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Madden’s third next-generation is the best one yet. Madden NFL 08 really brings the franchise home for next-generation consoles. It has all of the fancy next-generation touches you’d expect, solid improvements to the actual gameplay, and the modes that were missing from the last-generation consoles.
Madden NFL 08 features the most gameplay modes out of any of the next-generation Madden titles. The game’s primary mode is the franchise mode you’ll train players and assemble the best possible team. You get a lot more information on the stats of your various players and even get reports on rookies this time allowing, giving you more control than you previously had. The game even lets you move your franchise to another city through a fairly interesting system that lets you some idea of what the actual process would be like. You’ll also find an owner mode that lets you delve into the finances of the team and determine how to make it more profitable. The game also features the superstar mode where you control a particular player as you try to get into the hall of fame. It’s fairly similar to last year’s mode but with some improvements to make the process smoother.
The game has quite a few gameplay tweaks but the main one is that the game categorizes players into certain types of “weapons.” Each position has a few categories but they can be canceled out by a different weapon for another position. For example, wide receivers who focus on making crazy jumps to catch certain passes are particularly vulnerable to “big hitters.” The game also has tigher, more complete pre-snap controls that will give series veterans quite the leg up over their opposition. The A.I. has been significantly improved, too, and coupled with the new gameplay tweaks makes Madden NFl 08 the most satisfying Madden yet.
Madden NFL 08 includes online multiplayer. The online functionality is limited to ranked or unranked one-on-one matches but thankfully these are generally lag-free. The ESPN license is used here to show ESPN stories, news and video clips from ESPN’s website. The game also features minigames, create-a-team and create-a-player features.
The game’s graphics are still very impressive. The core technology doesn’t seem to have been improved but the animation system has been overhauled resulting in a smoother, richer experience. The tackles, in particular, are fantastic. Even if the graphics engine hasn’t changed, you’re still looking at great, detailed character models playing in intricate stadiums full of excited fans. The PS3 version of the game runs at 30 frames per second (compared to 60 fps on the Xbox 360), and though it’s a little choppier, it still plays just fine.
The audio isn’t quite as impressive but still good. The EA Sports radio announcer provides in-game commentary. He is joined by Marshall Faulk, who provides pre- and post-game commentary, while ESPN’s Mark Schlereth and Merril Hodge appear in some of the minigame tutorials. John Madden still provides voice acting for the “Ask Madden” feature. None of the voice acting is particularly great since it is a bit too repetitive and inaccurate for our tastes. However, the on-field sounds and expected rock-and-rap soundtrack do balance out the audio.
Madden NFL 08’s new animation system, gameplay tweaks and mode additions represent a solid improvement over last year’s edition. It won’t convert Madden non-believers, but everyone else take note: the best next-generation Madden has arrived. -- Adam Nunez, PGNx Media
---- Sep 4, 2007
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