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Madden NFL 2007
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Pub.: EA
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Dev.:
EA
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Score: 8.6 |
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Madden NFL 2007 Review
by Dagon Fel
Madden '06 is not exactly what I would have called a "next gen" football game. The only real thing it did was upgrade the graphics. It was missing all the features and only had the option to play in a franchise or online. After nine months of so-so football on 360, EA steps it up and brings us Madden NFL '07. Granted, EA has exclusive license rights for NFL football games therefore there isn't much to compare it to. All said Madden NFL '07 fills that football void on 360.
Gameplay:
Madden '07 delivers in quality controls, easy to use menus and a fast, intense game experience. I found the controls easy to grasp. The kicking game has been changed '07 to include both the right and left sticks. The left being used to set your initial aim and the right to set accuracy and kick power. Much like swinging the golf club in Tiger Woods PGA or taking a swing at the plate in MLB 2K6.
The "Run to Daylight" feature is my favorite addition as it lets you seamlessly choose your lead blocker, make that killer block, then switch back to your running back to finish of the run. I wasn't sure how this feature would work or if it would be any fun. Pulling of that massive knockdown to send your running back into the end zone is a feeling like no other!
The Running backs and receivers have the Highlight stick. It works much like the truck stick in previous editions though power backs will do different "highlight" moves then say a swift shifty back. On the same token, the defense has there Hit Stick. It works exactly the same as in previous releases and is still a little slow to respond.
Passing is still as good as in previous editions. The QB vision seems even less clunky then in '06. The QB vision lock works a lot better and makes for good precision passing without letting your opponent see where you want to throw until you throw. Offensive and Defensive AI are also improved though I will always think it could be better. You will still get those no brain er widereceivers dropping the ball once in a while on a perfect pass. Most avid players of Madden football games will not find this game challenging until you set the difficulty level to All-Pro or higher. It is always fun to play on pro or rookie sometimes and just stack up the stats though.
Super Star mode is called Hall Of Fame mode on the 360 and works much the same. You choose your parents, which sets what position your character will be. Your facial features, your college, your name you get the drift. Choose an agent and you're ready to show your stuff to whichever scouts are interested. You work out and do drills through the NFL Combine and then hope you get drafted to a team you like. If you don't you can stick it out through pre-season and then tell your agent you demand a trade. I would save first though as you have no control over which team you get traded to. Depending on what position your player is will depend on what point of view you see the field. If you are a Receiver you will be playing out on the line of scrimmage ready to burn the defense for a major gain. You can play as any position you want and they all give you a different perspective to the game. Even if you don't finish a season or even a game as some of these positions I suggest trying them anyway cause they are a fun way to see the game and the graphics from a different angle.
Online play is smooth for the most part. You might get some slowdown here and there but that happens few and far between. The lobbies are all there or you can just create your own ranked or un ranked room. You still can't challenge plays online. And there are no options to setup tournaments or leagues. You can howeveryour Franchise game up to the online community and have Live people play against you in your franchise. You can set it for any one online or so just your friends can join. Nothing better then hopping in a buddies franchise and handing him his first loss of the season. Come on... Nothing beats a good football game or two with some of your best gaming buddies.
Features:
-Offline play for up to two players.
-HDTV 480p/720p/1080i
-In Game Dolby Digital
-Online Multi-player for two players.
-Content Downloads over Xbox Live Market Place.
-Leader Boards and online voice chat.
Graphics:
The graphics in this game are amazing to say the least. The best I have ever seen in a game of its genre. The uniforms are so well detailed you can see the stitching holding them together. The way the players look is outstanding. In '06 the players almost looked sickly and had weird eyes. Player models are as good as I could hope for.
The grass is one of the biggest improvements in this game. The field looks like a field. You can see blades of grass and if you look closely in replays you can see the grass come up over the players shoes. A QB gets sacked and it looks like he is laying in the grass. The field also acts like a field this time around. Grass getting torn up as the game goes on. If it is raining the field gets muddy and pools of water start to form which reflect everything from the stadium to the sky. Field graphics are top notch.
Stadium Graphics have been upgraded also. The way the shadows and lighting are used in this game is perfect. Shadows move as the game goes on and the sun goes down. Stadium Lights actually look like lights and they will cast there shadow down on the field during day games. All this makes for great atmosphere when added with the crowds jeers and cheers.
Cut scenes and stadium shots are abound. They all look excellent. The score board seems to be working better this time around also along with the MEGA TRON showing more then just cut out pictures of Favre getting sacked like in '06. When it is cold you can see the players breath. And it doesn't look like some weird smoke coming from their helmets either. The graphics are definitely top notch.
Audio:
The stadium sound is also fantastic. I put this game in my 360 and turn up my surround sound and take bliss in all the player chatter pre play, during play and after the plays. The home crowd cheers for good plays and jeers for bad calls. The only thing missing is John Madden and Al Michaels. It sounds like you are right in the stadium when you play this game on a good surround sound system. EA did an excellent job incorporating the need for the right noise atmosphere to help get the feeling of intense football action and the let downs of a blown play. As mentioned earlier player chatter is all around. From the cut scenes to just before the snap of the ball they always seem to be talking or yelling about something.
Overall:
I've had a few problems with all of a sudden not being able to call any plays till the play clock runs out and I have to take a penalty. A few of my friends have mentioned the same thing happening to them once or twice but nothing that is common enough to deter you from the enjoyment this game brings to us the football fans. Another thing I must mention is the lack of features.
Features are still missing. Where is owners mode? There is no options to star in movies in Super Star mode. Hell they don't even give you a place to live as the "Apartment" feature has stayed current gen. How about Throw back uniforms and old stadiums? Hopefully they won't nickle and dime us through the Xbox Live Marketplace for things that should have been included at point of sale.
Though the things that are missing do not out weigh the good points and intense football action this game brings one would hope that on a next generation system the next gen football games would have all these features and more. I am disappointed that some features are just non existent but in the overall view of things this game is well worth the money spent despite a few let downs.
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| Rating |
| Gameplay: | 9 |
| Graphics: | 8 |
| Sound: | 8 |
| Value: | 9 |
| Tilt: | 9 |
| Overall: 8.6 |
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