![]() ![]() If only the commentary could have been as strong. You're more apt to score a touchdown on the run with Brett Favre than Drew Bledsoe, and more likely to sack the QB with Jevon Kearse than practically anyone else. Individual players are fully tweaked as well. The champion Rams open up the play book with a full-on land/air assault. The Broncos lean on the running of Terrell Davis, the Bucs rely on stingy defense to set up the offense. The defensive AI is great and will step up to gobble weakly-thrown balls. Players run crisp routes, and you'll have to time everything correctly to complete passes. Strong offensive lines open gaping holes, while lesser squads leave backs scrambling for the corners. Overall, though, Madden 2001 continues the improvement in the running game that began with last year's version. Once you get your guy moving one way (especially along the sideline), it is difficult to switch direction quickly, which can easily result in a lot of out-of-bounds running. The controls are fairly responsive, unless trying to make a cut. The passing and receiving motions are well-done, and the celebrations aren't annoying, which is saying a lot. Players duck to take a hit, crunch and lean in a backfield collision and stretch for high passes. It never gets super-chuggy, and the frame rate doesn't affect gameplay drastically, but the issue is there. What's more, the frame rate hasn't improved with the drop of polys. Last year's models were smoother, more closely representing what you'd expect from the N64. The players are top-heavy and boxy, somewhat resembling the ill-fated PS hero Blasto. The graphics suffer a bit as a result, appearing a little jaggier and definitely blockier. Supposedly, EA was removing a few polys from the player models to make the game flow more smoothly. Plays move a bit sluggishly, and gameplay suffers slightly as a result. However, this year's players seem to have lost a step. The HUD menus are easy to follow and the control scheme is intuitive. ![]() The gameplay is similar to Madden 2000 and the controls are almost identical. For instance, If playing as the Raiders, you can use Mike Holmgren's (of the Seahawks) plays as you lead Oakland into battle. There are full play books for every coach, each of which can be used by every team. The players do not make obvious AI mistakes and scoring (at least against the computer) is never inflated to the point of implausibility. The good news is that Madden feels and plays like football. Sadly, however, the graphics appear to have taken a small step down and the commentary is as inane as ever. ![]() It is fun as all get out, has great AI and tons of options and modes to keep you happy. How does it stack up against previous years? It does the same things right that Madden has always done. After Madden 2001, EA is moving on to the next gen systems, so this is their final brushstroke on the N64 Madden canvas. Gameplay This will be the last Madden 2001 game on the system. Accomplishing certain tasks awards players with Madden Cards.
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