Madden 08 Reviews

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: Inspector Jihad
any updates blurredvision?

Ya, I'll type up some stuff early this afternoon. Yesterday I had to work half the day, then went to a concert for the second half of the day, and didn't get back in until 2am this morning.

 

[Inspector Jihad]

Originally posted by: blurredvision

Originally posted by: Inspector Jihad
any updates blurredvision?

Ya, I'll type up some stuff early this afternoon. Yesterday I had to work half the day, then went to a concert for the second half of the day, and didn't get back in until 2am this morning.

excuses excuses , this is madden we're talking about

 

[Inspector Jihad]

:|

 

[blurredvision]

My Madden 08 for the 360 impressions:

Pros:

- The entire speed of the game is definitely faster than any other Madden game to date. It apparent that it's even faster than NCAA 08. This makes the learning curve a bit steeper than usual, because not only do you have to be quicker in reaction time, but you have to relearn your timings. This is a good thing, I love the increased speed.

- 60fps on the 360 is just a good as NCAA 08 was, and it helps the game tremendously. The animations are smooth as can be.

- The new "branching" animations look as good as they do on NCAA 08, and are more fluid than year's past. Gang tackles are here in full force, and personally I think they look a bit better than on NCAA 08. I actually saw a guy kinda, sorta stood up at the line, but instead of the play being blown dead, a couple more defensive guys joined in and took down the ball carrier.

- The new "weapons" system they have in place is actually kind of helpful in indentifying the players you need to look out for. These icons are typically visible during pre-play, and disappear after the hike, but they can be fully customized to be turned on or off in a variety of situations.

- I love the new defensive feature to pay special attention to a receiver. If a particular receiver keeps burning you, you can single them out to to get more attention in zone formations. It helps to cover that #1 receiver on a team, but might you leave other receivers open more in one-on-one coverage. Definitely adds a nice element to the strategy on defense.

- I haven't played much to really get a feel for the gameplay over all, but the defensive side of the ball seems improved. DB's AI seems most improved.

Cons:

- Once again this year, there is no TV-style commentary, only the stupid radio announcer.

- Blocking seems to be horrid...on the o-line, on screens, on ANY run play, on punt returns....you name it. I'm pleased with the blocking in NCAA, but in Madden, it's almost non-existant. You have to rely on jukes and spins much more because it seems like you can never get good enough blocking just to turbo past.

- I cannot seem to fool the computer on offense....they line up according to whatever play I call. If I'm looking for a deep ball, they spread out and put only 3 guys on the line, if I'm running it, they throw guys to the side I'm running, and I can never get out of the backfield. I've tried audibling, calling hot routes, switching running sides, I can't seem to get anything to work. And this is against the weaker defensive teams in the league.

- I haven't seen hardly any TD celebrations. Most all the time, they just stand there and look around, which really detracts me from the game. I just played a game in which there were 7 touchdowns, and on 6 of them, the player either stopped at the goal line (in a * and goal situation from the 2) or just stood up, tossed the ball away, and walked towards the bench. In one instance, the other team did catch a TD pass in the back of the endzone, after which the player kept his momentum running off the backend of the field while pumping his fist. Usually not a problem, right? Well, he just kept running, and disappeared into the stands....clipped right through the side while the camera kept trying to follow him.

- While simming a season, I found that there is really nothing special for the Super Bowl.....again. Why EA can't do something about this is beyond me. They have a freaking year and dozens of guys....why can't they add some damn presentation to this game? The Super Bowl stadium is decked out in Super Bowl attire, but they treat intros just like it was a regular home and away game. The "away" team gets a quick intro, with no crowd into it. The "home" team gets the big helmet, fireworks, and the crowd goes nuts for them. All this on a neutral field.

- On default sliders, there seem to be too many interceptions. My first game had 5, my second had 5, and my third had 6....all these were typically split evenly. Only two of the many were returned for a TD, though.

- The CPU absolutely refuses to run out of the endzone on a kickoff. If it's anywhere behind 1-2 yards deep, they won't take it out. Add that to the ball easily going to the back of the endzone every time, and you either have to deal with it, or kick it softer to force a more realistic kick return game.

- There are no referees. I absolutely hate this. Also, when a flag is thrown, you have no idea it was thrown until a few seconds later when you finally figure out it's not letting you skip post-play player cam shots.

------------------------------------------------------------------

I'll add more as I think of any.

 

[Shortcut]

thanks for the insight, blurredvision. it seems like the game is a LOT like ncaa 08 (smooth animations, lots of INTs, and lackluster presentation). i think i will hold off on this game for a bit.

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: Shortcut
thanks for the insight, blurredvision. it seems like the game is a LOT like ncaa 08 (smooth animations, lots of INTs, and lackluster presentation). i think i will hold off on this game for a bit.

Not a problem. After playing another game, I'm convinced that each team will play MUCH like their real-life counterparts. If you play a great defensive team, yards are going to be hard to come buy. If you are a great offense against the worst defensive team in the league, your stats will show it. That's what I've seemed to find so far.

Overall, IMO, Madden 08 is definitely heads above any previous new-gen efforts. I think it's worth $60 if you've passed over 06 and 07, waiting for a great Madden title on the new-gen console. However, if you're more of a college fan, and occassionally pick up the new Madden, NCAA will suit you just fine this year. They both are equally great football games, but I don't think Madden offers any better experience. If you own 06 or 07, you should be super-happy with 08.

Personally, since I already have NCAA 08, I'm going to pass on buying Madden 08, and probably just save my money for Bioshock next week. I don't think many people will disappointed with the game as a whole, though.

I haven't played too much of it really (5 games or so), but in my completely amateur, but non-biased opinion, I'd give it a solid 8.5 out of 10. They will need to work on their presentation, like always.

 

[indamixx99]

Last madden I've had is '97 for the PC. I think I'm gonna buy the 360 version this year. XBL play sounds awesome.

 

[PricklyPete]

A few more reviews:

1Up 9/10
TeamXbox 9/10
Yahoo! Games 5/5

 

[Fingolfin269]

I was excited reading your PROS until I got to your CONS. I'm not buying this game.

 

[tdawg]

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269
I was excited reading your PROS until I got to your CONS. I'm not buying this game.

I'm getting that same feeling.

So, you can't pick apart a good defense? Do those strong-defense teams never have a bad game?

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: tdawg

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269
I was excited reading your PROS until I got to your CONS. I'm not buying this game.

I'm getting that same feeling.

So, you can't pick apart a good defense? Do those strong-defense teams never have a bad game?

It's possible, but I didn't play enough of the game to get a good feel for it, nor am I pro at Madden. I didn't comment too much on gameplay because some of my opinion or views can be considered noobish . But, I tried to just call as I could.

 

[tdawg]

Originally posted by: blurredvision

Originally posted by: tdawg

Originally posted by: Fingolfin269
I was excited reading your PROS until I got to your CONS. I'm not buying this game.

I'm getting that same feeling.

So, you can't pick apart a good defense? Do those strong-defense teams never have a bad game?

It's possible, but I didn't play enough of the game to get a good feel for it, nor am I pro at Madden. I didn't comment too much on gameplay because some of my opinion or views can be considered noobish . But, I tried to just call as I could.

Fair enough. Thanks for the insight.

 

[PricklyPete]

I definitely appreciated blurredvision's insight...but nothing he put as CONS has be turned off. With the reviews being overwhelmingly positive...I still am planning on picking this up.

 

[Kev]

What's the deal with the commentary. Don't they already have madden and michael's voices recorded? They use them for the PS2 and Xbox versions but not the 360, why?

 

[herkulease]

Originally posted by: Kev
What's the deal with the commentary. Don't they already have madden and michael's voices recorded? They use them for the PS2 and Xbox versions but not the 360, why?

I believe the xbox/ps2 versions are just recycled comments.

07 had the same commentary as 06. Nothing new.

 

[Dacalo]

Thanks for the quick review blurred. I want to get Madden since it's been such a long time since I bought the last one, but I am going to rent this one and wait for next year's revision. Commentary, no celebration, no Super Bowl fiesta, those are just lame. It's 2007 for God's sake, not 1997. No referees? WTH? It's same as Madden 92 (the last one I bought).

Dumbass NFL and their exclusivity agreement with EA.

 

[astralusion]

is anyone else finding it bizarre that these reviews are pointing out pretty big problems (poor audio, poor online, maybe poor franchise mode, crap framerate on the ps3, along with no mention of lots of turnovers that some people seem to be having), while highlighting nice shiny new graphics and weapons (i wonder why it took madden so long to get this, i remember nhl 2001 or 2002 had them sort of), yet the reviews are still 90 or 100%. seems odd to me.

 

[PricklyPete]

Originally posted by: astralusion
is anyone else finding it bizarre that these reviews are pointing out pretty big problems (poor audio, poor online, maybe poor franchise mode, crap framerate on the ps3, along with no mention of lots of turnovers that some people seem to be having), while highlighting nice shiny new graphics and weapons (i wonder why it took madden so long to get this, i remember nhl 2001 or 2002 had them sort of), yet the reviews are still 90 or 100%. seems odd to me.

After the crap the last 2 years on the 360 and last year on the PS3...this is a huge step...but I agree...seems like things that should have been there already with bits of polish still missing. Still, it seems like they focused on the gameplay which is the most important.

 

[hdeck]

ign review is up. gave it 8.7 (xbox 360 version at least). only negative things were too many fumbles even if you cover up the ball, lackluster commentary that should be improved since the game has the espn license, & special teams is still awful.

 

[astralusion]

gamespot's up as well. 8.5 for both ps3 and 360 they didn't make a distinction between the two in ratings, though they may have as far as within the article, haven't read it yet.

 

[Abel007]

Picked it up today. I'll hopefully be able to play some tonight. Got a tennis match though so I hope the guy sucks so I can win quick.

 

[krunchykrome]

Picked up my copy for regular xbox today at lunch. Can't wait to start playing tonight. I'll probably play around in a game or two before I start a season. Maybe I'll actually start my season tonight.

I won't start playing online though for at least a couple weeks, until I get the hang of things.

 

[Yreka]

Gamefly shipped my copy today I wanted the PS3 version, but heard the 360 was noticeably better so I went with that..

 

[LeiZaK]

I picked up the ps3 version at lunch. I won't notice the 360 version being smoother since no one I know owns a 360.

 

[yowolabi]

Originally posted by: astralusion
is anyone else finding it bizarre that these reviews are pointing out pretty big problems (poor audio, poor online, maybe poor franchise mode, crap framerate on the ps3, along with no mention of lots of turnovers that some people seem to be having), while highlighting nice shiny new graphics and weapons (i wonder why it took madden so long to get this, i remember nhl 2001 or 2002 had them sort of), yet the reviews are still 90 or 100%. seems odd to me.

Video game rating scales have been off for a long time, but this is ridiculous. I think that most reviewers are rating it in comparison to the last couple of years on the 360. Even though the game hasn't fixed a lot of problems, it's apparently a lot better than those crapfests.

I'd like to see a site rerate each game every year, comparing them to other games on that console. Either that or rate games more accurately from the beginning. When a game as crappy as Madden 06 for the 360 was getting an 8._ all perspective is gone. Give average games a 5, and then go from there.