Re: Best PS2 era Madden?
Could you post your full slider set?
I went back and updated my post. Especially Madden 02-06 with a link to an article for 06. I updated some typos and spelling and ordered my ideas better.
Regarding your question:
In 02-04, you can change the controller configuration. In 02 and 03, you want configuration 2. In 04, you want configuration 3. you have to save your profile after making the change and I think you have to make the change every time you turn on 02.
I think in 05 EA locked out controller configurations and we are just stuck with that problem you mentioned. In 06-08, it isn't a problem obviously.
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Some things I didn't address in my previous post that I don't think fit a review: Sliders and customizing the user experience. I have attached the madden manifesto that might have otherwise vanished from the internet. The old OS links don't work, madden mania doesn't exist anymore, and the Wayback Machine didn't capture the manifesto.
In terms of sliders, it is easy to suffer from what has lovingly been called "slider-itis". this is where you constantly fight and tune sliders and never find a setting that makes you happy. Everyone has their own preferences, but here are mine:
The running game is important to me. The game was tuned to be played on All-Pro vs the computer and All-Madden vs your friends on the couch. That being said, there is still a need to adjust sliders for your own experience. While some people suggest dropping human run blocking to 0/20, I find myself using 15/20 and sometimes higher. However, i also use 20/20 block shedding on defense. Something that infuriates me to no end is having an offensive lineman with 94+ strength and 90+ run blocking facing off against a defensive end with 74 strength and getting shoved backwards into the lap of my running back. 0/20 run blocking will certainly make you work your tail off to get yards and is challenging, but it is disgusting to watch the horrible blocking and makes the ratings of your linemen worthless.
That's why I use no less than 15/20 run blocking for the human and the CPU. At that rating, even WRs who have decent run blocking ratings will actually get involved in the run game. This is balanced out by the 18/20 to 20/20 block shedding slider on defense. you will get your blocks, and you will get pancakes and good animations, but the Ai will also shed blocks and pursue you. if you are a patient runner, lay off the sprint button so that you can use your full agility for change of direction, and read your blocks, you can get some really satisfying runs.
I also set tackling to 15/20 and HB Ability to 15/20. I do this for Human and CPU settings equally and adjust depending on the version of madden i am playing and if I am getting consistently absurd results in one direction or the other.
Obviously tune to your tastes, but I prefer to have my players ratings matter. Watching my linemen get shoved backwards despite having 20+ strength advantage is not fun. Similarly, WRs need to be able to block. In Madden 04, the Steelers and then the Broncos have the best block WR duo in the NFL. Hines Ward rightfully has 58RBK, the highest in the game and Plaxico Burress with 46RBk, the third highest with Keyshawn Johnson between them at 49RBK. the Broncos have the 4th best with Ed McCaffery (CMC's dad) with 45RBK and the 6th best in Rod Smith with 43 RBK. With the default settings, the best thing to do is to go twins to one side and run away from your WRs. With my settings, you can trust Hines Ward and others to actually run block for you. That matters to me. I would rather tune other areas to help the CPU play run defense (block shedding, awareness, tackle) before lowering the run blocking slider.
Regarding your question:
In 02-04, you can change the controller configuration. In 02 and 03, you want configuration 2. In 04, you want configuration 3. you have to save your profile after making the change and I think you have to make the change every time you turn on 02.
I think in 05 EA locked out controller configurations and we are just stuck with that problem you mentioned. In 06-08, it isn't a problem obviously.
=======================================
Some things I didn't address in my previous post that I don't think fit a review: Sliders and customizing the user experience. I have attached the madden manifesto that might have otherwise vanished from the internet. The old OS links don't work, madden mania doesn't exist anymore, and the Wayback Machine didn't capture the manifesto.
In terms of sliders, it is easy to suffer from what has lovingly been called "slider-itis". this is where you constantly fight and tune sliders and never find a setting that makes you happy. Everyone has their own preferences, but here are mine:
The running game is important to me. The game was tuned to be played on All-Pro vs the computer and All-Madden vs your friends on the couch. That being said, there is still a need to adjust sliders for your own experience. While some people suggest dropping human run blocking to 0/20, I find myself using 15/20 and sometimes higher. However, i also use 20/20 block shedding on defense. Something that infuriates me to no end is having an offensive lineman with 94+ strength and 90+ run blocking facing off against a defensive end with 74 strength and getting shoved backwards into the lap of my running back. 0/20 run blocking will certainly make you work your tail off to get yards and is challenging, but it is disgusting to watch the horrible blocking and makes the ratings of your linemen worthless.
That's why I use no less than 15/20 run blocking for the human and the CPU. At that rating, even WRs who have decent run blocking ratings will actually get involved in the run game. This is balanced out by the 18/20 to 20/20 block shedding slider on defense. you will get your blocks, and you will get pancakes and good animations, but the Ai will also shed blocks and pursue you. if you are a patient runner, lay off the sprint button so that you can use your full agility for change of direction, and read your blocks, you can get some really satisfying runs.
I also set tackling to 15/20 and HB Ability to 15/20. I do this for Human and CPU settings equally and adjust depending on the version of madden i am playing and if I am getting consistently absurd results in one direction or the other.
Obviously tune to your tastes, but I prefer to have my players ratings matter. Watching my linemen get shoved backwards despite having 20+ strength advantage is not fun. Similarly, WRs need to be able to block. In Madden 04, the Steelers and then the Broncos have the best block WR duo in the NFL. Hines Ward rightfully has 58RBK, the highest in the game and Plaxico Burress with 46RBk, the third highest with Keyshawn Johnson between them at 49RBK. the Broncos have the 4th best with Ed McCaffery (CMC's dad) with 45RBK and the 6th best in Rod Smith with 43 RBK. With the default settings, the best thing to do is to go twins to one side and run away from your WRs. With my settings, you can trust Hines Ward and others to actually run block for you. That matters to me. I would rather tune other areas to help the CPU play run defense (block shedding, awareness, tackle) before lowering the run blocking slider.
Could you post your full slider set?
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