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How Metascores Are Calculated
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Force the action on defense in Madden NFL 2005. New defensive tools allow you to make more plays and be in on all of the action. The all-new Hit Stick lets you lay the big hit to turn the momentum of the game in your favor. Modify pre-snap assignments, including double teams and player-specific match ups, for any defensive player on the field. With the new Storyline Central, you get the inside scoop around the league from radio host Tony Bruno, along with local and national newspapers, to help you make critical franchise decisions. New Hit Stick Change the momentum of a game by using the right analog stick to make a huge hit, force a turnover, and send the crowd into a frenzy. Time it just right or you'll get burned for a big play. Enhanced Franchise Mode Players now react to everything that happens in the franchisereward a hard-working player by naming him team captain or trade away unhappy players. The new game-by-game progression system rewards players for their performance during the season. Your team's crowd is now customizable with new Create-a-Fan. Be on the lookout for team-specific super fans via all-new 3D fan scenes. New EA SPORTS Online Take on the best Madden players in quick tournaments, or compete in a mini-game of Rushing Attack. Improved EA SPORTS Fair Play keeps the playing field level. [Electronic Arts]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 100
Play Magazine
In its 15th year, this well-oiled machine enters the 2005 season with one of the finest football games ever crafted. Raising the bar to an unheard of level, Madden 2005 is football at its very best. [Aug 2004, p.73]
95
Kombo
The players move even more fluid than before, a vast improvement over the sometimes choppiness of the visuals during an intense, route-switching play.
 95
Stuff
Once you get sucked into Franchise Mode, you very well might not make it out.
94
IGN
ESPN might have plenty of sizzle, but Madden is still the steak...The defensive improvements alone are worth the price of admission, but when you add to that the expanded franchise mode and all of the online improvements, you realize just how different this year's game not only looks but feels.
93
WHAM! Gaming
While the new look can be a little daunting to a guy who just wants to play a few seasons, it is definitely the most sophisticated simulation ever developed for a console.
93
Nintendojo
An amazing title that proves once again that Madden is the king.
92
Armchair Empire
With Madden on Xbox Live and EA's own network playing so well on the PS2, it is hard to recommend the GameCube version to anyone who owns the other two systems. Still, if the GameCube is the only system you own, Madden 2005 is a great purchase.
92
Electronic Gaming Monthly
[Chris]: Madden just plays better than "ESPN." There. I said it. [Bryan]: No, Chris - It plays a LOT better. And and I'm not just talking about the improved defensive play (especially in the secondary) and, with a quick tap on the new Hit Stick, the bone-jarring tackles. It's how Madden replicates the style of play of actual NFL squads. [Sept 2004, p.94]
91
Cinescape
The graphics and sound are one area where Madden definitely doesn’t measure up to ESPN. ESPN is much prettier and the sound is better as well.
90
1UP
It's not the best-looking of the football titles out there, but it's the most fun to play and compete with. Maybe next year they'll nail the visual category as well, but as long as the game keeps playing as well as it does, there's no reason to really trip over it.
90
GameSpy
The defense upgrades bring a lot of welcome strategy to the game, and the new AI is simply superb. Its amazingly deep, well thought out franchise mode is the best I've ever seen, while the basic gameplay still can't be beat.
90
Yahoo! Games
Madden 2005 is a benchmark in football simulations, because for the first time, it implements a realistic, versatile, hard-hitting defensive game that will pin you to the chair like a 300lb tackle.
90
Nintendo Power
A few minor AI quibbles keep it from being a five-star affair, but it's still one of the best and deepest sports titles on the market. [Oct 2004, p.123]
90
Game Over Online
Madden 2005 takes player emotions into account on just about everything. Akin to the emotional meters found in EA’s MVP Baseball (but much more in-depth), the members of your team react to everything from the size of their paycheck and the chemistry of the team to the lack of playing time and number of losses you’ve accrued.
90
GamePro
Madden remains the best in the business at presenting football plays. The playbook and playcalling interface in this year's game are clean, easy to read, and snap to use. [Sept 2004, p.96]
89
TotalGames.net
The standard sit-on-the-fence "If you're a fan..." line doesn't apply here. Instead, we say this - buy it, learn the rules and thank us later. Ours will be a pint. Without the mayonnaise, thank you.
88
Inside Gamer Online
A little too much like last year’s game...However, its defensive gameplay mechanics are more than enough to warrant that this is a must-play game if you’re into football, and it’s a lot more user-friendly than ESPN is.
88
GameCube Europe
The game is just put together so very well you’ll be surprised how much it will appeal.
88
Game Informer
Madden has a knack of making quantum leaps with each successive title. This new edition, however, breaks the streak. [Sept 2004, p.101]
88
GameSpot
In many ways, Madden 2005 is just a bit too much like last year's Madden for comfort--but it's still a truly excellent game of football all around.
88
GameZone
Madden 2005 doesn’t disappoint, but it clearly doesn’t improve a whole lot from last year’s stellar version. It is still the best playing football game on the market however, and seems cemented in the idea of the “If it ain’t broke, don’t try and fix it” mentality.
83
Game Revolution
It actually offers less new material than ESPN NFL 2K5, which struck a chord with its VIP system and Weekly Prep. However, Madden’s gameplay is more consistent and more solid than ESPN’s, especially in terms of playbook depth and passing, and ultimately that’s what distinguishes the champ from the challenger.
83
Gaming Age
With all the mixed reviews with some saying "ESPN" is the best, and some saying Madden is the best, this reviewers money is on Madden this year as to me it is worth the extra 30 dollars for what you do on an off the field.
80
Gamer.tv
American football finally comes across as brutally as it should.
80
NTSC-uk
The realism that the game provides is shockingly accurate, and whether you just wish to play it for the competitive aspect with mates, or go down the whole route of running your own team, it provides reward throughout.
80
G4 TV
Though it’s disappointing the presentation has taken a backseat in the development phase, Madden edges out "NFL 2K5" because, ultimately, it's the gameplay that matters after you've owned a football game for more than a couple weeks.
Adam H. gave it a 9: |
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