Product Description

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Sound

Sound is great. Al Michaels has lots to say, and alot of game specific audio. Maddens still Madden, the crowds and field chatter are awesome.

Gameplay

Unbelievable! Each time I play I see animations that blow me away. Tackling is off the scale, and the Playmaker control is awesome. Setup your blocking, move a receiver into an uncovered zone, its all there. Still can't believe on a coffin corner kick, the downfield cover guy actually swatted the ball back into the field of play..The replay feature doesn't stop the game anymore. Its seamless. You can still view it as you call plays. And sending in the special play sets, and playbooks GREATLY enhanced. (As opposed to Segas 50 total offensive plays, Madden has over 200. They also redid the injuries. Nice..Owner Mode is kick butt. I can't put into words how great it is. Just buy it and see.
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Sound

This is the biggest weakness of the game. The commentary is among the worst I have heard in an XBox title. These guys could learn a lot from the people who did the commentary for NCAA 2004 or even inside drive 2003. Madden is as stale as ever. He repeats the same phrases repeatedly. Al Michaels great talent is also wasted. This year they have also added some trash talking before the snap. To me this was totally unnecessary, and I find it annoying.

Gameplay

Essentially the same gameplay as in years past. Which isn't necessarily bad. The controls are familiar and that helps get into the game quickly. I haven't really been able to get the playmaker control to work. One thing that is noticeable is that the game is quite a bit faster than it previous versions.

Where the game really shines is the owner mode. From there you can modify uniforms, set prices on everything from tickets to foam fingers, and even renovate/build a stadium. This year when you sign players, you can decide on the size of their salary and signing bonus. For football geeks like me, these features are very satisfying.
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Sound

Sound is bad.

Gameplay

Playing the actual game is bad. Selecting a play is horrible. Either you pick run, pass, deep pass, or special teams. Thats it. No formations, or play actions, just bread and water. In NCAA you have plenty of formations, and trick plays, and it soo much more fun. On defense its the same thing, run, pass, deep pass. You cant sack the QB, and its too hard to cover, so defense is just boring. The owner mode saves the game. Its pretty sad when the actual game is less enjoyable than the other stuff. Owner mode is so in depth, you set every price for all your stuff. You can even build new stadiums or go to another city, if the citizens of that city accept the vote. Its so in depth in that aspect. But like I have already said, NCAA is so much more fun in all the aspects.
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Summary

Okay, I've read some of the reviews and agree in some ways and in some I don't. I am a Madden fan but never allow that to decide what game I purchase. What did make the decision was that this one came out. Now this isn't a bad game like some are saying. They are just hung up on comparing it to last years which is understandable. It's a good sound football game but no it doesn't really blow you away. I felt last year if the Sega 2K series tweaked some things it would of been better and Madden was good enough to make me trade the 2K in. We'll see when it comes out because this may be there chance. And I will also state that the others are right about NCAA 2004 actually playing a bit sharper than it's Madden counterpart. Some nice additions but it could of used something a little different to take it out of the usual flow. I like this game and I know I'll enjoy it but the fact that it seems so much the same as before I'm wanting something a bit different. So I may keep this one and buy the ESPN Football.

Sound

Oh great. I have to listen to John Madden again. Yipee! Okay, a bit sarcastic but I have been hoping that and waiting for new people to handle the commentary. John Madden is becoming the Bill Walton of football. I don't want to hear him anymore! P-L-E-A-S-E let's try someone new. Also why is the crowd so single tone? I could of sworn they cheered for the road team. What kind of home field advantage as that. They need to make the crowd more alive and make you feel the home field advantage. The music is fine but I don't play football games for music. I play for the game. I want to hear the pads, the players saying what they do on the field (and if you played football like me you know what I mean) and I want home field advantage to mean something.

Gameplay

The gameplay is the same as last year excet the playmaker control. While that is a nice addition in a way it is also a bit unnecessary. You have a split second to make some of the decisions on the fly and you just may be too consumed with the play to make that happen. I like being able to jump into the game and play so can't complain about the controls really. The franchise mode is great. I really like the additions to that although I wish the draft had a better feel to it. You really like you're at the draft in the Sega's 2K series. Oh and forget all that stuff one review said about no formations, sacking the QB or trick plays. I really don't know what game he was looking at. Even last years version had those. And there is playaction too. In fact that is one of the additions this year. More formations to your offensive playbook. And I easily sacked the QB on the hardest level. It's not hard to get to the QB at all if you have the personnel. I wouldn't try with some third string defensive end. But when it's all said and done the gameplay is solid but doesn't differ much from last year. The additions this year are playmaker control which you may not even use that much, the franchise mode is very deep which is why I believe so many other things are the same (they got too deep with it), and more formations and plays. They try to give it the television feeling you get from ESPN in the 2K series but it's not the same but not bad neither. I like the replays while I'm choosing my play instead of interrupting me.
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Sound

The sound is what any other football game is. You got all the on field sounds and the commentary is still pretty good. I like watching Monday Night Football so I'm used to it. I think they could do a better job on the commentary but its still good. Also the music is really good in this game. I love some of the songs on it...and you can also listen to your own songs because it has custom soundtrack.



All and all Madden 04' is a good football game this year that no football fan should pass up. It may not have Live or the best graphics, but it is still a fun game to play and has one of the deepest franchise modes ever.

Gameplay

Gameplay is great..I think it is much better this year than past. The "Playmaker" control is a big pluss to the series. It lets you do so much easy and quick. It is alot of fun to use. Also other things in the gameplay have been improved. The passing game is great this year, the QB throws the ball much quicker and saves your a** sometimes when your about to get sacked. Also the running game has improved. The defense is alot better this year..now you can actually get some interceptions.

Next is the other features in the game. The new "Owner Mode" is the best feature I have seen in a sports game in a long time. I love it..it adds so much depth to a sports game. This will add alot more replay value to this good title. You can do so much...you can set ticket prices and other prices, you can hire coaches and training staff, and if everything doesn't work out you can move to another city and build your own stadium. Also you run training drills at the beggining of each season (they are fun) and if you do good you get to make each player better you run in the drill.
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Summary

IF YOU HAVE NOT BOUGHT THE GAME, RENT IT BEFORE YOU EVEN CONSIDER BUYING IT. MY SUGGESTION IS KEEP NCAA.

For all of you who don't care about owner mode, keep NCAA. But if you ave figured out the weakness to NCAA (if you have a fast running back, pick the strong I twins formation, motion the fb to the right, and if you notice that the cb has moved to the otherside, 9 out of 10 times, considering you know how to run away from a defender, you will have a gain of at least 20 yards), then get this game. I was very disappointed when I first played the game. I think that sports games have officially hit rock bottom, except for NHL and FIFA. Here is my breakdown of the games flaws so if I don't mention it, it means it's all good. What I find really funny is the fact that last year, NCAA was the game with the cheap passing, and other flaws which Madden 2004 now has. Last year when you played Madden after having played college football, you could see that there was a difference between the pros and college. This year NCAA is the pro-style football game, and Madden is the college-style football game minus the lateral. It's disappointing to know that before there were no good basketball games available, and dependng on how the espn game is, there may not be anymore good football games either, besides NCAA, which is fine by me. It's sad when mini camp is more exciting than actually playing a real game.

Sound

The soundtrack is all right, but the announcing is horrid as usual, so that doesnt even really count. I dont understand how people said that NCAA's sound was not good. At least in that game, the roar of the crowd was loud. In this game however, prepare to be bored, or hook up the xbox to some speakers and turn the volume up. Put it this way, when you review a play and the ref comes back with the result, you can barely hear him, and no the crowd is not phasing him out. It's like the guy is whispering.

Gameplay

Flaws-
Passing-
in the game is too easy. I have not tweaked it yet, but lets just put it this way, the first game I played I was using the Falcons. Someone explain to me how if Vick has 85 accuracy, how he can throw between 3 defenders every time and hit his man? How can any QB be backpedalling, then off of their back foot rifle a 50 yard pass to a receiver?
Defense-
is worse than last year. Sure there are more interceptions when you throw into double coverage and such, but there are more long gains which often are tds, and causes the scores of the games to be unrealistic. One game I played, the score was 73 - 71 in an 8 minute quarter game. And DBs dont always lose their man who they are covering.
Training-
It was a good addition, but its cheap, I dont know what your looking for in a game, but if your a realist, then you know that if terrell owens isnt even 99 break tackle, then it should be impossible to have a 99 break tackle WR. But if you have a fast one like I drafted, and you go through several seasons, do the running drills with the wideout, which are far too easy, and get his break tackle to 99, then do the catching drills to make his catching 99, in different years of course, and you now have a 99 speed, 99 catch, 99 break tackle WR. Also, think of the possiblity of having a 99 speed, 99 catch defensive back. All and much more unrealistic/cheap things can be accomplished during training. Not to mention the fact that you draft a qb who has 99 arm strength, then do maybe 2 years of training, depending on where his accuracy is, and get yourself a 99 thp, 99 tha qb.
There many more bad things about the game, but I think I'm running out of room. These are the key ones that are causing me to regret having the game, and possibly going to sell it. Rent the game before you buy it and see for yourself. Don't make the same mistake I did.
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Sound

To me, here's where the game crashes and is a HUGE disappointment. The overall game sounds (trash talking, etc.) are present are are solid. Not on par with the NFL 2K series but solid enough. But, the commentary from Madden and Al Michaels?? IT IS REALLY BAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Obvious looping of dialogue. You NEVER get a sense or feel of any realism when it comes to the announcing of the game OR the references to the players. THIS IS REALLY bad and EA TRULY needs to correct this. Hell, if John and Al are too busy? I'm sure there are plenty of people out there who could do a better job. I mean, this is ridiculous and without a doubt the WORSE part of this game. If the announcing crew was at least average, this would be a solid game. Unfortunately they are NOT. Again, hard to NOT compare but the annoucing team in the NCAA game is stellar! Not perfect but you do get a sense of listening to an actual audio broadcast in NCAA. NOT IN MADDEN 2004! You have been warned!

Gameplay

Gameplay is solid. The play of the defensive backs has dramatically improved! Gone are the knucklehead DBs who oftentime wander around in circles like the 3 stooges. This time around, the AI is much simpler and definitely smarter. EA even threw in some real life DB animations like swatting the ball and looking back for the ball when the receiver runs a fade route. Pretty cool. The running game is solid. With the exception of when the runner gets sucked up between the tackles when the defense guesses right and stuffs the run. A little tweaking there and it wouldn't be as noticeable. The QB seems to complete more passes when he steps up in the pocket but, with some teams (Tampa Bay comes to mind), good luck even trying to get a pass off within 3 seconds even with Mike Vick. But, you definitely have more opportunities to break a play loose and make a big score. The game on both sides of the ball, offensively and defensively seem to have been opened up; much more than in the past. One thing I noticed was that special team play has finally been addressed! You now have the ability to break off a punt and/or kickoff return for big yardage and a possible score. Nice touch!
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Summary

Right out of the gate, I caution any gamers to rent this title prior to purchase

I had and still have enormously high expectations for this title and as of yet, I still believe that I need to spend some time with it to be absolutely positive about it, but I am currently of the opinion that Madden 2004 is a step backward for the title

Have additions been made to the game? Absolutely. But major regressions have also occured. Madden 2003 was strong graphically -- I purchased my X-Box based on the gorgeous graphics of that title. The visuals in Madden 2004 are nowhere near as strong. The animations don't appear to be as fluid as the previous versions and the player renderings seem much more coarse. What I find most disconcerting is that the game does not provide the polish indicated by on-line movies at the EA Sports website, and that is misleading to the consumer



Sound

The sound in Madden 2004 is better, but this is due mostly to the use of custom soundtracks. All developers for the X-Box should be bound to use this feature and Madden 2004 is no exception. I personally detest the default music selections on the game

Al Michaels and John Madden provide the standard commentary for this series meaning that Michaels is still somewhat more animated than the unconscious Pat Summerall of previous incarnations. John is John, what more need be said

Gameplay

The gameplay is largely unchanged from Madden 2003, with minor tweaks to controls and the Playmaker feature. Owner mode does not seem to be accessible with Created teams, and this is unfortunate. I was looking forward to this feature in that context

All of the drills are back and they are more relevant in their context to this year's Franchise Mode
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Summary

Just like in real football, parity is a good thing. Madden has been the undisputed champ of football games and sports games for as long as I can remember, going back to 1903, when it was called “A Gentlemen’s Afternoon Match in Baggy Knickers” and the theme song was by “The Old-Timey Harmonica Brothers”. A little anachronistic today, but still better than Exhibit’s offering in 2002 (“frustration” and “aggravation” just don’t rhyme, especially as consecutive words). Over the years, Madden has continually refined itself, but the push from decent titles like ESPN Foot ball and (yes) Fever recently have really pushed the Madden people into overdrive. Despite all of the hype surrounding this year’s offering, the title more than lives up to its’ own braggart billing. While the game is not perfect, it is easily one of the best releases of the year on any system, and much, much better than its’ immediate predecessor.
I will do my best to make this as objective as possible, trying to ignore the wonderful memories of previous Maddens. I’m not going to go into putting Deion on O and sending him fly every play. Not about, how in 95, if you cheap-shotted a player after the play, he would almost always get hurt. About the crazy graphical improvements in 01 which would make you watch replays of 5-yard flat passes just because it looked so beautiful up close. Because none of these things matter now. Great memories, but the second Sega or Microsoft puts out a better game, my loyalty goes straight out of the window, and yours should, too. You may also ask, “How is it possible to play for 10,000,000 hours?” Because it is so good, it is so good when it hits your lips. I attribute this to the Three Ps: Perspiration, Perspective, and something else I forgot.
Madden 04 is the most representative and realistic football game ever, but this doesn’t take away from the sheer funness and joyosity of the game. EA really put a lot of time to make sure that DBs (Defensive Backs) matter, and there are a lot more big-time plays on defense and special teams, as well. The end result is that the game is almost too action-packed, but it depends on your style of play. If you run the “3-years and a cloud-of dust” offense, chances are the score will be like 20-17 with maybe one turnover, two runs over 15 yards, and a sack or two. If you air it out, the final score may be closer to 38-35, and your QB may have thrown 4 touchdowns, 3 picks (one taken to the house), and been sacked 4 or 5 times. Like I said – just like real football with representative risk/reward. The gameplay itself is much better, but I’ll get into that later.
The game itself is incredibly deep, e