As Real As it Gets

Author's Rating:

Pros: Fast & Smooth real life football

Cons: Leslie Vissar on the sidelines

Author's Review
We were there at Midnight to pick up our new Playstation 2. There has been so much hype over this new gaming system that we could not wait to try it out. We were home and hooked up within an hour. The first game we bought was, of course, EA Sports Madden 2001 NFL Football.

If you like football games then I say this is a must own. This game far exceeds anything else out there, including the Dreamcast. I only say that because there is certain to be loyalist to other gaming consoles that will not be honest about what the PS2 has done.

Key Features:

*every All-Madden team since 1984
*Madden Cards to unlock hidden teams & players
*Player models are height and weight proportional
*All NFL coaches are in the game and on the sidelines
*Highly detailed player models

The game is so life-like in every detail. The detail is so encompassing, in fact, that you'll see individual face masks, just like the ones the real players use. That means no more one size fits all face mask and helmet. In addition, the wristbands, turf tape, visors, and elbow pads have all individually been keyed to players, so that what you see on T.V. on Sunday is what you see in the game...If it's in the game, It's in the game.

There are some not so subtle differences between PS2 Madden football and other football games. To put that into perspective, imagine this. They put as many polygons in the football (just the ball) in Madden 2001, as they put into an entire frame of football on PSX (original playstation.) The level of detail is so awesome that you can see the smallest of details, like the manufacturers logo on the uniform. On the PSX the QB throw animation was 5 frames, compared to 60 on the PS2.

The gameplay itself is unique, as it is just like a real football game. When it is time to pick your plays you go into a huddle and you can see the huddle. You can ask the coach for advice, and the coach, who is on the sidelines will give you suggestions. Every NFL coach and their likeness, and their voice is in the game. When you make a close sideline play, sometimes, you will see your player crush the camera man. When the official throws a flag, your guy just might run up there and argue with him.

Most football games have the major aspects of the game down. Passing, running, penalties, play-by-play announcers, are all common in most football games. Where Madden 2001 succeeds is in the minor details. It's the things you don't expect like when the referee is announcing the penalty and you can't hear him, so he stops and checks his microphone and announces it again. It's when Kordell Stewart throws a deep ball that hits the receiver in the hands and he drops it, and Kordell has a grimace on his face. I am not kidding, these players show real emotion. It's players complaining of not getting the calls, and some players even show boating a little. It is so smooth and real, that it is like being there.

Just one last thing, and probably the funniest. For you true football fans you will understand this more than others. I was playing with my brother, I was Tampa Bay, my bro was St. Louis. I kept trying to throw to Keyshawn Johnson the whole game and he dropped half my passes, and didn't catch one. Near the end of the game, which my brother was handily winning, I threw a 15 yard post to Keyshawn Johnson which he caught. Immediately Keyshawn jumps up, after the tackle, and cried out, " I am the man, you can't stop me." It was so real that me and my bro laughed for 5 minutes.

Get the PS2, and get Madden 2001. I am sure you will love it. I have not even begun to scratch the surface of how cool it is, and I would love to write more, but, there it is sitting right over there. It is calling to me...I can hear it...Man, I gotta go!