USA Today: Xbox 360 version of 'Madden NFL 08' sticks it to PS3

[imdaly]

Xbox 360 version of 'Madden NFL 08' sticks it to PS3
August 14, 2007

It took a couple of next-gen tries, but Madden has finally punched one across the pylons.

Electronic Arts' cash cow, Madden NFL 08, returns with a fresh arsenal of weapons and gameplay as silky smooth as a LaDainian Tomlinson scamper into the end zone.

The release of Madden 08 marks the first time owners of Xbox 360 have a truly complete version of the NFL franchise. The 06 iteration, released with the console's launch, was horribly thin on all fronts. Last year's release, while markedly improved, still felt liked a neutered version of older-generation versions because of little options.

On the surface, the releases on 360 and PlayStation 3 look identical. However, when you stack them head-to-head, it's clear which is better. Madden on 360 is fast and fluid, thanks to a sharp jump in frame rate that allows the game to move twice as fast.

PS3 owners, unfortunately, are greeted with a Madden that is sluggish in comparison. Action stutters far too often, particularly on injuries, penalties and turnovers. There's also a half-second delay between pressing the hike button and receiving the ball in your hands. Even close-ups between play look dull when lined up against the 360's sleeker cut scenes.

Overall presentation hasn't changed much since last year. Textures in uniforms look sharper, although they don't flap and flutter as fabric should. Facial details on some players is improved, although very few pixellated pros look like their real-life counterpart. And could EA please sit John Madden and play-by-play sidekick Al Michaels back in the booth? The radio announcer just doesn't feel authentic enough.

Madden 08's latest features brush aside notions that the franchise has turned into an NFL roster update for the first time in a couple years. The Hit Stick has been tweaked so defenders can aim high and low to deliver crushing hits. And the improved animations make those shots well worth it. You never get tired sending a receiver into a 360-degree flip after a low hit with your safety.

Madden's read and react system further pushes the ability to fine-tune your offensive and defensive gameplan on the fly. Pull the left trigger and view on-field mismatches to determine your best point of attack. You can also spotlight specific offensive opponents for tighter coverage. The audible system has migrated onto the right analog to really mix up defensive schemes.

Perhaps the game's most notable addition is the player weapon system, a gauge of player strengths separating the stars from average Joes. Each strength is represented by a player icon. For example, a giant hammer represents big hitters, while a lightning bolt represents elusive running backs. Players can also have multiple icons depending on their skills.
Eager to throw the deep ball? Aim for Randy Moss or another Spectacular Receiver who can lunge into the air making one-handed grabs. Need to move the chains an extra yard for that first down? Plug in your Power Back who steamrolls defenders in his path.

Game modes have broadened as well. Franchise mode adds a little more depth, and a much-needed fantasy draft option. Superstar mode allows you to not only create your own stud, but control one of this season's top rookies. EA imports the Supersim option from NCAA Football 08 onto Madden, letting you simulate portions of a game. The online offering remains solid, although a season mode involving multiple online players would have made it mode more robust.

Source

Behold! The Power of THE CELL!!

 

[블라스]

http://www.n4g.com/News-59465.aspx

 

[XtromaniaK]

Umm.. that really doesn't prove anything except that one guy encountered glitches with his Xbox 360 version of the game.



At most, it proves that EA put out another glitchy game. Not that the 360 version of the game has any number of more glitches than it's PS3 counterpart. That article and video really didn't prove anything besides the fact that EA makes crappy games.

 

[블라스]

Games are mass-produced, it can't be just a bad copy

I hate football anyway.

 

[XtromaniaK]

Games are mass-produced, it can't be just a bad copy

I hate football anyway.

Yeah, but even if it is an universal glitch, this doesn't prove that the 360 version is any more glitchy than the PS3 version or vice versa.

 

[블라스]

Fine
They both suck anyway

 

[XtromaniaK]

I won't argue that.

 

[TheBat812]

Yeah, but even if it is an universal glitch, this doesn't prove that the 360 version is any more glitchy than the PS3 version or vice versa.

neither does this topics first post.


But most importantly: ***** EA and their Madden. All Pro Football 2k8 is still the better game even without the NFL license.

 

[The Riddler]

i think ea is lazy and negligent, but honestly i found all pro to be a notch lower than madden.

madden 08 is a decent game, but the fumbles are ridiculous.

 

[ProjectPat2280]

neither does this topics first post.


. All Pro Football 2k8 is still the better game even without the NFL license.

Yea, and ALL the reviews show this.

Altho, i cant wait until 2K is able to make NFL games again. Let them try their hands at a next gen NFL game and i think theyll crush anything that ea could produce.

 

[ProjectPat2280]

i think ea is lazy and negligent, but honestly i found all pro to be a notch lower than madden.

madden 08 is a decent game, but the fumbles are ridiculous.

I agree there.

I prefer NCAA 08 over Madden, but Madden 08 is playable, unlike the previous two.

I also agree with the fumbles, so far, one game into the season and iv fumbled 5 times. G@Y!

 

[ProjectPat2280]

Being on the topic of EA, i found this to be hilarious.

http://xbox360.qj.net/Enraged-gamer-reveals-Madden-NFL-08-glitches/pg/49/aid/100008

 

[The Riddler]

I agree there.

I prefer NCAA 08 over Madden, but Madden 08 is playable, unlike the previous two.

I also agree with the fumbles, so far, one game into the season and iv fumbled 5 times. G@Y!

i average 2-3 fumbles a game with frank "the tank" gore.

anyway, that video is pretty funny.

 

[Electro UK]

Oh noes!!!11 I bought completely the wrong console because of Madden!!!11111111

Oh wait, there couldn't be a game I cared about less...

 

[KALEL114]

The developer claimed that they couldn't make the PS3 version 60fps because they had only been developing for PS3 for a year. Xbox 360 has been developed for for 3 and a half years so 60 fps were possible. I guess glitches are a big problem to after reading that article. I'm glad I didn't get it.

http://www.n4g.com/News-59777.aspx

 

[Havok83]

Um is this news to anyone? It came out months prior that the 360 version would be superior

 

[XtromaniaK]

The developer claimed that they couldn't make the PS3 version 60fps because they had only been developing for PS3 for a year. Xbox 360 has been developed for for 3 and a half years so 60 fps were possible. I guess glitches are a big problem to after reading that article. I'm glad I didn't get it.

http://www.n4g.com/News-59777.aspx

Huh..? 3 and a half years? You really think they've been developing Madden '08 for the 360 for more than a year? That's bull****.

 

[Havok83]

Huh..? 3 and a half years? You really think they've been developing Madden '08 for the 360 for more than a year? That's bull****.

They didnt say that development for Madden 08 has been in development for 3 and a half years. They said development for the 360 in general has been going on for about 3 and a half years and thats a true statement. Developers have had more time to tackle and understand the hardware and have a better grasp of its capabilities and how to take advantage of them. Wheras with the PS3, its still farely new and unfortunetly it has potential that developers havent been able to utulize as they havent had as much time to learn it

 

[KALEL114]

They didnt say that development for Madden 08 has been in development for 3 and a half years. They said development for the 360 in general has been going on for about 3 and a half years and thats a true statement. Developers have had more time to tackle and understand the hardware and have a better grasp of its capabilities and how to take advantage of them. Wheras with the PS3, its still farely new and unfortunetly it has potential that developers havent been able to utulize as they havent had as much time to learn it

Yeah, sorry for the typing error. Thanks for clearing it up Havok.

 

[Fran]

Oh noes!!!11 I bought completely the wrong console because of Madden!!!11111111

Oh wait, there couldn't be a game I cared about less...

Then there's no need to uselessly troll the thread

 

[Electro UK]

Then there's no need to uselessly troll the thread

Just like there's no point replying to a thread that's dead now, and quoting a post that pretty much no one else took the same way as you. Other people posted in a similar fashion.

What an extremely random post you just made.

 

[strikezone89]

Ha Take That Ps3