How Does ESPN NFL 2K5 Compare To The “Other” Football Video Game?

In the two weeks of this series so far (part I, part II), ESPN has jumped out to an early 2–0 lead. Can Madden make a comeback in the following weeks or will ESPN go for the sweep?

This week's comparison brings us to the debate on graphics. Coming off last week's in-depth comparison of the controls and gameplay makes this week's comparison feel simplistic. Now, comparing a game that came out almost four years ago to a game that came out just last year is not a hard comparison to make because technology has advanced. So Madden is the clear cut winner in this category, right?

Both games do a relatively decent job in capturing the player models that they attempt to model. However, ESPN's models are on the skinny side, while Madden goes towards more of a "steroidy" type player. Neither of these styles really detract from the experience.

Players are always wearing helmets in football so it's really hard to tell how the faces look when compared to their real-life counterparts. When you do catch glimpses in the games though, ESPN's faces tend to look pretty solid, especially when you consider that they've been seemingly plastered on (technology constraints). In Madden though it seems the faces have been fully regenerated.

When the game is in motion the models on the field run very smooth in both games, but slightly smoother in Madden as there is not a hitch in the frame rate. When bigger piles start to form in ESPN, a little bit of slowdown occurs which could cause some gripes.

However, in ESPN they have beautiful sidelines with the real player models depicted, as opposed to just fake robots in Madden.

Each game has its problems and strengths in this area, but they both do what they are supposed to do: look like an 11-on-11 football game.

This was really close, so I have to say this round ends in a tie. But for a game like ESPN to even really compete in this category is saying something.

At the time ESPN had beautiful stadium views and the grass was spectacular. But now on these new systems, the game just doesn't compare favorably. In Madden, the field and stadiums look perfect in HD and are replicated very well. The field gets worn down in real-time and the lighting on the stadiums works wonders.

It's hard to really even compare these two games in this category, especially with the gap of time between them. This one goes to Madden.

To say ESPN NFL 2K5 was a beautiful game is an understatement. Breathtaking would be a better word to describe it. But this isn't 2004 anymore. Madden '08 (while taking a small step back to achieve 60 FPS) pushes the envelope even further to achieve perfect football emulation. From the models to the field, Madden is better overall (and should be) graphically than ESPN and there's no doubt about it. Yes, people can nitpick certain things that Madden does, or that ESPN does better but one would be living in a cloud of denial if they believe ESPN is graphically superior.

Join us next week for the Presentation and Sound comparison, and to see if Madden can even up the score at 2–2!

Madden NFL 08 Screenshot

NFL 2k5 Screenshot