Madden 08 an improvement.....in most ways
The always much anticipated release of Madden football finally came, and much to my surprise there was an apprecable increase in game-play quality. Much to my sha-grin there was absolutely to improvemnt graphically, possibly a step-backwards. Madden has much to learn from 2K sports about smooth animation, especially regarding post-play behavior.
Game-play: It seems like the franchise has taken a positive step towards realism. Although the game proudly boasts a sticker that says "#1 selling pro-football franchise," this is amusing because Madden claimed an exclusive NFL players association license, and thus has no competition. This is frustrating to me, becasue the 2K franchise was a much better football engine. At any rate, the game play has improved for Madden. It seems as though the annoying endless scads of 80 plus yard touchdown plays, have been toned down significantly. Defenses are more realistically alert, and you have an impressive amount of pre-snap adjustments you can make at the line of scrimmage to help defend against a teams strengths. Marquee players are also defined by their strengths, and have special abilities. A brick-wall defender for instance, is less-likely to have a runner break his tackle, or get away from his grasp. A smart safety can read plays from his position, and possibly figure out a passing play before the snap. These new features make MAdden a much more active football game, and make it a lot harder to go into cruise control. Offensively the game is also more intruiging, with the same types of player attribute matchups, and counter adjustments. The franchise mode is a deep and engrossing venture into NFL football. I reqally like to practice modes, and the chance to improve players attributes for the season.
Graphics: I can't say anything good about Madden 08 graphically. There is no improvement of any kind over last years Madden, and maybe even a step backwards. Players faces do not look good, coaches look horrible. Players on the sidelines look ridiculous. The players are ridgid, with far too many straight lines, and not enough smoothness. From a polished look stand-point the Madden 08 engine is nowhere near where 2K sports was before they were blocked from being able to compete. The worst part about Madden is the players between plays. After making a tackle, players jog occwardly back to the huddle. They do not adjust their pads, or walk, or gab realistically. They look like something from a football game that was out five years ago. I now know why there haven't been manny Madden commercials this year showing gameplay, because EA sports is (and should be) ashamed of the way this game looks.
Synopsis: Three stars. The feel is teriffic, you will have a great time. The looks: You will be severly underwhelmed. I beg of the NFLPA and EA sports, please give the license to 2K sports again. There is nothing like healthy competition, have the guts to be the best, by being the best, not by being the only game in town.
Game-play: It seems like the franchise has taken a positive step towards realism. Although the game proudly boasts a sticker that says "#1 selling pro-football franchise," this is amusing because Madden claimed an exclusive NFL players association license, and thus has no competition. This is frustrating to me, becasue the 2K franchise was a much better football engine. At any rate, the game play has improved for Madden. It seems as though the annoying endless scads of 80 plus yard touchdown plays, have been toned down significantly. Defenses are more realistically alert, and you have an impressive amount of pre-snap adjustments you can make at the line of scrimmage to help defend against a teams strengths. Marquee players are also defined by their strengths, and have special abilities. A brick-wall defender for instance, is less-likely to have a runner break his tackle, or get away from his grasp. A smart safety can read plays from his position, and possibly figure out a passing play before the snap. These new features make MAdden a much more active football game, and make it a lot harder to go into cruise control. Offensively the game is also more intruiging, with the same types of player attribute matchups, and counter adjustments. The franchise mode is a deep and engrossing venture into NFL football. I reqally like to practice modes, and the chance to improve players attributes for the season.
Graphics: I can't say anything good about Madden 08 graphically. There is no improvement of any kind over last years Madden, and maybe even a step backwards. Players faces do not look good, coaches look horrible. Players on the sidelines look ridiculous. The players are ridgid, with far too many straight lines, and not enough smoothness. From a polished look stand-point the Madden 08 engine is nowhere near where 2K sports was before they were blocked from being able to compete. The worst part about Madden is the players between plays. After making a tackle, players jog occwardly back to the huddle. They do not adjust their pads, or walk, or gab realistically. They look like something from a football game that was out five years ago. I now know why there haven't been manny Madden commercials this year showing gameplay, because EA sports is (and should be) ashamed of the way this game looks.
Synopsis: Three stars. The feel is teriffic, you will have a great time. The looks: You will be severly underwhelmed. I beg of the NFLPA and EA sports, please give the license to 2K sports again. There is nothing like healthy competition, have the guts to be the best, by being the best, not by being the only game in town.
posted by sanpiper at 9:04 PM
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