How good are you at sports games? Ever wondered just how predictable your decisions are, or if your range of tactics keeps your opponents guessing?

ESPN NFL 2K5's got the answers. In a display of genius that would explode our brains if we even tried to understand it, NFL 2K5's VIP feature tracks exactly how you play and develops a scarily accurate AI representation of your skills. You can then play against yourselfto discover your own strengths and weaknesses. Mental.

It's just one of many awesome features that should seduce long-time fans of EA's Madden NFL series. If you're not convinced, the bargain £20 price should seal the deal.

Things have certainly been tightened up since last year's effort. While 2K4 favoured fast, arcadey action, 2K5 requires a little more thought when selecting plays and a little more skill in executing them. The running game in particular is much more realistic, with most ground attacks getting instantly stuffed unless you keep a close eye on your opponent's brutal defensive line. The same goes for passing - coverage is tighter so you really have to bullet the ball into your receiver's hands at exactly the right moment.

It makes for a deeper and more satisfying American football experience that suddenly rivals the added complexity Madden always enjoyed. But there's more: an extensive Franchise mode, the fun Crib mode where you decorate a huge mansion with unlockable furniture (think MTV's Cribs meets The Sims), and the 25th Anniversary mode that lets you replay some of the all-time greatest moments from American football history. Once again, the only drawback is that all the online modes featured in the US release have been pulled from the UK version. It's a disappointment, but you still get plenty of bang for not much buck.

Packing loads of features for the price, NFL 2K5 hits with the intensity of a 20-stone linebacker. Watch out, Madden.