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Madden NFL 10 (360)
- October 30, 2009 13:08 PM PST
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Year over year Madden catches flak for recycling previous content into a repackaged roster update. Madden NFL 10 makes a concerted effort to change that perception with a suite of changes but don't freak out: this is still the same Madden you've come to adore. However, there's a noticeable focus on keeping you actively involved in the game and it's an effort that succeeds in spades.
I was never a big Madden fan but I know that it's an almost religious experience for devote gamers. Madden 10 looks like it's got a decent number of changes and tweaks that elevates it out of "glorified roster update" territory. It sounds like a must have for any digital football fanatic. I also predict that many GamePros will call in sick with that yearly ailment known as "Maddenitis."
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Slow Ride, Take it Easy
The first thing I noticed was that the pace of Madden 10 is noticeably slower this year. Naturally, you can adjust the settings if the slightly more methodical speed isn't to your liking, but I instantly fell in love with the measured tempo. The chaos of a collapsing pocket and the ensuing panic isn't as immediate, giving you more time to consider your options before firing off a pass. And when the defense inevitably comes rolling in for the quarter back sack, handy controller vibrations alert you to the incoming danger. The adjustment quickly became something I relied on. Being able to focus on finding an open receiver without worrying as much about the split-second paranoia of protecting my player was a welcome relief.
Madden 10 makes a lot of things easier for you. Gone are the days of agonizing menu surfing and superfluous training sessions before a regular season game. You're still able to manage the minutiae of your team, and weekly practice sessions are available if you want to perfect your plays but everything is cleaned up to make room for more on-field action and congratulatory ass slappin'. This makes for a more streamlined game experience, especially in the NFL Superstar mode. Bringing your custom-created quarter back through the ranks is much more enjoyable when you don't need to go to a lame practice session before every matchup. You can also sim past plays you're not involved in, which gives you these speedy pockets of intense gameplay. Just make sure you pick a position worth playing-making sweet plays as a wide receiver or QB is infinitely more fun than spiking the ball or repeatedly blocking one spot. The same simplicity applies to Madden's other game types as well. The Franchise career mode centers on the regular season, and puts the player trading, finance managing, and draft picking to the side for the super-hardcore crowd.
No More Loneliness
Along with that fine-tuning comes enough new stuff to squash the stigma that EA Tiburon lazily recycles last year's content. Rounding out Madden 10, and filling the void that fans have felt since the inception of online multiplayer, is the inclusion of an online Franchise mode. Finally! The multiplayer league functions as you'd expect: you play regular seasons with up to 31 of your freakishly dedicated friends with the AI controlling any neglected, vacant teams. Stalking the stats and seeing the results of everyone's week is pretty exciting, and punctuating the discussion of each other's games with uploaded highlight clips adds another social facet to your online career.
If you don't want to stress about dedicating time to a season, the new online Co-op is an awesome alternative. It plays a lot like an on-the-fly NFL Superstar multiplayer variant-you can swap between players at any time, and the camera is much closer to the field. The tension in clearing a route for a clean pass, defending my partner in a rush for the end zone, and working together to coordinate plays is something I really enjoyed.
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- Aug 10 2009 at 12:52:21:PM PST
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Oh yeh, I've already paid and reserved my copy, and have been playing the hell out of 08 anticipating Madden's release.
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I'm interested in trying the on line co-op. It sounds like something that will have me playin Madden longer than my usual season or two.
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Since nerds can't play sports in real life, and you're clearly a nerd, it would stand to reason you can't in a game. I'm guessing you just blow at QB so don't blame the game.
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Very good.
I've been keeping my eye on this for months now. It truly strays away from the 'more of the same' accusations
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man please a few weaks here & there & of course updated rosters
its still the same thing dont be fooled
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Houston, we have a problem.
The front page review section has pics and a preview for Madden 10, but the link says Fallout 3: Mothership Zeta.
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Giant Clank wrote:
Houston, we have a problem.
The front page review section has pics and a preview for Madden 10, but the link says Fallout 3: Mothership Zeta.
Should be fixed, by now -- just takes a few minutes for the site to refresh when the tabs are changed :)
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Madden 2010 still has plenty of problems.
For example, this year you can use the Right Thumbstick in order to use QB "dodge-defender" moves.
EA says this is done with the Right Thumbstick because when your thumb is on the Right Thumbstick, it means your thumb is not on the four buttons used for passing. EA says this adds realism because if you are "dodging" a defender, you obviously can't pass the football.
... But wait, it seems EA has forgotten that although your Right Thumb may be on the Right Thumbstick, your Right Finger is still on the Right Trigger Button. This means you can still throw to one of your receivers in the exact same way you normally would, even if you weren't dodging a defender. EA has messed up in 2010.
There's no doubt that the Xbox 360 is the best place to play Madden Football, because there are so many more people on Xbox Live at all times, especially in the United States where Football is most popular.
And Madden 2010 does have the best graphics of any version we've ever seen up to this point.
I just wish EA would have gotten the "dodge" move correct.
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* By Mitchell Dyer
"Yes it still is a "repackaged roster update" but it also expertly executes on the new ideas, making for a game that blends the best of the past and the future"
Enough said- glorify it all you want, it's Madden!
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