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tbuck · 09-11-2003, 12:29 PM

What about franchise mode? Do you miss not being able to import the real college players? That always gave Madden decent replay value. That's one thing i'm not sure about. Also, i wasn't pleased with 2k3's running game. Do you all feel that running is improved and fun? I'm not much for on-line play, so i don't factor that in. If someone has both games, tell me what ESPN does better/worse than Madden.

Jistic · 09-11-2003, 12:41 PM

Well I have all 3, so I can't call myself a Maddenite, or a 'convert'. I love all three games for very different reasons. It just depends what you're looking for. The people that are more drawn to Madden tend to tire of ESPN after a few days, that being said I would recommend renting it. If after a few days you love ESPN, then you should buy it. ESPN is the king of atmosphere, presentation, etc. However Madden plays a very solid game of football and it's statisticl accuracy and franshise mode is unparalelled (granted you MUST tweak the sliders). For me I prefer NCAA over both of them, but that's just personal preference.

In short, if you can afford all of 'em, go that route. If you're a long time Madden player, rent ESPN and put it to the test. I have played Madden since 1991 on the Amiga and I bought a Dreamcast because of NFL2K. I am happy with both games and it seems every other week I alternate cuz I like em for different reasons.

BlackNGold · 09-11-2003, 01:50 PM

I love all 3 as well. I used to be an EA Man exclusively but couldn't help but give ESPN a shot this year and I'm glad I did. I love the 1st Person mode. All 3 have their strengths.

Chodite24 · 09-11-2003, 01:53 PM

I own all 3 also but find myself playing ESPN 90% of the time. I'd call myself a Madden convert also.... I've never been fond of the 2K series until this year. I can't stop playing it.

brezz2001 · 09-11-2003, 02:50 PM

well i'll give an opinion from someone who tried espn but hasn't been able to get into it. while i love, repeat love, the presentation and graphics, i feel like the players move really weird in espn. this sets up for gameplay that just doesn't feel smooth. i played espn for about a week straight trying to get used to the different "feel", but i just couldn't. went back to madden and found it to play better, but i really miss the polish of the presentation in espn. what i'll probably do is play a few seasons with madden just to import my draft classes, while still throwing in an espn game here and there. i agree to those who say rent espn first, especially if you are a long time madden player. it's a great game, but for some it is just lacking a bit of smoothness that you can get in madden.

brian

dbrandon · 09-11-2003, 02:58 PM

I have played Madden since the first game came out 14 years ago I think. Rented ESPN 2004 and took Madden back the next day. There is No comparison. I don't need an owners mode. I do need a CPU that tries to run the ball and ESPN 2004 runs the ball to well sometimes. A nice problem to have for a change.

Chodite24 · 09-11-2003, 02:59 PM

i also never knew what people meant by Madden's "pinball" running game.... now I know.

CM Hooe · 09-11-2003, 04:13 PM

I used to be a Madden-exclusive guy, but that all changed the day I rented NFL 2k2 for PS2, just out of curiousity.

I didn't end up purchasing NFL 2k2, but it was good enough for me to keep my eye on the series and draw some comparisons with Madden. Madden 2003 was my favorite football game until NFL 2k3 came out. I rented it multiple times, trying to convince my friends to like it as now I was fed up with the way defense played in Madden. I bought the game anyway, but I always played solo (all my friends are Madden [censored you naughty boy], you see.)

Then, Madden 2004 comes out. Naturally, I buy it because a) it was the first pro football game out and b) all my friends and I played Madden 2003, so what was wrong with 2004? In hindsight, that was probably the biggest waste of $50 I ever made. I haven't touched Madden since a week before ESPN came out. Major disappointment in my opinion, but others do not think so and I respect their opinions.

Finally, after an eternity of waiting, ESPN comes out. I rent it, as I did not have $50 on my hands yet. I can now safely say that this is the best football game I have ever played, and I probably won't go back to Madden unless drastic changes are made.

09-11-2003, 12:29 PM	#9
tbuck Rookie OVR: 3 Join Date: Jul 2002	Re: A Question for Madden Converts What about franchise mode? Do you miss not being able to import the real college players? That always gave Madden decent replay value. That's one thing i'm not sure about. Also, i wasn't pleased with 2k3's running game. Do you all feel that running is improved and fun? I'm not much for on-line play, so i don't factor that in. If someone has both games, tell me what ESPN does better/worse than Madden.

09-11-2003, 12:41 PM	#10
Jistic Hall Of Fame OVR: 28 Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Chicago, ILL Posts: 16,404	Re: A Question for Madden Converts Well I have all 3, so I can't call myself a Maddenite, or a 'convert'. I love all three games for very different reasons. It just depends what you're looking for. The people that are more drawn to Madden tend to tire of ESPN after a few days, that being said I would recommend renting it. If after a few days you love ESPN, then you should buy it. ESPN is the king of atmosphere, presentation, etc. However Madden plays a very solid game of football and it's statisticl accuracy and franshise mode is unparalelled (granted you MUST tweak the sliders). For me I prefer NCAA over both of them, but that's just personal preference. In short, if you can afford all of 'em, go that route. If you're a long time Madden player, rent ESPN and put it to the test. I have played Madden since 1991 on the Amiga and I bought a Dreamcast because of NFL2K. I am happy with both games and it seems every other week I alternate cuz I like em for different reasons.

09-11-2003, 01:50 PM	#11
BlackNGold Pro OVR: 6 Join Date: May 2003	Re: A Question for Madden Converts I love all 3 as well. I used to be an EA Man exclusively but couldn't help but give ESPN a shot this year and I'm glad I did. I love the 1st Person mode. All 3 have their strengths.

09-11-2003, 01:53 PM	#12
Chodite24 Pro OVR: 6 Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Baltimore, MD	Re: A Question for Madden Converts I own all 3 also but find myself playing ESPN 90% of the time. I'd call myself a Madden convert also.... I've never been fond of the 2K series until this year. I can't stop playing it.

09-11-2003, 02:50 PM	#13
brezz2001 Pro OVR: 8 Join Date: Mar 2003	Re: A Question for Madden Converts well i'll give an opinion from someone who tried espn but hasn't been able to get into it. while i love, repeat love, the presentation and graphics, i feel like the players move really weird in espn. this sets up for gameplay that just doesn't feel smooth. i played espn for about a week straight trying to get used to the different "feel", but i just couldn't. went back to madden and found it to play better, but i really miss the polish of the presentation in espn. what i'll probably do is play a few seasons with madden just to import my draft classes, while still throwing in an espn game here and there. i agree to those who say rent espn first, especially if you are a long time madden player. it's a great game, but for some it is just lacking a bit of smoothness that you can get in madden. brian

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09-11-2003, 02:58 PM	#14
dbrandon Banned OVR: 17 Join Date: Mar 2003	Re: A Question for Madden Converts I have played Madden since the first game came out 14 years ago I think. Rented ESPN 2004 and took Madden back the next day. There is No comparison. I don't need an owners mode. I do need a CPU that tries to run the ball and ESPN 2004 runs the ball to well sometimes. A nice problem to have for a change.

09-11-2003, 02:59 PM	#15
Chodite24 Pro OVR: 6 Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Baltimore, MD	Re: A Question for Madden Converts i also never knew what people meant by Madden's "pinball" running game.... now I know.

09-11-2003, 04:13 PM	#16
CM Hooe Dead! OVR: 45 Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Culver City, CA Posts: 20,960	Re: A Question for Madden Converts I used to be a Madden-exclusive guy, but that all changed the day I rented NFL 2k2 for PS2, just out of curiousity. I didn't end up purchasing NFL 2k2, but it was good enough for me to keep my eye on the series and draw some comparisons with Madden. Madden 2003 was my favorite football game until NFL 2k3 came out. I rented it multiple times, trying to convince my friends to like it as now I was fed up with the way defense played in Madden. I bought the game anyway, but I always played solo (all my friends are Madden [censored you naughty boy], you see.) Then, Madden 2004 comes out. Naturally, I buy it because a) it was the first pro football game out and b) all my friends and I played Madden 2003, so what was wrong with 2004? In hindsight, that was probably the biggest waste of $50 I ever made. I haven't touched Madden since a week before ESPN came out. Major disappointment in my opinion, but others do not think so and I respect their opinions. Finally, after an eternity of waiting, ESPN comes out. I rent it, as I did not have $50 on my hands yet. I can now safely say that this is the best football game I have ever played, and I probably won't go back to Madden unless drastic changes are made.

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A Question for Madden Converts