I currently have FOF4 and am extremely happy with it ,except for the lack of expansion teams :( I really need a big reason to upgrade to FOF 2004 such as bringing back expansion teams.

I am really leaning toward Madden 2004 except I heard there is a limit to how many seasons you can play in dynasty mode.

And Jim if you read this and you are planning a sequel to the college years ... it would be cool to see teams getting invitations to join other conferences and I would like to see some division 1-AA opponents.

This is an apples or oranges choice Mdog.

Madden: you get to press the button to have your QB throw the game winning TD.

FOF2K4: you get to carefully craft the team and strategies that will be going into that game winning TD.

Exactly, two different beasts.

One is a text sim and one is a graphical button masher, unless you choose coach mode, which I've read isn't too bad, but nothing stat wise vs FOF 2004.

I have FOF4, but will be getting 2004 just for the fact I can see tiny little helmets! (just kidding) There is a wealth of enhancements to warrant the purchase, imo. Just read some of the messages here.


Todd

If you're primarily interested in Madden's franchise mode, it is decent, but FOF2004 (and TPF for that matter) blow it away. Madden is not made to have the depth of stat tracking, etc. of a text sim. For example, in Madden, you can't even see what round a guy was drafted in...

Originally posted by SkyDog
For example, in Madden, you can't even see what round a guy was drafted in...

Actually, you can. :)

Originally posted by Kodos
Actually, you can. :) Where?

I have Madden 2004 for the PS2, so things may differ in other versions. If you hit the player information button, and then tab over to the attribute screen, it shows how a player was acquired. For instance, in my Dolphins dynasty, it tells me I drafted Cedric Benson with pick 18 of round 2 of the 2004 draft. It will also tell you who you acquired in a trade, from who, and when. If you go to the awards tab, it also tracks how many times a player has been league MVP, how many pro bowl selections they have, and how many times they have been OPY/DPY. It also shows how a player's contract breaks down over the length of the contract.

Obviously, FOF still kills it for stats, but Madden is making nice strides in this area for a console game.

I find that Madden has more stat tracking abilities than most people give credit for. I also find that Madden seems to do a damn good job at maintaining a career for those of us that don't require everything plus the bag of chips to be included. For what Madden may miss out in stats and history tracking it certain makes up for in various other attributes.

Just my opinion however and not meant as a side-by-side comparison since both offer something different in the long run and it really depends on what you are looking for. Also, take it for what it’s worth coming from someone who used to hate Madden until last years version when I was simply blown away with how far they have come in the series. They have impressed me enough to secure another customer for at least the next couple of year’s dependant on where they go from here.

Madden strength = graphics.
That is it. AI is awful, and I stopped buying Madden after 10 years straight of doing so when I watched an illegal shift go uncalled. Stupid.
Looked good though.

Actually the AI is the best ai there has ever been in any football game this year. Much much improved over any previous years version. I have both. I'd recommend both.

Originally posted by cody8200
Actually the AI is the best ai there has ever been in any football game this year. Much much improved over any previous years version. I have both. I'd recommend both.

just because it's the best AI (according to you) doesn't mean it still can't suck

While on this subject maybe somebody can help me.

I was thinking of buying a madden-type game for the PC (no consoles) as a gift for my brother. I remember someome also mentioned ESPN Football a while back (don't remember the exact name)

Can somebody familiar with these types of games tell me:

1. Do they have a "coaches mode" where you can call the plays but do not have to do any joystick jockeying?

2. Which one is better for the "coach only" type of player who wants to call plays and watch the computer execute them?

3, Have they been patched yet to take care of major problems?

Thanks for the help.

p.s., he's tried but is not into text sims.

ESPN football is only for the console. BTW MCsweeny, its not according to me but nearly every gaming magazine and website in the country. Youve probably never even played the pc version anyway. The ai is good. It does not suck if you put it on all madden. It's hard to win, but not impossible.

I have Madden 2004 and play Coach Mode.. it's ok.

But it aint great. The slider settings will never quite get you where you want to be. The "replay" challenges are a joke.. it doesn't matter what you think you see.

It looks great though.

But so far Madden is still an "almost, but not quite" as far as sims go.

Now if you want to actually play the thing, it is pretty dang good. But I'm too old for all that button pressing now.

Originally posted by Sidhe
I have Madden 2004 and play Coach Mode.. it's ok.

But it aint great. The slider settings will never quite get you where you want to be. The "replay" challenges are a joke.. it doesn't matter what you think you see.

It looks great though.

But so far Madden is still an "almost, but not quite" as far as sims go.

Now if you want to actually play the thing, it is pretty dang good. But I'm too old for all that button pressing now.

Challenges work fine as long as you understand what you think you saw isn't always what the cameras saw.

Buy ESPN NFL Football instead of Madden.

Originally posted by Raiders Army
Buy ESPN NFL Football instead of Madden.

someone said espn was console only. I need it for the pc.

Last I heard, Madden was a 30 year limit in career mode. I've already simmed through a 25+ season in FOF and I'm just testing things out.

If it has went up, good for them. :)

TroyF

Originally posted by TroyF
Last I heard, Madden was a 30 year limit in career mode. I've already simmed through a 25+ season in FOF and I'm just testing things out.

If it has went up, good for them. :)

TroyF

Nope....the 30 season limit is still intact. Go EA!!! :rolleyes:

Good god. Most people who play Madden actually play the games, not sim them. And for that, 30 years is just fine. If you're going to sim only, for god's sake, get FOF. If you like to actually play, get Madden or ESPN. Both are good, although ESPN's franchise mode isn't as good as Maddens.

Originally posted by Kodos
Good god. Most people who play Madden actually play the games, not sim them. And for that, 30 years is just fine. If you're going to sim only, for god's sake, get FOF. If you like to actually play, get Madden or ESPN. Both are good, although ESPN's franchise mode isn't as good as Maddens.

When I purchased NCAA this year, I really wanted to play more. I found myself wanting to sim through seasons.

The only game that caused me to want to actually mash some buttons was ESPN, and even that will be put aside now that FOF and CM are here. (not to mention TPF and EHM this winter)

TroyF

I'm guessing when PS3 / Xbox2 come around, you will get the option for more seasons. Or, if we're lucky, after the hard drive comes out for PS2 (aka, next year).