 Madden 10 Wii: The first Madden game I have ever loved!! |
| Review Date: August 17, 2009 |
| Reviewer: A. Jefferson, Long Beach, CA USA |
**UPDATE: MANY REVIEWERS ARE SLAMMING THE GAME BECAUSE IT IS Gone FRANCHISE MODE... but Franchise and Megastar modes are present in the game, but have to be unlocked. I placed the codes to unlock them at the end of my review!**
Before I even start this review, let me say that I have NEVER had a desire to own a Madden game on any console before. Ever. Until Madden 10. I am not a huge sports fanatic, and thus couldn't care less about trades, drafts, seasons, stats... when I sit down in front of my gaming console I want hours of fun and competitive action... not arguing over stats, gloating, terrible sportsmanship, etc. So I have never owned a Madden game on any console, and typically dread before a live audience Madden with any of my friends, because I could never compete with them! Until now...
This year, I could tell immediately that Madden 10 was going to be a touch different. It seemed to be more designed to appeal to me. Dont get me incorrect: I am not the WiiFit demographic. I am a hardcore gamer, male, in my 20's. I just don't fit the predictable Madden niche. This year's donation, as other reviews have stated (and SLAMMED the game for!) doesn't include a lot of what the hardcore sports fanatics might be looking for: trades, franchise mode (no matter what that is!?), make-a-player (which I would have doubtless liked), etc... hence their unfavorable reviews. But, that said, the game has lots of features that ARE APPEALING, and I am really enjoying the game. Here are the features that attracted me:
1 - "HUDDLE-UP MODE" - this is a Wii-only mode that sounded really fun and appealing. Essentially, it is a 4-player mode where 2 players (opponents) power the game normally.... but 2 other players (each on one team or the other) can aim their remote at the screen and, using the wii pointer/cursor, help their teammate out by clicking on the opponent's players, tackling them! Your "helper" can tackle any hostile player AS LONG AS THEY DON'T HAVE THE BALL... so if my QB is about to get sacked or if I throw a pass to a receiver and he is about to get tackled... no doubts! My teammate can take promptly click on the hostile player and take him out! It is ridiculously entertaining! There was screaming and laughing all at the same time. I had 3 friends over (2 are hardcore Madden veterans, and one other Madden newcomer), and they had a blast. We have dubbed this mode "HATER mode". It really is fun.
2 - THE CONTROLS AND PLAYBOOK - As I mentioned, I am new to before a live audience Madden, but I am not new to gaming. The "ALL PLAY" controls are still an option, which have very simple controls for people who may have a harder time before a live audience with the more advanced power scheme. I play with the advanced controls, which work really well. In addition, you can select whether you want the "ALL PLAY" playbook, an Intermediate playbook, or an ADVANCED playbook. This feature is REALLY nice. The All Play playbook is VERY simple... even a child could go in and select an appropriate play. The Advanced playbook looks like a NASA manual to a newcomer like me....way too intimidating! So, I elected the Intermediate playbook, which has lots of options, but far fewer plays than the Advanced. My nephew came over, and when he elected the Advanced playbook, I knew what I was in for... an ancient fashioned beat down. But surprisingly, I was able to hold my own, since EA did such a wonderful job balancing the game. Typically, with a game like this, a newcomer would have NO CHANCE IN THE WORLD hostile to a seasoned experienced person (seems extraordinary mission a 16 year ancient a "seasoned experienced person" at anything...lol)... but this game has done a wonderful job bridging the gap.
3 - "ROAD TO THE SUPERBOWL" - Again... I do not care about stats, trades, franchises... in fact, when I first started the game and it questioned me to select my favorite team so it could use that team's colors and logo on my home screen, it took me like 15 synopsis to choose on my favorite team, since I didn't have one! So, obviously I would never sit down and in fact play through an entire season. I bought this game mostly for before a live audience with other people. So, the "Road to the Superbowl" is a really well done mode of game-play. Essentially, you can go through an entire season... or half a season... or you can jump in at the playoffs... or you can EVEN Start RIGHT AT THE SUPERBOWL. Also, you can start off your "Road to the Superbowl" alone, but other players can jump in at any time. So if I start the playoffs by myself, and one of my followers comes over the next day, he can jump in with me and join me. You can even have several seasons or "Road to the Superbowl" saves.... so I can have one whole season that I am working on, and then make a new one that starts at the playoffs. This is a really well thought out way of doing things.
4 - ONLINE - I own this game as well as EA's "Grand Slam Tennis"... both games use EA Nation rather than Nintendo's online system. This means NO FRIEND CODES, and it also means that EA maintains the servers, ensuring they have the appropriate updates/maintenance, as well as that there aren't any hackers online. You can invite anyone you play to be added to your friend list, and it even has an second messenger (I've never used it, but it's there). The online play just plain works. Period. THE ONLY thing that could have been done better is if they had implemented WiiSpeak for voice chat! This game, as well as Grand Slam Tennis SHOULD HAVE HAD VOICE CHAT!!! Other than that, it is perfect.
5 - GRAPHICS - Granted... the game does not look "realistic". But as a Wii owner, I have come to expect less than realistic graphics, and I am OK with that. I would trade fun gameplay for lesser graphics any day! I loved the art style used for Grand Slam Tennis, and this game used a similar "cartoony" style, and it looks fantastic. It is a really excellent looking game. And the art fits the type of game it is: FUN.
This game is what it is: A really well done, deep, and compelling Football game. I am having a blast with it, and I reckon EA was smart to change up the formula a bit: it has tapped into a crowd that earlier had no interest in the Madden offerings. Here is a quick review of the game overall:
Gameplay: 9/10
Controls: 10/10
Presentation: 8/10
Graphics: 8/10
Online Play: 9/10 (would be 10/10 if WiiSpeak was built-in!)
Replay Value: 10/10 (Fantastic multiplayer modes for when friends come over!)
Overall: 9/10
Here are the unlock codes that, when entered at the EA Extra's menu, will unlock the hidden modes like Franchise Mode, etc:
Franchise Mode: TEAMPLAYER
Megastar Mode: EGOBOOST
Situation Mode: YOUCALLIT
Super Bowl Stadium: THEBIGSHOW
Pro Bowl Stadium: ALLSTARS
Master Code (unlocks all): THEWORKS
|
Best next-gen version of Madden, albeit the flaws.
|
| Review Date: August 14, 2009 |
| Reviewer: 1Dub79, Fairburn, Ga. |
Graphics/Visuals
I know this sounds cliche', but this year's version of Madden is better than ever, albeit the flaws. There are many new enhanced graphics and visuals. The experience can be additionally enhanced with a HDTV, such as the LG 37LG30 37-Inch 720p LCD HDTV. Overall, the whole game is a lot more lively and vivid than the last. Many visuals seen on the game are usually seen on Sundays.
The new player models are brilliant and the uniforms look superb. On one cutscene, the texture of the uniforms can be seen. In the before next-gen versions of Madden, many of the player models were kind of bulky looking. Now, the players are built more realistically. New standardized garnishing have been added, such as towels, hand warmers, team colored gloves, and team colored cleats. They are not the same dull black and white cleats, which was on the before versions. For the first time, uniforms can be interchanged, as well.
Seen on Sundays
During the game, many fine points and animations can be seen on the game, fan interactions, QBs talking on the phone, coaches ranting, players talking on the sidelines, kickers involved kicks, players riding the exercise bike, referee interactions and chain gains. One of the coolest features is seeing fans leave early, if their team's game has gotten way out of hand. It is also quite amusing.
The most exciting feature is the referees interactions on questionable TDs. The two refs will look at each other and talk. Then, they will either throw their hands up or decline the TD. Sometimes, it is a lot of suspense, while waiting to see the chose call. How many times have fans been in suspense, while waiting on the referees in a real game? Some may call some of the new visuals gimmicks, but it is what you see in real football.
The halftime presentation is fantastic. You'll like the different angles, which the highlights are shown. Unlike M09, they show just about every significant higlight. It is creative. Plus, the commentary during the halftime show is not that terrible, either. This new feature is an upgrade over the dull halftime features of last year's version of Madden.
Game Play
The game play is better. First off, the game speed can be adjusted. Many of you played the demo and didn't like the speed of the game. Well, it can go from very slow, slow, normal, quick and very quick. Also, EA has added a new threshold differential. This means background to the higher the level will give the player less of a disparity between the quick and slow players. A lower background will boost the disparity.
The player animations and movements are realistically fluid and not automatic, such as the before versions.
I noticed on some movements, the players use more momentum. Players can't just break out and turn different corners, promptly, like they are on wheels. They in fact bend and don't stay upright, while rotary a corner. Sometimes, the player may have to make a cut, in order to head up field. The best animations are while going through the hole. Pressing the directinal buttons will make the RB make many different cuts. Time them right and the warden can be juked. Typically, juking could only be done by spiraling.
The phyisics has improved. Players fall many different ways. Sometimes, it even seems as if they are going to break out of a tackle, then they start to fall. There have been times when I was on the edge of my seat because I thought my player was breaking the last tackle in order to "take it to the house", but he goes down. That is very realistic.
The Pro-Tak is realistic. The players pile up, when de rigueur. It is not an every down occurrence. Keep in mind, different modes carry different Pro-Tak consequences.
The defense is improved. Conniving a player in the secondary is a lot simpler. The best defensive experience is at the line of conflict. DTs and DEs can infiltrate a whoooole lot better than ever before. This makes the players more likely to be more successful in the sack and run-stopping sphere. In fact, many different moves can be made by using the R3 stick, as a replacement for of the R1 button (PS3 version) on the before Madden games. For example, on last year's version, I could barely infiltrate with the best DT in the league (Albert Haynesworth). Now, I can make more impact plays.
The game is very competitive!!! Even this year's version of All-Pro is a lot harder than the before versions. Players cannot expect to just dominate the game above the Pro level. Many glitches from the before version have been neutralized, as well. Also, the computer does not make themselves sitting ducks for hit-stick tackles, such as before versions of Madden. They do more weaving on this game, which is fine.
A further cool feature is the roster update. For those who like to keep REAL rosters updated, don't bother to do it yourself! The involuntary roster update does it for you. Players will be automatically added to the teams, which they in fact play for. Players who aren't even on the game are added on the roster update. For example, Michael Vick and Brett Favre were not on the first rosters. Well, in the roster update, they were added to their new teams. In addition, the player's ratings will fluctuate, depending on the seasons, which they are having. Players gone for the year will be place on IR. It is just fantastic.
With all being said, you have to have an online tab, so you can have access the roster updates. This also means you must have a router. I recommend the [[ASIN:B00004SB92 Linksys EtherFast Cable/DSL Router with 4-Port 10/100 Switch (BEFSR41)]. Assuming you have the router, you must go to online mode on the main screen. Click on the depth chart, a sign will pop up, which prompts you to update the roster. Agree and the updated roster will load. You can save this and play with updated rosters in exhibition or other modes.
Flaws
There are a few things that disturb me about the game. The first issue is the new running motions of the players. It seems like they run with their heads down. They also look as if they are just struggling to try to run. In addition, every player runs in the same motion. The before Madden had at least 3 or 4 different running motions.
The next issue is the new "fight for the fumble" feature and the chain gang. "Fight for the fumble" is a joke. It is like a mini game, which you have to press various buttons rapidly in order for possession to be gained. There was a play, which the player fumbled and two of my team members dove on the ball. Clearly, I had possession of the football. Sorry to say, I still had to fight for the football and lost possession of the recovery. Of course, this feature can be turned off. The chain gang will drive you crazy. Every single time you have a nine yard play, the chain gang comes out. I mean, lots of times, you know that you didn't get a first down. What is worse, this feature cannot be skipped.
Some of the cutscenes get repetative. During the game, you will constantly see the same cutscenes, which occupy the same spot players. For example, when you see the QB talking on the phone, you see the FS over his left shoulder, each time. Then, you will see the triplets sitting down (QB, RB and WR). Then, when a play goes awry, the coach will be ranting at a player who had not anything to do with the play going incorrect. For example, if the QB throws a pick, the coach will rant at the OL. Why not the QB? If the QB throws a pick, he yells at the OL or the FB. That makes no sense. They should have had at least 20 cutscenes, which involves different spot players.
Depending on what level you play on, you will experience some of the issues, which was on the other Madden games. You will still see temporary tackling. This goes on during "Pro-Tak" animations. In modes other than Pro, you will NOT see double-hit tackling. In All-Madden, the AI of your teams just goes out of the window, such as OTs ignoring blocking assignments. In addition, many of the issues become more puffed up. All-Madden is perfectly unplayable. I would recommend before a live audience on Pro or Custom and tampering with the settings.
The commentary is just dull and scripted. It would be nice to have a Madden, which has some loud an exciting commentary. For example, if someone makes a spectacular catch, I want the commentator to have excitement in his voice, when the play happens. I compare this to how it feels when surveillance Sunday Night games on ESPN. Examination exciting commentary, while surveillance a game makes it more exciting. The dull commentary takes away from that experience.
Though the half-time presentation is excellent, the highlights are shown out of order. When surveillance real football, half-time and post-game shows at least have the highlights shown in sequential. This could have made the half-time presentation more organized.
The Verdict
All on the game has been improved in many ways. In fact, it is a complete turnaround from the last version. If it were not for the flaws, which I mentioned, the game would be even more superior. Of course, no game is going to be perfect, no matter what. Many critics need to realize this. Consequently, if you loved M09 (2008 was horrific), you will absolutely like this latest installment of Madden. Keep in mind, this refined product is a lot better than the demo!!!
|
Madden 2010 Wii is Fantastic!
|
| Review Date: September 11, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Scott A. Weber, Cedar Rapids, Iowa |
| I am not a gamer. I simply delight in NFL football and I delight in before a live audience the Wii with my son. If you are into entertainment alone, this is a fantastic game. I reckon the graphics are fantastic! No, they are not as excellent as XBox or PS3 but they look fantastic enough! The All-Play is wondeful and allows my 6 year ancient to kick my butt! It really allows interaction with all family members while still keeping my interest with the fantastic players of the NFL. Before a live audience on line is a real treat! I like this game and the people who are bashing it must really be looking for an Xbox or PS3. Maybe they should have thought about that before they went out and bought the Wii! Go buy a PS# and close your mouth! Wii Madden 2010 is a lot of fun! |
Fantastic Upgrade Over Last Year
|
| Review Date: December 27, 2009 |
| Reviewer: D. Christensen, Mancos, CO, US of A |
Alright, some social class. I own the before 2 madden games ('08, '09). I am a honestly avid gamer. I like sports, shooter, and "kiddy-type" games :) I've only played this game three times so I will update it as I get more familiar with gameplay.
Early impressions: Features 2 cover athletes as different to 1 with before editions. Game art on the back is honestly misrepresentative of the real thing (the real thing is much better). Manual is thorough, as with other EA titles.
Alright, now for the real thing. The UI, which is absolutely different than last year, is a fantastic enhancement over '09, which was a fantastic enhancement over '08. This is the one area where EA gets it right every time.
New Features/excellent stuff: This game has commentary by Tom Hammond (play-by-play) and Chris Collinsworth (color). Chris Collinsworth is an enhancement over John Madden, but Hammond is a honest lower from Al Michaels. Why I say this is because Hammond just doesn't have that fire like Michaels had in before games. A further newbie is the power stick, which allows you to customize right analog stick controls anyway you want for each type of spot. I prefer the standard controls that use other butoons for right now, but as I play more, I may catch on and use right stick for more things. I reckon it is just a further go by EA to make the game more frinedly to those people (unlike me) who aren't diehard and need simplified controls. One reason (if the only one) that I get the latest Madden version is the updated rosters. I am not connected to the Internet on my PS2, so I don't get the live updates, and trading and making the newest additions to your favorite team can be a huge pain. Also on the subject, this game has newer fromations. With the emergence of the Wildcat formation in th '08 NFL season, I reckon it was a wise go on EA's part to include it in this years game. In before versions, you needed to make the fromation and plays for it, which is HUGE hassle. Also there is the Fight for The Fumble minigame, which occurs whenever there is a fumble. But please note that this minigame only takes place when there are manifold players from each team near the ball. I reckon this feature is a excellent one because in before editions, there would be a fumble, and it would take about fifteen seconds to renovate your health it because the players act as if the ball is on fire or a touch. The minigame essentially consists of a series of button mashing. Whoever mashes the most gets the loose ball.
Now for the terrible stuff: They eliminated the player weapons feature in this game, which I really liked in before versions because if I was before a live audience as a team that was unfamiliar to me, I would know who the excellent players are. Now, you just have to take the time to go to the coaching screen and look at the overall rating of the players in question. They have as a replacement for a hot-cold meter thingy (similar to NBA 2K9) that tells whether a player is doing well (red up arrow) or terrible (blue down arrow). If a player has a fiery arrow pointing up, try to get the ball in his hands. If he has a icy blue arrow pointing down, don't even reckon about it. I much prefer the player weapons over hot-cold deal, but you may reckon otherwise. I haven't tried the Megastar or Franchise modes yet, but will update when I do.
Overall, it's a tossup between "Do I want all the cool new features Madden 10 has to offer?" or "The updated rosters just aren't enough to tear me away from Madden '09" I like this game a lot better than '09, but you may not. I would reccomend trying it out someplace before you buy, just to make sure that you really like the boundary and other new features. Like I said, I will update this as I play the game more, and will grant more info. Pleased gaming!
--Update--
I have been trying out Rushing Attack, one of the minigames, and it is quite similar to before years, and with that similarity is one thing that has eaten me up since '08: the fact that made players, traded players, or depth chart rearrangements that place in a different player have absolutely no effect. It simply has the players that start on the defaulting depth chart, and there is no way you can change that. This is not a HUGE deal, but I like to be able to use players that I've made or traded. Trades and creations are playable in all other modes (except Megastar). I reckon EA should listen to this weep from a poor gamer in the boonies and change it with Madden '11. The secret to winning in Rashing Attack is not using your favorite team, but finding a team that you despise, who has a excellent RB, and a hard striking safety. A further new feature that I forgot to bring up in the first part of my review is the score thing at the top of the screen in games. It is symetrical in this year's game and looks similar to a flattened, upside down pyramid. Also, when you choose teams for any game mode, the team logos are sort of glowing and the colors are deeper. A very cool feature. One other thing is this year, and '09 too, I judge, disqualified the rotten NFL Europe teams that were playable in '08. I never used them, primarily because I thought it took away from the fact that this was an NFL game. And because none of the NFLE teams had an overall of over 60. And all the regular NFL teams were at least 70 overall. And, this game does not have Brett Favre once again because it was made in the three months that he was retired. So you will have to make him (you can find his attribute ratings online from '08). Like I said in the first review, I will continue to update.
--Update--
It's been a while since I've updated, and in that time I have found some invaluble facts about this game. First, for all you Vikings fans out there, Adrian Peterson IS the BEST running back on this game. He's too quick, too huge, too agile, too strong. I could go on like this, but you get the point. A further thing is many people will be tempted to write off this game because there is rumor has it that no defense. On the contrary there is more of a defense than in both the before two editions. The difference is that on '08 and '09, you can call an all-out blitz on every play and your DB's will still manage to pick it off. This year, defensive playcalling requires a brain. I recommend doing some practices to familiarize yourself with how you must call defensive plays. If you call a blitz on third and long, you'll get burned by the reciever. You call a back-off, prevent play on first and ten, you'll get burned by the RB. A further invaluble asset is the Skill Drills. They will help you hone your skill in quick, running, pass defense and run defense. If you use these, you will be able to make every tackle, break every tackle and thread the needle through the toughest D. You then do a practice, to test your newfound abilities. The controls for Madden are so in-depth, it has taken me three years to perfect all of my skills, with repetetive redoing of the Skill Drills. If you are excellent, you will be able to start the play (on defense) as a defensive end, get pressure on the QB, the after the throw, switch to a DB, cut off it, break a few tackles and have a TD. The preplay controls are honestly useless, unless you are really excellent and can read the offense/defense, figure out what audible to use and make a play. On offense, you can motion eligible players, send reciever on a different route than formerly designated, shift your offensive line safeguard, switch the direction of a run play, or simply audible into a absolutely new play. On defense, you can spotlight a reciever to shut him down, shift linemen, shift linebackers, call new types of coverages for DB's change any defenders assignment, or change plays absolutely. A further ingenious thought by EA is the following: There is music on the game. It is trashy death screamo metal. But, you can change all the music to NFL Films themes. These instrumental tracks are very recognizable, as they are played in many NFL commercials. I find it very relaxing as I'm runnig for touchdowns in rushing attack (The only game mode in which music is played). The music is only played on the main menu and submenus. I have not anything else as yet, so game on!
--Update--
I noticed the other while doing a practice a touch really awe-inspiring that has been nonexistent in before versions, and that is the overall fluidity (I don't know if that's a word) or smoothness of the gameplay. The first aspect of this is what I call pick-up tackles. One player starts to take down the ball Manner of language service, he gets him about halfway down, and then a further player "picks up" the tackle, and usually drives the ball Manner of language service back a yard or two. Let give the situation where I observed this: I was before a live audience a practice as the Colts on defense. I was before a live audience hostile to the Browns. I was conniving Dwight Freeney, the left end, when Brady Quinn, Browns QB, takes off running. In most situations, I would have switched to a linebacker or defensive back to make the tackle, but I didn't because Dwight Freeney is so quick. I came up behind him (Quinn) and used the strip ball tackle type to force a fumble. I was on Quinn's back as Bob Sanders came and hit Quinn head-on, thus picking up the tackle. But that's not all. Braylon Edwards was coming hard to give CB Kelvin Hayden a bonecrushing block. But after Sanders picked up the tackle, Freeney kept going and went over Quinn's back, rolled and took out the legs of Braylon Edwards and saving Hayden from some considerable pain. In before Maddens, Freeney would have taken down Quinn, and simply bumped into Sanders, and Sanders wouldn't have went. BUt EA has considerably upped the fluidity of the gameplay, which is surprising for a PS2 game, and it is leaps and bounds funner (more fun, no matter what, you grammar freaks :)) This game is super fun! |
Really fantastic Wii football game
|
| Review Date: September 19, 2009 |
| Reviewer: J. Baker, |
This is the first NFL game on the Wii that my family has loved. For the first time, it feels like it was made for the Wii as a replacement for of a port of the Playstation 2 version of the game. Graphics are bright, colorful and crisp. The gameplay is quick and responsive and the new controls for quick are fantastic.
All in my family is able to pick up and play this game, and have a fantastic time with it. Lots of game modes that cater to fans of all ages this year.
They didn't boost Megastar or Franchise mode, but they are built-in in the game. This game really seems to be about getting family and friends around the TV to have a fantastic football experience. We all like the product. |
|
No video reviews found for this product.
