Spring Break
After missing out the past few years, the Madden franchise has finally returned to the playoffs for the Wii and Xbox 360.
Brett Fischer and Michael Mazzeo
Issue date: 8/22/08 Section: Sports
After couple of down seasons, Madden 09 returns to playoffs.
Over the past few years, the Madden franchise has gone 8-8. In other words, the game has been rather average. While older versions have featured more in-depth franchise modes and the addition of Superstar mode, overall it hasn't impressed. It's kind of tough to put your heart into creating a solid game when you have a monopoly on the pro football video gaming industry. And with Madden being the only title in town for all consoles, you were given a choice: buy a game with updated rosters and little to no new features, or be stuck without a football game. But this year, 2009 is different. EA Sports really stepped up in the pocket, avoided the rush and delivered a touchdown with the addition of the virtual "Madden Test" and a ton of new online content including a variety of online leagues for the Xbox 360 version. With the new 5-on-5 mode, EA Sports All-Play and special playcalling including "Call Your Shot," there's no doubt that Madden has given football fans a reason not to skip out on the 09 edition.
Graphics:
Xbox 360 - Like all next generation console games, you want to have High Definition Television to really take advantage of all the minute details that make Madden one of the most aesthetically pleasing video games to the eye on the market. Play a game in the snowy, frozen tundra of Lambeau Field and you immediately notice that you can actually see your footprints in the white powder. Overall, the stadiums and field look more realistic, as do the definitions of the player muscles. There are also some pretty cool looking animations that are new to the game. We could go on forever praising the improvement of the graphics, but to get a true idea make sure to buy an HDTV and take advantage of them.
Wii - The graphics are obviously the worst feature of Madden 09 for the Wii. Once again, the fans do not look like they should for a next generation console. It's pretty reminiscent of Madden 05 and 06 for the Playstation 2. We thought it was evident that EA Sports spent most of its time focusing on the gameplay as opposed to visuals. It is amusing seeing some of your created Mii characters act as referee for the games and playing with big heads in the five-on-five mode does another dimension.
Over the past few years, the Madden franchise has gone 8-8. In other words, the game has been rather average. While older versions have featured more in-depth franchise modes and the addition of Superstar mode, overall it hasn't impressed. It's kind of tough to put your heart into creating a solid game when you have a monopoly on the pro football video gaming industry. And with Madden being the only title in town for all consoles, you were given a choice: buy a game with updated rosters and little to no new features, or be stuck without a football game. But this year, 2009 is different. EA Sports really stepped up in the pocket, avoided the rush and delivered a touchdown with the addition of the virtual "Madden Test" and a ton of new online content including a variety of online leagues for the Xbox 360 version. With the new 5-on-5 mode, EA Sports All-Play and special playcalling including "Call Your Shot," there's no doubt that Madden has given football fans a reason not to skip out on the 09 edition.
Graphics:
Xbox 360 - Like all next generation console games, you want to have High Definition Television to really take advantage of all the minute details that make Madden one of the most aesthetically pleasing video games to the eye on the market. Play a game in the snowy, frozen tundra of Lambeau Field and you immediately notice that you can actually see your footprints in the white powder. Overall, the stadiums and field look more realistic, as do the definitions of the player muscles. There are also some pretty cool looking animations that are new to the game. We could go on forever praising the improvement of the graphics, but to get a true idea make sure to buy an HDTV and take advantage of them.
Wii - The graphics are obviously the worst feature of Madden 09 for the Wii. Once again, the fans do not look like they should for a next generation console. It's pretty reminiscent of Madden 05 and 06 for the Playstation 2. We thought it was evident that EA Sports spent most of its time focusing on the gameplay as opposed to visuals. It is amusing seeing some of your created Mii characters act as referee for the games and playing with big heads in the five-on-five mode does another dimension.
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Phil
posted 8/22/08 @ 2:40 PM EST
very thorough review and really hit the game play functions dead on. good job guys.
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