If You See it on Sunday, You will See it in Madden. - bigsmallwood's Blog

bigsmallwood's Blog

If You See it on Sunday, You will See it in Madden.

Posted on August 10, 2009 at 04:38 PM.

(33)

After months upon months on end Madden 10 has finally arrived. For the last 5 years gamers have suffered through a sub-par NFL game that has been pretty much untouched year after year. With a new Lead Game Designer, Ian Cummings, and his crew leading the way would things be different this time around?

Lets jump right in:

PRESENTATION

Presentation had been a sore spot for Maddenites for the entire next gen...up until now. Madden 10 is not only the closest that the series has ever been to replicating an actual NFL Broadcast, but it is the most immersing NFL experience available for Next-Gen. Seeing players warm-up before games and fans filing into stadiums and purchasing team parafanelia is a sight to behold! The shots of the sidelines where players are warming up on bikes and kickers are practicing for a potential game winning kick is what the NFL is all about! The Coaches chewing out players (or praising them) for making a bone-headed throw or missing a block is definitely what the series needed in order for it to feel fresh!

The instant replays, although not as many as one would like, are fantastic! Especially when Chris Collinsworth adds his personal insight to why a play did or did not work. Excellent work there EA. There is also the Extra Point Halftime show which would feel alot more complete if there was analysis of the big plays at the Half. Instead we are treated to highlights without any type of commentary which kind of disappoints (Anybody seen Chris Berman lately?) If EA wants to perfect their presentation, they should fully incorporate the ESPN (since their game is "powered by ESPN) or NFL Network into their presentations as one NFL game in the past had used ESPN. Otherwise from Preseason to the Superbowl, EA offers a superb presentation.

GAMEPLAY

They have gone to great lengths to add Chain Gangs and Refs on the field all while not abandoning its signature gameplay. One of the newest additions to Madden 10 is the Fight For the Fumble feature. While a great addition, EA gives you the choice to turn off the button mashing mini-game if you would like. However, it adds a much needed element of realism to the NFL franchise.

When playing on the Defensive line, you now can simply use the right analog stick to work your way to the QB with swim moves and bull rushes. It is much more simple and alot more fun in my opinion to do so. When under pressure as a QB your controller will rumble and you may also use the right analog stick to evade the pressure of an oncoming sack or step up ito the pocket for a downfield pass. This is something that was missing from Madden for years.

The real star addition to this years Madden however is Pro-Tak. It is a new system of tackling that allows for up to 9 man gang-tackles and also gives you the abilty to fight for every yard manually and break out of tackles for a huge play or score! Players will feel the realism with Pro-Tak. For instance the referees may blow a play dead when forward progress has stopped, which is a major first in any NFL videogame ever! Also QB's who attempt to throw when being hit face the possiblity of the ball flying wildly up into the air for a possible pick! Again, something else that you see on Sunday that is a wonderful and much needed addition. Refs also will occasionally blow calls and it is up to you to throw the challenge flag! The ability to decide whether or not you want to risk playing an injured player is also a welcome addition. Franchise/Superstar Mode have seen a few changes such as the new News Hub in Franchise mode.

As great as the gameplay is, there are some quirks, like players inexplicably running out of bounds, balls sometimes go through players hands (literally) and on the All-Madden Level, DB's sometimes know the routes better than the WR's...things that can be fixed (like most other bugs as I am sure there are plenty that will be discovered)

Sound/Graphics

The sound from the crowd and on the field banter is nothing short of spectacular.

The Commentary is a mixed bag however. Tom Hammond needs to be replaced simple and plain. He and Chris Collinsworth sound like they are disjointed from the game and they do not even sound like they are a Commentary Crew. While Chris Collinsworth has great quips about the game and insight to the various aspects of the plays you have called, Tom Hammond is not even close to being smooth. They either need to record commentary together, or two new Commentators should be added with Collingsworth to give the commentary a fresher appeal. Right now, most will probably turn it off.

The Graphics are the best any game has ever seen. Hands down. Everything from the helmets to animations, they are done very very well. The stadiums are also beautifully rendered.

Overall
From the great new additions like Online Franchise/Co-Op, to Pro-Tak and Presentation, if you see it on Sunday, chances are you will see it in Madden 10. One can only Imagine What Madden 11' will be like. Congratulations EA, (Ian, Phil, and Co.) on making a Great Game. (And yes, presentation withstanding, Madden 10 is better than NFL 2K5. Finally.)

Positives
*Pro-Tak, Pro-Tak, Pro-Tak: You have to experience it to appreciate it.
*Super Presentation!!!
*Teams play to their strengths/weaknesses and it can be a real chess match!!!
*Online Franchise/Co-Op

Negatives
*Commentary is painful and Extra Point Commentary needs work
*Need more "Defined" Presentation...Is it more about EA SPORTS or the NFL? EA must decide in its presentational approach.
*Still lots of slowdown and clipping

Comments

# 1 Sherman91587 @ Aug 10

I hear you about the comentary man. I know he is not with NFL Network or EA, but I would love to see Buck and Aikman doing the play. Yes, Aikman is dumb but that is the kind of dumb that I have been missing since Madden himself left the game haha.

# 2 bigsmallwood @ Aug 10

I agree! Aikman would definitely be a welcome addition! They just need some consistency! And overall it needs to be better!!!

# 3 mactraxx @ Aug 10

This is no joke ...I would not mind a little humor during the game...like a third man every once in a while pop on with a humorous comment on a play, like Jimmy Kimble.

# 4 spankdatazz22 @ Aug 10

Nice write up, but I think you missed some key negatives from a presentation and gameplay standpoint. Presentation-wise, it's a huge step up from previous Maddens. But it's still lacking. I think they'll need to patch in a fix for the replay frequency, and the halftime show is nothing special (I like the splash screens though). I don't like making comparisons to 2K5, but presentation in Madden still pales in comparison. Replays would occur almost every play, telestrator replays highlighting plays at times by linemen(!), the ESPN tv-style presentation was extremely well done, etc. I don't think M10 even stands up to this gen's The Show or NBA2K in that regards.

Gameplay is really a mixed bag. I would've liked to see you touch more on the OL/DL play which produces mixed results (good/bad) and the WR/DB play, which I think is mostly bad actually. From the poor footwork DBs display, the unrealistic way they backpedal/cover ground, to the extremely annoying over the shoulder contortion catch animation that both WRs and DBs have, they really need to step up in that area. While Pro-Tak adds to the game, the group hug/break out a big run stuff that occurs from Pro Tak is frustrating. I think Tiburon did a far better job improving the regular tackles, especially the drag tackles

# 5 bigsmallwood @ Aug 10

@Spannkdatazz22, yea I know there were a few more negatives with the presentation, but I was trying not to anger the die-hard Madden fans by saying how much better ESPN 2K5's presentation is. EA needs to patch in much more replays as well as stat overlays for the actual game being played. It would be nice to see some end of quarter highlights ala NBA 2K9 being shown as well!

@joeyland, I am no Kool Aid drinker buddy, this game is the truth. And you have to give props when do!

# 6 RayAllen20 @ Aug 10

you know wat would be the ultimate addition all though i doubt it. If EA got two CBS announcers (Nantz and Simms) for CBS games, (Buck and Aikman) for Fox games, (Michaels and Collinsworth) for NBC games. (Turico, Jaworski, and Gruden) for MNF games, and whoever the NFL network guys are for NFL network games. That would be sweet, More likely addition for Madden '15 though.

Personally I want to just replace Hammond with Gus Johnson who will provide excitement. Then show highlights of other games during extra point and maybe have analysts discuss topics such as who is the best team in the league/ who will this game. Also show in-game updates of scores and highlights.

# 7 bigsmallwood @ Aug 10

RayAllen20 that would be a super idea!!! To have different Announcing teams for different games!!! Great thoughts 4rm you!!!!

@Joeyland....It does happen time to time!!! But not nearly as often as you would make it seem!!!! I respect what you are saying though. I am not saying the game is perfect, but it is getting closer!

# 8 SaintsNATION32 @ Aug 10

i must say the presentation in madden10 is very nice they captured alot of things 2k5 didn't captured,but the only thing 2k did better is use espn better& used other game highlights&scores on franchise mode...which put 2k5 still slightly a step above presentation wise.I'm likin what i see i M10 this year though....an M11 is the game thats gonna put EA on top!

# 9 SaintsNATION32 @ Aug 10

commentary wise i say bring al micheals back wit colinsworth...an for the first time ever add an 3rd guy like BUCK!!! And for all the special games like MNF HAVE THE REAL MNF CREW,and have 2 sideline reporters on injuries

# 10 bigsmallwood @ Aug 10

@SaintsNATION32.....NFL 2K5 has the BEST presentation period!!! It is not even close!!!!

# 11 SaintsNATION32 @ Aug 10

oh ya! i totally agree bigsmallwood...haven't yet seen a presentation like 2k5 yet thats why i said EA needs 2 use espn an nfl network much better...halftime shows pregame,really franchise mode...!!! which was crazy& thats why i said 2k5 still raine surpreme when it comes to presentation,but EA did pretty well 2 say it was there first go around.....M11 SHOULD BE THE GAME TO JUDGE WHICH PRESENTATION IS THE BEST!!!

# 12 SaintsNATION32 @ Aug 10

BUT HEY WE ALL GOT A PRETTY NICE UP 2 DATE NFL FOOTBALL GAME THIS YEAR!AN THATS ALL THAT MATTERS TO ME...FINALLY A CHANGE THAT MADE MADDEN MORE LIKEABLE AN PLAYABLE...COMIN FROM A GUY WHO PLAYED THE HECK OUT OF ESPN2K5...I LIKED PLAYIN WHAT CAME CLOSE 2 THE REAL DEAL & M10 HAD MADE THAT EFFORT...JUST BE GLAD WE DIDNT GET THE SAME OLD DEV CREW THIS YEAR....! MY POINT NCAA10!

# 13 TreyIM2 @ Aug 11

Pretty accurate write up. Yes, there are some minor issues like spankdatazz22 said and then some but I think overall, the game is pretty good. I think I'ma conjure up what can be worked on for Madden 11 once I get the game in my own PS3. I've played a lot of the PS3 retail version at Gamestops and unfortunately, there are issues from the demos that made it to the actual finished game yet I'm really not sure if what Gamestop is using is the final beta or the finished retail version since Steve stated in his preview of the retail version that it is more polished than the retail version, surprisingly. I noticed how sliders Ian said would be in the game are not there nor can u change the control scheme among other strange things.

What version have u been rocking on? PS3 or 360?

# 14 raydawg @ Aug 11

Madden 10 may be a lot better than last year, but it will never be better than ESPN 2K5 until the day I can choose what I want to challenge. I.E. I want the option to choose whether it was catch for the fumble to have happen these kind of scenario's happened quite often last year. I just want the option to choose what to challenge, until that day EA is sleeping on the job.

# 15 Skyliner80 @ Aug 11

From what i see so far, presentation wise (can't express on gameplay yet) is a big improvement over the old Madden games. This is easily the best Madden on next-gen.

- transition screens. Love the txn screen between replay and realtime
- Cool pregrame, tunnel, postgame cutscenes
- Layouts (HUD) are better than any next-gen Madden
- In-game cut scenes are a great addition, TD scenes
- Crowd noise sounds good
- Pile Mini-game. **Something I used to tell my friends a game should have.
- Added a Halftime-Postgame-Weekly show
- the strip looks like it works!

- Replays are seldom (from what i see)
- Camera Angles even though improved, could still use more personal close-ups
- Extra Point should have be deeper. Highlights for other games would be nice
- Even though cutscene addition was great, some get cut to quickly. I'm not sure if the scenes are from gameplay but it would look a bit more natural if they did.

Bad
- Commentary. That team is unimpressive
- stat layout. Pretty generic. Want a good layout, see NFL on NBC circa 91-94

. nice font helps.
- No uniform degredation (from what i see, someone correct me)

All that being said, I'm still looking forward to Friday

. Although, I didn't harp on what 2k does better, because that horse has been mutilated but the EA team looks its on the right track. I knew it was a different game when i saw a YouTube video of EA researching APF 2k8. I just hope they keep doing their research because in the presentation department, at least, they can use a few more 2k techniques. EA=2k.....perfect game. They should just absorb the rest of the 2k staff lol. Anyway, Madden presentation definitely a big improvement from anything we've seen in the past. Nice Job EA. Thanks for listening.

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