Sorry to start yet another Madden thread but I would appreciate some help making a decision.

 

I am  going to buy this game but what I do not know is which version I will get, 07 or 08. I have read some posts here about the game and some have said that they regret buying Madden08 as it is no improvement over Madden07. Looking at some reviews on the net does not help. As of writing this Madden08 has 6 reviews are they are not clear cut. For instance IGN gives Madden07 a score of 85 and then says this of Madden08 

"The game makes great use of motion with better-implemented and easier to pull off moves than 07, it has more modes, far more multiplayer both locally and now online, and is generally superior in nearly every regard."

And their score for Madden08?  85 exactly the same as Madden07.

Where as Gamespot gave Madden07 a score of 84 and Madden08 a score of 80.

 

Now I have waited to buy Madden08 because I assumed that EA, having more time to become familiar with the Wii, would have tightened the controls and generally improved the gameplay, graphics, speed etc. So is this not the case? Did they just take the originall game and spend their time adding 'Family Play', online and all those mini games?

 

So for all those who have played both versions on the Wii I would appreciate your thoughts in comparing the two versions. There a still 2 weeks until it is released here so I have time to wait for your opinions and for a few more reviews to become available.

One thing however, my Wii is not online (yet) so the version that has the best AI and local multiplayer would be my choice.

Thanks,

 

JRI. 

well i havent played it myself but if controls are better that alone is a good reason to buy it over 07. I myself didn't buy any of the EA Sports 07 games knowing that the 08 were not far away. I will be getting Madden 08, Tiger Woods 08, FIFA 08 etc..

I think 08 having online is a big improvement as well.

just because the score is lower doesn't mean it's a worse game. Go with 08

08. better graphics. online play. tighter controls from an already superb system.

I found 08 a huge letdown myself. It's fairly buggy compared to 07, the Graphics look only marginally better, and I thought the controls aren't as smooth and as natural as 07. You now have to be careful when you snap the ball, or the game might register a big snap as a throw as well and you'll lose a down, where as I don't remember 07 having this problem. Things like Stiff arm just don't feel as snappy, posibbly in part because there's been more moves added to Wii Remote. I can't use the cursor to pick my guy before the snap, just have to cycle through them.

 I'm not a football fan, I just really loved 07 for some reason, and figure 08 would be better. So things like online play 
and player weapons might make a difference to people already a fan of Madden, and they might like that it seems more 
challengeing than 07. I felt it was just all around kind of loose and unrefined compared to 07. 

Well the biggest problem with 07 (which I haven't played) I would think is the outdated rosters. The party mode and online are also improvements for 08. Beyond that I don't know which is better but I do really like 08.  The again if none of that matters to you then you can probably find 07 for cheap in a used game store or I think its $30 new so either way it is cheaper than 08.

justrollit said: Sorry to start yet another Madden thread but I would appreciate some help making a decision.   I am going to buy this game but what I do not know is which version I will get, 07 or 08. I have read some posts here about the game and some have said that they regret buying Madden08 as it is no improvement over Madden07. Looking at some reviews on the net does not help. As of writing this Madden08 has 6 reviews are they are not clear cut. For instance IGN gives Madden07 a score of 85 and then says this of Madden08 "The game makes great use of motion with better-implemented and easier to pull off moves than 07, it has more modes, far more multiplayer both locally and now online, and is generally superior in nearly every regard." And their score for Madden08? 85 exactly the same as Madden07. Where as Gamespot gave Madden07 a score of 84 and Madden08 a score of 80.   Now I have waited to buy Madden08 because I assumed that EA, having more time to become familiar with the Wii, would have tightened the controls and generally improved the gameplay, graphics, speed etc. So is this not the case? Did they just take the originall game and spend their time adding 'Family Play', online and all those mini games?   So for all those who have played both versions on the Wii I would appreciate your thoughts in comparing the two versions. There a still 2 weeks until it is released here so I have time to wait for your opinions and for a few more reviews to become available. One thing however, my Wii is not online (yet) so the version that has the best AI and local multiplayer would be my choice. Thanks,   JRI.

save your money on 08.  The online is really laggy and once you take out the party games and family mode you have 07.  The "family mode" is  simplified version of the game that you play without the 'chuck.  It's not much fun and you'll find yourself wanting the "advanced mode" pretty much from the start.  I thoroughly regret buying 08.  Find a used 07 if you can becuse it would be cheaper that way and you'll get a good local game.

 

OK, thanks to all those that have replied, it seems like 07 has more loyalty than 08 does and if they haven't 'improved' the controls then 07 is probably the version that I will get. In the end it is how good the controls are that defines a game and makes it more fun not how good the graphics are (but don't tell PS3 or 360 owners that!).

I think that Family mode may help raw beginners but any seasoned game player will quickly switch to advance quickly. My only problem is Madden 07 in store is $119.95 but Madden 08 is being released in 2 weeks time at $99.95 - I will look around for used copies of 07 though.

cheers

JRI.