Game discussion on "Madden NFL 08" for Xbox 360
This thread contains the user discussion on the game "Madden NFL 08" for Xbox 360. You can read here what other users have to say, and share your comments on this game with the Goozex community.
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Well since no one else seems to want to review this game here....
While I have personally been on and off the Madden band wagon so many times, I lost track in 2000. This year put me back on after my distaste for its previous nex-gen efforts.
This year it looks, feels and plays sooo much better than any other madden I can remember (yes I left off sound for a reason). The graphics are fantastic, the frame rate is like butta! For once it seems EA put the presentation to the back burner (and it shows a little) and concentrated in the game play.
A great new feature this year is the Weapon system. Each of your star players has a certain attribute that sets him apart from the avverage player (example: Randy Moss: Excellent hands, Peyton Manning: Smart QB). You will notice icons at the feet of these players telling you there "weapon". When lined up on offense, if you hold both the LT and RT it will tel you clearly where the mismatches are on both sides of the ball. Awesome feature!
The second big thing I noticed was this isnt you soft hitting Maddens of the past. You will litterally wince at some of the hits over the middle or when the runningbacks hole gets pluged by Ray Lewis. Ive seen some fantastic hit animations of receivers getting head over heals from being popped by the likes of Rodney Harrison (with the hard hitter icon at his feet). Best hitting ive seen in video game football, EVER, thanks to the stellar animations.
On offense the hit stick 2.0 works great for the runing back. Gone are the days of getting stuck on the fat ass linemen who seems to move his gerth into your running lane. Now al you need to do is push up on the right analog and and the back will do what is needed to squeeze through what ever space is left. Again, filled with amazing aninmation this all looks natural and fantastic.
As far as the QB goes there is a greater sense of pocket presents. Thankfully gone to are the days of the 30 yard drop back and throw a bomb for a ten yeard gain (the reason I never play Madden online). If you fade back ad throw off your back foot, you WILL be picked off as the ball will come out looking like a quail who is floating to the ground after being hit with shotgun. The passing game just feels more realistic. Partly due to the ramped up defensive passing AI. However QB's like Brady and Manning will find it relatively easy to pick apart a defense. Not to mention Randy Moss and MArvin Harrison will catch ANYTHING remotely even close to them.
The atmosphere of the game is lacking. The stupid radio announcer is back as the commentator (sooo last gen sounding). I mean what good is having the ESPN rights if you dont use it? The crowd might as well not even be there as they dont make a peep unless someone scores. You could pick off a pass at your own ten and run it back all the way and your crowd wont mae a sound or even stand up until you reach pay dirt. Then there is the sidelines. The bench players who are ust no name guys (with literally no name) will al do the sae animations at the same time, so they look like they are doing the macaraina or that stupd Cotton Eye Joe song at some lame ass wedding. I dont know why EA refuses to add one of the most important things about professional sports, and the reason we all go to see them, The atmosphere. They did it one year with the college series, then took it out. Go figure.
The presentation, while painted and dressed up to look nice, is rather bare bones. The franchise is as deep as any Madden game on any platform has ever been. All the great franshice features are here and this time nothing has been excluded, um, aside from the atmosphere.
The My Madden part of the gae s loaded with features as well. You can load up on points earned in the game and it al goes toward a overall score wih levels your Madden score up. I just hipe I can ever get to level two, its not easy. You also have your typical Madden trophy rom to show off all your accolaids. I only wich it had the highlight feature that the NCAA game has. The ability to save replays and play them over the jumbo tron located in the trophy room, as well as still pictures. The trophy room and even My Madden is pretty bare bones like I said, but its stil neat.
I havent played a game online yet, but I did tak a gander at the online menus. Its your typical EA online. No online leagues, just tourneys. There is the ability to watch a gamecast of other online games, oh the fun. Something 80% of Madden gamers will never use. I assume leagues will be there big feature next yearn as it has already been confirmed to have leagues in NHL08. You cant expect EA to give us everything at once can you?
Ok, thats it, Im done with my rant/praise. In closing, this is my opinion and I strongly feel this is the best Madden game to date. For those of you who agree with the last Goozcast about just needed a roster update every year, this game is contrary to that. It realy feels like a whole new game, and in the best way imaginable. Add it to your request list NOW. However I dont se any way people will be trading it away any time soon.
Graphics: 8.5
Sound: 7.5
Gameplay: 9.5
Overall: 9
If you disagree with my opinion, TUFF!
I agree almost completely with your assessment. I find myself enjoying this year's Madden A LOT more than I thought I would.
My only disagreement would be the criticism of the radio announcer. While it would be cool to have ESPN commentary, it is really nice to not have to hear John Madden "whapping" and "booming."
My only other complaint has nothing to do with the game itself: I suck. I'm great at defense but my passing game needs a TON of work.
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timpysan: I agree almost completely with your assessment. I find myself enjoying this year's Madden A LOT more than I thought I would. My only disagreement would be the criticism of the radio announcer. While it would be cool to have ESPN commentary, it is really nice to not have to hear John Madden "whapping" and "booming." My only other complaint has nothing to do with the game itself: I suck. I'm great at defense but my passing game needs a TON of work.
I love John Madden and Hate Mike turico sorry guys if you don't have madden on the game change the name. At least get Al Micheals back here.
elessar1122: I love John Madden and Hate Mike turico sorry guys if you don't have madden on the game change the name. At least get Al Micheals back here.
"Hands! Big ol' hands!"
Listening to Madden is even worse than listening to Joe Morgan.
"I think who ever has the most points at the end of the game, is going to come out the winer".
The can take Madden and his damn telestrator out and it wouldnt effect the sales of the game one bit.
The Maddenisms kill me. “If you want to score touchdowns you need to get into the end zone.” His commentary gets real hard to take after you’ve played for a while.
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silentshawn: The Maddenisms kill me. “If you want to score touchdowns you need to get into the end zone.” His commentary gets real hard to take after you’ve played for a while. I actually just got matched for the game so I may be playing you guys soon. This is the user’s first trade so we will see. *fingers crossed*
I think this is the first next-gen version of Madden that is actually worth putting money into. They realized that just because you can make a beautiful game on the 360 you can't just leave the gameplay by the wayside. They have most of the features and options back and that is all I need. It is the same game as old. So what is wrong with that? There is neither a need a to reinvent the wheel or fix what is not broken.
timpysan:"Hands! Big ol' hands!" Listening to Madden is even worse than listening to Joe Morgan.
Hey, it could be Howard Cosell ... or am I just showing my age again ;)
-- Mike Managing Editor - GamerDad Editor - RPGWatch
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