11-29-2006, 07:11 PM
Now Im sure we have all played Madden football at some point in time in our lives. For those who love the game on previous consoles, you will get an eyeful with this rendition on the Wii. Lets first state the obvious Madden, is the only NFL official game out period. So with lack of competition comes questions of innovation and gameplay. Nintendo has been backed fully by EA and has put forth an outstanding product. Thus opening the door for more great titles in the near future. But all that aside, is Madden 2007 worth your fifty beans to play football for another year? Does the gameplay excel, or fall flat?
No question football has taken over baseball's tag of being "America's game", indeed. Hard hits, team pride and the Lombardi trophy fuel most of us with the passion the sport brings. But how much of this translates into the video game? With the Wii it adds so much more emotion to a game already full of features and extras. More mini games exclusive to the Wii, added to help the transition into the control scheme change. Helping the newbie or all madden vet take the reigns and control the grid iron at a rapid pace. I will admit it took time to get used to the controls ,a game or so, but the controls are a part of the realness, it shines through in this game. If you have ever played real football you know what I mean, no more merely tapping a button to beat a defender coming in for a sack. You must go through the throwing motion to release a ball, or get hit and fumble, that is realism that only EA can bring. Besides the new style of football tee, and players having mismatched shoes or gloves, it is all here. Randy Moss' signature duck and turn after a catch on a button hook, Tiki Barber's ball carrying style is all here as expected. So if you wonder if anything is missing from this game, yes and no. No, because all the essential stat tracking, and features are intact. The details are there no doubt, but what is missing? Ah yes, being a sloth sports fan is now over. You actually have to use hand quickness to pull of defensive stops and interceptions, and actual hand movements mind you. To catch a pass or defend one, you got to get your hands up to do the deed. Something the other consoles cant do, get you into a game like this. Every touchdown pass brings the actual satisfaction of executing plays and reading defenses. I don't get the same satisfaction from button mashing. Different passes are recognized as well, putting a little bit of touch on a pass to get it over a defender....priceless. Plays are broken down for newbies as well, you can pick by formation or intended action. Superstar mode is still here too, to build up a franchise player, and go to the hall of fame. Its all here in Madden 07, and adding the Wii remote as a cursor on the screen is another nice touch. No more having to cycle through the whole team to get to your player, merely point and click. All the audibles and line shifts are there as well, and you will find the A.I. is stepped up, no more blowing through the same offensive lineman and getting the sack, the game will put you on your back. This game screams multiplayer, extra in game modes add to a four player battle royale of fun. Mini games are plentiful here, adding to the replay value.
Another year of Madden, but definetly not the same game. The Wii offers you the chance to actually be a player on your favorite team. The phrase " Get in the game", is only too real. And with updated rosters and crisp graphics the Wii version shines above the rest. New gamers will be amazed old schoolers will rejoice. Football is better than ever, and the sports genre will be renewed on the Wii. I look forward to future EA sports games because of unlimited potential in the controls. If you have wondered if Madden 07 is worth it....it certainly is. I give it a 9 out of 10, realistic controls, improved A.I. and graphics makes Madden a champion again although uncontested. More excluse Wii content and updated rosters keep us in the loop. Multiplayer is a total blast, minigames add to the depth chart as well. The heavy hits continue on the Wii, we don't need no stinkin' hit stick!
No question football has taken over baseball's tag of being "America's game", indeed. Hard hits, team pride and the Lombardi trophy fuel most of us with the passion the sport brings. But how much of this translates into the video game? With the Wii it adds so much more emotion to a game already full of features and extras. More mini games exclusive to the Wii, added to help the transition into the control scheme change. Helping the newbie or all madden vet take the reigns and control the grid iron at a rapid pace. I will admit it took time to get used to the controls ,a game or so, but the controls are a part of the realness, it shines through in this game. If you have ever played real football you know what I mean, no more merely tapping a button to beat a defender coming in for a sack. You must go through the throwing motion to release a ball, or get hit and fumble, that is realism that only EA can bring. Besides the new style of football tee, and players having mismatched shoes or gloves, it is all here. Randy Moss' signature duck and turn after a catch on a button hook, Tiki Barber's ball carrying style is all here as expected. So if you wonder if anything is missing from this game, yes and no. No, because all the essential stat tracking, and features are intact. The details are there no doubt, but what is missing? Ah yes, being a sloth sports fan is now over. You actually have to use hand quickness to pull of defensive stops and interceptions, and actual hand movements mind you. To catch a pass or defend one, you got to get your hands up to do the deed. Something the other consoles cant do, get you into a game like this. Every touchdown pass brings the actual satisfaction of executing plays and reading defenses. I don't get the same satisfaction from button mashing. Different passes are recognized as well, putting a little bit of touch on a pass to get it over a defender....priceless. Plays are broken down for newbies as well, you can pick by formation or intended action. Superstar mode is still here too, to build up a franchise player, and go to the hall of fame. Its all here in Madden 07, and adding the Wii remote as a cursor on the screen is another nice touch. No more having to cycle through the whole team to get to your player, merely point and click. All the audibles and line shifts are there as well, and you will find the A.I. is stepped up, no more blowing through the same offensive lineman and getting the sack, the game will put you on your back. This game screams multiplayer, extra in game modes add to a four player battle royale of fun. Mini games are plentiful here, adding to the replay value.
Another year of Madden, but definetly not the same game. The Wii offers you the chance to actually be a player on your favorite team. The phrase " Get in the game", is only too real. And with updated rosters and crisp graphics the Wii version shines above the rest. New gamers will be amazed old schoolers will rejoice. Football is better than ever, and the sports genre will be renewed on the Wii. I look forward to future EA sports games because of unlimited potential in the controls. If you have wondered if Madden 07 is worth it....it certainly is. I give it a 9 out of 10, realistic controls, improved A.I. and graphics makes Madden a champion again although uncontested. More excluse Wii content and updated rosters keep us in the loop. Multiplayer is a total blast, minigames add to the depth chart as well. The heavy hits continue on the Wii, we don't need no stinkin' hit stick!