Football is here again and surely it is time for yet another Madden. I give Madden props for being one of the best selling games each year, despite it being nearly the same game…each year. For those who know me know that I am very skeptical when it comes to Madden. My criticism was given a huge push when both EA and the NFL decided to turn video game football into a monopoly and have EA be the only studio to have the right to make a NFL licensed game. It goes without saying I loved the NFL 2K franchise. I loved the arcade feel, the smoother controls, and (at the time) the presentation value. Those days are gone now and I have moved on. I have gone onto Madden by each attempt I just come out un-entertained. They are by no means bad games, they just are overpriced for what they are and lack my interest. Madden 09 though is a step in the right direction for the franchise, and if EA builds upon what they started this year I can see myself eventually being a Madden fan.
I did play Madden 08 but very barely considering the game was nothing different than 07. Madden 09 finally is a step forward for the franchise by adding content and options, not cutting them. How people were duped into paying $60 for Madden 06 on the Xbox 360 is beyond me. For those who did buy it, SHAME ON YOU. You paid full price for a game that had ZERO content. Football fan or not that was perhaps the most retarded video game purchase of your lifetime. I’m sorry, I am supposed to be professional here, so lets get to it.
When you start off on Madden 09 you are re-introduced to the same menu system as previous years, which by no means is a bad thing. The menu system is easy to control and navigate. One thing that you might notice off hand are the graphics. Maybe it is because we have seen next gen football before but Madden 09 just doesn’t look all that great in my eyes. I understand that there is only so much EA can do each year to improve the graphics but I keep thinking to myself that this game downgraded in graphics. All in all though it is still a very good looking game and the fields look magnificent. And for you PS3 owners out there the game does run at the same framerate as the 360 version and they look identical to each other.
Where Madden finally takes off for me is the Madden Test. Like any new feature this mode certainly has flaws which I will point out to you later but this is what will get me interested in Madden in years to come if improved. When you first create a profile you must take the Madden test to see where you rank in four categories: Rushing, Passing, Pass Defense, and Rush Defense. If you choose to do so, the game will then play at the difficulty levels of each category during gameplay. For example you may be All-Pro at Passing but Rookie on Rushing after the test -> during a game you will notice it will be easier to run than to pass because of the difference in difficulty levels.
Why does this feature appeal so much to me? Simply stated - I suck at football games. I am horrific on defense but play a decent passing game. And the Madden test found that out. After my initial test I was All-Pro on both passing and rushing, but Pro on Rush Defense and Rookie on Pass Defense. As stated though this new feature is not without flaws. While the test says I’m All-Pro at Passing, during games it makes it far too difficult (for me) to have a good passing day. I threw 8 INTs in my first 2 games because of that setting. The reason why its flawed is because it is extremely easy to pass the rushing and passing tests. I could have easily been a Legend on both if I wasn’t lazy. When applying to this in a real game, it will make the game extremely difficult at times. I had to purposely suck at passing and rushing in the test to reduce my difficulty level.
Now you could always choose from the standard difficulty levels if you don’t want to customize your own difficulty settings. If the developers simply make this test more realistic to a real game situation this will be an excellent feature for those who suck at Madden games (me) to not go 0-16 in a season. The game also includes a Virtual Trainer mode that allows you to practice your moves to help improve your Madden IQ (score from Madden Test). It’s the building block for future Madden games.
Other extra modes include Mini-Games and Madden Moments. The mini-games are the same as last year where you can run a 40 yard dash, compete in a QB or RB scoring games and work on your defense. If you enjoyed the games last year, well they are the same thing this year. Madden Moments is another good feature included this year that is flawed. In Madden Moments you can relive some “priceless” moments that occured in the NFL. It’s a nice feature to have and enjoyable to play but the flaw is in the rosters. For instance the first Madden Moment is the Dolphins beating the Ravens to get their first win last year. Now if you have your rosters up-to-date in the game, they reflect that into the moment. Remember Chad Pennington became a Dolphin this year…so why is he the QB for the Dolphins in this Madden Moment from last year? The flaw is the lack of accurate rosters from the actual event. Now call it nitpicking but the Dolphins didn’t have a decent calibur QB like Chad last year to beat the Ravens…they had four pieces of poo (one of which was knocked out silly…Trent Green). Does it make the Madden Moment any more difficult or easier…probably not. But is it historically accurate? Definite no. It’s like playing the Ice Bowl from way back when with Aaron Rodgers, who at the time was still not even born yet.
You are also treated to the typical Franchise and Exhibition modes that one should always expect from any sports title. Making its return this year is Superstar mode and nothing seems different about it compared to last year. On paper its a good idea but it lacks excitement, especially if you choose a position like a lineman. I started a Superstar when I first got the game as a DE. I figure it would be cool to rush the QBs and stuff a team’s running game. I had my opportunities to do so but the opportunities were limited and all in all made for a real boring time. I then quit that one and created a new Superstar as a RB. I mean…cmon a RB is an essential part of a team’s offense. I was drafted by the Patriots and figured this would be sweet considering the Pats are an all around team. Turns out I got bored with it as well, just not as fast as it did when I played as a DE. I honestly don’t know how to make this kind of mode more exciting but thats what it lacks. I need excitement.
The one thing Madden still lacks is the ESPN integration. When EA and the NFL went exclusive to each other, EA also bought out the ESPN rights. Now 2K milked the ESPN license by playing the theme song to Sportscenter in the main menu, having the main menu have the ESPN interface, and also by having a full halftime show production during games hosted by Chris Berman. What do we get in Madden? Real time scores ticker…something 2K can do in their sports games as well. If you own the ESPN license EA, milk it. Have Mike and Mike do a recap show after all the football games of the week have been played - have a John Clayton analyst center of who is hot and who is not. Just do something with the ESPN license.
One thing EA has finally fixed on its presentation is commentators. For years now Madden fans were stuck with EA Radio as the commentating for its games. Interesting idea but it failed miserably. This year EA brought back broadcast commentators and two good ones to speak of: Tom Hammon and Chris Collinsworth. Its no Madden and Summerall outing, but the two get the job done.
For online fans Madden has included online leagues for those interested to start up a league with friends and play a whole season. It’s not as extensive as NCAA’s league mode, but its something that online Madden fans can finally play. You can also play exhibition and do the Madden Mini-games online as well as check out new NFL news and videos from the NFL Network (though don’t expect good quality videos).
Madden 09 held my interest longer than any other Madden game in the last eight years, but it still lacks the fun that I had with the NFL 2K series. Perhaps its still my high amount of criticism I have for this football monopoly or perhaps I am losing interest in video game football. Either way Madden 09 is the first Madden game on the next gen that does feel next gen. If the Madden Test improves its realism, and EA makes the Superstar mode more exciting, who knows, maybe I’ll become one of those crazy Madden fans you see every August waiting in a line at your local video game retailer.
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Luke looks at the most influential features of Madden on the PS3 and Xbox 360.
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