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New features make Madden '09 a genuine superstar
Electronic Arts Photo
A screenshot from the Electronic Arts video game Madden NFL 09.
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Published: August 14, 2008
When Electronic Arts announced that retired Brett Favre would be its 20th anniversary cover boy for Madden NFL '09, it looked as if the notorious "Madden" curse -- which had mangled the careers of Michael Vick, Donovan McNabb and Shaun Alexander -- was finally broken.
But when Favre decided to play again and was traded from the Packers to the New York Jets, it looked like the Curse simply reversed onto EA itself.
By the time the dust had settled, Madden (out this week from EA Sports, for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, $59.99; Wii, $49.99; PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, $39.99; Nintendo DS, $29.99), was too far into production to switch Favre's wardrobe. You'll be able to download rosters that feature Favre as Jets quarterback, and Gang Green diehards will be able to download a fresh Madden cover that puts the superstar in a New York uniform.
But all this chaos has distracted EA Sports from promoting Madden '09 the way it would like-- as the 20th anniversary edition of the longest-running franchise in sports video games. EA has always delivered new features in each installment, but this year it's stuffing nearly a dozen fresh game modes and gimmicks into the package. (I reviewed the Xbox 360 version; your mileage on other consoles may vary.)
Many of the new features are geared toward helping the novice. For example, play selection can be as simple or as deep as you want it. At the easiest level, the computer will select your plays for you. Later on, you can arrange your playbook by play type (power run, quick pass) rather than by sometimes confusing formations like Z slant wide corner or double Z LB spy. You start off with the Madden Test, which gauges your skill in passing, running, pass defense and run defense, then adjusts the game's difficulty to your strengths and weaknesses. Each time you play a game, your skill level is adjusted. If you're particularly weak in one area, you can go to the Virtual Trainer, a holodeck-like gridiron, and bone up on the necessary skills.
A few more in-game features let you learn from your mistakes. Instead of kicking yourself over that end zone interception, you can hit the Rewind button and try the play again. Or you can watch a Backtrack video, in which the game shows you how you could have salvaged a botched play. Madden '09 also does a great job with onscreen menus that provide a helpful guide to all your options at the line of scrimmage.
The Franchise mode, where you lead a team through one season or more, has some nice upgrades as well. In Franchise Rivalry games against division rivals, the pressure is ratcheted up and everything becomes a little more difficult. (Difficulty also gets ramped up in the playoffs and Super Bowl.) For the truly hardcore, the Front Office mode lets you take charge of every aspect of your organization, from salaries to scouting.
I didn't have the chance to check out the online play, which offers one major addition. Online Leagues, which allow up to 32 competitors to create their own league in which they can draft and trade players and play any games on the schedule in any order they like.
Finally, there are Madden Moments, in which you can try to duplicate some of the most memorable events from the 2007-08 NFL season,.
The post-game recap: If you're a longtime Madden fan, you don't need me to tell you to buy this. If you're a newcomer, or if you just haven't played Madden in a few years, now is a good time to give it a fresh look. Three-and-a-half stars out of four.
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