Madden 08 Hands On

[jcalvert]

But the rumored announcement of FIFA 08 for PS3 coming at 60 FPS makes you wonder about Tiburon's abilities, assuming they had any interest in delivering that kind of performance on the PS3 SKU.

I can think of a lot of reasons that Madden is not 30 FPS for the PS3, but it may stir the pot too much ... at least too much around here.

I really need to find someone with Madden for the 360 so I can see the difference. I am sure there is a difference (everyone says there is a huge difference), which means that the 360 version looks amazing. I think I am one of the few PS3 owners that actually thinks the PS3 version looks good ... maybe I am going blind in my old age.

[greggsand]

But the rumored announcement of FIFA 08 for PS3 coming at 60 FPS makes you wonder about Tiburon's abilities, assuming they had any interest in delivering that kind of performance on the PS3 SKU.

I can think of a lot of reasons that Madden is not 30 FPS for the PS3, but it may stir the pot too much ... at least too much around here.

I really need to find someone with Madden for the 360 so I can see the difference. I am sure there is a difference (everyone says there is a huge difference), which means that the 360 version looks amazing. I think I am one of the few PS3 owners that actually thinks the PS3 version looks good ... maybe I am going blind in my old age.

Having it for the 360, I saw it running on the PS3 at Best Buy. Trust me, you don't want to see the 360 version.

[jcalvert]

Having it for the 360, I saw it running on the PS3 at Best Buy. Trust me, you don't want to see the 360 version.

Ignorance = bliss? That is my excuse.

[Wilk5280]

Gamespot disses the PC's franchise mode when the 360's franchise mode is basically crap on a stick. Odd.

Sort of on topic, sort of off.

One thing I've noticed when it comes to reviews for football games is that gameplay never seems to be the focal point.

NFL 2K for the Dreamcast got rave reviews mainly because we had not seen anything look so amazing at the time. Was the lack of running game ever mentioned in any one review? Not that I saw.

With each new football game the reviewers seem to focus on options, modes and features. Since the PC version of Madden hasn't really added anything new to their franchise mode sites like Gamespot rip it a new one. Even though the 360 version has a much worse franchise mode, it has made strides since last year so of course they talk about how great it is.

Why do they not mention that compared to the PC, PS2, XBOX versions, the 360 / PS3 franchise modes are severely lacking.

Doesn't make sense. Fortunately I play almost strictly online with close friends and none of it really matters to me. I just wish these so called "experts" on the major sites would focus on gameplay and not worry so much about features and modes.

Every year it's the same thing. They rave about the new game and then next year they bash the previous version while they rave about the new one again. I always scratch my head and think to myself...didn't you rave about last years version and give it a 9.5. Now you're stating that it was rushed and not really complete, etc etc etc.

Sorry for the rant. Just a little tipsy and figured what the heck.

[XXXIV]

[
Sorry for the rant. Just a little tipsy and figured what the heck.

[JRod]

[
Sorry for the rant. Just a little tipsy and figured what the heck.

I think we should have a new rule...you have to take a drink before you post.

Lord knows my posts look like I'm drunk typing.

[wco81]

Tried the PC version. Amazing how well it runs on modest hardware. Had most of the settings maxed out but it was still smooth on a laptop.

Player models don't seem as detailed and you don't get the animations that you do on the console version I've seen (PS3). But the textures and reflection mapping are much sharper.

Very responsive but I was only playing offline.

Maybe it wasn't representative but playing as the Colts, I could pass at will, even with an unfamiliar controller layout.

I was throwing streaks to Dallas Clark and they were getting crazy separation. Same with Anthony Gonzalez and of course, Harrison and Wayne caught everything. The thing that was surprising was that I threw a few times before the WRs made the cut and they would just burst to the ball and leave the defenders in the dust.

I can see human to human games being a scoring fest. You could say it's a mirror image of the console version. Instead of the defenders getting the jump on the ball on the PS3 version, it's the WRs with an unreal burst, kind of like warping ahead 5 yards to get to the ball.

And the RAC is definitely favoring the offense, instead of the defense.

What kind of controllers are people using? I tried an old one I had, which doesn't even have official XP drivers. Everything except the right stick worked and that only had problems on kicks and punts but it would juke.

[Rodster]

What kind of controllers are people using? I tried an old one I had, which doesn't even have official XP drivers. Everything except the right stick worked and that only had problems on kicks and punts but it would juke.

I use either the Logitech Rumblepad 2 or a wired Xbox 360 controller both work great but my preference is the 360 controller.

[pk500]

I'm using the Logitech Rumblepad 2.

On what skill level are you playing, WCO? Passing is much too easy at Pro but becomes more challenging at higher levels. If you're passing with ease at All-Pro or All-Madden, then you're a virtual Manning. Peyton, that is.

Take care,
PK

[HipE]

I lost my perfect season last night to the Bengals, dropping my record to 11-1 (all pro default, 7 min qtrs). It was played in the rain, and the Bengals didn't turn the ball over once, which is the first time I've seen that happen. I've had my share of blowouts, but at least half of my games have been very competitive, with two of my wins coming after big 4th quarter comebacks by me. I'm still really enjoying the game, warts and all. As long as the games are competitive and don't feel scripted, I can deal with the goofy things that happen every game.

[kicko]

having played in the rain and not getting dirty is not next gen stuff. I also played on my buddies ps3 nd the difference is very very easy to see.

[AJColossal]

As long as the games are competitive and don't feel scripted, I can deal with the goofy things that happen every game.

And this is what keeps me coming back as well. The game feels right in so many ways.

With regards to the turnovers, it's funny how nearly all the time there is one, I see a mistake made, or a reason why it happened, whether it's an ill-advised juke move with a FB that exposed me for a big hit, a fair catch I didn't call that resulted in me coughing the ball up, or a dumb throw in traffic.

One thing I am noticing is that some of the called fumbles are mistake calls that can be reversed by challenges. The problem is that the CPU never appears to challenge any plays, so they end up giving the ball away on bad calls.

Also, there is something strange that appears to happen when a ball is thrown by a QB and then batted down by a lineman. Twice I've seen plays like that where the ball will hit the ground and they are treated as fumbles.

[dbdynsty25]

having played in the rain and not getting dirty is not next gen stuff. I also played on my buddies ps3 nd the difference is very very easy to see.

HUH? You obviously didn't play till the end of the game. The guys get dirty as the game goes on.

[btmmayor]

Has anyone had problems with sleep mode on the PSP version? I've had my PSP lock up twice when returning from sleep mode. If this is a common problem then this game is out the door. I can't play a PSP game without the sleep function.

[WillHunting]

Has anyone had problems with sleep mode on the PSP version? I've had my PSP lock up twice when returning from sleep mode. If this is a common problem then this game is out the door. I can't play a PSP game without the sleep function.

Haven't crashed on me in sleep mode.

[wco81]

Tried Pro and then All-Pro on the PC version.

Even without comfortable controller and avoiding passing to Wayne and Harrison, it seemed the WRs were getting open too easily.

Perhaps the issue isn't the greater space on the PC version but that the defenders don't react to the ball. You don't get the off-the-ball defender converging to the ball and swatting or intercepting the ball or trying to hit the WR.

It wasn't a lot of time so I'll have to see with more play time whether the first impressions hold up.

[snaz16]

Tried Pro and then All-Pro on the PC version.

Even without comfortable controller and avoiding passing to Wayne and Harrison, it seemed the WRs were getting open too easily.

Perhaps the issue isn't the greater space on the PC version but that the defenders don't react to the ball. You don't get the off-the-ball defender converging to the ball and swatting or intercepting the ball or trying to hit the WR.

It wasn't a lot of time so I'll have to see with more play time whether the first impressions hold up.

So far after 1 game at all pro (pc) , Browns(me) at KC, both Frye and Huard had good 1st halfs,I had 1 pick to set up a Td and a 14-10 lead at the half. 2nd half was all defense, I had a pick and a fumble,and spit it up once. Kicked 3 FG's,while the Chiefs kicked 2,for a 23-16 final. I had to punt 6 times,and the Chiefs 4 times. I can't remember the last time I punted 6 times in a football game. I'm liking the Pc version.
Perhaps you should try someone besides the Colts(whom I'm sure are 1 of the higher rated passing teams)and play a full game,as for me the 2nd half was a complete reversal of the 1st half.

[pk500]

Yeah, the Colts are deadly through the air in this game, which is pretty much a mirror of reality.

Take care,
PK

[JRod]

There's so much they could do with this game...

Take a team like the Saints, there's just no way the game right now can capture Bush and Deuce being deadly. And unlike 2k they didn't create an formation where Bush would be in a split position. That kinda bugs me. You can do a formation sub to get around it.

The DB AI need to be reworked and I'm not talking about talking out the jetpacking. In the NFL its damn hard to swat a ball. Harder to intercept. They need to make it so the DB try to bust up the play in the air while having their arm around a receiver. The way it is now they either leap and knock it down or go for the straight pick and forget the receiver entirely.

[kicko]

if anyone is still undecided on madden there is now a 360 demo.

[Rodster]

LOL the demo made me glad I stuck with the PC version. With in 2 minutes the CPU fumbled the ball twice which I recovered one of them. I also fumbled once even though I covered up the ball.

I picked off Rex for a TD. So to recap within 2 minutes there were 4 TO's and I took one to the house. I don't see that happening with the PC version. I'll wait to see what they do with Madden 09.

[Sudz]

if anyone is still undecided on madden there is now a 360 demo.

great. thx for the heads up.

[fsquid]

How many plays are there in an average NFL game? Just wondering so I can work my accelerated clock options.

[pk500]

How many plays are there in an average NFL game? Just wondering so I can work my accelerated clock options.

Roughly 120 plays from scrimmage.

Take care,
PK

[eman]

Gamespot disses the PC's franchise mode when the 360's franchise mode is basically crap on a stick. Odd.

Sort of on topic, sort of off.

One thing I've noticed when it comes to reviews for football games is that gameplay never seems to be the focal point.



With each new football game the reviewers seem to focus on options, modes and features. Since the PC version of Madden hasn't really added anything new to their franchise mode sites like Gamespot rip it a new one. Even though the 360 version has a much worse franchise mode, it has made strides since last year so of course they talk about how great it is.

For years I've felt the same way. Every year these reviewers (gamespot isn't the only one) rip Madden (PC) because it doesn't have some useless feature found on the PS2/Xbox. No one mentions that you can get the same core gameplay with the addition of High Resolution graphics. Seriously, HD gaming on the 360/PS3 has actually been around for years... on the PC! It's unfortunate so many reviewers overlook this.

And while were ranting....

From Gamestop's review:

"On the PS2, Xbox, and GameCube, an additional new mode called fantasy challenge had you building out your own fantasy team and competing in a series of tiered leagues against increasingly tough competition. Sadly, that mode isn't present here in any form, so you're basically missing out on the best of the new mode additions if you pick up the PC version."

This is the best "new" feature? Gamespot scored Madden 08 (PC) 6.5 while Xbox/PS2 received 7.5 because the PS2/Xbox version has some feature 90% of gamers will never use! Nice...

I loathe these reviews...