This is the first football based game I've ever bought for my PS2 and I must say that I'm very impressed. The graphics are incredible and it's easy to think you're watching the real thing. The player movements are very realistic right down to endzone celebrations which you can customize for your team from a vast list of celebrations. The game play is easy to get used to and once you get used to them you can juke, spin, and stiff-arm your way down the field. What I really like is that while you are running, when you want to change direction your player just doesn't make a seamless move the other way. He stops and re-adjusts his footing to go the other way. Again, another realistic feature. Put all of this together with week to week game preparation and get ready for the closest thing to the real thing!
Also in this game you can own your own franchise right down to drafting and training camp. You can sign free agents, cut players, and renegotiate contracts all complete with a salary cap so you can't just throw money around for the best players. You can even make trades with other teams, attend the scouting combine, and even have a round-by-round draft. To get ready for the draft, you can listen to ESPN's Mel Kuiper as he gives us his rundown of the college prospects.
Other features include first person game play which puts you right into a players helmet. This feature is just OK and can get somewhat confusing because it always switches you to the ball carrier. The 25th Anniversary section allows you to play in certain historical games such as the infamous "Heidi Bowl", the "Immaculate Reception", "The Drive", as well as the most recent "4th & 26" game from last seasons playoff game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers. It's very easy to spend hours upon hours and not realizing you've spent all of this time playing a game.
All the while you play you build up your "Crib Points" so you can buy cool stuff for your, well, Crib. From bar stools and rugs to home theaters to dart boards you can use your points to purchase all kind of cool stuff. The Crib section is also where you get challenged by such stars as Jamie Kennedy, Carmen Electra, and Steve-O to go up against their team of all-stars. Don't worry because you can create a team of pro-bowl players yourself so you can play on an even field.
The only negatives I've found were the endless banter from the commentators which seem to be somewhere else than the game you are playing. It's a minor distraction that is tolerable. Also, as much as I like the idea that you can challenge a call, the system tends to be one sided to the point that if your opponent challenges a call on the field it's almost a sure bet it's going to go against you. Again, a minor thing to deal with and challenges don't happen that often but it does get somewhat annoying at times. Other than those things I really can't find anything wrong with this game. Couple that with it's $19.99 price tag and you've got a real bargain for a great game! Trust me, after you've played this version of an NFL game, you too will be saying "Madden, who?"
