ESPN NFL 2005

ESPN NFL 2005 is already in fine form for the upcoming football season.

ESPN NFL football continues to fortify its credentials as one of the best pro football franchises in the game. The preview version of the game revealed some great-looking improvements and although it didn?t have all features playable, it hinted at great things to come.

Spit and Polish
The early version looked gorgeous. According to developer Visual Concepts, all the player models have been redone to mimic real-life movement. They?ve developed a ?muscle rig? system so that a player?s ?skeleton? and ?muscles? are independent systems but move together just as in the human body. The effect during gameplay really makes it look as if you?re watching a football game on TV.

Already enjoying a well-deserved reputation for showcasing up close views of player faces sans helmets, the preview also wheeled and dealed a good mix of pre-snap and post-play camera views and cinemas. In fact, last years 40 cut-scenes have ballooned up to more than 200. High-fives, downcast looks after botched plays, first down ?chops,? and quick-cuts to the sideline all serve to bring to life all the personality and drama of the real game.

The drive towards realism also extends off the field, too. This year ?virtual? Chris Berman puts his muscle behind the entertainment value more than ever. ESPN?s star sports show host gets the graphic reality treatment just like the players and with his signature announcing style did a fine job of matching their dialogue to any team matchup, weather condition, or coaching strategy.

All the Right Moves
There are also some very cool moves on the field. The preview build featured excellent passing and running. The controls felt sharp and precise like they?re already primed for opening day.

One thing you noticed right off the bat is that ballcarriers no longer make zany, momentum-defying quick cuts. You can?t just flick the stick to bust a hyper-speed change of direction. New motion-capture visuals and animations have made offensive moves much more fluid and natural looking so that cuts and cutbacks appear almost-eerily realistic.

Super Bowl Dreams
There?s no doubt that despite its well-deserved reputation for quality gameplay, ESPN NFL football moves through the season with a chip on its shoulder due to the formidable presence of that ?other? NFL football game. If this build is any indication, ESPN NFL 2005 should put on another fine performance this season, and it could?go?all?the?way.

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