Madden 2004 sucks

[Pyser]

and im not just saying that because i cant run in the game (at all. seriously. never more than 50 yds a game, with 30 carries).

its just convoluted and confusing and no immersion factor and....i just dont like it.

playing on pc, by the way.

[Balldog]

Last night my second play from scrimmage, 68 yard run by Anthony Thomas up the gut, made a few cuts to elude the defenders and see you later. I like the game, try sliders.

[ice4277]

I agree...I have enjoyed this year's Madden less than any version since maybe Madden '94. I truly think the owner mode is a great addition and does a lot to add to the total package, but I just can't get my head around the gameplay. I realize if I tweak the sliders out the wazoo I may be able to get something more along the lines of what I want (somewhat realistic play), but I don't think I should have to do that.

[FBPro]

I've played both PC and PS2. PC mostly "coach mode" and have enjoyed it but just picked up the new Logitech Dual Action gamepad which is exactly like a PS2 controller and "played" a game this morning which I lost but had fun and the controller was great.

For the most part I like the game this year, it isn't perfect and hopefully a patch will correct some issues but certain not just an arcade type "results" game.

[Buzzbee]

Originally posted by ice4277
I agree...I have enjoyed this year's Madden less than any version since maybe Madden '94. I truly think the owner mode is a great addition and does a lot to add to the total package, but I just can't get my head around the gameplay. I realize if I tweak the sliders out the wazoo I may be able to get something more along the lines of what I want (somewhat realistic play), but I don't think I should have to do that.

Why don't you feel like you should have to do that? Do you expect that EVERYONE who buys the game should be forced to play it based on how good (or bad) you are, or how YOU expect the game to react? What about the joystick jockeys who have been playing for years and have mastered the jukes, stiff arms, spin moves, and bullet passes? Or what about those like me who are all thumbs when it comes to mashing buttons? The sliders allow players to adjust the game to how the individual gamer expects the game to feel, and to their level of abilty. If you are too lazy to tinker around with a few sliders to adjust the game to your liking, then perhaps the game isn't for you.

Now if you adjust the sliders and max them to achieve a certain result, and that result still isn't acceptable, then you've got a beef.

[Pyser]

what sliders do people have things set at? how can i make it about 3.5 ypc? not...say, 1.2... and im at pro level i think. whatever 1 above rookie is.

sad thing is, i used to be good at this game (madden 98 or so)

[Bee]

Originally posted by Buzzbee
Why don't you feel like you should have to do that? Do you expect that EVERYONE who buys the game should be forced to play it based on how good (or bad) you are, or how YOU expect the game to react? What about the joystick jockeys who have been playing for years and have mastered the jukes, stiff arms, spin moves, and bullet passes? Or what about those like me who are all thumbs when it comes to mashing buttons? The sliders allow players to adjust the game to how the individual gamer expects the game to feel, and to their level of abilty. If you are too lazy to tinker around with a few sliders to adjust the game to your liking, then perhaps the game isn't for you.

Now if you adjust the sliders and max them to achieve a certain result, and that result still isn't acceptable, then you've got a beef.

I completely agree. A lot of people complain about the sliders, but there's no other way to allow the game to be played by a wide range of skill levels. Hell, I have one setting for coach only and another setting when I want to play against friends for fun.

[Philliesfan980]

Pyser;

I think you just need some more practice. I don't really love the game either, and am not the greatest madden player in the world, and even I can avg around 3.5 ypc. I think the key is to be patient and wait for holes to develop. That and try and stay away from running plays to the outside, or even the "weak" side for that matter.

I just can't wait until they patch the "coach only" mode for the PC so I don't get sacked every other play (without using the playbook edit function, which by the way, still results in tons of sacks for me).

[MizzouRah]

Funny, (ps2 version) I actually think running is right on this year. Last year's game was terrible in terms of running.


Todd

[TargetPractice6]

You could turn your run blocking or running back ability up, or turn the CPU tackling down. I have sliders just where I want them on all-pro. Though I usually play online...

[lcjjdnh]

Just a few suggestions for running

1)When running inside, don't speed burst right away. It makes it tougher to turn and juke. You're better off, waiting, running regular to the hole and giving a stiff arm or juke to break free and then use the burst

2)When running outside follow your blockers. Again this may mean laying off the speed burst to stay behind but it should help

3)Finally use the playmaker option. If the defense shifts the line right, use playmaker to shift left. Also sometimes you'll notice you have more room weak than strong or vice-versa, so use the playmaker to change direction before the snap.

[Eaglesfan27]

The only problem I have with Madden with sliders (ok maybe it is only the most prominent problem, but it is the only significant one at the moment) is that my O-line is dominating the league in term of number of pancakes. Philadelphia has a good offensive line this year, but I don't think my 5 linemen should be the top 5 leaders in pancake tackles. Otherwise, I think it runs great with sliders

[TargetPractice6]

I'm having the exact same problem. Four out of my 5 linemen made the probowl (I simmed half of the game during the season too). But to make things even worse I was playing with the Bengals

[Eaglesfan27]

LOL, ok I can't justify it by my Eagle's linemen just being so good . I also sim half of my games for a variety of reasons and all 5 of my linemen are scheduled to make the probowl my first season (I'm now in week 16.)

[tucker342]

I love how difficult Madden is, this year if you make a mistake you'll pay for it.... keep working at it, you'll get better

[tucker342]

dola-

I usually average about 4-5 yds per carry.... maybe a little less... passing the ball is the hard part for me...

[ice4277]

Originally posted by Buzzbee
Why don't you feel like you should have to do that? Do you expect that EVERYONE who buys the game should be forced to play it based on how good (or bad) you are, or how YOU expect the game to react? What about the joystick jockeys who have been playing for years and have mastered the jukes, stiff arms, spin moves, and bullet passes? Or what about those like me who are all thumbs when it comes to mashing buttons? The sliders allow players to adjust the game to how the individual gamer expects the game to feel, and to their level of abilty. If you are too lazy to tinker around with a few sliders to adjust the game to your liking, then perhaps the game isn't for you.

Now if you adjust the sliders and max them to achieve a certain result, and that result still isn't acceptable, then you've got a beef.

OK, a couple points...

No, I don't expect that everybody who buys the game should have the same skill level as I do; but isn't that what the Rookie/All-Pro/All-Madden skill levels are for?

Second, I never said I was too lazy to tinker with the sliders. I have messed with them and cannot really get what I feel is a good setting. I actually take offense to that because I have been playing madden since the'93 version and I always strive to make it as realistic as possible, be it through house rules when the game only had one or two difficulty settings, to messing with sliders the last few years. I simply have not been able to find an 'enjoyment level' with the game, even with adjusted sliders. Also, the little things, the commentary bites ass again, the atmosphere sucks while playing a game. I like the owner mode a lot and hope they keep working on it, its good now but has a lot of untapped potential I think. Sorry my opinion doesn't mesh 100% with yours, its just the way I feel. If it is too much to ask to get a decent run/pass balance straight out of the box after all these years then yes, maybe it isn't the right series for me.

[Abe Sargent]

I honestly believe that text sims like FOF could learn a lot from Madden.

Take the draft, it's very realistic, much more so than many text sims.

Or the new Owner's Mode as another example, which adds a degree of detail that FOF doesn't even have, like concession and parking prices or advertising.

Trading is much easier when you plug in a player, plug in what you want, and see all of the offers. In the NFL, GMs admit that they have conversations about trading most of their players alll the time. It helps keep them in the know about value and such. Seems like Madden sims that pretty well compared to FOF's maximum number of times you can put a player on the trade block and get offers.

Madden has much better stats, imho, than FOF. How does FOF track a player like Kevin Johnson, receiver for the Browns with a pretty good throwing ability as well. Or Randle-El. Or that punter for Tampa (can't remember his life right now for the life of me, but as soon as I hit "Send Reply" I know I'll think of it. Hate that when it happens) etc. In Madden, you can have diversity of players that simulates the NFL, but which FOF lacks. And so forth.

I'm not saying Madden is a good text sim, by the way. In many ways it is pretty darn easy. But I keep hoping that some of its ideas are in the next football text sim.

Anyways, I digress.

-Anxiety

[Pumpy Tudors]

The Tampa punter is Tom Tupa. I have ideas about everything that's been posted here, but I don't feel like typing them, so I'll just bring the punter's name back to Anxiety's mind.

Quick bit of trivia: Tom Tupa scored the first 2-point conversion in NFL regular season history.

[Travis]

My only real problem with Madden is the draft. I think you should be able to watch pick by pick so that you could do a 'last minute' move up to grab a guy instead of having to do it before the draft.

Other than that, great game, I'm only on pro thus far, and my success (or lack thereof) really comes down to playing to my teams strengths and weaknesses. Did a fantasy draft where I concentrated on D, but took Portis in the 1st round. My top WR is Terry Glenn, so needless to say, I have to really play a good ball control game if I want any chance of winning. My 'big' plays are usually either turnover's or special teams (gotta love Michael Lewis) as the D usually concentrates on Portis, so it's hard to break more than 1 run a game.

That's how I like it though as now I can concentrate on offense in the next few drafts to even out the team and become a powerhouse

Funny thing is, I end up playing this nearly indentical to FOF, just add in the 5 or 6 games I actually play every season.

[korme]

Last night with Chad Pennington I was 12-12 at one point, and finished the game 17-19.

[Philliesfan980]

I hear ya shorty3281.

I can pretty much complete that "quick slant" route whenever I want for 8-10 yards.

I've pretty much given up on the console side of things for a while. I'm going to go back to FOF for my simulation needs. I gave it a shot but its just not working. Maybe TFP will be great.

Is anyone "playing" madden just like FOF? Ie simming all the games? If so I'd like to hear the results.

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally posted by Philliesfan980
I hear ya shorty3281.

I can pretty much complete that "quick slant" route whenever I want for 8-10 yards.

Out of curiousity, which level of difficulty are you playing on, and are you using sliders? I've found passing to be fairly challenging on all pro with sliders suggested at operation sports or madden mania? With decent sliders, I find the challenge to definitely be there. Like I said, my only big problem is the high number of pancake blocks my O-line gets each game.

[Philliesfan980]

EaglesFan;

I'm playing on All-Pro with slidesr found at OS. Don't get me wrong, its not a terrible game by any means. Its just not what I was hoping for this year.

[Eaglesfan27]

Originally posted by Philliesfan980
EaglesFan;

I'm playing on All-Pro with slidesr found at OS. Don't get me wrong, its not a terrible game by any means. Its just not what I was hoping for this year.

I understand. I guess you are much better then me at passing, cause I'm using similar settings and I can't seem to complete a slant to Pinkston or Thrash most of the time. At least 10% of the time it gets picked by a linebacker, 70-80% of the time he drops it as the defender gets to him, and the rest of the time I get a completion. McNabb's numbers have not been good this year, but I'm still in the playoffs thanks to strong D.

[Philliesfan980]

Eaglesfan27;

Yeah, I guess its all about the timing. Normally it normally takes about 1.5 seconds between snap and throw, maybe even less to complete the quick slant.

[Eaglesfan27]

I find that if I throw the slant too quickly, that is when the LB jumps up and makes a fantastic interception. When I complete it, it seems to be after a second or two delay. But I definitely can't seem to get the timing down consistently.

[General Mike]

Originally posted by Philliesfan980

Is anyone "playing" madden just like FOF? Ie simming all the games? If so I'd like to hear the results.

Phillies, I've done quite a bit of this and the stats just don't look right to me. I'll look at the box scores and see guys carrying 32 times for 64 yards. WTF

I don't think owner mode is really designed for people who just want to sim their games. The attendance factors are all messed up. 43% attendance for an NFL team? Never gonna happen.

I don't know why I keep buying this game when I say "Not gonna buy it this year. Not gonna do it." Then i go out and buy it. I don't care who disagrees with me, NCAA 2004 blows this game away in every way imaginable. There's a few things Madden has, like the defensive coverage shift, where your secondary/ LBs in better position to cover their man, and the fact that Madden has the 2 slant + blocking hot routes, but those are the only things I'm missing when I play NCAA.

[Travis]

Philliesfan, out of curiosity, what players are you using on offense?

[Philliesfan980]

General Mike;

Thats what I thought. Someone said awhile ago that Madden has more realistic results than FOF does from a simming standpoint. I do agree with you that NCAA is the better game this year. Once Madden comes out with its PC patch , I'll end up playing the game again (Coach Only mode this time).

[Philliesfan980]

Travis;

I'm playing as the Philadelphia Eagles. I can complete the quick slant route to Freddie Mitchell (Around a 76 I think) around 75-80% of the time.