Madden NFL 2010
EA Sports
Playstation 3
Sports video games that release a new version every year are typically under a large amount of scrutiny for being nothing more than a “roster update”. The Madden NFL series has taken a lot of negative criticism in this fashion, and has answered back with a stunningly accurate simulation of Sundays in November in Madden NFL ’10.
Scores are based on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest.
Gameplay – 9.0
Perhaps the biggest source of Madden’s criticism in past years is what made it great: its enjoyable, growingly realistic rendition of America’s favorite sport. With such early success, EA would have been hard pressed to alter the gameplay too far from its successful recipe. For every Madden iteration thereafter, the on-field gameplay was simply tweaked from year to year. With the conundrum of creating fresh material while still sticking to its tried and true roots, Madden NFL ’10 takes its biggest and most successful step forward in years.
Right out the box, experienced Madden players will notice one thing: speed, or rather, lack of speed. The game has been intentionally slowed down to mimic the actions of real football. Gaps in the offensive line now actually have time to open and a quarterback can now actually look for a viable option while facing a blitz, instead of zipping a pass to the tight end and praying no linebacker is in its path. The pace of the game is a welcome addition to Madden and alone is enough of a tweak to noticeably alter the game for the better.
EA's Pro-Tak allows multiple defenders to pile up on the ball carrier
The accelerated game clock makes its return to Madden, but is a great improvement from the previous installation. The clock can now be adjusted to a certain runoff, and playing a lifelike NFL game in less than an hour and a half is easily achievable.
Fresh off last year’s promise of gang-tackles, Madden ’10 features a nice Pro-Tak element, where gang-tackles are not only prevalent, but are almost an every play occurrence as defenders swarm to the area of the ball. The feature gives ball carriers the slight possibility to shed a defender and pick up an extra yard or two, but the intention of Pro-Tak is fully realized when that attempt is thwarted by the addition of other players to the pile.
EA also tried to add an interesting “mini-game” while trying to fight for a fumble. In the often-occurring situation when a pile is formed on a loose ball, the screen cuts to a button mashing mini-game to determine the ball’s rightful owner. While I applaud the concept of fighting for a loose ball, button mashing should never be part of sports game. Throw in the fact that it is nearly impossible to win one of these battles, and I could have easily done without this addition. Luckily, this option (like almost every other option in the game) can be toggled off.
Matt Schaub has time to sit in the pocket and look for his open receiver
The franchise mode (a favorite of many Madden players) also takes a huge step forward in Madden NFL ’10. Much to fans delight, it seems like Madden ’10 took previously successful parts of franchise modes and brought them back. Free agents will now negotiate based on more than just money, players will retire to become coaches, and you will be treated to a weekly recap show (an upgraded version of the Tony Bruno Show from Madden’s past). Online franchises have also been included, and allow players to develop their team against other users for years to come.
One of Madden ‘10’s most subtle improvements is the Superstar mode. The camera angle gives players a much more “on-field” view while still not locking them in to only their player. Also, much like MLB: The Show ’09’s Road to the Show, Madden ‘10’s Superstar mode allows users to fast forward their game until their player’s next appearance on field. This is truly an essential feature, and helps playing multiple games in a single sitting a reality.
Presentation (including Graphics) – 10.0
Herein lies the appeal of Madden NFL ’10. As explained earlier, EA Sports can only adjust so much of the actual gameplay without eventually downgrading the product. Madden NFL ’10 made the adjustments noted above, and then blew out its presentation in fantastic fashion.
The Giants' vaunted defense prepares for a bilitz
Millions of people watch the NFL every Sunday, but the weekly ambience never fully translated onto your Playstation 3. Until now. Flyby’s, coin tosses, post-game interviews, drive summaries (sponsored by Sprint), referee conferences, quarterbacks stumbling while dropping back in the snow, “old-school” play-calling screen (three options presented on screen with one button used select each play), and post-play celebrations all will permeate your experience while the sport is played out on your television screen. Never before has Madden looked better in every aspect of presentation, and the realism involved with the “broadcast” of your game is impeccable.
The duo of Chris Colinsworth and Tom Hammond return again, and although they draw much criticism from other reviewers, I welcome their TV broadcast style. The phrases do get repetitive (for obvious reasons), but Colinsworth and Hammond are light-years better than “generic radio host continually referring to ‘our team’ in Madden ’08.
Finally, you get to be a big part of the presentation. Basically everything in Madden NFL ’10 is customizable, and easily done via the team select screen. Every team’s uniform can be mixed and matched to your liking, and your settings can be adjusted before every game in the welcoming interface displayed after choosing your team.
The Rest (Pro’s and Con’s) – 8.0
With mostly everything being covered in the Gameplay and Presentation sections, here are the rest of the pieces of Madden that don’t really have a place.
Terrell Owens benefits from a defender slipping in the snow
Pro – Playing in the snow will noticeably affect your gameplay. In years past, this was attempted. In Madden ’10, it is fully achieved.
Con – “Elite Status”. Players can now purchase downloadable content to boost their player (i.e. an injured player can miss 4-6 weeks, but return sooner for some cash). This is truly despicable for a sports game, and has no place in Madden.
Con – Same ol’ Create-a-Stadium. Maybe it’s just a personal choice, but I enjoy making my stadium every year in Madden. Unfortunately, I’ve made the same stadium for the past three Madden’s. Which leads me to…
Con – Inability to move a team and keep the logo. Why can’t the Lions play in San Juan? The Jets in Hoboken? I can certainly move teams (and personnel), but it will always irk me that I have to recreate their uniforms and logos.
Con – Every sports game from here on out should include saving replays. Period.
Giants Stadium on Sunday
Return to Gameplay Time – Immediately
With so many options (online games, Superstar mode, franchise mode, Madden IQ, etc.), there is something for every Madden player. Each mode is deep and innovated, and countless hours can be happily sunk into leading the Bengals to the promised land or playing as Mark Sanchez for his entire career. Madden is uniquely addictive, and will leave you wanting more immediately.
Who Should Buy This Game?
Definitely fans of: sports games, football (the sport itself)
Maybe fans of: RPG’s (yes, RPG’s, since creating a character a developing him into a great is a fundamental process of RPG’s and Madden’s Superstar mode), multiplayer games (co-op games are included online and offline)
Definitely not fans of: games with simple controls
Overall Score – 9.0
For More Articles Like This: Check out my review of NHL '10
Comments
you can save replays in madden 10 by going to highlights and pressing create a highlight with a certain camera angle. You watch it and then save it.
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