Madden NFL 2005 [PS2]

Looking at the Madden franchise in its 15th year -- certainly a record of some sort -- you'd be forgiven for thinking that this 2005 edition was a light upgrade over last year. In many respects, that's true. The franchise mode is largely the same one we loved before, the graphics are solidly impressive if not flashy, and the online game is still unparalleled. That said, the casual fan might be tempted to switch teams and drop $20 on rival ESPN NFL 2005. They'd be wrong. Madden 2005 is a remarkable leap forward for the franchise, and the most realistic football game we've played.

Not to knock ESPN, which is a solid package that's rapidly gaining ground, but EA Sports' decision to focus on defense this year impacts every play in Madden and sets it far apart from the competition. This imperative has already made a mark on NCAA College Football, and could improve EA's other titles this year as well. For the first time, Madden implements a realistic, versatile, hard-hitting defensive game that will pin you to the chair like a 300lb tackle.

The most obvious implementation of the new defensive ethos is called the "hit stick." It's a tweaked version of the right stick control that EA's been developing over the past few years, but this time, they really nailed the mechanic. Big hits are incredibly simple: While playing defense, tap the stick towards an opponent to lay the guy out with a spine-shattering hit. The actual move you'll see is context-sensitive, but the real key is timing. Lean on the stick at the proper moment, and the ball is dead as a rock. But dive too soon or a little late, and the carrier will be shaking tail feathers down to the end zone. It's fun to watch, and a tremendous advantage to anyone with the patience to master the moves.

The hit stick is the most obvious upgrade, but it's a good representation of Madden's new line of thinking. The detail and precision with which big hits work affects all the new features in the game. With the hit stick, you'll find players interacting realistically: Small tackles are scrubbed off by big running backs, whereas a reverse pairing creates a move worthy of the highlight reel. And the all-important timing represents the type of strategic choices players will see often in 2005. Should you risk the move with a mismatched tackle if there's a chance other defenders can help out? Or is a more traditional wrap the way to drag the carrier to the ground?

More impressive for the hardcore player is the implementation of new defensive hot routes. Last year saw the addition of offensive hot routes, which allowed changes to player assignments on the line. Now the defense gets the same ability, and it makes a huge difference. Before the snap, select any player and tap the right stick to reassign his coverage. Press individual players, send a lithe defender straight at the quarterback, or tweak zone coverage at the last minute. This makes everything highly configurable, and a stellar new AI ensures that called routes are followed smartly. Smart players can now shut down classic money plays at the line, forcing human and computer controlled players into more realistic play calling.

Franchise mode also has a host of new improvements to deepen the managerial experience. Hear player and coach interviews on EA Sports Radio and track player morale through sports reporting in the press. Players (and their agents, sadly) have a bigger voice through the morale system, which figures each player's mood based on time on the field, public perception, and player rating. Trades take on new importance when they impact team morale in the locker room and on the field. The same goes for the draft, and new scouting options make the draft process more realistic.

The one area in which Madden loses out to ESPN is presentation and graphics. Though the game is more visually streamlined this year (with the biggest improvements to the PDA used to deliver info in franchise mode), it's still not a patch on the licensed overlays of ESPN. Similarly, the player models show improvement from last year, but the rival crew at Visual Concepts is still pumping out better images. That's not to say that Madden isn't a fine-looking game, and tweaks to stadiums and the editing of close-ups and cutaways helps a lot with presentation. But competition is stiff, and it's hard to dominate on all fronts.

On the other hand, Madden's animations are a huge improvement over last year's, with a notable increase in realism. Hits look spectacular from any angle, with contact between players carrying enough weight to powder the controller. Running is smoother, and the little player adjustments on the line make the game come to life. Hit stick moves are mighty impressive, with ball carriers folding like paper when taken at the right angle, and helmets bouncing off the ground hard enough to induce concussions.

The Xbox is now online alongside the PS2 release, which is a huge boon for those who like to play online. The pool of competition has been greatly enhanced by bringing Microsoft online, and Madden is poised to take advantage of the situation with EA's new Premium Pass service. Added to the feature set at the last moment, the service has yet to launch, but is promising league play with specialized tournaments and leaderboards. And a spiffy new feedback system will highlight players that don't always play according to the international laws of fair play.

With Madden and ESPN sitting next to one another on the shelf, the $30 discrepancy might seem like a hurdle. But the defensive additions to this game propel it far ahead of the solid play and sleek presentation of the competition. Madden NFL 2005 is simply a stellar game, and one of the most compelling sporting releases to hit consoles this year.