Madden NFL 09
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Madden NFL 09
Get ready for some high-quality football!
Brett Favre retired, then he was chosen as Madden Cover-Boy…then he un-retired and got traded. Do we really care? Well, if you’re a Packer fan…maybe. If you’re a NY Jet fan…yes you do! But that doesn’t change anything to the fact that all what football gamers really care about is to know if this 20th version of Madden delivers the goods. And I’m happy to tell you that yes, it does. But is it THE ONE? Here’s our review for Madden NFL 09.
Wrong suit?
Gameplay
If you’ve followed the franchise closely since its beginning, you already know that the Madden is celebrating its 20th anniversary and nothing is cooler for a game (especially a sports game) than receiving some interesting tweaks and additions. But before going into the flow of new additions, I have to congratulate EA Tiburon for finally tweaking lots of things in the gameplay department (the running and juking system) as well as the return of my favorite slide protection option. Sweet!
Either way, Madden NFL 09 does have a lot offer and for the first time, everyone can have a taste of the Madden Experience. And by everyone, I mean EVERYONE! Yes, you inexperienced but curious wannabe virtual football player! As you probably heard, Madden NFL 09 is being called “The First Sports Game That Adapts To You”. And it’s true, it really does. EA Tiburon wants to reach to everyone and with the all-new Virtual Training Center, one of the many new additions this year, it’s definitely the way to go. As soon as you pop the disc in, you’ll be prompted to take the “Madden Test”. Presented in very Tron-like way by a Jedi-Holographic John Madden, this test will determine your adaptive skill level called My Skill and your Madden IQ (which are new features as well) by putting you through a series tests covering the four main aspects of the game: rushing, passing, rush defense and pass defense. Once the test is completed, your Madden IQ result will be given and your “My Skill” level will be set based on your weaknesses and strengths. And this is where the game starts adapting to you. At the end of every game, the adaptive skill system will either increase or decrease the A.I difficulty depending on how well you’ve performed on the four main aspects you’ve trained for, changing your Madden IQ result in the process. So if you’re a newcomer, your opponent won’t be very difficult to beat at first but will become more aware and knowledgeable as you go on and increase your skill level. If you continue to show signs of greatness, the ultimate All-Madden difficulty level will eventually show up, letting you know that you have mastered the game well enough. Definitely, this adaptive skill engine is not only great for newcomers willing to learn the ways of the Grand Master Madden but also great for the more experienced players, like me, who always wanted to know which areas of my game needed more work. Thumbs up EA!
In order to have a more complete view of your game, Madden 09 features a new default camera system called “Action Cam”. By choosing this camera setting under the Gameplay settings menu, this new view system dynamically adjusts the camera to keep all key players in your field of view. If you always wondered if you should blindly pass the pigskin to your receiver without knowing if he is really open, you won’t have this problem anymore. Both experienced and new players will find this new camera angle worthy to use. You can still choose the other classic camera views if you’ve grown fond to them but ActionCam will sure help you in various occasions and even change the way you play. Still, it’s another cool little feature. I raise my second thumb up!
Another addition is “EA Sports BackTrack”, a new replay learning tool which is featured in the game and essentially helps you become a better quarterback. After throwing an interception or an incompletion pass, Cris Collinsworth’s breaks down the play which just occurred and shows you what you should have done instead. Of course, since it’s a new feature, it doesn’t pan out very well at times but it’s a great feature. Although some tweaks are needed, it will be interesting to see what this feature can do in the next versions of the game. Didn’t I raise my two thumbs already?
Brett Favre rewinded time too fast here...
If “BackTrack” is an interesting addition, “EA Sports Rewind” is an interesting one as well…but for a different reason. Let me put it in perspective: during Super Bowl XLII, the Patriots had four possessions nearly the end of the game after Eli Manning threw a TD pass to Plaxico Burress, giving the Giants a 17-14 lead. The Patriots weren’t able to score in four attempts and they eventually lost the Super Bowl. Now, can you imagine if the Patriots would’ve called a Mulligan during their last run and redo one of their bad passes? Well, Madden NFL 09 lets you do it. Personally, I have no troubles making the game accessible to anyone but this is Football…not Golf. The option isn’t available online (thank god) but I’m perplexed about this addition. It sure cool and all…but would enjoy my game without it. If you feel to replay a moment, instead of using the lame “Rewind” system, the “Madden Moments” are sure way cooler! Choose between more than 30 key scenarios from the 2007-08 NFL season and recreate history your way! Now, that’s the kind of “Rewind” I want! Too bad there are no more thumbs I can raise…
The last new feature in Madden 09, and maybe the biggest, is something the whole Madden Nation was waiting for: Online Leagues. Yes, it’s finally here and as you’re reading this review, many online leagues have emerged and judging by the numbers of leagues available to join we can say it’s a phenomenal success. You and 31 of your friends can create an online league, you can trade and draft players, you can customize your schedules, access your team and players statistics. Basically, it’s like the Franchise mode, only more human. I’m definitely lacking of thumbs here. By the way, we did saw some random disconnects and lagging in the first few days but everything seemed to become normal couple of days later.
After so many incremental additions, you’re probably wondering if the existing modes have received some updates of their own. While the Superstar mode remains almost the same (with the exception of being now able to control a rookie from the the incoming rookie class and bring it to stardom), the 30-year Franchise mode has received two little additions: Franchise rivalries and a new front office mode. The new front office lets you have a far more deep control of your organization finances, staff, stadium and scouting. It’s nothing really huge, but its there for you to experience. Meanwhile, Franchise rivalries add some suspense to your season by ramping up the difficulty of your divisional rivals for more dramatic scenarios. Difficulty also increased in the playoffs and Super Bowl as well. Probably worth mentioning the fact that in-game button hints have also been added to the game. Whenever you’re controlling a player, the game notifies you with little icons underneath the player that tells you which move you should do in a specific situation. Again, do we really need to make the game that accessible? It was cool on Wii version and it’s not a visual nuisance but still…is it really necessary?
There’s definitely not much to complain about the game. It has everything a football gamer likes and needs but I do have one issue and I hope it gets to someone at Tiburon: putting too much stuff is like not putting enough. The game does have a little nuisance: it feels heavy. Many options and modes mean many tabs and sub-menus to browse and eventually it becomes a hassle, especially if you haven’t chosen the right option or menu (d-oh!). It’s not a big issue in the end, but I’m sure the next Madden can be lighter than what it is now. And I hope it won’t get heavier…
Graphics and Sounds
Do the graphics of Madden NFL 09 stand out? Yes they do! We can finally say this is the first real next-generation football game. Everything in the game has been improved from gameplay to graphics. Stadiums are once again very well rendered and the turf has this realistic look that up until now wasn’t seen on any Madden game yet. From the true grass to the synthetic grass fields everything is rendered perfectly. The weather engine is far more realistic and convincing in Madden 09 then previous games, such as playing in Lambeau Field in the snow, is breathtaking and an experience you must see to believe. The cool thing about the weather system is that it plays a huge factor on players performances. They will slip or loose control of the ball when grabbing a long pass or rushing the ball. Player animations and textures are also better then last years, there are almost no graphic glitches so the graphic boost from 08 to 09 is very impressive.
Man...it’s so pretty
As for sounds, well nothing really huge stands out. Bare with me here, don’t hate me! I mean, the same solid sound build is making a comeback in Madden 09 but still has these same issues regarding the commentaries, which I’m very picky on it. Don’t get me wrong, in-game analysis and play calling are very accurate most of the time but still too repetitive. Still, the sound in Madden 09 still very good and it’s definitely a cool experience. And while the infamous EA Traxx has never been a great thing for me, I can honestly say its one the best soundtracks I remember hearing on a football game in a while…still some boring songs…but it’s getting better.
I would’ve loved to see Madden 09 have the same crowd emotion management seen on NCAA Football 09. Make the home crowd cheer and go nuts with a push of a button in order make the other team shiver. So for once, the little brother is showing something to the big brother, huh?
Value
It’s a sports game you will say and there’s a new one every year. But let me put it this way: if you had to buy one Madden game and keep it until you die, this is the one you should get. And even so, Madden is one of the few game franchises worth picking up every year because it has this emotional bound that very few other game franchises have. Of course, ESPN 2K fans might still angry at EA for what happened with the NFL license couple of years back, but I think it’s time to put that frustration aside and enjoy what Madden has become. 2K fans, you’re missing something here and it won’t be long before EA tackles every little piece of the puzzle of “Success”. This version of Madden is not only special because it’s an Anniversary year, but it’s also a nice technical achievement in almost every point of view (*coughs* EA Rewind *coughs*). Madden NFL 09 is definitely worth picking up without even hesitating. And if you picked up the 20th Anniversary Collection, you have NFL Head Coach, for those coaching simulators fans, and Madden ’93 in the same package. I have to find more thumbs...
It’s a celebration!!
Conclusion
It’s not easy to find the perfect rating for a Madden game nowadays. But we, the reviewers, can easily tell when a Madden title deserves accolades and when they don’t. This year, we‘re happy to say that the developers have managed to bring a great football experience to the consoles even with its little nuisances, because we know for a fact, that there’s no perfect game.
Still, this 20th version of Madden NFL will sure be known as one of best of the series and will sure keep the whole Madden Nation happy…until next year of course. Expectations will continue to grow. ..
In the meantime, Happy 20th Anniversary! Where’s my piece of cake?
Pros
- Excellent presentation
- Stadiums, players, fields are gorgeous
- Online Franchise
- Madden IQ, My Skill and Back Track options are great additions
- Improved quality of EA Traxx
- Action Cam
- Huge replay value
Cons
- Commentary still a problem
- EA Rewind
- It feels "heavy"
- In-game hints buttons might be too much
- Minor online lag
Final Verdict
Here's a small guide to help you understand our evaluation of games.
PRESENTATION GRADE
Can be from the game's box to the contents of the booklet, and even the game introduction. (Intro, menus, options, etc)
GRAPHIC GRADE
Up to what point the graphics have been worked on my the developper. The design type, the effort used for textures and environments, as well as animations and framerate.
AUDIO GRADE
Is the soundtrack a good match to the game's style, he ambient sounds keeping with the gameplay and the sound effects clear and convincing?
GAMEPLAY GRADE
Placement of the controls and the inferface that the player with be using during the game.
REPLAY VALUE GRADE
The most important factor in the evaluation of a game. It identifies the lifespan of the game and the fun of coming back again and again.
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