This Game Shines but not in Right Places

Author's Rating:

Pros: Excellent all around graphics,players and stadiums, game plays great

Cons: The lack of game modes and play challenging are really frustrating

The Bottom Line: 
Great graphics aside Madden on the new Xbox is for people who don't already own it.

Author's Review
Madden has become a truly dominating football franchise. It leads the video game football world with a commanding fist. Now that Madden has come to own the NFL license, it's an iron fist. The new Madden on Xbox 360 is a game that isn't quite complete, in features, and options. This game is a great showing of what football games will be in the future. But all by itself Madden 06 on the 360 is a game that lacks depth and features that the current Madden games already offer.

Right from the get go players will notice that this "new Madden" is lacking something that it's console brothers do. No superstar mode, practice mini-games, and a frachise that is stripped down to the bare bones of managing. Right from the start you may wonder if that extra 10 dollars this game costs is worth it. All you have to choose from in 360 Madden is to play now, online, or a franchise. But don't let that fool you because this franchise is watered down in comparison to the deeper one on the PS2 and Xbox.

Overall I think that this game was simply rushed out the door for the Xbox 360's launch. It also makes sense because of course Microsoft would want to have a football game for it's big debut. So maybe we have less features but there is one part of this game that the developers did put some effort into. The graphics. When you start playing your thrown into an ultra detailed NFL stadium that is accurate down to the very last nose bleed seat. Plus every little fan in those stands is a 3-D polygon character. This new era of sports games means no more dead, cardboard fans. From a distance the life in the crowd brings a whole new level of exitement to the game. The roars and cheers are excellent as well. Then there are the true gems of the new Madden, the players. Each player on the field is so detailed and lifelike you simply must stare in awe. On a high definition TV this game is brilliant. The jerseys have real creases and mesh that is so detailed it's like real. There are no more jagged edges on the players either. There muscles glisten and shine with sweat. Even the faces inside those shiny helmets are super detailed to bring them to life. Peyton Manning looks like Peyton Manning and so on. On some of the faces though it looks like they tried to hard to make the person look real but that's alright. Another funny little thing you can notice only in replay is the expressions on players faces as they get tackled or get ready to make a tackle. The attention to every little detail is amazing. Not only are the graphics are fantastic but there are like 1,000 different animations these players will perform so the variety is great too. You won't keep seeing the same kind of sack or catch over and over again. Another new thing on this particular game is the new presentation. This football game is not brought to you like a TV broadcast, instead the action is commentated by some radio sounding sports caster. Yeah, Madden and his play by play man aren't in the booth this time. Odd, I know, but lets admitt it, some of John's comments can get pretty repetitive after a while. Also the game uses jumbotrons in the stadiums to tell you whether or not you made a first down, made a kick, or whether or not a penalty flag was called. I thought this approach was a little lame and didn't seem as cool as the previous ways of bringing an NFL game to your living room.

Another aspect of this game that has been tweaked is the play calling. You now are givin different ways are choosing what type of play you want. You can choose from a Madden play, coach, and formation type. This new system is so much easier to navigate in a lot less time. Finding the type of play you need is simple and quick. The plays are as always easy to read and not confusing. Picking the coach or Madden plays are a good idea too, they are both pretty smart. The only problem is that now the plays aren't assigned a button like they used to. Now you actual navigate with the joy stick. So when you select the play a person sitting next to you could see it. And any person who knows a thing or two about seeing the other guys play it makes a difference, trust me. When I was playing with the friend it was speed picking. But I overall liked the new interface and the sacrafice is well worth it.

Gameplay on the 360 has changed suprisingly. The feel of this Madden is definitely different than on current consoles. Players seem to move faster and have more bite when they collide. The running game is hard. Backs are taken down pretty easily but at least the truck stick is there to help players plow through people. Alot of times the runner won't break though the pack but when you do you'll be off to the endzone with no contention. The passing game is what I found to be the most fun. You can really dominate with a good quarterback. The hailmarys and bullet passes are all executable very easilly. The receivers have gloves with glue or so it seems, and although it may sound somewhat easy to connect on passes the defense can still get the way and break a play up. Trying to stop the offense can be hard for defensing players. But the hit stick returns where you can level the ball carrier with a flick of the right thumb stick. Using this method of tackling is a little risky but when you connect with the carrier your much more likely to get a fumble. Some Madden veterans might not like the changes in game play but I found it to be more fun and exciting. One glaring problem is how you can't challenge plays. This was probably left out to save time in the creation process but it is sorely missed. Football fans know the importance of turning the game around when the ref makes a bone headed call. When it's tied in the fourth quater with 2 minutes to go every call is crucial and not having the challenge to fall back on it can be very frustrating.All in all everything but the lack of the challenge has stayed intact for the Xbox 360.

The franchise mode as I said is not as in depth or well done as it has been in the years past. Like 05, or old 06. But it atleast lets you take your team to the big show in search of the glory of winning that Super Bowl trophy. You can still trade players, and some of that contract stuff, but nothing much beyond that. Last you have online. This is where you have a reason to keep this game. Once your done crushing the computer you test your skills against opponents world wide. Finding and playing online is a snap to use as long as your set up correctly.

The big picture here is that Madden on the 360 uses only aspect of the systems new powers and that is to produce realistic visuals like never before. You won't see a football game this pretty until Madden 07 or when the PS3 lauches. So if your dying for a next generation football game then it will be worth your 60 dollars, but if you can wait then do so because next year Madden is sure to knock everyones socks off.