Xbox Magazine Reviews Madden 06

Matt Young

Matt Young

CAGiversary!
Feedback
8 (100%)
I just received the September issue of Xbox Magazine earlier today, wherein Madden NFL 06 was reviewed. The game got a shockingly low 8.0/10. That's not a bad score whatsoever, but I expected more for Madden, especially with NCAA 06 getting a 9.1.

I'm not going to transcribe the review now, but I may later. I'm just hoping the game turns out well enough to warrant a purchase. I skipped NCAA in favor of Madden since I want a pro game with online play. I haven't played the series since 2001, however, choosing instead to stick to 2K Sports football.
 
How many years can they keep putting out the same game with a roster update and still have people pay $50+ for it? Oh right, EA killed any chance of innovation and left you guys with no choice now. Enjoy. :twisted:
 
Thats why my money is going to Blitz: The League this year. It looks very nice so far and there is no NFL interference. So let the craziness begin!!!
 
i've played madden '05 and nfl 2k5, i'm not a madden hater, but from that review, i think NFL 2K5 will STILL be the best football game made.
 
I doubt anything can top NFL 2K5, but I haven't played Madden in years, so it won't seem stale to me. Plus I need an online football game.
 
[quote name='Matt Young']I doubt anything can top NFL 2K5, but I haven't played Madden in years, so it won't seem stale to me. Plus I need an online football game.[/QUOTE]

I don't know. Do you really need an online football game that badly? I tried out the latest Madden because I hadn't played it in years like you, and I hated it. Well, if you are going to get Madden, get it as cheaply as possible.
 
[quote name='WhipSmartBanky']How many years can they keep putting out the same game with a roster update and still have people pay $50+ for it? Oh right, EA killed any chance of innovation and left you guys with no choice now. Enjoy. :twisted:[/QUOTE]

Do you guys ever get tired of saying the same thing? Yea, they are going to do b/c people keep buying it. Can't blame EA.
 
[quote name='jughead']Do you guys ever get tired of saying the same thing? Yea, they are going to do b/c people keep buying it. Can't blame EA.[/QUOTE]

So, what's different this year? Uhh, updated roster...?
 
[quote name='Trakan']So, what's different this year? Uhh, updated roster...?[/QUOTE]

Trakan, Trakan, Trakan...

First we got the roster, then the new Vision Cone, the Precision Passing, tweaked graphics, new Superstar mode, more improved franchise, etc.

This review isnt gonna stop me from buying my Madden 06!
 
The review in EGM said passing a LOT harder this year. The vision cone kinda sucks from what they say....it can be turned off, but you lose features I think. I'm still getting it...I need my NFL football.
 
[quote name='doubledown']The review in EGM said passing a LOT harder this year. The vision cone kinda sucks from what they say....it can be turned off, but you lose features I think. I'm still getting it...I need my NFL football.[/QUOTE]

Yep, you lose the ability to throw the ball down more towards the ground, up towards the air, etc. Either way, I'm still getting the game on Tuesday.
 
But why dont they fix the problems?The players dont run they glide when will that ever be fixed?When will I be able to break more then 1 tackle a season.When will they stop the same old glitches from working online?When will they actually attempt to balancing offense vs defense instead of every year just throwing something in that is to much.Last years hit stick was to easy to cause fumbles and this cone is gonna be bad from what ive seen so far
Ill stick with 2k5 it will be the best football game for another year at least
 
I find this thread incredibly amusing. As a former EB employee, I used to iritate Madden purchasers all day long telling them to try the 2k sports series and preaching it's greatness. I started playing Madden again in 04 after I got frustrated with all the glitches of ESPN NFL. In 05, I thought Madden was just incredible and played it to death.

I think the thing to remember is that people should just play the games they like and praise them, but don't just slam games that you haven't really played and don't understand how deep the gameplay can be.
 
Updated 2K rosters are the way to go. I dislike the lame graphics, the untouched since 02 physics, and the lack of good DB play for humans and AI. I do laugh at "Precision Passing". Haven't we had that since 2K on DC?
 
[quote name='WhipSmartBanky']How many years can they keep putting out the same game with a roster update and still have people pay $50+ for it? Oh right, EA killed any chance of innovation and left you guys with no choice now. Enjoy. :twisted:[/QUOTE]

Yeah, because there's so much more left to do with football games. Damn EA for killing all that potential innovation.

Shut up.
 
If anyone bothered reading the review the guy was busting on Madden because he was pissed the graphics weren't as good as the XBOX 360 preview shots and he thought the DNA thing in superstar mode was dumb.

Quite simply, 5 million people bought Madden 2005 last year and people will keep buying it. And that is because Madden is a damn good football game! Just because a bunch of people on the internet are pissed that EA made a good BUSINESS decision to buy the NFL rights....which ESPN tried to do.....does not mean Madden sucks. Will any of you be pissed when EAs baseball game doesn't come out next year? Or will that small detail be overlooked?
 
How many times will companies pump out the same RPG's with new types of fairies and new potions? See, that's me talking on a subject I know nothing of. People who say sports games are just new roster updates are clearly stupid.
 
[quote name='guyver2077']any way to get updated rosters for 2k5 now?[/QUOTE]

Im sure its a user done thing. Obviously ESPN hasnt been able to do updates for awhile.
 
[quote name='alfonsosoriano']How many times will companies pump out the same RPG's with new types of fairies and new potions? See, that's me talking on a subject I know nothing of. People who say sports games are just new roster updates are clearly stupid.[/QUOTE]

Ok, thats a little bit BS there. No, they arent *JUST* roster updates. However, the additions to content arent as grandious as Madden fanboys love to claim.

The "Madden formula" is a very simple one.

Update the roster
Add one new game selling feature to tout on the cover
Make minor improvements in a few other areas
Sit back and watch the cash roll in

The reason this formula works is Madden is a game even NON GAMERS buy. (hence the astronomical sales numbers) Since they arent exposed to just how much innovation can and SHOULD come with the latest iteration of a game series, they dont know to demand any better.

Madden is not a bad game that is a constant rehash every year. Nor is it the second coming of Jesus so many fanboys seem to claim.

It is a good game that pretty much stays more stagnant that other "series" tend to. Many many people are ok with this, even prefer it. A lot of us however want to bit more for our $50 each and every year.

If they game makes you happy, great, go buy it and enjoy. But dont go around claiming it is "revolutionary" because everyone knows, even the casual gamers, that it is not.
 
[quote name='alfonsosoriano'] People who say sports games are just new roster updates are clearly stupid.[/QUOTE]

Maybe, but I mostly think they just don't care for sports. I'm a diehard NJ Nets and NBA fan in general, so I will buy Live or ESPN every year.

But yea, saying that the only update every year are rosters is a lame and an uninformed excuse. It's something only someone looking in from the outside would say.

To say these games are "crap" too is another stupid remark. If they were, why do they always score so high by websites and magazines. If you don't like the genre, stay out of the discussion. You wouldn't like some sports fanatic butting into an RPG discussion by saying "How many times can they reinvent Final Fantasy?" or "Don't you get tired of random battles for 4 hours just to level up?"

I guess because we after all are at CHEAPAssGamer.com, where paying $50 for a game is taboo around here. That could be another reason...?
 
Someone with the magazine:

Lockdown was rumored to have a online multiplayer demo in this months issue but the cover on oxm.com says nothing about it........

Is the demo online?
 
[quote name='Matt Young']I'm not slamming Madden. I'm buying it, even though I prefer 2K to EA.[/QUOTE]

What other choice do you have? That was EA's intent all along, it matters not if this is the worst installment of the Madden series, you have no choice. Blitz: The League will not do for NFL fans at least in this poster's opinion.
 
[quote name='$hady']Someone with the magazine:

Lockdown was rumored to have a online multiplayer demo in this months issue but the cover on oxm.com says nothing about it........

Is the demo online?[/QUOTE]

Yes.
 
I'm calling BS on anyone saying 2k5 is a better FOOTBALL game. Like I've said before, I liked the game, but as far as being a representation of the NFL it was poop whether you hate EA or not. Maybe Madden is just as much, but ESPN 2k5 was flawed all over the place. Sure, it might be a better non-simulation, but that's not what I look for in a football game.

And I don't say this as a EA loyalist or anything. I skipped Madden last year because of 2k5 being cheaper and I didn't like the way the player models looked to me in Madden compared to 04. But hell I'm not even a football expert and I know 2k5 was ridiculous at times. My buddy who has played these games for years and knows his stuff couldn't even play it cause of dropped passes and such. Also, the franchise was broke with incorrect schedules and ignorant trades being done.

As far as the review, I thought it was weird that they didn't really criticize the game, but the gaga modes. I think it'll be better than NCAA in gameplay and that's what really matters. Hopefully, the deep bomb isn't as useful. They seemed like like things like Race for Heisman in NCCA, so non-gameplay features seem to be important to them.

BigC,

It is ignorant that they make some of those mistakes, but nobody else was doing it any better as mentioned above. Though I think I'd still take Madden's tackle breaking over 2k5s any day.
 
You know when I get to thinking about it, its not really saying one of the other is better is really the problem, but I think not admitting that either game is flawed is what is silly. Personally, I do think Madden has the onfield part down a lot better, but the rest of it kinda sucks. I do hope they use that ESPN license next year. The 2k series would have been nice to see around again if they would have fixed the mistakes.

Also, as much as people hate EA I personally don't really wanna give the 2k Sports guys more than $20 for a game when I think about cheap goals in hockey, flaws in football, foul balls going fair way to much in baseball, and the numerous franchise goofs in all of them. Its not like EA is the only lazy one. I think we would have been just as screwed with competition as we are now.
 
[quote name='manofpeace20']If anyone bothered reading the review the guy was busting on Madden because he was pissed the graphics weren't as good as the XBOX 360 preview shots and he thought the DNA thing in superstar mode was dumb.
[/QUOTE]


I'm glad I'm not the only one to actually read the review, they are pretty much trying to tell you to wait for the 360, because basically their jobs depend on the success of that system. I'm not saying the Madden will be a system seller, but I know i won't buy it for both, the Xbox and the 360.
 
[quote name='Ultimate Matt X']You know when I get to thinking about it, its not really saying one of the other is better is really the problem, but I think not admitting that either game is flawed is what is silly. Personally, I do think Madden has the onfield part down a lot better, but the rest of it kinda sucks. I do hope they use that ESPN license next year. The 2k series would have been nice to see around again if they would have fixed the mistakes.

Also, as much as people hate EA I personally don't really wanna give the 2k Sports guys more than $20 for a game when I think about cheap goals in hockey, flaws in football, foul balls going fair way to much in baseball, and the numerous franchise goofs in all of them. Its not like EA is the only lazy one. I think we would have been just as screwed with competition as we are now.[/QUOTE]

I agree. ESPN's presentation was killer last year. I enjoyed the game a great deal. I hope they implement some of 2K5 with Madden in the future (especially the halftime replay shows, those were awesome).

NBA basketball is still the one sport the Sega/2K sports was consistently better than EA. EA did make some improvements last year though in its b-ball game.
 
[quote name='GuilewasNK']I agree. ESPN's presentation was killer last year. I enjoyed the game a great deal. I hope they implement some of 2K5 with Madden in the future (especially the halftime replay shows, those were awesome).
.[/QUOTE]

This is the only thing I miss in Madden, honestly, is the presentation that 2K5 had.
 
[quote name='manofpeace20'] Will any of you be pissed when EAs baseball game doesn't come out next year? Or will that small detail be overlooked?[/QUOTE]

That actually bothers me more than the football exclusivity deal. At least Madden should be a good game. As much as I love 2K Sports, MLB 2K5 was not even worth the $15 I paid for it. It was shit except for the online play, while MVP was one of the best baseball games I have ever played, if not THE best.

However, to be fair, the MLB deal is not as restricting as the NFL one. Sony, MS, and Nintendo can still release first party baseball games.
 
[quote name='Matt Young']That actually bothers me more than the football exclusivity deal. At least Madden should be a good game. As much as I love 2K Sports, MLB 2K5 was not even worth the $15 I paid for it. It was shit except for the online play, while MVP was one of the best baseball games I have ever played, if not THE best.

However, to be fair, the MLB deal is not as restricting as the NFL one. Sony, MS, and Nintendo can still release first party baseball games.[/QUOTE]

That just means Sony will (which isn't saying much because 989 Sports has sucked for a LONG time). MS is out of the sports game biz and Nintendo is going the Mario Baseball route (which may be decent in its own right).

It is very hypocritical (and silly) for people to criticize EA and not 2K sports for doing essentially the same things.
 
Yeah....8.0 and higher are NOT bad scores....still a good game, just not leaps and bounds above last years apparently. I'll pick it up for XBOx, then probably get it for 360 when that time comes.
 
You know after reading about the field of vision stuff in Madden everyone might wanna stick with ESPN 2k5 after all. :) Seriously, I may stick with NCAA because of it though.

I don't fault them for adding it, but I'm worried it messing up the passing game even when its off. If it doesn't though I see no problem. I thought it was pretty stupid in IGN's review they said you would go back to 05 because of it, but if it can be turned off why would you go back to 05 if you already own 06 and have new rosters and such?
 
[quote name='Ultimate Matt X']You know after reading about the field of vision stuff in Madden everyone might wanna stick with ESPN 2k5 after all. :) Seriously, I may stick with NCAA because of it though.

I don't fault them for adding it, but I'm worried it messing up the passing game even when its off. If it doesn't though I see no problem. I thought it was pretty stupid in IGN's review they said you would go back to 05 because of it, but if it can be turned off why would you go back to 05 if you already own 06 and have new rosters and such?[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I am going to wait on Madden. I need to work on my NCAA skills anyway huh Matt? ;)
 
I traded in Street Fighter Anniversary Collection and Sonic Heroes, 2 games which I hate and never play, toward the GR preorder deal. I got $12 credit for SFAC and $8 for Sonic Heroes, surprisingly enough. That, meant that I paid just over $12.50 for Madden after tax, lol. I won't be able to get it til tomorrow, however.

So... the game's out in many areas, it's been available on torrents for a couple days, and Gamespot has reviewed it, giving it an 8.2 Yup.
 
8.2.. lowest Madden score ever, not a good sign.

You traded in SFAC?! What's wrong with you!? I guess you really didn't want to get your ass whooped on it..

it's been available on torrents for a couple days
Click to expand...

:dunce:

i've heard there's a lot of problems with the XBox version..
 
[quote name='Scorch']8.2.. lowest Madden score ever, not a good sign.

You traded in SFAC?! What's wrong with you!? I guess you really didn't want to get your ass whooped on it..



:dunce:

i've heard there's a lot of problems with the XBox version..[/QUOTE]

Street Fighter sucked. 3rd Strike was good, but I can play that on Dreamcast. The Anniversary Edition was horribly cheap and unbalanced on single player, and I'm not good enough to compete with the elite players online. I've barely played the game since February for those reasons.
 
[quote name='Matt Young']Street Fighter sucked. 3rd Strike was good, but I can play that on Dreamcast. The Anniversary Edition was horribly cheap and unbalanced on single player, and I'm not good enough to compete with the elite players online. I've barely played the game since February for those reasons.[/QUOTE]

I wish we had a smiley banging a gavel as a "here, here!" icon.. I agree about the AE, the difficulty was INSANELY unbalanced. I only play 3rd Strike on it as well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
bread's done
Back
Top