The PS3 difference.
Sadly, just like with NCAA Football 08 and All-Pro Football 2K8, PS3 owners are stuck with an inferior version of Madden. While the game runs at 60 frames per second on Microsoft's box, Madden only clocks in at 30fps on Sony's console. The result? The gameplay isn't nearly as smooth as the 360 version and even stutters at times (see the difference in this comparison video). And that's the reason why we're scoring the PS3 edition slightly lower.
Stop experimenting and start innovating: Vision and Precision Passing, Superstar mode -- the last two big features coming out of this series can best be described as "great in theory, poor in execution." Thankfully, that's not the case this season as 08 introduces something much simpler yet way more effective. The new "weapons" feature has a two-pronged effect. First, these onfield icons make it supereasy to identify a team's key players and their strengths. And more importantly, these classifications bring some much-needed variety to each position. So running the pigskin with elusive Saints running back Reggie Bush feels way different than using Chiefs power back Larry Johnson. The game even takes into account which NFL players show some smarts on the gridiron. Brainiacs like the Colts' Peyton Manning and the Ravens' Ed Reed (who receive the lightbulb icon) can eventually fill up that lightbulb and read the defensive or offensive play, which will appear on the field as a diagram. Now that's what we call innovation.
Aside from these player classifications, the developers went back and cleaned up some of their previous "experiments." Superstar mode returns, but this time the position-specific camera angles are actually playable -- the view's been pulled back, which allows you to see more of the action. Also, rather than creating a superstar, you can also play this mode with one of the league's top rookies. The game's franchise mode takes another step forward with its scouting options, and for all you Xbox 360 owners, you've never played a Madden that moves as blistering fast and smooth as this one. That's what 60 frames per second can do for football (see the sidebar for the unfortunate PS3 difference).
| [Click the image above to check out all Madden NFL 08 screens.] |
Give 'em something upstairs: From the terrible secondary play to the errant line blocking, we've often wondered why Madden's group of NFLers even wear helmets -- it's not like they got much to protect up there. But just like our innovation wish, you'll find a much smarter brand of football in 08: Quarterbacks now scramble when no one is open, wideouts continue to make blocks 30 yards downfield, and defensive backs rarely fall for the deep ball. Some might even say that pass defense is a tad too stingy this season, but we'd rather have it be challenging than face another Madden secondary that sports more holes than Swiss cheese.
This year's game makes the developers look wise in other ways as well. Ball carriers will now push on the back of an offensive lineman if the fatty is pluggin' up the hole. If you call a play-action pass at the goal line, you'll actually see the running back continue with the fake and jump over the pile -- very nice. Surprisingly, 08 also isn't afraid to make its players look dumb (at the appropriate times, naturally). For example, bad weather finally has an effect on gameplay as players will occasionally slip on a rain-soaked or snow-covered field while juking or going for a tackle.
Show some emotion: When you boot up the game, it starts with a video montage that shows Eagles hit man Brian Dawkins pounding his chest and screaming to his teammates, "Can you feel it?!" Well, Brian, not entirely in 08. While we really dig that the players display more personality in this year's edition (usually through celebrations like Giants defensive end Michael Strahan's sack-tastic jump shot and Cowboys wideout Terrell Owens' TD shimmy), we're still waiting for the sport's true emotion to come out. As this writer mentioned in the EGM article, "If we're playing in the Super Bowl -- from the announcers to the fans in the stands -- it better damn well feel like a special event." Bumping up the player's reactions to what's happening on the field is a start, but this series -- along with most other sports sims -- desperately needs to turn up the atmosphere dial.
| [Click the image above to check out all Madden NFL 08 screens. |
Online leagues or bust: Another year, another Madden -- and another year without online leagues. Disappointing? Heck yeah, especially with the recent announcement that NHL 08, another EA sports franchise with an online community a fraction of the size of Madden, will receive this most-wanted feature. But perhaps calling this wish "online leagues or bust" was a li'l dramatic. Playing four quarters across the Internet was pretty much lag-free, and die-hard football fans should enjoy the "NFL News" tab that gives you access to tons of news articles and ESPN clips.
Stop putting players on the cover: Some initially read this wish as a joke, but we're not kidding: When will EA realize that putting stars like Titans quarterback Vince Young on the Madden cover messes up not only fantasy football, but more importantly, the actual NFL? We feel for ya, Titans fans -- it's going to be one long (and soon-to-be Young-less) season.
So as we wrap up, is this the "best Madden ever?" Well, EA's still gotta get its online act together before we can bestow such an honor. But we definitely do feel bad for folks like Pacman Jones and Tank Johnson -- these guys won't be part of the best Madden in a long while.
