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Tru Ballers Know |
| Skinsfan75upstateny from clifton park says (5/Jan/2004): |
Mad Props to NY NY Baller for calling it like it is.
I laugh at people who cannot stop the pass.
This game is more complicated than alot of people can handle. Hence you get EAsy Play features and (pffft) Madden Cards.
Believe it or not, more than merely a fundamental knowledge of football is needed to dominate any and all teams in Madden Football. Beyond having and developing your own personal stratedgy, learning and maximizing your teams strenghts, and protecting their weaknesses, you have to apply a little flexible abstract thinking to your play and approach to achieve your goals. In addition, over time you have to develop an intuitive ability to discern and anticipate your opponents game plan.
For those who can win games but still give up over 300 yards passing: I notice that at times some of you even mention having large early leads, or even (spits) stacked rosters. Shutting down the run has always been simple in all madden games. But just because it is simple doesnt mean it is always to your advantage to do so. I can imagine what your games are like: Late in the 1st quarter you are up by 17-21 points and you think the game is in hand. Your defense has forced 3 and out every time the offense has the ball and you have no reason to think your game is in jeopardy. Your first mistake was allowing an early lead to develop. As odd as this may sound, allowing your opponent LIMITED sucess can often work better than allowing none at all at first. In princeple, if you are ahead by 17-21 points the AI is forced to abandon the run and concentrate on a game long assault on your defense. No matter who you have in your secondary on your roster eventually this will contribute to over 300 yards consitently.
The solution: Dont just rely on the talent on the field to always make the play. Use your head! If you know how to shut down the AI on offense in a normal situation (ie one where they are not trailing by 3 scores of more) and that IS easily accomplished, allow the offense to move the ball but only so far then revert back to the defensive stratedgy that works and slowly demoralize them. Even though they are only computers, momentum and fatigue are factored in and this will become evident later in the game. Also if you allow the computer just a little freedom to run it wont HAVE to pass for 3 quarters straight and is less likely to as a result.
In any game of football clock management is among the most essential, and easily obtained points of leverage. It can be achieved most easily through a solid, back breaking ground game. If your team doesnt have one RB rated in the mid to high 80's you can 'run by comitee' using 2 or 3 RB's rated in the 70's. The idea is to assign a particular RB to a number of formations and rotate them to always keep a fresh back in the game. I had 2 1000yd rushers with an unmodified Washington Redskins Roster in the same season. It works.
If you really want a challenge:
First set the camera view to demo mode. Shed the temptation to take control of your favorite player. Infact dont control them at all except to call audibles, adjust the defense, call hot routs, playmaker adjustments, to snap and kick the ball. If you want to really get to know football from a playcallers perspective just pick the plays on both offense and defense, call guys into motion and adjust plays accordingly but snap the ball and let the playes do the rest. I guaruntee a harder, more rewarding, but mostly more of a mental challenge to the game. (This is better than coach mode and more like a realistic football game)
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Review and tips for the Madden Faithful |
| Baller from NY NY says (17/Dec/2003): |
This review assumes you are a baller, and know some madden and some football :)
Not that different from 2003, except for the computer DB's (friggin nasty) and the playmaker control. The franchise mode rocks except for the trading penalties which seem to be set up to prevent stars from moving.
THe graphics are good if pretty much the same , and the new tackling animations ROCK. The game is very well presented difficulty wise as well but you need to play on the level that you can deal with or you will get run over by the AI offense.
The gameplay....well if you are a Madden gamer from the past you will love it - many improvements. Playing on all-madden difficulty level with all sliders middled except for AI interceptions (even on -3 or -4 the computer will pick you like 3-4 times a game with a collection of unaware linebackers)...is extremely hard.
The computer AI is MUCH improved on offense - I read these reviews and laugh sometimes...the AI on all madden is constantly pump faking, play action-ing, and hiding good recievers in slot, changing routes (watch the replay - the AI uses playmaker as well hehe)- all of these things take your DBs out of play, either sending them to the line or to center and this is where 90% of the unstoppable pass comes in (the rest is just the computer forcing throws in to its #1 or #2 reciever - you have a split second to hit Y or L otherwise he catches it usually).
To beat the super pass offense you need to 1) have a man on every reciever - it tells you the offense package, just match to it (34 or 43 on 2 rec, nickel on 3, dime on 4, quarter on 5)....this is not rocket science. Then use the Y+right dpad coverage audible (cover recievers better) - this puts everyone on their man (helps you see who is still open) - then, and this is most important - dont screw the defense up manually. Know who your man is and go get him (for example: dime man coverage vs shotgun 4wide, you are the MLB, you MUST get the halfback - the DBs are all occupied) If you dont know who to get - play the nastiest lineman and just kill the QB that way the rest of the defense stays on assignment.
Most of my sacks on all madden are coverage sacks - I go get the
TE or HB or whoever and the QB has no one to throw to, and eventually a DE kills him. But if he is way behind and doing the madden comeback thing you will need to blitz + bump coverage and you do not have long at all to hit him. Watch out for the TE at all times as your linebackers will usually blow it in coverage. On offense you will have trouble running outside (need a fast fullback and good TE to make it even an option)- but the inside running is AWESOME - its totally dependant on the matchups and playcalling and can be easy or impossible. Long passes are almost guaranteed picks vs a good secondary unless homey is wide open (the computer DBs do some mind blowing matrix-type picks) but short passes to the halfback + creative running after the catch is extremely (too) effective, and if you run up the gut enough they get sooo tired hehe. Its bomb, but its gonna seem hard if you are used to previous maddens where you could basically air it out for 40 whenever you needed it. Much more real :)
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Everything is great, except some bugs |
| Samuel from Oakland California says (27/Oct/2003): |
This game is awesome! Of course there are a few things wrong with it just like any other game. But what really steams me is that some of these bugs have been going on since Madden 2001. First off, there is the computer on All-Madden. It is unstopable! No matter what you call wheter on defense or offense, you will get shut down. It makes impossible passes in between 3 or 4 defensive players. Always runs a route where your hole in the defense is and always manages to get at least seven yards each time they run the ball. Once, I was up by 21 (somehow, still trying to figure it out), there was about three minutes left in the fourth and low and behold I got intercepted for a touchdown. Next play, interception-touchdown. Next play, fumble-touchdown. Next drive, fumble in the red zone. And yeah they got a touchdown in about 4 pass plays. Ummm, what? 2nd, the animations. I can't even count how many times I got intercepted, fumbled, or even had receptions where the ball just kind of "slides" into the receiver's hands. Once the ball bounced off a player's head and the next frame it showed it in his hands as a completion. Finally, the biggest problem. How come I can't tackle someone when the breaking tackle animation is on? I don't know how many times other people have gotten touchdowns or a huge run when the breaking tackle animation is going on and I'm already diving in the air and I just "bounce" off and the running back or receiver takes off with no one else around him. Also sometimes, defensive players won't even tackle at all. They just sort of hit him and bounce off like 2 yards and the runner is free to take off. Other than these glitches this game is awesome.
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Good, but could be great! |
| SchoolTeacher26 from Curwensville, PA - USA says (14/Oct/2003): |
I enjoy playing Madden as much as the next guy, but what I can't figure out is why some of the small intricate details get left out from year to year. In 2002 there were custom routes for each player in the play calling screen. Gone in 2003 maybe to never return. In 2003 you weren't able to change a teams uniform in season, but when you wanted to create a team or design a new uniform for your current team you could and you would be able to put a logo on the helmet. That is probably my biggest gripe about this game. They have cut out some of the details that I have always enjoyed. I like using the owner mode and would probably change uniforms and cities, but it drives me nuts that when you do you have to use a team with a logoless helmet from then on. I also agree that the pass defense stinks. I have been dominating games and totally shutting down the computer when all of a sudden out comes a huge play, then another, and another. The next thing I know i'm only up by three or it is tied. I'm not calling 3-4 or 4-3 defenses either. Usually it happes to me in Quarter and Dime coverages. I love playing Madden. I have bought the game every year it has been made. I just think they need to keep the little things that they have been discarding thoughtlessly. Maybe they should hire me and my buddies as next years testing group. We would not hesitate to tell them what is missing and what needs to go!
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Defects! Defects! Defects |
| Jeremy from Norton(OH), USA says (13/Oct/2003): |
Madden 2004 is the best football game ever made, especially with the playmaker option. But there are so many defects and glitches in this game that it makes me wonder if my players on the field are wearing football pants or football skirts. I was playing in a tournament and I am 4-0 and in my last game I was up by three with about 2 mins left and I went to throw the ball to my reciever, but instead, my Qb threw the ball 30 yards backwards out of the endzone with no one even around him for the safety which nearly lost me the game. Playing a franchise on All Madden is a joke and so unrealistic. If you aren't supposed to win a game, you're not going to win that game, no matter what you do. I am in a franchise with the Packers and the HB Green never fumbles in real life and his ratings are through the roof on the game although he fumbles 5 times in the redzone...What is that? I triple and quadruple cover WR's and they still come up with a catch when you can't even see the reciever. Oh, and another thing to add is that there is a play in the GB Packers offense that is unstoppable, no matter what you throw at it. If you want to know what it is...email me at JMAXON01< remove me > at AOL.COM and I will lead you on the road to an unstoppable running game! Com'n lets iron out the defects Madden or you might be packing your bags and relocating your franchise.
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What's up with the Passing? |
| Matt from San Diego, California, USA says (5/Oct/2003): |
This game is absolutely awesome when it comes to Owner and Franchise mode. The possibilities are endless. I relocated my team to Las Vegas just recently. There are a few bugs though. For one, John Madden's commentary is even more annoying this time then it was on Madden 2003. He never shuts up and feels the need to explain every single play. Al Michaels tends to be repetitive more on this one than the last one and it seems like there's only 3 or 4 celebrations total in the whole game. But the most annoying thing by far is the computers super passing ability. Rookie quarterbacks are throwing for 400 to 500 yards average. The computer seems to make impossible catches and then break 13 tackles and take it in for a 90 yard touchdown. Not to mention, the computer very rarely hands the ball off which means my guys don't get tackles throughout the season and end up getting worse as I go. For instance, I picked up Brian Urlacher who was averaging 100 tackles a year. Because the lack of running game, he only got 60 tackles and ended up dropping 3 points at the end of the season. Madden 2004 is the best Madden so far but they need to get the defensive side of the house, especially the passing game fixed before it'll be full proof.
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Review and tips |
| Louis from Lawrence, USA says (29/Sep/2003): |
While I still have problems with salary caps, and understanding some players' ratings, this game is awesome. Playmaker? What do I say? It's pretty cool, though it's almost cheating if you know how to use your defensive line. Holding down on it gets you a sack every other set of downs. It's fair though since you're risking the pass. Owner mode is great, though as I said earlier, the cap penalties will kill you. It's funny that they give you what looks like an option to turn them off, yet you can't. Some tips I have: Fullbacks, fullbacks, fullbacks. Instead of passing it up all the time, run one of those WRs out of bounds at the two on what would have been a fifty yard bomb. Then run it in with your FB. If you get him about six touchdowns you should have no problem ProBowling him and after only two seasons of this he'll be a stud. Keeping this in mind, draft a fullback based primarily off of speed. You can't coach him to be fast, but you can raise nearly everything else easy enough. This game is an improvement, and they always get better. Though it's not the greatest game of all time, I give it a 9. Also, give a high five to the soundtrack. It's a nice touch
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THE LITTLE THINGS |
| Pat from Yorktown Heights, USA says (26/Nov/2003): |
Madden 2004 is the best football game by far, but there are a few improvements that could be made. First of all, the crowd graphics have to get better. It's like Sega for God's sake. There should be close-ups of fans decked out in their team's gear and paraphenalia. Secondly, the center should make more bad snaps in close games, as in a field goal. I also feel that all of the subs should get in during preseason games. There's no reason to have Mike Vick running around getting hurt in the thrid quarter of some game that doesn't even matter. Additionally, there should be a lot more players, coaches, and personnel on the sidelines. There's at least 53 players, so there should be about 100 people on each sideline at all time. It would make the game a lot more realistic. The celebrations HAVE to improve dramatically, in style and variation. Post game analysis would increase gameplay a lot, with John Madden (who needs to shut up) and Al Michaels analyzing your strengths and weaknesses.
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Madden 2004 is here TODAY! |
| Willy from Newtown says (12/Aug/2003): |
I just picked up Madden a day or two early because I reserved it over a month ago. I just got done whooping my buddies a#< remove me > at in the first game I played. Couple of new things this year. The playmaker is going to be the biigest addition in my opionion. It lets you bust some moves that you coudln't before. The nicest move lets you call a block when your running the ball, Thank god because the old computer blockers would usually miss their assigned blocks. I have to try out the carreer mode, you can build your own stadium, say how much you want for burgers and fries, and hire and fire the top guys. Should be cool. Graphics got better. Much more plays to root through. And the 3 boxes that you pick your plays from are set right on top the field which is pretty sweet. Madden Out does him self again. They need to give you a tournement tier for those heated, high stakes Madden tournements that me and my buds play.
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Great but needs work |
| tazz from Tampa (Florida) usa says (28/Dec/2003): |
Ok i figured it out to help every 1 out there who cant stop the pass i play on all-madden every time and the average 135 yards on passing and only 45 yards running... what u do is always pick man even on runs this really does great with great DB's and SS's it will make it to where u can stop the pass. Next i figured out if u run it for 3 plays in a row they DB's come up this is where u make ur fastest Wide-out go deep for the fast TD. Now for the game i think they should go out and for the 1st...4 years of the game let realli collage players into it wit out makein u export 2nd they should have work-outs and pratice there the week.. i also think it would be kool and also i liked what they did in nba live 2004 this year where on a trade it told u what team liked that player and which 1 didnt this would help alot. and i think u should be able to pitch in this game
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crowds noises |
| J.J from Greensboro, NC ,USA says (22/Jan/2004): |
My only complaint is the crowd noises I think there should be more realistic. Most of the time the booz and chants of the crowd can really get you in the game.Also, maybe Madden should be more like NCAA football the gameplay is much better. The new tackling motions are good but maybe they should improve on the sideline tackling, seeing a player get thrown on there teams sideline is always a great added feature. Which means the late hit penalty maybe added but its all good thats all a part of the game.However, I really hope they try to work on communication with Madden sometimes he says things that not even happening on the field. Its doesn't bother everyone but it sure iterates me. and last but not least I think they should improve the super bowl game ,I mean when you playing a whole season you should get more satisfaction out of then a simple taem celebration.
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BEST GAME EVER!!!!! |
| Robert from Pennsylvania, USA says (25/Sep/2003): |
This has the best graphics of any football game I have ever seen, the new playmaker control is a great new thing for madden. The new franchise mode with all the training camp and stadium upgrades and changes is great. I like the soundtrack is off the hook and all the old game modes and all the new ones are the $#< remove me > at !. The way Michael Vick is in this game makes the Falcons the best team I say. All the mini camp levels pull me in and I can't stop doin some of them like the Ground Attack and the Chase and Tackle. Whoever dosen't buy Nfl Madden 2004 are really dumb and they don't know what a good game is. Like I said before Madden 2004 is the best Nfl game I have ever seen and anybody who dosen't like football should buy it and people who do like football you will get hooked to it afer a few days I promise so anyway buy Nfl Madden 2004.
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Great Game |
| Guy from ClevelandO hio says (13/Oct/2003): |
This game is one of the best. Yes when i first started playing the game i was like some of you guys saying whats up with the passing and the broken tackles but after awile i realized thats what this game has been lacking a tough challenge against the computer. It really brings you into the game making you think alot more and if you cant respect that about this game you either suck or your just not a gamer. A tip to some people is forget about running to the outside run up the middle. Dont use your turbo right away and follow your fullback. When you get to the line use a soft juke to explode out of the hole and then hold your turbo button down. Another tip is to use your tight end most lbs cant check the tight end do this 2 things and your offense will be extremely better.
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Sorry to disagree with the rest. |
| A gamer from Seattle, USA says (19/Sep/2003): |
I have always been a big Madden football (EA) fan, and thought that it is one of the deepest games around, but this year, I was very unimpressed with the way Madden 2004 is. The player model still looks exactly like Madden 2002 and NCAA, the playcalling, hot routes and audibles, also still looks exactly the same as 2002, and NCAA 2003. The playmaker control thing did not change the over all game experience to me. The owner mode may be fine, but I am really more into the actual football game itself. I tried this game for 5 days, trying to find an excuse to keep it, but finally I decided to return it back. The REAL NEW and GREAT game out there is the ESPN NFL 2K4, with all the additions and FPF, I suggest that madden fans should give it a try.
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SLOW DOWN!!! |
| Patrick Murphy from Chicago, IL USA says (30/Jan/2004): |
I have read just about everybody's tips for playing Maddens 2004. Just about all of the tips are true especially the cover 2 on defense. What I don't see people talking about is slowing down and grinding the clock. The best success at beating that nagging computer is keeping their offense "OFF" the field. It is simple... chew the clock, run the ball, use the screen and audible to use draws and playaction when blitzes are detected!!! Know your audibles and definately USE the HOTROUTE feature!!! I have the best seasons when using balanced offense and balanced defense when choosing your playbooks. Don't forget the 46 defense...it still works!!! Most of my picks are with the 46, and 4-3 defense!!!
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How do u stop the pass? |
| G unit from Grand Rapids USA says (6/Oct/2003): |
I have one of the best defenses in the league player wise, but no matter what I do I just can't stop the pass. In my secdary I have Champ Baily, Ronde Barber, Brian Dawkins and Ed Reed, my linebackers are Kendral Bell, Rosavelt Colvin, and Boss Baily. But it doesn't matter what type of defense I run cause they always end up with at least a 300 yard game, and a majority of those yards come on 70 or 80 yard touchdowns, and the rest of the time they will get nothing. Can anyone figure out how to stop the pass? And why the hell is it so hard to stop? Did ya ever notice the computer very rarely runs the ball 20 times in a game and it is so easy to shut the run down.
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Great create-a-plyers without the cost and how to domanate on alll-madden |
| Kyle from Olathe, Usa says (17/Feb/2004): |
OK if you tried to make a great player and you ended up having to spend a lot of money on him dont worry. Creat a player the worst you can. Dont worry it will be ok. Sign him as a free agent for 7 years. After you sign him go to create-a-player, Then just put all of his stats all of the way up. Not only will he be a great running back or whatever he could also be a great punter or kicker as well.Hope this helps. If you want to get madden points fast and easy all you have to do is switch the difficulty to all madden. The go to AI. Put the cpu all the way down and put human all the way up. You will dominate for sure. I promise.I win every game by 100+.
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Man, this game is good!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
| Faisal Kanaan from El Dorado Hills, USA says (2/Aug/2004): |
Overall, Madden 2004 has been the best game I've ever played. What I loved the most was the create a player. Picking facemasks and helmets was the best part of it. I think they could have done better on the stadium and crowd. The crowd should have been like NCAA football. All of the Maddens so far, players have been running rhrough other players. The franchise mode was great. I only hated one thing though. The games could have been more exciting. When winning a big game the players always celbrate the same. they should dump the water on the coach or on a big play they should jump into the crowd. Overall, I still loved the game.
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Make a fantasy draft with all rookies!!! |
| John from Huxley, Iowa USA says (1/Jan/2004): |
Just got to new franchise and put on fantasy draft and start the draft. Just pick the best rookie in each postion. If you do not know if they are rookies just look at the age. 22 or 23 should be your rookie. If you know rookies that did good this yr i would suggest you get them. Once it is completed simulate the first season. They overall will shoot up like hell. Trust me this will be the best fantasy team ever created. If you don't get the right players that you think are the good ones. Just e-mail me and I will give you a list of the top rookies to pick. Trust me it will be the best hing u did with this game.
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EXELENTTTTT!!!!!!!!! |
| Brock R. from Vicenza Italy says (11/Dec/2003): |
This is one of the best games I've played. The graphics are good. They could be better but I'm used to them. I like it because you can make your own teams and players. My dad has beaten me everytime so I guess I need to practice. If you don't have the game you really need to buy it. There are so many different modes and versions you can do. It's one of the best games I own. I really like it when you make your own plays. The instant replays are good. Like one time I threw an 80 yard TD pass and beat my dad. I saw the replay and It looked better on the replay.
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