Writing previews and reviews for a Madden game has almost always been an exercise in futility. It’s always a “Yes, it is as good as you think it is” sort of thing. As a gamer, you are already on the Madden boat or off of it. However, this year EA Sports has added some new features to the classic franchise that will likely reaffirm the faith of its loyal legions and probably convince a few of the non-believers.

Madden NFL 2004 is exactly what you've come to expect from EA's money franchise: nice graphics, refined gameplay, and the stunning insight of one of sports' greatest minds, John Madden, who weaves the English language like a gentle Indian woman might weave a basket. You get your season mode, exhibition, and every other mode that you know has to be there, as well as a refined franchise mode. This year, EA is offering you much more of a simulation with the new Owner's Mode. You will be able to do things like hire your own staff, hand out signing bonuses, set ticket prices, build your stadium, send your players to mini-camps to get their skills up, and run cheerleader tryouts. Yes, that last one was a lie.

The play on the field has been tweaked this year as well. The folks at EA realized that each of the controllers for the current generation of systems had a right analog stick, and decided that they should maybe use it, and they have. Prior to the play, the stick is used to direct your offense. During a play, the quarterback can use it to guide his receivers to open spots while scrambling, and while running you can bring your teammates over to pick up blocks. Defensively, the Playmaker Control, as it's called, can bring your teammates over to the ball carrier to tackle him like the little girl that he is.

Have you ever felt slighted and unloved because your favorite player's character model lacked his trademark tattoo or dreadlocks in previous Madden years? Well, it's time to smile again, buckaroo, as EA has heard your cries, and has paid a lot more attention to little subtleties like that this time around. Prepare to giggle in delight as you catch that very first 2004 pass with Randy Moss, and revel in the fact that he's all there, "Snoopy" tattoo and all.

Some of the biggest improvements in the game have been made to the online play. EA has revamped its entire online sports strategy by adding in things like EA SPORTS Talk, which allows for voice chat through a USB headset, and adding online leagues and tournaments. Just remember, when you have voice chat on, the other guy can hear everything, so make sure mom doesn't come down to tell you to come to dinner and please, try not to cry. You'll also have a buddy list that will let you keep track of the people who don't disconnect on you and the people you know you can beat.

As you can see, most of the news regarding EA's online plans is good news. However, if you're a fan of Madden games and are reading this preview with a 56k connection, prepare to hate life. Madden 2004's online play only supports broadband, which is bad news for the five or six of you who still don't have it.

Again, most fans are probably going to be getting Madden NFL 2004 already, but for those of you who just aren't sure yet, a quick review, and a couple more points.

Key Features

• New player accuracy details, including tattoos, dreadlocks, and four new helmet styles
• New animations and enhancements, like new catching and tacking animations, as well as sideline wrap tackles and pushing the other player out of bounds
• Online play featuring EA SPORTS Talk, tournaments, and leagues
• More accurate playbooks from each of the league's 32 teams
• Owner Mode lets you set ticket prices, build stadiums, and develop players
• Playmaker Control allows you to direct your teammates on offense and defense to pick up tackles and blocks or to find an open spot downfield
• John Madden, waxing philosophical
• Call plays one after the other, letting your team stay on the field and keep the momentum going
• EA SPORTS Bio: Memory card based tracking/rating system recognizes and rewards gamers for playing multiple EA SPORTS titles

The developers seem to have listened to what their fans want, and they promise to provide a more intense, in-depth experience in this Madden year. Stay tuned in to The Next Level, as we'll have more on this title and other EA Sports titles in the coming months.

  
 

· · · AFX