Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lucky 13?, 10 Oct 2002
Madden NFL 2003 is the 13th (count 'em) incarnation of the series across various platforms. I'd bought the first on the Megadrive way back when and hadn't revisited the series since, so I was curious as to the advancements made. It's come on a ways since then!The format of the game is still familiar, if you're on offence you pick your attacking formation, snap the ball to the quarterback and pick which player you pass or throw to. Again as defence you attempt to pick a counter-formation to stop the offence making any ground. The options and detail, however, are just mind boggling. You get the option of half a dozen formations for starters, which can in turn be reversed left to right. Then, for each formation you can pick around 9 different types of attack, which in turn can be changed once the field is set by use of the 'audible' function. The same applies to the defence. There are several different playing modes such as tournament, franchise, (where you take control of a team for 30 YEARS!!)practise modes and even a football 101 where each formation and play is explained and then you try to repeat it. There are options for creating players, whole teams, and even the coach! In short, the game gives you so many options that those of you who like American Football are going to love this game. Those of you who don't know anything about the NFL will grow to love this game. Those of you who don't like American Football... well you're probably rugby players!
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Tries very hard to please U.K gamers., 3 Jan 2003
Madden NFL has always been EA's pinnacle sports title, and every year they find some way to improve on the renowned series. Boasting online hookups this time around, Madden 2003 may just be the best the series has ever seen.
At a glance, Madden 2003 looks quite similar to last year's; however, EA has made some improvements here and there. For starters, fingers will now be animated and actually interact with the action, so passes -- and especially replays -- now look more accurate, as players will use their fingers when catching passes. Their fingers will also move around during celebrations. Furthermore, the grasses and turfs of the various fields have received improvements, making their textures more sharp. Roughly 300 different player faces will also be in '03 to help expand the variation and lessen the monotony.
The Franchise mode has been improved even more so in this year's outing. Now players can opt to play with their Franchise team during regular exhibition games, whether it be against your friend or a computer-controlled opponent. Pre-season will also be a lot more critical to your franchise now, as you can scout rookies and other future stars. Of course, this aspect of the game requires scouting points, so operate conservatively.
In addition to the massive Franchise mode, you can also participate in numerous mini-games and the such. In Mini-camp, you'll venture across the United States, stopping in various football-team cities -- Dallas, Detroit, Denver. The game of football is very multi-faceted, and each city you stop at will focus on one particular aspect of the game of football.
For instance, once you stop at Denver, you'll be given a passing drill with Brian Griese as your operating man. Passing to the numerous receivers on the field isn't such a hard task. Couple that with the fact that you have to throw the ball through small hoops before it can reach the receiver, though, and you'll then have an arduous, yet addicting, objective. There are a plethora of other drills, too, working on both offensive and defensive skills. Soon enough, the whole game will be your forte.
The aural side of the Madden series has always been its biggest downfall. EA knows this too, which is why they've spent a rather long time augmenting this aspect. With Madden and Michaels bringing you the action from above, Electronic Arts promises a better overall color-commentary. All to often, the announcers will just simply spit out short, redundant phrases when keyed in by a specific play or action, although the team of Madden and Michaels won't do anything of the like. Not only will they talk about various statistics and plays that have transpired, they'll also present the whole game in an organized, humorous way.
The online features are right on track thus far and have yet to show any major glitches or anything to impede play. In addition to just playing, players can also talk to each other -- whether it be trash talk or just conversation -- via a chat box. Easily EA's most prized Franchise, Madden is shaping up just fine for you football maniacs( very rare to get in the U.K). Fans of the series should have a lot to look forward to when Madden 2003's released.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must for any sports fan, 31 Jan 2003
This game is absolutly amazing. If EA put the attention to detail into Fifa that they do in Madden then people would realise the greatness of EA.
I really love American football and thus know all the rules, however if you don't know the rules then the game does alot about that. Firstly there is the Football 101 feature which teaches you al about the formations and plays and makes all the X's and O's make sense. Even the commentery during the game helps you pick the right play and gives you tactical advise. If you are a fan of the sport already then this won't annoy you as much as it should becasue the commentary still sounds realistic and just like on the TV.
The Francise mode is fantastic, it lets you take over the running of any NFL team including contracts signing players and rookie scouting. This means that after a few years the team feels more and more personalised as you sign players to fit in with your style of offence and defence. Nothing is more satisfying than signing a rookie and taking them to the pro bowl in their rookie year.
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