Madden 09 Hands-On Report: Pasta Padre

[maddenps2]

Quote: Originally Posted by Scott

If you were to actually look it up, Pasta wasn't too happy with Madden 08...

I know Pasta Padres isn't getting paid off by EA, thats stupid to say. I'm also not saying the game isn't improved. But Pasta's positive impressions from this years community day sounds similarly positive to this years.

The only significant negative he mentions is the amount of fumbles. The rest of the game is raved about.
http://www.pastapadre.com/1325/madde...ay-impressions

Quote: Originally Posted by Pasta Padre madden 08 Hand-On Immpressions

Overall I feel that most people are going to be at the very least satisfied if not thrilled with how well the game turned out. Although not perfect, I think it is safe to say it is one of if not the best sports game released on the 360/PS3 to date. The game is very fun, and that is something that shouldn't be overlooked (even though I'll go on to list out different frustrations of mine). It runs very fluidly and the graphics are great. The controls are very responsive and tighter than NCAA Football 08's. It is an adjusment going from playing that game to this one. There are so many "wow" moments. You see new things each time playing. In every game there were several occurances that drew strong reactions from whoever was watching at the time. That is something that has been sorely lacking for a long while and it made for a really fun experience. The biggest surprise for me was how much better the gang tackling is in Madden vs NCAA Football. There is a signficant difference between the two games in that respect. It was one of the first things I noticed because it has a huge effect on the game. I preferred All-Pro difficulty over All-Madden. It felt more wide open and enjoyable, but without completely sacrificing the AI. There is more the feeling of "anything can happen" when on that difficulty, although there is still a sense of it on All-Madden. AM is very tough especially to throw on, and in some areas such as blocking I felt it actually presented a downgrade. There is more of a difference between teams than ever before. That is due in part to the weapons and ratings but also the styles really come through. The good teams are that much better than the poor teams. Good luck beating the Chargers with anyone but a top-tier team. Good luck moving the ball on the Ravens with a weak offensive team. There has been some improvements to presentation. After big plays there is a newly designed auto-replay display. Also there are halftime and post-game highlights. It grabs the five plays it deems were the most important and you can choose to watch them. Kicking is still over-powered, if not even more so than in the past. Last year it was kickoffs going 8 yards deep into the endzone consistently. This year it's kickoffs going out the back of the endzone consistently. This only happens vs other users. The CPU kickoffs seem to end up closer to the goal line. The pass defense has taken a leap forward. It is very difficult to pass consistently, and more passes are intercepted than ever before. You won't see many of the throws from years past that hit defenders and dropped to the ground. Those are picked off now. So there were many more turnovers in each game than in the past. Some people may feel there are too many, while others will feel it is now more realistic. Personally I always felt it was ridiculous that so many potential INTs were dropped. Put the responsibility on the QB to make good throws and don't let them get away with poor ones. People will have to adjust to this because I have a feeling at first they're going to be somewhat frustrated with the number of INTs they throw. Moving on to fumbles, there are a lot of them. This is another thing I expect to see people talking about. This is a little more out of your control and something that I felt was happening too often. I played a game in the rain that had 8 fumbles (although 2 were reversed). In normal games I'd say the average was probably 4. Shaun Alexander fumbled on the first run of the first two games I played.

[pastapadre]

Quote: Originally Posted by maddenps2

http://www.pastapadre.com/1325/madde...ay-impressions

Funny how you "forgot" to include the things that frustrated me, such as fumbling, injuries, and o-line blocking. I also went on to discuss the overpowered kicking. I was the most discouraged of anyone there, but at the same time I don't see how anyone could expect the game would be panned after a couple hours with it. Reviews pretty much went along with that, something I wouldn't cite to backup an argument but again short time with the game = people were satisfied. And in general most people liked, but probably didn't love 08. When it came to online play though that is where the game really crumbled.

Also consider when I was playing it, the game was already in the hands of many people who had found it early. I suspect the initial impressions would've been along the same lines. You have to keep in perspective that it was being compared to Madden 07 and it was obviously much better than that, and in some ways better than NCAA (like the gang tackling I cited).

The biggest difference this year is that I never once got frustrated with the game. I can't say that has ever been the case at a community event prior to this one. That is what has me excited the most as I spent more time with the game but never got frustrated with any aspect of it.

[PVarck31]

I would say that the Pasta's 08 impressions were pretty dead on for me. I mean he talked about the fumbles, the kicking, and interceptions. How was he to know that those would be gamekillers after playing for 4 hours. Other than that and the OL/DL it was pretty solid. I myself quit playing the game because of 2 reasons, turnovers, and the inability to throw over the defense. With those issues fixed this year, better control, graphics and presentation. I suspect I will be pretty happy come August 12th.

[Flamehead]

Pasta, Moostache, or anyone else at the community day:

When you got hands on time with Madden, were you guys always playing each other, or did you ever play against the cpu?

The reason I ask is because I'm curious if you've ever seen the cpu QB attempt to throw deep passes on you at all. Like, even once or twice. That's my one "obsession" right now, and I'm interested to see what you guys saw in this regard.

[countryboy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Briankingsfan

I guess you're right. I'm ********, but you get my point.

just messin man, just messin.

[BrianFifaFan]

Quote: Originally Posted by countryboy

just messin man, just messin.

Oh I know, but I'm still ridin the short bus...........

[maddenps2]

Quote: Originally Posted by pastapadre

Funny how you "forgot" to include the things that frustrated me, such as fumbling, injuries, and o-line blocking. I also went on to discuss the overpowered kicking. I was the most discouraged of anyone there, but at the same time I don't see how anyone could expect the game would be panned after a couple hours with it. Reviews pretty much went along with that, something I wouldn't cite to backup an argument but again short time with the game = people were satisfied. And in general most people liked, but probably didn't love 08. When it came to online play though that is where the game really crumbled. Also consider when I was playing it, the game was already in the hands of many people who had found it early. I suspect the initial impressions would've been along the same lines. You have to keep in perspective that it was being compared to Madden 07 and it was obviously much better than that, and in some ways better than NCAA (like the gang tackling I cited). The biggest difference this year is that I never once got frustrated with the game. I can't say that has ever been the case at a community event prior to this one. That is what has me excited the most as I spent more time with the game but never got frustrated with any aspect of it.

I know you mentioned a couple frustrations you had with the game. i have your fumbles included in your quote. However, your overall assessment was very positive saying it may be the best sports next gen sports game to date.

That's was your opinion so it can't be wrong I'm just not going be as easily convinced as I was last-year because from reading your 08 impressions the game sounded great! It only took a couple hours with the game to realize how bad it was. I went back to the last gen games and had a lot more fun.

[countryboy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Briankingsfan

Oh I know, but I'm still ridin the short bus...........

yes...I finally have someone to ride the bus with.