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Madden NFL 2001 Review
Erik Crawford
00/12/0000
Being a huge fan of football, I have to get a new gridiron game every year.
Console launch football games seem to have been particularly good to me, as they have shown more little details with every new generation of hardware. Just like GameDay (Ed.'s note: GameDay actually came out a bit after launch) and NFL2K before it, Madden 2001 is another launch game that has furthered my expectations of the representation of interactive football.This year must be an especially good one for EA, as their prized franchise was not left in cold, avoiding the fate it had with the launch of the PSOne. Tiburon, the developer, has done an exceptional job in creating the most realistic football game ever. However, for those used to playing videogame football, this realism might inhibit enjoyment, rather than enhance it.
Visually, the game is most impressive, even eclipsing NFL2k1, but not by the generational leap some might be expecting. The faces of players will show emotion, such as a quarterback grimacing after an interception, or a smiling after a TD. The âhuskierâ players have rolls of fat, instead of just being generally wider. Grass fields will begin to show wear and tear, and grass and dirt will even end up in facemasks. The crowd moves in the distance, drawing you further into the experience of the NFL. You can even run over the refs or the chain gang. During cold weather, players will even warm themselves with space heaters. The replays are closer to bridging the gap between broadcast and polygons than ever before. Since the animations are calculated on the fly, movements look less scripted than 2K1, resulting in smoother, more natural interaction, including gang-tackling.The gameplay is entirely realistic, which is a plus in my book, but if youâre looking for the same pace and feel of previous Maddens, as well as 2K1, you wonât find it here. EA opted to emulate the feel of real football, something that hasnât been attempted this faithfully before. That means that players canât make 90-degree cuts at top speed, or change direction without slowing down to plant their feet. Even though the control is very responsive, this has given many players the feeling of less control.The running game is best I have ever played- linemen actually open up holes, driving with their feet, only to have an able middle linebacker plug it, forcing you to find a cutback lane. And you have to mix up your calls, or the defense will react and start stuffing your back for losses. Juking and spinning moves make great use of the analog buttons- a small tap will give a little shake, while pressing hard will result in a full sidestep. Passing is also well done, featuring the analog buttons in a very intuitive fashion. Press a receiverâs icon button lightly, and the quarterback will lob, but press hard and he will throw a bullet. You can also throw either based on the receiverâs pattern (where they should be), or where they actually are, which is a really thoughtful addition that ends up being much easier than Sonyâs ill-conceived Total Control Passing.The sound is a mixed bag. The sound effects are awesome, with big hits being more pronounced, trash talking from players and coaches, cool stadium music, and a stadium announcer with some humorous quips. The crowd also reacts well, and sounds more dynamic than other football games. Madden and Summerall seem like nice enough guys, but their commentary is severely lacking and repetitive. While it really doesnât detract from the game, it deserves an overhaul to be associated with an otherwise stellar game.Madden also comes with loads of extras. There is a plethora of teams to choose from initially, with many additional ones hidden. Stats are tracked with incredible detail, including yards after contact and broken tackles. Awards, both weekly and yearly, include everything from league MVPs to coaches; of course, there is always the All-Madden team. You can earn tokens by playing against the computer to buy Madden cards. These little treasures can do anything from boosting a playerâs abilities to unlocking secret cheats, teams, and stadiums. This feature alone adds to the incentive and replay value greatly.
Comments
This game is near perfect, but there are some rather noticeable glitches. While the graphics are better than other football games, there is some slow-down during random replays, and players will clip, going through each otherâs limbs. And one time, the football went through my cornerback, allowing the receiver to score. It should be noted, however, that I had played over 50 games before seeing that bizarre occurrence, so it is by no means a frequent problem. A problem that occurs more often involves defensive players slowing down when you switch to them. I still canât figure out when and why they do so, as it appears to be a random process.But the true measure of Maddenâs prowess will be subject to personal preferences. If a more methodically paced, realistic game is what youâre after, then this is your game. But if you prefer more lenient physics and control, not to mention online play, then NFL2K1 is your best bet. Either way this is the best year to be a videogame football fan, and hopefully an indication of things to come
