ESPN NFL 2K5 Review

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(More customer reviews)Though it's a little too early to tell, I think it's pretty safe to say that ESPN NFL 2K5 will finally reign supreme in it's yearly battle as "Best Football Game of '04," from the legendary Madden Series. It's hard to believe that it was only a mere five years ago, when the NFL 2K Series first appeared on the cutesy Sega Dreamcast. My have they grown... No longer content with second place in the football console wars, Sega pulled out all the stops and released a living, breathing, sweating, trash-talking, smash mouth football game. If there ever was an idea of the "perfect" football game, this would have to be it. In fact, so much so, that purchasing the anticipated Madden 2005 seems like a waste of money. But hey, I'm a hard-core football fanatic, and I have no qualms splurging seventy bucks on both football titles. Regardless, I can easily see myself playing this game till the Pro Bowl when I finally remember that Madden game I purchased oh so long ago, still un-opened, collecting dust on my shelf.

The presentation on this game is absolutely phenomenal. Last year, I mentioned that NFL 2K4 did an outstanding job utilizing the ESPN license. This year is no exception. Sega should give seminars on taking advantage of a licensing goldmine such as ESPN...*cough*...Atari...*cough*..."Enter the Matrix"... The pre-game, in-game, half-time, and post-game presentations are flawless, albeit the virtual "Boomer" is a little bit creepy. Playing the game is like watching an actual NFL broadcast on the world's leading sports channel. Statistics in the multitudes will fly across the screen during the course of a game, replays from every which angle will be shown in a tiny window off to the side as you choose your next play, and the ingenious VIP system, which acts like a blueprint of your and your opponent's play calling tendencies, allows you to prepare in detail for the current or following game. Throw in the ability to schedule the tone of player meetings (angry or maybe encouraging) and allotting prep time, either through film sessions or a specific physical training regimen (arms, legs, biceps, quads), for your players in order to improve their ratings, and you have a game that puts you front and center in the driver seat of a football team. Granted, I'm only mentioning only a handful of the vast variety of features that are available at your fingertips, which is only a testimony to how deep this game really is.

The NFL 2K series has long been known for it's superior graphics engine. Fortunately, over the years, the series has become less of a one trick pony and more of a complete football experience. Regardless, NFL 2K5 is hands down the most realistic and beautiful looking football game I've ever seen. Players are size proportionate with rippling muscles and veins. Jerseys are colorful and vibrant and twist and wrinkle at the right spots. Player faces are dead on, and smile or frown depending on the game situation. Cheerleaders look less like ghouls and more like Barbie dolls. An example of the great graphics engine in this game was during a replay of an interception my defensive player grabbed in the end zone during a game. As I zoomed in, I actually caught tiny particles of dirt and grass flying around the cleats of my player as he scrambled to his feet after making a diving interception. Dirt and grass! Why is this a revelation, you say? Only because it would have been hard to notice such detail without the benefit of the zooming button during the replay.

Game play is where this game all comes together. Overall, it's basically the same as last years model which isn't a knock since it was great to begin with. If it ain't broke, then don't fix it, as I like to say. Like Madden there are three play calling windows, the top allotted for defensive side of the ball and the bottom being for the offensive side. The variety of plays are abundant and nicely varied. Running is still easy with a stud running back which makes it imperative to choose the All-Pro difficulty if you're looking for a true challenge. The AI is more stingy and intelligent on this setting without being frustrating. A major gripe I had with last year's game was the poor tackling even on the most difficult setting. This year, it's fixed, not only making individual tackling a possibility, but allowing you to choose the type of tackle (bone-rattling or shove) you want to unleash. Also added is an evade move that can be utilized by the quarterback if he's about to be sacked by tapping the right control stick. The player animations are a sight to behold, especially during running plays. Watching a running back scrape for an extra yard or two after being tackled, a defensive end grab for the leg or a quarterback, and a cornerback leap for an interception just brings tears to your eyes.

The NFL 2K series has grown tenfold in it's short existence. So much so that I think it will be a challenge for Sega to top what has to be the perfect football game for next year's entry. Though I'm sure that Madden 2005 will still lead in overall sales, I think it's safe to say that ESPN NFL 2K5 will lead as an overall football gaming experience. Much congrats to Sega.

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Product Description:
It s the season of the fan. The year of people coming together to celebrate sport. And uniting everyone is ESPN NFL 2K5 a coupling of the most responsive and intense gameplay around and the richest multi-player gaming experience possible. Everyone is getting in on the action with the help of our innovative V.I.P. system allowing you to play your friends and top players as if they were sitting right next to you! So dust off those extra controllers grab some chairs and get your game on!Format: XBOX Genre:SPORTS/GAMES Rating:E - Everyone UPC:710425296116 Manufacturer No:29611

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