Madden 07 (Xbox 360) Thread

[MizzouRah]

My brother got it for me, copy is sitting next to my 360 at home!!!

Oooh.. some impressions tonight?

Softball tourney tonight at 7:30, then hooking someone up, but impressions will come tonight...

Looking foward to them, thanks!

[Sudz]

My brother got it for me, copy is sitting next to my 360 at home!!!

how? where?

[Millennium]

Pandora's Cube in MD have been selling them, a guy at OS got his from College Park, my brother got mine from White Marsh Mall.

[Slumberland]

I'm gonna check the mom and pop stores in Queens on the way home. This would be a nice surprise!

[Badgun]

I'm sure some of you won't care because it list some good things, but for the rest here you go:

The Good of Madden 2007, posted by Fred at MN

WEll with all the negativity surround 2 issues in this game I think it was time to talk about some positives that people seem to be forgetting. Seems like people are actually glad there are these problems in the game so they can b*tch and complain about EA.

Like I said in the other thread I think EA will actually fix this fatigue problem, and if they do this could be one of the better Madden's we've experienced. So let me list some of the good I've found in my two full days of playing.

-Gameplay. This is MUCH improved from last years 360 version. You now have full control of your players and don't feel helpless. I actually think the controls in this game are more polished than NCAA.

-Collision detection and suction blocking are better than last year. And they aren't nearly as bad as they are in NCAA.

-Animations. There are a ton of new ones and they are very realistic. I saw one today that I kept watching in instant replay where I tried to tackle Willis McGahee with Pacman Jones and Jones went low but his knees kind of buckled and it almost stood him up, then someone else came in and finished off the tackle as Jones fell down. Its hard for me to explain but it was damn cool.

-Small details. There are little things like the field getting worn, puddles of water collecting, and the dreadlocks players have. They actually flow and reminded me of NBA2k and how the uniforms moved when the players did. I was playing against the colts and Manning has his real voice and actually audibles a ton at the line.

-Stadiums look amazing and so does the crowd. It's 10X better than NCAA's crowd and when it does a close up the fans are distinct.

-Superstar Mode is pretty fun. I created myself and went through all the combine stuff and got drafted by the sea hawks. I like how you dont have full control of the team. It makes it realistic and I have to work to actually get the QB to throw to me.

-Run to daylight is cool. I dont know about using it online, but offline its awesome. I've been using this a lot off line and I think you will too. It's a nice change of pace.

-Mini games actually serve a purpose. These will help you become a better player. I'm not big on these types of extras in madden but I've been doing them a lot. You can do these online, but its not against other people. you do them yourself and it posts your score online.

-The new Live Player feature. Pasta and I were able to do an exhibition game with custom rosters. He had Randy Moss on the Seahawks and I had Carson Palmer on the Bears. How many times have we asked for custom rosters online? Now we have it.

-More defensive playmaker options than before. I posted all the different optionis we have in my impressions thread. You can find them all there.

Overall this game IS better than NCAA or Madden last year. I think the negativity in this game is a bit over done. IF EA patches this fatigue problem I will not have a problem with this game. I'm confident that they will.

i think general gameplay is the most improved. you just feel like you have control over everything now compared to last year. From the QB fumbles as he's getting hit, to the other things that everyone complained about. It all seems to be fixed. The running game is vastly improved as well.

The impressions thread at OS has several people who described themselves as underwhelmed. They say it doesn't feel like football. That's kind of what my opinion on NCAA was and still is.

I guess if you liked NCAA 07, then you'll like Madden. Same game tightened up a bit with pro uniforms. If you didn't like it, it doesn't look like Madden is going to do much to change your mind.

Hopefully they'll continue to make the current gen versions until they get over their next gen growing pains.

[MizzouRah]

To each their own. The nice writeup by the guy who likes the game was more believeable than the two guys I read who were "underwhelmed" with the game and their one or two liners.

As with any game, there will those who dislike it and those who love it. I usually fall in between and if the controls are much tighter than NCAA, but NFL, I'll have what I expected it would be.

Starting from scratch, it's going to take awhile to get all the options the current version has. I just want a fun game of football.

[marino]

Yeah I am going to believe two posters with post counts under fifty, who are posting now.Naah.I will wait for more credible sources.

[ScoopBrady]

Yeah I am going to believe two posters with post counts under fifty, who are posting now.Naah.I will wait for more credible sources.

Exactly marino. I'm waiting for bkrich's impressions. We felt the same about Madden 360 last year so I'll trust his opinions. TCrouch's too. I don't know if Terry got the game yet but I think bkrich did.

[Badgun]

To each their own. The nice writeup by the guy who likes the game was more believeable than the two guys I read who were "underwhelmed" with the game and their one or two liners.

As with any game, there will those who dislike it and those who love it. I usually fall in between and if the controls are much tighter than NCAA, but NFL, I'll have what I expected it would be.

Starting from scratch, it's going to take awhile to get all the options the current version has. I just want a fun game of football.

Didn't you post at Bill's blog that you agreed with his assessment of NCAA on the 360? That while it was nice to look at that it was a jumbled mess as far as gameplay goes?

I just posted something similar over at OS.

I took back my ps2 version, went to Gamestop and bought a 360 and NCAA (along with a 20" widescreen monitor), it played so well the first game I played at the store. I'm thinking the inital graphics as well as the atmostphere in the 360 version had me in heaven.

After many games, the gameplay just isn't doing for me compared to the fun I had with the ps2 version. Everything you mention is exactly what I'm seeing with the 360 version.

I don't hate the game by any means, but just enough to take it back to Gamestop for Madden and ponder the thought of getting it once again (maybe used) for my ps2.

Oh well, I'm glad I bought my 360.. I love it actually (thanks Oblivion and arcade), but NCAA has lost its luster for me. Hopefully Madden will be football heaven for us 360 owners.

By MizzouRah, at 10:16 PM

If that's you, do you really expect Madden to be any different? It's the same game a month later. We hear that collision detection has been improved, but it is still a problem. I don't know if you're expecting some sweeping changes in Madden, but I guarantee you that the core gameplay is going to feel the same...awful.

And now with the two huge bugs and the introduction of the cannon blast when you throw the deep ball, I can only imagine playing the 360 version just to admire the visuals. Once again, current gen is going to be the better version of the game.

[Badgun]

Yeah I am going to believe two posters with post counts under fifty, who are posting now.Naah.I will wait for more credible sources.

Exactly marino. I'm waiting for bkrich's impressions. We felt the same about Madden 360 last year so I'll trust his opinions. TCrouch's too. I don't know if Terry got the game yet but I think bkrich did.

Yes, lets find a couple of people who thought NCAA 07 was the cat's pajamas, they're sure to be objective.

You do realize that anytime someone posts something negative about Madden or NCAA over at OS they are met with snide comments from both the posters and mods that their opinion carries no weight.

There was even a thread called "Madden 07 - Positive Comments Only" and yet when a guy made a similar thread called "Madden 07 - Negative Comments Only" it was promptly locked.

Just because a guy doesn't have a red or green name or 20,000 posts doesn't mean he's not reliable.

And for the record, my Gamestop manager, who I trust very much absolutely loved NCAA 07 on the 360 told me today that he, too was underwhelmed by Madden. He said that Superstar Mode was the best part of the game. He said the shotgun blast was very annoying. This guy has been telling me for a month that I was wrong about NCAA and how good Madden was going to be and now he's really let down after spending a few hours with the game last night. I'm not looking for someone to tell me what I want to hear...I'm looking for someone who is interested in being honest about a game that's important to a lot of us.

[Gman33]

Yeah I am going to believe two posters with post counts under fifty, who are posting now.Naah.I will wait for more credible sources.

Exactly marino. I'm waiting for bkrich's impressions. We felt the same about Madden 360 last year so I'll trust his opinions. TCrouch's too. I don't know if Terry got the game yet but I think bkrich did.

"Yes, lets find a couple of people who thought NCAA 07 was the cat's pajamas, they're sure to be objective."

Just like you're being objective with your snide and obvious negative tone towards NCAA and Madden on the 360. Give me a break. Can't wait for your unbiased impressions.

[JRod]

Call me crazy but if you didn't like NCAA, I think you will not like this game. Nuts!!!

This game will be similar to NCAA not exactly similar because EA knows it will lose sales if NCAA and Madden feel the same.

[TCrouch]

Yes, lets find a couple of people who thought NCAA 07 was the cat's pajamas, they're sure to be objective.

I'm not sure if that was directed at me, but I don't remember posting much, if at all, about NCAA 07. I don't think I ever posted one thing on this forum about NCAA 07 other than a "maybe" in the league.

So what's the deal? Did I kick your dog or something and not remember doing it?

...and for the record: no, I won't have it until Tuesday. Maybe the Midnight release, if I'm feeling sparky.

[Kissrox]

Yeah I am going to believe two posters with post counts under fifty, who are posting now.Naah.I will wait for more credible sources.

What?????? So the number of posts on a message board increases someone's credibility? I don't see the logic. If they had posted something you agreeded with, would they then be more credible?

[Sully]

Call me crazy but if you didn't like NCAA, I think you will not like this game. Nuts!!!

This game will be similar to NCAA not exactly similar because EA knows it will lose sales if NCAA and Madden feel the same.

I'm only comparing it to NCAA 07 for the Xbox 360. I only played 3 or 4 games of Madden 06 before putting it up on Ebay.

It is very similar, but as others have said, it just feels more polished. Basically, it's probably what we would expect from NCAA 08. The players have weight to them, as opposed to the "floaty" feel of NCAA 07. Much less mario running in the running game, making it easier to hit a hole. The collision detection is vastly improved. Controls are pretty much exactly the same as NCAA, which is a good thing. Graphics are more crisp. I even noticed some personal celebrations, such as Jeremiah Trotter's axe swing, which is a nice touch.

Corner routes are starting to worry me. WR's and good TE's get too much seperation on them. I'm talking 10 yards sometimes. I only played a couple games on All Pro, so I'd have to check it out on All Madden. Others are reporting too many fumbles, which might be attributed to the absence of the fatigue bar. I'm not sure. I guess we'll see once the bug is patched.

[Leebo33]

Yeah I am going to believe two posters with post counts under fifty, who are posting now.Naah.I will wait for more credible sources.

What?????? So the number of posts on a message board increases someone's credibility? I don't see the logic. If they had posted something you agreeded with, would they then be more credible?

If you were buying something off of Ebay, would you feel more comfortable buying off of a seller with 5 feedbacks or 5,000? It's only natural to "trust" users that have a posting history and you are sure do not have an agenda. The same thing happens here. It's not that I don't read and appreciate your posts, but if you received a copy of a game early and posted that I should absolutely not buy a game due to a "gamekilling" bug the first thing I would do would be to get a few more opinions to prove it was there. If bkrich wrote the same thing I would probably be very hesitant to buy a game that he couldn't play.

Plus, I don't go to OS a lot, but it's been my experience that you really have to watch out for those early impressions from posters with little history because many have an agenda or do not turn out to be true. It's not just negative comments either. I put less weight on any comments from low post users. It's nothing personal. It just takes time to learn people's likes/dislikes, biases, and skill levels. A baseball game that is "way too easy" for Web is probably just right for me

[Badgun]

Yes, lets find a couple of people who thought NCAA 07 was the cat's pajamas, they're sure to be objective.

I'm not sure if that was directed at me, but I don't remember posting much, if at all, about NCAA 07. I don't think I ever posted one thing on this forum about NCAA 07 other than a "maybe" in the league.

So what's the deal? Did I kick your dog or something and not remember doing it?

...and for the record: no, I won't have it until Tuesday. Maybe the Midnight release, if I'm feeling sparky.

No, Terry it was not directed at you. I don't recall ever seeing you post regarding NCAA. But I know that bk was in love with the game so I expect that he will love Madden, too.

[MizzouRah]

To each their own. The nice writeup by the guy who likes the game was more believeable than the two guys I read who were "underwhelmed" with the game and their one or two liners.

As with any game, there will those who dislike it and those who love it. I usually fall in between and if the controls are much tighter than NCAA, but NFL, I'll have what I expected it would be.

Starting from scratch, it's going to take awhile to get all the options the current version has. I just want a fun game of football.

Didn't you post at Bill's blog that you agreed with his assessment of NCAA on the 360? That while it was nice to look at that it was a jumbled mess as far as gameplay goes?

I just posted something similar over at OS.

I took back my ps2 version, went to Gamestop and bought a 360 and NCAA (along with a 20" widescreen monitor), it played so well the first game I played at the store. I'm thinking the inital graphics as well as the atmostphere in the 360 version had me in heaven.

After many games, the gameplay just isn't doing for me compared to the fun I had with the ps2 version. Everything you mention is exactly what I'm seeing with the 360 version.

I don't hate the game by any means, but just enough to take it back to Gamestop for Madden and ponder the thought of getting it once again (maybe used) for my ps2.

Oh well, I'm glad I bought my 360.. I love it actually (thanks Oblivion and arcade), but NCAA has lost its luster for me. Hopefully Madden will be football heaven for us 360 owners.

By MizzouRah, at 10:16 PM

If that's you, do you really expect Madden to be any different? It's the same game a month later. We hear that collision detection has been improved, but it is still a problem. I don't know if you're expecting some sweeping changes in Madden, but I guarantee you that the core gameplay is going to feel the same...awful.

And now with the two huge bugs and the introduction of the cannon blast when you throw the deep ball, I can only imagine playing the 360 version just to admire the visuals. Once again, current gen is going to be the better version of the game.

As I've said Badgun, my biggest issue was I didn't feel in total control of my players when playing NCAA 07 - and I've read Madden is much tighter as far as controls go.

At least I'll give it some play to draw my own conclusions. If indeed it is the same sluggish controls as NCAA, it'll go on ebay or back to Gamestop.

[GTHobbes]

I thought Madden started to become extremely boring and stale to play a good 4-5 years ago. I'm just hoping Madden 07 changes my feelings in that regard.

[wco81]

One guy in another forum, a 2K fan, said that using the highlight stick, he was able to rack up 200 yards rushing a game, sometimes just in the first half. We'll see.

Unfortunately, if you want to play a football game, this is it. You can play last year's or NFL2K5. But NFL fans and gamers have been conditioned to buy a new game every year.

If you don't want to reward EA, just wait a couple of weeks and get it on eBay. Publishers hate the used games market.

[Brando70]

For you guys who have the game, how is the running game on the 360? How is the blocking? Have you tried the lead stick thing yet?

Note to all respondents: a higher number of post counts is preferred but not required

[bkrich83]

For you guys who have the game, how is the running game on the 360? How is the blocking? Have you tried the lead stick thing yet?

Note to all respondents: a higher number of post counts is preferred but not required

Got it last night. Only screwed around with the SS mode, and a little bit of exhibition.

Running game is smoother than NCAA. Mario Running seems to be gone for the most part. Still there at times, but you don't have the tendency to get stuck on an offensive linemens ass like you do in NCAA. Seem to be a lot more running animations. Also with the impact stick and it seems like I can tell a bigger difference between the big backs and the smaller backs just in the way they fight for extra yards and fall forward and such. Suction blocking seems to be toned down. Seems like NCAA's running game, but cleaned up, more varied animations and smoother framerate and controls. Much like NCAA I believe it to be their best attempt at the running game yet. Still not 2k level, but they are inching closer.

Passing game, seems a lot like NCAA. I think the animations of the recievers in dealing with press coverage, running routes, and catching the ball seem to be more varied. Passing game feels similiar to NCAA, but the defense seems to react a little quicker. Corner routes, like just about every game ever made, maybe an issue.. Still haven't screwed around with it enoug to know for sure. Seen more overthrown balls, underthrown balls etc. QB fumble while getting sacked issue looks to be resolved. I haven't seen one yet.

People are reporting a lot of fumbles, I haven't seen to many, but I just haven't played that much to really take notice. I still think like NCAA it's too easy to get a QB outside of the pocket. But that seems to be something that has troubled every football game.

SS mode, is what I spent most of the time on yesterday, just creating various players and seeing how it works. I had fun with it last night, and it actually might end up being my primary mode of offline gameplay.

Playbooks seem better, but still nowhere near what 2k had to offer.

As I said, I only had limited time with the game, but enjoyed myself in what I did play. It seems like a cleaner, smoother, more polished game of NCAA. Take that for what it's worth. One thing I do like in this game I have noticed as I play it, ratings actually matter.

I haven't played around with franchise mode at all, but I assume like NCAA it's a pretty barebones franchise mode as feature sets go.

As someone who hasn't like a Madden game since Madden 01, I have to say I am happy so far with this game. However, bear in mind, my time with it has been real limited so far.

[bkrich83]

Yeah I am going to believe two posters with post counts under fifty, who are posting now.Naah.I will wait for more credible sources.

Exactly marino. I'm waiting for bkrich's impressions. We felt the same about Madden 360 last year so I'll trust his opinions. TCrouch's too. I don't know if Terry got the game yet but I think bkrich did.

Yes, lets find a couple of people who thought NCAA 07 was the cat's pajamas, they're sure to be objective.

You do realize that anytime someone posts something negative about Madden or NCAA over at OS they are met with snide comments from both the posters and mods that their opinion carries no weight.

There was even a thread called "Madden 07 - Positive Comments Only" and yet when a guy made a similar thread called "Madden 07 - Negative Comments Only" it was promptly locked.

Just because a guy doesn't have a red or green name or 20,000 posts doesn't mean he's not reliable.

And for the record, my Gamestop manager, who I trust very much absolutely loved NCAA 07 on the 360 told me today that he, too was underwhelmed by Madden. He said that Superstar Mode was the best part of the game. He said the shotgun blast was very annoying. This guy has been telling me for a month that I was wrong about NCAA and how good Madden was going to be and now he's really let down after spending a few hours with the game last night. I'm not looking for someone to tell me what I want to hear...I'm looking for someone who is interested in being honest about a game that's important to a lot of us.

You are just a bitter old man.

I wasn't aware that anyone who had opinions that differed from you, wasn't credible.

Also, I have slammed NCAA 05 and 06, and every Madden from 02 up until last year mercilessly, and I like one version and all of a sudden I am not credibie.

Must be nice going through life thinking every opinion you have is fact.

[JRod]

You know all this ripping on NCAA I think is a bit much. I know this isn't an NCAA thread so let me address a few football gaming things.

I think NFL 2k was a decent game not a great game. First off I don't think 2k Games ever release a sports game that wasn't buggy. That killed the game for me. For me the game was boring. Things like running the ball, passing for the most part was pretty good. The stats and the end of the game were also decent. It's been a long time that I just can't what issues pissed me off into not wanting to play the thing.

However 2k5 was release two years ago. Far too many people are holding that up as a gold standard even with its problems. Madden (Xbox) last year was the first game I felt had it all. However the passing game was completely focused on long pass plays.

I just don't get all the complaints for NCAA 360. I think this time isn't the same complaints you here when a new version of WE is released. Because the game is tweaked it feels the same but all the little things you learned to be successful have changed as well.

NCAA in my opinion is the best football title released. Had 2k7 been released maybe it would be a different story. But it hasn't. For my money NCAA is better than 2k5 not because its new but because the football parts are less broken then in any other game. Aside from mario running and corner passes the game plays a solid game of football. CPU FGs are broken, ok.

As for Madden, I'm not that interested in it because the pro game has less to do then the college game. I like recruiting, I like changing schedules every year, and I like the ebb and flow of the polls and heisman rankings from week to week.

[bkrich83]

You know all this ripping on NCAA I think is a bit much. I know this isn't an NCAA thread so let me address a few football gaming things.

I think NFL 2k was a decent game not a great game. First off I don't think 2k Games ever release a sports game that wasn't buggy. That killed the game for me. For me the game was boring. Things like running the ball, passing for the most part was pretty good. The stats and the end of the game were also decent. It's been a long time that I just can't what issues pissed me off into not wanting to play the thing.

However 2k5 was release two years ago. Far too many people are holding that up as a gold standard even with its problems. Madden (Xbox) last year was the first game I felt had it all. However the passing game was completely focused on long pass plays.

I just don't get all the complaints for NCAA 360. I think this time isn't the same complaints you here when a new version of WE is released. Because the game is tweaked it feels the same but all the little things you learned to be successful have changed as well.

NCAA in my opinion is the best football title released. Had 2k7 been released maybe it would be a different story. But it hasn't. For my money NCAA is better than 2k5 not because its new but because the football parts are less broken then in any other game. Aside from mario running and corner passes the game plays a solid game of football. CPU FGs are broken, ok.

As for Madden, I'm not that interested in it because the pro game has less to do then the college game. I like recruiting, I like changing schedules every year, and I like the ebb and flow of the polls and heisman rankings from week to week.

Badgun will now label you as not credible.

I agree on the college vs. pro football thing. I like the college stuff and recruiting better myself. But I switch back and forth after a few seasons to keep it fresh. Not to mention, the real reason I got Madden this year was the SuperStar Mode. Which, I actually have had fun with so far.