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| The Entertainment Review |
| Genre: Sport Developer: EA Sports Publisher: Electronic Arts |
The “Madden NFL” franchise is one of the longest running franchises in videogame history. Like anything that has lasted roughly
twenty years, the franchise has gained a large number of fans. No matter how terrible a game in the series may have been, players
keep coming back and supporting it. For those who are fans of the game, this time around it actually looks like a next generation
games and is the best version of the franchise since the release of “Madden NFL 2005.” Some may say that “Madden NFL 2008” feels
a lot like a throwback to the 2005 title, which is a good thing.
The biggest and best improvement this year is done in the animation and tackling system, which has suffered in the past. Players will
not see the same tackle animation every time a tackle is about to be made. There is a new branching animation system that works
along with some new and more realistic football physics to help determine the outcome of the tackle. This is all based on the player’s
skill level, their positioning and the momentum that they have going into the tackle. Because of this extravagant branching system, there
is a large variety of animations that may appear. In the end, the result is the most varied tackling to ever be seen in a football game.
Players will find that a majority of the game play is amazing this time around, minus the fact that fumbles come all too often in the
game. Players will have to agree that it is much more fun to play than games from the past in the series. The fight at the line of
scrimmage is much more realistic and offers intelligent blocking on the line. When players get in a goal line situation, they won’t see
players bouncing around off of defenders; instead they will see more realistic action, and in turn more difficult game play overall.
Players on both sides of the line of scrimmage will be fitted with the new weapons system. It is here that certain players on each team
excel in certain areas and will have special abilities or stat increases. Quick Receivers are great at running routes and breaking free of
coverage. Elusive Running Backs are likely to slip through tackles. Smart Quarterbacks are able to read a defense in order to audible
to a better play. The weapons distinction is linked to specific ratings. Those who are rated over a 90 in a category earn the weapon tag.
Though it may feel a little too artificial in the game, it makes the time before the snap feel much like a chess match, where players must
determine which moves to execute in order to best their opponent. The weapons become a key feature in the game, and players will
find it to add a whole new level to the game.
One area of the game that seems to be lacking is that of the special teams. Yet again, this part of the game is terrible. It is overly
simplistic compared to the rest of the game that requires players to think about what they need to do in order to win the game. Players
aren’t able to do a reverse, blockers aren’t able to wedge and the kicker has the superhuman ability to send a kickoff easily out of the
end zone. There are three main aspects to every football game: offense, defense and special teams. Failing in one of the areas of the
game, the entire game suffers. It is said that special teams can often times determine the outcome of a game, however the special
teams in “Madden NFL 08” have very little to do with the outcome of the game.
Another element of the game that needs a bit of an upgrade is the presentation. At no time will players feel as if they are playing out a
game that is being broadcast on television. As with last year’s release, players are forced to suffer through another radio broadcast of
the game. Even though the game has the ESPN license attached, players are given a very plain and unoriginal experience on the field.
There are a number of great broadcasters with ESPN, so why couldn’t they have been used in order to create a fuller experience?
Though some areas may have been ignored this time around, others have had great improvements or additions. In Franchise, players
will see the return of Owner mode, only this time around it is called Finance mode. Unlike most owner modes, players aren’t able to
adjust ticket prices, but they can view flow charts that map the cash flow from them. During the season players can recruit, but that is
about it. During the offseason players can purchase stadium upgrades, but these upgrades don’t change the visuals of the stadium,
only the new amenities can affect income. Sponsorships are also back, though all offers come from advertisers that have already
made their way onto the field.
Overall, “Madden NFL 08” is a great game. It is by far the best “Madden NFL” release since the 2005 release and a worthy contender
for the new generation of gaming. The new animation system is great and the game itself plays wonderfully. The game succeeds this
time around where it matters the most, in the game play. The presentation needs some work; hopefully there won’t be any more radio
broadcasts. “Madden NFL 08” is not the best football game ever made by any means, but it is one of the better releases in the
franchise. It is also the best football game to make its way onto the Xbox 360.
twenty years, the franchise has gained a large number of fans. No matter how terrible a game in the series may have been, players
keep coming back and supporting it. For those who are fans of the game, this time around it actually looks like a next generation
games and is the best version of the franchise since the release of “Madden NFL 2005.” Some may say that “Madden NFL 2008” feels
a lot like a throwback to the 2005 title, which is a good thing.
The biggest and best improvement this year is done in the animation and tackling system, which has suffered in the past. Players will
not see the same tackle animation every time a tackle is about to be made. There is a new branching animation system that works
along with some new and more realistic football physics to help determine the outcome of the tackle. This is all based on the player’s
skill level, their positioning and the momentum that they have going into the tackle. Because of this extravagant branching system, there
is a large variety of animations that may appear. In the end, the result is the most varied tackling to ever be seen in a football game.
Players will find that a majority of the game play is amazing this time around, minus the fact that fumbles come all too often in the
game. Players will have to agree that it is much more fun to play than games from the past in the series. The fight at the line of
scrimmage is much more realistic and offers intelligent blocking on the line. When players get in a goal line situation, they won’t see
players bouncing around off of defenders; instead they will see more realistic action, and in turn more difficult game play overall.
Players on both sides of the line of scrimmage will be fitted with the new weapons system. It is here that certain players on each team
excel in certain areas and will have special abilities or stat increases. Quick Receivers are great at running routes and breaking free of
coverage. Elusive Running Backs are likely to slip through tackles. Smart Quarterbacks are able to read a defense in order to audible
to a better play. The weapons distinction is linked to specific ratings. Those who are rated over a 90 in a category earn the weapon tag.
Though it may feel a little too artificial in the game, it makes the time before the snap feel much like a chess match, where players must
determine which moves to execute in order to best their opponent. The weapons become a key feature in the game, and players will
find it to add a whole new level to the game.
One area of the game that seems to be lacking is that of the special teams. Yet again, this part of the game is terrible. It is overly
simplistic compared to the rest of the game that requires players to think about what they need to do in order to win the game. Players
aren’t able to do a reverse, blockers aren’t able to wedge and the kicker has the superhuman ability to send a kickoff easily out of the
end zone. There are three main aspects to every football game: offense, defense and special teams. Failing in one of the areas of the
game, the entire game suffers. It is said that special teams can often times determine the outcome of a game, however the special
teams in “Madden NFL 08” have very little to do with the outcome of the game.
Another element of the game that needs a bit of an upgrade is the presentation. At no time will players feel as if they are playing out a
game that is being broadcast on television. As with last year’s release, players are forced to suffer through another radio broadcast of
the game. Even though the game has the ESPN license attached, players are given a very plain and unoriginal experience on the field.
There are a number of great broadcasters with ESPN, so why couldn’t they have been used in order to create a fuller experience?
Though some areas may have been ignored this time around, others have had great improvements or additions. In Franchise, players
will see the return of Owner mode, only this time around it is called Finance mode. Unlike most owner modes, players aren’t able to
adjust ticket prices, but they can view flow charts that map the cash flow from them. During the season players can recruit, but that is
about it. During the offseason players can purchase stadium upgrades, but these upgrades don’t change the visuals of the stadium,
only the new amenities can affect income. Sponsorships are also back, though all offers come from advertisers that have already
made their way onto the field.
Overall, “Madden NFL 08” is a great game. It is by far the best “Madden NFL” release since the 2005 release and a worthy contender
for the new generation of gaming. The new animation system is great and the game itself plays wonderfully. The game succeeds this
time around where it matters the most, in the game play. The presentation needs some work; hopefully there won’t be any more radio
broadcasts. “Madden NFL 08” is not the best football game ever made by any means, but it is one of the better releases in the
franchise. It is also the best football game to make its way onto the Xbox 360.
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