Madden 12 vs. 2k5 - A Dethroning at Last? - vln13's Blog

vln13's Blog

Madden 12 vs. 2k5 - A Dethroning at Last?

Posted on August 27, 2011 at 04:50 AM.

(33)

For years, despite Madden's graphics dating 2k's old-gen look to the level of paleolithic pixel-fossil since the leap to current consoles, NFL 2k5 has been a masterpiece arguably never toppled by Madden. A devout community updates rosters every year with detail that Donny Moore should be paying attention to, and gamers take their teams through a 2004 franchise mode. It is undeniable that this game was a landmark achievement, and even if Madden was able to put it almost fully to rest this year, there is still a 7 year gap which is staggering - try comparing NBA 2k5 to NBA 2k11: Stick figures next to a Michalangelian creation. NFL 2k5 still feels very real.

Nonetheless, here is my opinion on what areas Madden 12 has put 2k5 to rest:

1. Camera Angles - The ESPN integration in 2k5 was great but was all animated shots which were the same in every stadium. With the D-Cam technology, CBS insider tips, and blimp shots, Madden 12 gives a look more true to broadcasts today. Hey, maybe real broadcasts have also upgraded in 7 years. Madden's broadcast angle also looks as good or better than 2k5 but with the gripe that they follow the ball in the air on kicks, wheras 2k's was more authentic and followed the field under the ball.

LT is having visions of his future: Madden 12 and playing for the JETS

2. Player Models - For years, the player models in Madden looked like cross-dressing ballerinas. The beefed up pads, enlarged and greater detailed helmets, and recognizable player builds all seem spiritual descendants of 2k5's graphics but look sharp in the next gen. With the addition of some great (and some not so great) head scans, your favorite stars are very recognizable.

3. Game speed - 2k seemed to find the perfect balance between animations which looked fast enough to be running near actual NFL game speed while giving you the feeling of weight. This year at slower game speed Madden seems to finally feel as realistic in decision making and weightiness. Personally, I prefer playing at the more speed authentic Very Fast setting, which does result in some ice skating, but I compensate for it by reducing the Minimum Speed Threshold.

4. Ball physics - Not saying they look perfect, but Madden changed their ball physics, throwing animations, and pylon physics to reflect NFL 2k5.

5. Running Game - Madden seems to have really continued the success in running the ball introduced in the last two iterations. Now, particularly on inside runs, there is a satisfaction of breaking tackles and performing moves with more weight that NFL 2k5 had.

6. Tackling - Tackling looks really beefed up in Madden. 2k had some smoother animations, particularly with dive/wrap tackles, but the feeling of crispness that came with removing most of suction gives it a feeling which I can only describe as "tight" which I prefer to NFL 2k's more "rounded" feeling.

7. Defensive Game - Madden 05 was supposed to be the defensive game, but compared to Maddens on this gen, 2k5 had a really beefed up defense that I think Madden 12 is similar in creating.

8. Franchise Mode - I am only the preseason and 2 games through my Franchise Mode, so my experience is not yet complete, but I can say the only franchise modes in which I had this much fun were Madden 05 (obviously similar in some ways) and MLB 09 The Show. I wish there were more elements of story/studio show elements, but the depth here, with the ability to practice with your team and tweak your playbook and the feeling that players are really changing week to week, is killer. NFL 2k5 never had the best franchise mode aside from the Sportscenter show.

9. Online - The biggest reason to play Madden 12 over anything is the human competition. Computer AI can never give you a totally lifelike experience in the unpredictability department. Pick up Madden and join a community, and this will be yours.

Overall, I like how this year Madden restored a lot of touches from 2k5 and Madden 05 which obviously went straight over the heads of most reviewers' takes. There are still some departments in which 2k has great touches which Madden does not have, such as the studio shows and great commentary engine, and their animations still tend to run smoother, but there is definitely a real reason to believe that Madden is at least an equal game of football. And that is saying something.

Comments

# 1 Eski33 @ Aug 27

Good analysis. I loved 2K5 but I feel that most people remember 2K more for its presentation package than gameplay. The Crib has never been matched and one of 2K's best features. And SportsCenter highlights have sadly not been replicated. I would also like to mention that 2K's fictitious commentary team is still the best in any football game.

With that, Madden 12 does a lot right. This is the most fun I have had with Madden in a long time. The atmosphere, cut scenes, and gameplay are incredible.

# 2 Bull_Dozer @ Aug 27

I still think 2k5's core gameplay is better. Madden 12 is shiny and pretty on the surface, but at its heart still seems lacking.

# 3 noda11 @ Aug 27

I wish I could take madden's franchise mode and roster and put them in all pro football. It's still the best playing football game of this gen.

# 4 vln13 @ Aug 27

All Pro Football does not feel as good to me as NFL 2k5. I think old gen might actually have been able to produce better football games easier (it is true that all games needed more resources with the jump to next gen but I think football might have benefited the most from old consoles). Madden and 2k have always had different strengths, but the reason I wrote what I did was that I feel like now Madden is starting to look into what were its gameplay weaknesses and fix it. Starting to...

# 5 don28 @ Aug 27

Good blog. I am one of those who was still holding a candle for 2K5, but bought Madden 10 (liked it before the running back hitch patch) and skipped out on Madden 11. Madden 12 brought me back in, and I agree with you that it is ready to take the crown.

# 6 the croz 1027 @ Aug 27

Its weird , I am usually not negative towards games but I am so underwhelmed by MAdden 12 that it blows my mind when I see people praising it. Honestly I see this game as a step back and not even close to the modern equivalent 2K5. I played my first game using my season pass early release and half way thru the first game noticed so many basic mistakes in the game that I started to write them down. Whether it was putting up a stat showing 150% red Zone percentage (cmon guys this is impossible)or awarding the punt team the ball at the two yard line when the ball ricocheted off their team and into the endzone. I caused an obvious safety and the announcer even called it a safety but the other team got the ball back at the 20 and even with a challenge it says ruling upheld. Not to mention All MAdden difficulty should be hard to play because the computer is good but instead EA takes the easy way out as usual and makes the CPU play superhuman while making your players drop easy passes, etc. Cmon guys,please expect more of your sport games because if we keep praising rubbish thats what we will always get.

# 7 vln13 @ Aug 27

Croz, I don't blame you for feeling that way with all of those glitches, but I haven't experienced anything that extreme. I am not saying M12 is perfect, but 2k5 had some weird stuff too (just not a lot of it.)

# 8 the croz 1027 @ Aug 27

Thanks Vin. I obviously had hopes for this years Madden if I got the season pass primarily for it and am still am excited for Ultimate Team mode but unfortunately I wasn't even looking for these glitches, they just popped up in game 1. So far I like Madden 11 more because it didn't have such glaring basic programming issues. Hopefully they will be able to patch some of those things out.

# 9 the croz 1027 @ Aug 27

Vin. I am also gonna give the game a try at the slow speed you recommended and see how that feels. Good write up, even if I am not in agreement with the main point.

# 10 mirrored32 @ Aug 27

good write up. never played 2k5. always been a Maddenite. With that said, i did see the presentation of 2k5 and was left slack jawed. Madden still has a ways to go in this area, but Madden I think is definitely prime to finally get back to where it should be as of last generation.

# 11 BRxSKINSx @ Aug 28

Madden 12....I'm not into it at all. If 2k was still making football, Madden would've either stepped their game up (which they should do anyways) or suffered the same fate as NBA Live or Elite whichever it is.....EA killing wit FIFA and NHL....why can't they get it right with Madden and Live/Elite....?

# 12 first_playa419 @ Aug 28

NFL 2k was better thn madden period

# 13 carnalnirvana @ Aug 28

nice write up, i will agree madden does some things but i disagree with most of these .

i believe madden has always had a better franchise in general, but i dont believe madden has surpassed 2k in any gameplay element and 2k had many flaws.

and while i liked madden models on ps2 they were always short and pint sized and that continues in 12.

i liked the taller models in 2k, you could actually throw a fade/high passes

# 14 bigsmallwood @ Aug 28

2K5 is still better on the field in nearly every regard...Madden 12 only looks pretty.

# 15 cgalligan @ Aug 29

2k5 STILL has the GAMEPLAY FUNDAMENTALS down compared to Madden... I can't even go into the list of things 2k5 still did better than Madden to this day... One major one, that the Madden team STILL can't seem to get right is a TRUE, ROUTE BASED PASSING Mechanic... Its unreal to me that they can't figure this out yet, and we're still dealing with ball trajectory issues (ball being thrown too low).

At this point, NFL 2k5 is a novelty, it will be the game we talk about with our kids, like Techmo Bowl was... Its quality, for its time, will never be matched... Oh yeah, and all for $20 bucks