Did ANYONE like 2K4 OVER 2K5??

[Krebstar]

Re: Did ANYONE like 2K4 OVER 2K5??

Apart from RB slider tweaks and reducing the accuracy and consistency for kickers, NFL 2K4 is pretty much a perfect game for me.

I miss watching the half-time and end-game highlights but I'm quite content with the still shots at half-time. Plus the draft is actually a pleasure to go through because of the AI logic, as teams actually look to fill holes on their roster rather than picking just QB, RB, DE and T in the 1st round (which is what happens in 2K5).

When on defense I prefer to play as a DT and it's actually quite challenging to play this position. Unlike in 2K5 where it just seems too easy to play as a DT or DE (and if you don't get past the O-line then you'll more than likely force the CPU to give away a 10-yard holding penalty instead).

I actually prefer the weather effects on 2K4. I think sunny games look great on 2K5 but I think 2K4 wins for the rain and snow. I don't like the way 2K5 has to always incorporate the fog when it rains, whereas the fog setting is actually adjustable on 2K4. Trying to kick a long field goal with the fog setting maxed out is always a good challenge.

I'm sure I'll think of some more positives later on but that's not to say that I don't like 2K5 because I do. I just think 2K4 was a much better game out of the box with only minor adjustments needed.

Just to be clear for once I get to the draft...if I choose one of the positions the CPU would take, doesn't that fix the problem? Or at least make it better?

[ChargersRamsFalcons]

Re: Did ANYONE like 2K4 OVER 2K5??

Since this is on the topic of previous 2K football games, I was just wondering how 2K3 was? I seen it at a store for only a dollar and I'm probably gonna pick it up and see so I was wondering how it was. Were gang tackles in that game?

[Cardot]

Re: Did ANYONE like 2K4 OVER 2K5??

Since this is on the topic of previous 2K football games, I was just wondering how 2K3 was? I seen it at a store for only a dollar and I'm probably gonna pick it up and see so I was wondering how it was. Were gang tackles in that game?

It has been a while, but I believe the major gripe with 2K3 was that defenders had super diving abilities....which made it a bit arcadey.

[daflyboys]

Re: Did ANYONE like 2K4 OVER 2K5??

This is a revisit topic of sorts around here.....yes, each game had/has its' merits. Among other things already said, K5 shines in human v. human games.

[rudyjuly2]

Re: Did ANYONE like 2K4 OVER 2K5??

At the time I absolutely loved 2K4. People complained about the super backs but so many things were done so well it was just a blast. In many ways it was better than 2K5 which I never loved and couldn't get over some of the problems. I really can't remember the faults with 2K4 (I know there were some problems) but it played great out of the box and did a lot of things better than 2K5.

Areas where 2K5 went downhill after 2K4

• fatigue. This was great in 2K4 and terrible in 2K5. The cpu never subbed in their backups and the fatigue slider didn't work well (I think I set it on 4 or 5 iirc).
• cpu QB play. This became a gamekiller for me. The cpu made a ton of horrible decisions throwing and threw a ton of INTs. I think it was worse than NCAA '08 on the PS3 which is saying something. In 2K4 the cpu QB never threw deep but at least they were effective.
• DB play. This was just bad in 2K5 but turning on performance Eq really helped.
• screen plays. This was done so well in 2K4 but the stupid momentum animation in 2K5 made it almost unusable.
• counter plays. Again, the timing of the guards pulling was done better in 2K4.
• franchise draft. The fact the cpu only drafted 4 positions in the first round was simply ludicrous.
• sliders. While 2K4 was fantastic out of the box, this game required endless adjustments.

As for 2K3, it was a fun game but it had a major bug. The offensive tackles on offense were always in a two point stance for passing plays. The only time they weren't was for play action. This let you key on what type of play the cpu was calling 98% of the time and was really dumb. You had to try not to look at the tackles to prevent yourself from cheating on the play.

[Cardot]

Re: Did ANYONE like 2K4 OVER 2K5??

In 2K4, didn't the CPU punt despite being in field goal range?...I think the CPU could get as far as the user's 28 yard line, and then punt.

[rudyjuly2]

Re: Did ANYONE like 2K4 OVER 2K5??

In 2K4, didn't the CPU punt despite being in field goal range?...I think the CPU could get as far as the user's 28 yard line, and then punt.

Yeah. I think there was a definate cut off around the 30 yard line.

[Pierzynski 12]

Re: Did ANYONE like 2K4 OVER 2K5??

I never played 2k4. So, i have no opinion on that.

But, 2k5 still rocks to this day.

[dan77733]

Re: Did ANYONE like 2K4 OVER 2K5??

I'm not going to go into detail but here's how I rank the 2K series -

6) NFL 2K
5) NFL 2K2
4) NFL 2K4
3) NFL 2K1
2) NFL 2K5
1) NFL 2K3

2K3 will always be my favorite. All VC had to do was keep everything intact but add gang tackling, challenge and fix the DB AI and the non-ability to get sacks with the DL but it shouldnt be as easy as it is in 2K4 and 2K5. The run blocking in 2K3 was superior because the C or OG's (depending on whether you're playing against a 4-3 or 3-4 team) would actually block the LB's instead of letting them come up the middle untouched and tackle the RB for a loss like they do in 2K5.

There werent any crappy gimmicks in 2K3. No crib, no weekly prep, no crappy goals. Nothing. FPF was and still is the most realistic way to play but it's difficult to master and honestly, makes you dizzy after a while. VIP is awesome against other people but I hate having to select a "name" and favorite team when starting 2K5 because it reminds me of Crapadden and I dont want to be reminded of that crappy game.

Those fake players in 2K4 ruined it for me but rushing was far too easy in that game anyway. I went undefeated on Legend with the Dolphins and rushed my way to a SB win with Ricky Williams. I rarely if ever passed with Griese/Fiedler because I didnt have to. I remember winning the SB and then saw this fake sumo wrestler in free agents. 2K4 was sold the next day.

Thankfully, I can eliminate the VIP/Crib features in 2K5 or I would be pissed off seeing all these fake players in free agents. In the end though, if it wasnt for Finn's editor, I would still be playing 2K3 on PS2 because it's the better overall game.

2K5 has way too many bugs, glitches and horrible CPU AI to make it fun. Take the playoffs for example, there were so many times that I played the backup QB instead of the starter and the starter was always still on the team and 100% healthy. The crappy depth chart setup in 2K5 was the cause for this and is the reason for all those crappy problems in regards to seeing QB's returning kicks and/or punts. And dont get me started on the horrible off-season AI. Ugh.

I play one season in 2K5 and then move on to the next team. If I want to play more than one season, I play 2K3 (PS2) instead.

[bsb13]

Re: Did ANYONE like 2K4 OVER 2K5??

At the time I absolutely loved 2K4. People complained about the super backs but so many things were done so well it was just a blast. In many ways it was better than 2K5 which I never loved and couldn't get over some of the problems. I really can't remember the faults with 2K4 (I know there were some problems) but it played great out of the box and did a lot of things better than 2K5.

Areas where 2K5 went downhill after 2K4

• fatigue. This was great in 2K4 and terrible in 2K5. The cpu never subbed in their backups and the fatigue slider didn't work well (I think I set it on 4 or 5 iirc).
• cpu QB play. This became a gamekiller for me. The cpu made a ton of horrible decisions throwing and threw a ton of INTs. I think it was worse than NCAA '08 on the PS3 which is saying something. In 2K4 the cpu QB never threw deep but at least they were effective.
• DB play. This was just bad in 2K5 but turning on performance Eq really helped.
• screen plays. This was done so well in 2K4 but the stupid momentum animation in 2K5 made it almost unusable.
• counter plays. Again, the timing of the guards pulling was done better in 2K4.
• franchise draft. The fact the cpu only drafted 4 positions in the first round was simply ludicrous.
• sliders. While 2K4 was fantastic out of the box, this game required endless adjustments.

As for 2K3, it was a fun game but it had a major bug. The offensive tackles on offense were always in a two point stance for passing plays. The only time they weren't was for play action. This let you key on what type of play the cpu was calling 98% of the time and was really dumb. You had to try not to look at the tackles to prevent yourself from cheating on the play.

I agree, I liked 2k4 better or atleast against the CPU I liked it better. I always loved 2k's engine but man their games lacked serious polish.

[Malignant]

Re: Did ANYONE like 2K4 OVER 2K5??

I remember winning the SB and then saw this fake sumo wrestler in free agents. 2K4 was sold the next day.

I agree it's an annoying feature but it's easily avoidable. Minor tweaks to the sliders would switch them to custom mode (rather than the preset 'amateur' or 'pro' modes etc) and thus quite a few un-lockables would be disabled.

For me personally some minor tweaks to the kickers and playing with zero sliders makes 2K4 pretty much perfect.

[dan77733]

Re: Did ANYONE like 2K4 OVER 2K5??

^^^^^

Actually, I use the same trick in 2K5 that people told me worked in 2K4 and that's eliminate the user name when playing. I simply switch to "none" and the Crib becomes non-existent.

[GB33]

Re: Did ANYONE like 2K4 OVER 2K5??

At the time I absolutely loved 2K4. People complained about the super backs but so many things were done so well it was just a blast. In many ways it was better than 2K5 which I never loved and couldn't get over some of the problems. I really can't remember the faults with 2K4 (I know there were some problems) but it played great out of the box and did a lot of things better than 2K5.

Areas where 2K5 went downhill after 2K4

• fatigue. This was great in 2K4 and terrible in 2K5. The cpu never subbed in their backups and the fatigue slider didn't work well (I think I set it on 4 or 5 iirc).
• cpu QB play. This became a gamekiller for me. The cpu made a ton of horrible decisions throwing and threw a ton of INTs. I think it was worse than NCAA '08 on the PS3 which is saying something. In 2K4 the cpu QB never threw deep but at least they were effective.
• DB play. This was just bad in 2K5 but turning on performance Eq really helped.
• screen plays. This was done so well in 2K4 but the stupid momentum animation in 2K5 made it almost unusable.
• counter plays. Again, the timing of the guards pulling was done better in 2K4.
• franchise draft. The fact the cpu only drafted 4 positions in the first round was simply ludicrous.
• sliders. While 2K4 was fantastic out of the box, this game required endless adjustments.

As for 2K3, it was a fun game but it had a major bug. The offensive tackles on offense were always in a two point stance for passing plays. The only time they weren't was for play action. This let you key on what type of play the cpu was calling 98% of the time and was really dumb. You had to try not to look at the tackles to prevent yourself from cheating on the play.

Great list. But I would like to add Offensive Line. In 2k4 it formed a perfect pocket. In 2k5 the pocket is non-existant and LB's and linemen are often just let right by.

[The 24th Letter]

Re: Did ANYONE like 2K4 OVER 2K5??

i remember it being hard as all get out to get a sack in 2k4.....i appreciate that realism now but I didnt like it back then

[dan77733]

Re: Did ANYONE like 2K4 OVER 2K5??

i remember it being hard as all get out to get a sack in 2k4.....i appreciate that realism now but I didnt like it back then

I think you mean 2K3 because in 2K4 and 2K5, I could get anywhere from 40 to over 100 sacks with one player in a single season and I only play 5 minute quarters.