LaughingTarget's Full Review: Madden NFL 2002 for PlayStation 2
For those who remember, I was one of the few people to simply just slam Madden 2001 like there was no tomorrow. For good reason, too. The game had the most hideous AI, gameplay, and options for something that had so much potential. Well, EA turned around and REALLY gave the game a huge push with the 2002 version.
My, no more zombie eyes!
The graphics were ramped up seriously. Gone are the creepy zombie eyes. Gone are the expressionless faces. Gone are the rubber skinned players. Gone are the majority of the clipping problems. The graphics have been cleaned up considerably. Players are more detailed. Uniforms and helmets look crisper (though I still don't see them getting dirty like Rugby does). All in all, its a massive improvement over last year's visual appeal.
Instant replays are also equally impressive. They show a higher level of detail close up, and the ball is even more detailed. I have to say, EA did a good job getting the PS2 to work for them. Still, its scary that its rumored that the GameCube and XBox versions are going to look even better. Yikes!
Football is about gameplay.
I am one of those guys that just detests the game of football. Simply put, if I enjoy a video game about football, it has to be one of the best available. Madden 2002 has stuff that I like. Gameplay is much crisper this time around. Players move better, aren't tossed around as easily as the last game, and Madden 2002 is not plagued by the myriad of slowdowns evident in 2001. I will go into more detail in broken down sections.
A.I. is a high school grad now!
The A.I. has been ramped up now. No longer is it just plain easy to blow through teams with just the Titans or Rams or one of the other top teams. No longer is it just pitifully easy or insanely hard. The A.I. has been better tempered and tweaked. Still, it needs to be tweaked just a little more. Easy mode is still a bit easy, having just had a 80-7 game before writing this. Pro mode, step up from the easiest one, is better, but could use a bit more work. The top two are just fine. Also, the opposing team is much too perfect. My team is always getting called on penalties, off sides, facemasks, holding, etc. I have easily had 10 times more penalties, regardless of team, than the opposition. That is not right. Pass defense for the opposition is still a bit too strong while mine is still a bit too weak.
Clipping is better.
If the lineman is fat, he takes up that much space. Not like 2001, where it seemed like each lineman had the same inner model, 2002 actually bumps into the visual border, regardless of size. I no longer just run "through" the fat guys on my way to the endzone or opposing QB. The clipping is still a problem between plays, where players ghost through each other without a second thought. Still, its better to have fixed the tackle models before trying to mess with between play field milling.
More Options
For some reason, I don't recall Madden 2001 having such a robust player and team creation tool. 2002 gives you the option, for franchise or other modes, to use up one of the expansion slots for a team you design. You can make the real expansion team, the Houston Texans, or make up any one you want, name, helmet insignia, city, state, stadium type, and even how many people can come to your games. Player creation is also just as interesting. There are no bogus distribution points, so you can make the ultimate player if you wanted to. Unfortunately, to get them into franchise mode, their salary increases incredibly based on their skills.
Franchise is more interesting.
I have no idea why, but I seem to enjoy franchise a bit more. Maybe its the better balanced fantasy draft mode, giving me a good balance of good and mediocre players. Maybe its the extended stats that I can look at. Maybe its just I am on my way to having one incredible franchise. Who knows. Its just much more interesting this time around.
Sound is better, but Mr. Madden is still annoying.
The sounds are much nicer to listen to. Field grunts and player speech is no longer overdone and annoying. Helmet hits are nasty too. Still, Madden is annoying the heck out of me, calling every yahoo who catches the ball the best in the game. Either record a good 10 hours more of options or just leave the play-by-play out of this. Its not a radio, I can see what’s going on.
Multiplayer mode is still fun.
The meat and potatoes of a sports title is its multiplayer mode. Without the ability to talk trash while sacking the quarterback of your friend's team, there is just no reason to buy it. Madden 2002's extensive options and improved gameplay allow a greater degree of friend beating. This is obviously the best way to enjoy the game.
Have NCAA Football 2002? This will interest you.
Guess what? You know that killer dynasty you have in NCAA 2002? You can bring all your senior players up to your pro team! That's right! You no longer lose your top rusher, wide reciever, or passer because he graduated. Just yank him out of the draft and add a really powerful player to your lineup. This adds a world of gameplay to the mix, as well as longivity.
Bottom Line
Madden 2002 is now officially the second PS2 game I plan on really keeping, aside from Red Faction. The gameplay, AI, and options are more than enough to keep me going through 30 franchise seasons and starting more. This one is a rare PS2 buy material game. Don't let it pass you by.
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