Madden 08 Hands On

[JRod]

Well I don't think any slider combination is going to fix the INT problem. Here's hoping for a magical set.

When on offense, I feel I can minimize the damage. So that's the good part. But playing defense it just feels too cheap. It feels like every other game there's a pick that is returned for a touchdown simply because of the jet-packing defenders

In an exbition against the Colts, Denver had four picks two of which where returned for a TD.

If there's a definition of a game killer the INT problem is it. It's a game killer because the rest of the game isn't bad. I think you could better tweak the AI to fine tune the running game and OL/DL parts of the game. But the rest of the game is playable.

It feels as if you didn't earn that great defensive play. And these plays don't result in one or two more INTs a game. They are defensive plays that result in TDs. In another game, the CIN TE was running a slant to the left side of the field. CIN was in a I-Form 2 Wide out right. I'm in man so that leaves the entire left side open. Gold is behind and to the inside of the CIN TE. The ball is thrown outside, and Ian Gold goes from being a step behind to jumping inside the route for the INT. I would have scored a TD where it not for the clipping penalty.

Maybe there's some sort of magic slider set with the right difficulty level that addresses this.


I don't think Madden is that bad. It's like APF, it takes a different set of skills to play. When I'm blowing out Manning because of 4 INTs, two returned for a TD, it just doesn't feel I've earned that win.

[Wilk5280]

Send it back already.

[10spro]

If you liked the gameplay on the PSP last year, you won't be disappointed with 08. EA included the icon weapons for the portable as well which is a plus but with the exception of the running game, those special icon players don't seem to have the same impact on defense as I don't seem to have the same control adjusting the different formations that's coming at me.

Graphics wise is not much different from last year, they added some new animations and you will find different camera angles with this version. I didn't like the default Madden cam as some passes seem to focused too close on your QB, hindering your view of what your receivers are doing, but you can adjust the blocking view. I don't experience as many INT as the 360 but I do see more injuries around on just routine plays, as the replays don't show much.

You have the franchise mode, mini camp and mini camp competition, superstar challenge, online play and the in-game save is great. Overall, is a fun game on the go, but if you already have 07, I am not sure if it warrants $50 bucks to just have the added icon weapons.[/i]

[Leebo33]

I didn't like the default Madden cam as some passes seem to focused too close on your QB, hindering your view of what your receivers are doing, but you can adjust the blocking view.

I was worried that they were going to take out the ability to snap the ball from the zoomed out coach cam, but luckily they didn't. That makes it really easy to see your receiver or at least as easy as it is going to get on a handheld.

I only got to play 2 games so far, but here is what I've noticed:

- I went into this purchase expecting a $36 roster update of one of the best portable games of all time and by golly it appears that's what EA gave me Very little has changed. There are indeed some more animations, but the weapon stuff seems like an afterthought compared to the 360 version. I just don't get the feeling that the weapons mean as much in the PSP version.

- Given the choice of the quick gameplay and snaps by the CPU (360 version) and seeing them jog to the line (PSP), I'll take the quick gameplay every time.

- The CPU QB throws long!

- I'll double-check, but the team ratings and weapons seem different between the PSP and 360 versions.

- John Madden makes me long for the radio announcer. It is pretty impressive audio for a PSP game, although Madden is constantly referencing a replay that doesn't appear on the PSP version.

- "Mario running" was never that big of a deal to me until they got rid of it. It's full force in the PSP version.

- the defensive cheats, interceptions, and fumbles aren't in this version but you have to deal with their opposites...the unlikely (but hopefully rare) impossible WR catches in double coverage and DBs with stone hands.

- I said it last year and I'll say it again this year...the PSP version is more "sim" than the 360 version just from a statistical and end result standpoint. It may not look as good getting there, but I don't think I'm going to worry about getting 2 defensive TDs every other game based on my early impressions. Last year slider tweaking on the PSP version was minimal and the game itself felt less scripted.

More tomorrow...

[Inuyasha]

so after 36 hours we've determined the game has an INT problem? Isn't that a bit early?

A quick way to take the fun out of videogames is over-analyzing them.

[JRod]

so after 36 hours we've determined the game has an INT problem? Isn't that a bit early?

A quick way to take the fun out of videogames is over-analyzing them.

How do you over-analyze seeing 3 INTs within two minutes while the CPU is trying to mount a comeback being down 16-10. Two of those INTs were returned for a touchdown. So a game that was realistic until the final two minutes of the game when down the crapper because the CPU threw three picks.

It's hard to over analyze a game when it throws crap like this is your face.

[kicko]

Did you try turning interceptions way down and def. knockdowns way up?

I figure its better to knock them down then catch them .

[Leebo33]

A quick way to take the fun out of videogames is over-analyzing them.

A quicker way to take the fun out is to eliminate the sense of accomplishment. A defensive touchdown should be a fist-pumping event in a football game IMO. In Madden on the 360 it's the opposite. I *don't* want to score so many defensive touchdowns and roll my eyes when I get yet another one.

[btmmayor]

Last year slider tweaking on the PSP version was minimal and the game itself felt less scripted.

Less scripted than the 360 version or are you saying it felt less scripted than this years PSP version?

[TheTruth]

A quick way to take the fun out of videogames is over-analyzing them.

A quicker way to take the fun out is to eliminate the sense of accomplishment. A defensive touchdown should be a fist-pumping event in a football game IMO. In Madden on the 360 it's the opposite. I *don't* want to score so many defensive touchdowns and roll my eyes when I get yet another one.

I feel the same way Leebo. The def touchdowns just start to seem routine. And I am also struggling with something DB pointed out earlier...my offensive lineman just seem to stand there and not block anybody and my RB/QB gets blown up in the backfield. I have had numerous occassions where two of my lineman will just stand there and allow the def player (the one that was lined up right in front of him) just go right by. It gets frustrating at times.

The turnovers...I played two games last night. The first I had a combined 11 turnovers (lots of fumbles). The second game I had 2 combined turnovers (1 per team). So it does seem to vary somewhat. This on Allpro with interceptions turned all the way down.

[HipE]

Surprisingly for an EA game, Madden 08 plays great for me online. I played a couple of games against a friend of mine last night, and they were extremely smooth and lag free. We had never even completed a game against each other in Madden 06 or 07, every time we would start one the game would basically play in slow motion, forcing us to quit every time.

[Brando70]

I've played two games on All-Pro and seen a total of 3 interceptions thrown by the CPU. My first game had none, second game (in the rain) had three. All of them made sense, although Madden's defenders have always had an unrealistic ability to change directions in coverage.

Has anyone seen the CPU call a challenge? I've seen a booth-initiated review, but not a CPU one. Last night I had a TD pass to Tony Gonzalez where it looked like his second foot touched the line, yet it wasn't challenged.

I did see a defensive pass interference penalty last night, which was nice.

Having played only two games, I'm not about to be all "r0x0rs!" or "sux!" But my main impression is that I really want to keep playing the game, and I haven't had that compulsion from a Madden game in a while.

[AJColossal]

Once I lowered the INT slider to 0, that seemed to help me. I played a game where Peyton Manning was pick free. Jason Campbell only threw one in another.

I know others have tried this with varying results. I just wanted to share what I've seen.

I somewhat agree about the defensive touchdowns. You're likely to see several a game, which is a little wild.

[Leebo33]

Last year slider tweaking on the PSP version was minimal and the game itself felt less scripted.

Less scripted than the 360 version or are you saying it felt less scripted than this years PSP version?

I don't think the PSP version is scripted at all. I can't say that about the 360 version because there are times when I don't feel in control at all. I have fumbled too much covering up. I have thrown too many interceptions against seemingly open receivers. I have picked off the CPU without even trying.

[TCrouch]

Surprisingly for an EA game, Madden 08 plays great for me online. I played a couple of games against a friend of mine last night, and they were extremely smooth and lag free. We had never even completed a game against each other in Madden 06 or 07, every time we would start one the game would basically play in slow motion, forcing us to quit every time.

I had that problem with 06 and 07 at release. Somewhere around November (guessing here) they issued a patch that suddenly corrected it. I went back to play some 07 earlier this year and it was smooth, just like 08 is. Seems they finally got their act together with regards to online performance with Madden.

[JRod]

Brando,

The CPU never challange any calls.


Let me explain a bit about why the defensive TDs and INTs are such a big deal. It completely ruins a game that was a trench battle all game long. How can a game be 16-10 then turned into 37-10 in the span of 1:30.

In that game I had 3 INTs returned for a touchdown. One was 100% legit. They tried to throw to Champ Bailey's side and it got picked. The problem is that when the CPU needs is down it will need to pass. The CPU doesn't pass smarter, or stay away from Champ Bailey. It doesn't put balls only where the WR can get it. Madden's passing engine doesn't allow for that. And really none of that matters. The DBs have the ability to get around a receiver not matter where they are or if the WR has position on them.

Bottomline the Interceptions in the game is broken and it ruins good games by turning them into jokes very quickly. Its not the high INT thing that's the issue, it's the ability to change the complex of the game all of a sudden in a way that doesn't feel earned. If there's a way around it, then maybe I'll find it.

If the INT thing was off the table, Madden to me, would be a very enjoyable game. Yes it doesn't football like APF but it has its own style and it works for madden.

[dbdynsty25]

Holy sh*t. The PC version is RIDICULOUSLY good. The graphics at 1920x1200 look better than the 360 version. It's the last gen engine, so you know it's got more going for it when it comes to under the hood stuff. Sure, it's still Madden, but it's significantly more fun (and a lot less twitchy) compared to the 360 version.

Anyone want to buy the 360 version?

[Brando70]

The CPU doesn't pass smarter, or stay away from Champ Bailey.

One of my biggest complaints in Madden is that the AI doesn't use its playmakers better. Like I mentioned earlier, in a game against the Saints, Reggie Bush had no touches outside of returns. Playing against the Chargers, they only threw to Gates a couple times. The playbooks don't set things up for each team's stars the way 2k does. Likewise, you're right: the AI doesn't really stay away from the other team's playmakers either. At least this year I can feel the difference between the really good players and the more average guys. Playing against or with guys like LT and Larry Johnson is harder/easier than playing Cedric Benson or Duece McAllister.

[Bill_Abner]

Holy sh*t. The PC version is RIDICULOUSLY good. The graphics at 1920x1200 look better than the 360 version. It's the last gen engine, so you know it's got more going for it when it comes to under the hood stuff. Sure, it's still Madden, but it's significantly more fun (and a lot less twitchy) compared to the 360 version.

Anyone want to buy the 360 version?

Ohh...so it looks sweet on the Dell widescreen?

Last gen engine doesn't bother me at all. I liked the PC version last year a lot more than the next gen versions anyway. Feature wise, is it the same? The weapons, the player highliting on defense, etc?

[hellbent]

Holy sh*t. The PC version is RIDICULOUSLY good. The graphics at 1920x1200 look better than the 360 version. It's the last gen engine, so you know it's got more going for it when it comes to under the hood stuff. Sure, it's still Madden, but it's significantly more fun (and a lot less twitchy) compared to the 360 version.

Anyone want to buy the 360 version?

Seconded - I've played only a few games on the PC version, but it's even better than last year's edition, which was imo the best football game out there last year. Gorgeous graphics, rock-steady frame rate, smooth gameplay, spot-on controls, and thus far, some great playcalling by the CPU. Gotta get more games in to make a final decison on it, but man is it ever good this year.

[dbdynsty25]

Ohh...so it looks sweet on the Dell widescreen?

Last gen engine doesn't bother me at all. I liked the PC version last year a lot more than the next gen versions anyway. Feature wise, is it the same? The weapons, the player highliting on defense, etc?

It looks ridiculous on the widescreen. I play my 360 mostly on my Dell as well and the PC version looks much better. The lighting and colors just seem more realistic and not quite as BOLD as they are on the 360. And yes, all of the features are there from the last gen as well as the new stuff, i.e. weapons, (even though they feel a little more tacked on compared to the 360 version which it seems like they were designed for).

[Leebo33]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07228/809874-66.stm

About 2:17 in you Hines Ward talks about the Steelers Madden 08 tourney. It's interesting to hear him talk about how great of a feeling it is to see yourself in a videogame and that is coming from a Super Bowl MVP.

[Bill_Abner]

Ohh...so it looks sweet on the Dell widescreen?

Last gen engine doesn't bother me at all. I liked the PC version last year a lot more than the next gen versions anyway. Feature wise, is it the same? The weapons, the player highliting on defense, etc?

It looks ridiculous on the widescreen. I play my 360 mostly on my Dell as well and the PC version looks much better. The lighting and colors just seem more realistic and not quite as BOLD as they are on the 360. And yes, all of the features are there from the last gen as well as the new stuff, i.e. weapons, (even though they feel a little more tacked on compared to the 360 version which it seems like they were designed for).

Tacked on? How so? I mean if they are there..how are they different?

If it playe like Madden 07 PC but with the new stuff I'll be very happy with it. I just can't seem to get the 360 version to play the way I'd like it to.

db can you do me a favor? (or anyone with the PC edition). Can you go into practice mode, lower QB Accuracy to like..10, put the ball on the 50 and throw a bomb? Can you get it to the end zone or does it go around 30 yards? This is a big frustration with both NCAA and Madden on the 360 as that slider lowers arm strength more than it does accuracy. I'm curious if the PC is different.

[dbdynsty25]

Will try it right now...brb.

[dbdynsty25]

Still only throws it about 30 yards, and the guy is VERY inaccurate...like, won't even throw it close to the receiver usually.

As for tacked on, it's not like they put a focus on these players like they do in Madden. You actually have to highlight the weapons to see who is what, it just doesn't show up under the players at all times like Madden. They also don't seem to be as effective overall.