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

# 16 bigsmallwood @ Aug 11

@TreyIM2 I have the PS3 version and there are some things missing

# 17 bigsmallwood @ Aug 11

@coolkid123, yes I am with you and many others when we are ALL saying how bad the Extra Point Half-Time Show is with Commentary...when I saw live people I expected it to be much better...but instead it sounds almost robotic. And You are correct in saying, If you are going to do something....DO IT RIGHT!!! (and do it right the 1st time!!!)

# 18 bigsmallwood @ Aug 11

@Skyliner80 thanx 4 ur iinput and you are right about the stat layout, it needs to be defined...ESPN, ABC, NBC...etc. And they need FAR more highlights.

But they do have uniform degradation. Good words from you though!

# 19 bigsmallwood @ Aug 11

@22cowboys22....NFL 2K5 will probably go down as the best presentation in an NFL game ever, unless Madden steps their game waaaaaaaaaaay up!!! Especially with Mel Kiper in the off season....its going to be tough!!!!

# 20 GaryT531 @ Aug 11

Best football game ever made. Period. I've had it since Friday and I absolutely LOVE IT!

# 21 convince @ Aug 11

Another thing i would want to see is the Refs throwing a flag during gameplay when a penalty occurs. That is one thing about 2K5 that alot of people overlooked but added greatly to.."If you see it on Sundays..." in will be in the game. Sometimes when i was playing defense and i see a Ref throwing the flag, i would sort give up thinking it was a offensive holding call, especially if i was on playing a d-lneman, only later to find out that the flag was on the defense. A little bitter sweet, and i loved it.

# 22 kcq71 @ Aug 12

Pass defense needs work.Route based passing is a joke.Ratings dont mean a thing.Challenge system and refs blowing calls is a joke.NFL coaches do not jump in players faces all the time.The over the top catching animation is a joke.Defenders seem to know what route I am running even when I call a audible.More you play the game the more flaws you are gonna see.Remember everything you see on Sunday you will see it in Madden 10.My son is playing Marion Barber just made a 360 degree cut in the snow.Good Lord

# 23 bigsmallwood @ Aug 12

@kcq71 while some of the problems such as Defenders knowing the WRs routes on All-Madden is something to be fixed, Coaches do jump in players faces, Route Based passing actually does work. And this is the first year in a long time where playing Pass Defense feels comfortable....maybe you should play in practice mode and get used to the engine a little more. I am not having those issues.

# 24 bigsmallwood @ Aug 12

I have also just seen "Off-Setting Penalties" in NFL 2K5....which once again shows how much further Madden 10 and beyond has to still grow. Interesting....

# 25 sarlndr @ Aug 14

Some of the animations really need work. Like the reciever who doesn't look at the ball and some how knows when to jump and put up his hands to catch it. Or the crowd look up into the seats and not at the field (that one was strange). I could go on but I won't. I'm not bashing the game and it is an improvement over last years for sure. All I'm saying is that it could use some work.

# 26 bigsmallwood @ Aug 14

@sarlndr I definitely agreee with you! This game needs more polish! And the crowd definitely should not be looking up into the seats! They need an NBA 2K9 type of crowd!!!

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