| Game Reviews From a Parental Perspective! | |
|
|
|
| Home | Forums | Review Archive | Columns | Feature Articles |
|
Home >
Review Archive >
Video Games
> Results: Madden NFL '08
Format For Printing | Tell A Friend | Digg | Slashdot | del.icio.us | Buy This Game Scroll down for our Kid Factor. 
Serious sports gamers circle August on their calendar each year because it's when EA Sports kicks off the latest version of its wildly popular and longstanding Madden NFL game series.
The latest pro ball simulation -- MADDEN NFL 08 -- is packed with new features and improvements over past iterations, and it's gorgeous to boot -- especially on the Xbox 360. Just be forewarned that the PlayStation 3 version has some well-publicized kinks -- including a frame-rate considerably slower than its Xbox 360 counterpart. This latest installment introduces a new gameplay feature called "weapons," which are special skills assigned to elite players to reinforce what makes them great. For example, when activated, Chargers Running Back LT becomes a truck who plows through defenders, whereas a smart quarterback, like Peyton Manning, can read the field and expose players who simply stick to their money plays. Two dozen of these weapons are in the game, plus players can combine them to maximize an offense or create a dominating running game. The plays are still balanced, however, since one weapon might help cancel out another; A possession receiver adept at catching big air to snag a ball might be placed opposite a serious midair tackler. As introduced in the 2007 version, NFL Superstar: Hall of Fame mode is back, where you create a player from scratch and then work your way up from a nobody to an NFL star to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But your actions on and off the field will have an impact on your career. Should you take that endorsement deal or movie role? The running, passing, and defensive game are top-notch, plus veteran gamers will notice some tweaks to the already solid control. Add multiple game modes such as the Mini-Camp skill-based games and head-to-head Internet support and you've got promising pigskin, once again. Too bad the same can't be said for the PS3 version, which has some gamers up in arms over its relatively slow performance. The Wii version lacks some of the slick production values found in the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions, but, younger players will enjoy the motion-sensing remote as an alternative control mechanism (this is improved over last year as well).  
Videogame football, now more than ever, WILL teach your child about the NFL, the game itself, and how to play it. Even if your kid isn't into Pop Warner, there's still few better, more replayable, or more satisfying competitive experiences than Madden provides. Great for father and son, mom and daughter, friends, and any combination like that.
Parents should know that the game features realistic hits, flying tackles, etc., but never crosses the line into the kind of regrettable accidents that sideline so many NFL stars each year (terrible injuries, watching a guy get on a board and stretcher for 20 minutes, and of course the trouble with the law some players routinely get into). At least with Madden you don't have to worry about spoiled players, dogfighters, or criminals influencing your kid. In the game they do what they do best, play football. kf by Bub Other Platforms: Xbox 360: Best graphics, online play, features and performance PS3: Slow performance, stunning graphics Wii: Reviewed here. Family friendly, motion sensing controls, "family play mode" PC: Based on last year's version, but cheap PSP: Slow performance, mediocre graphics PS2: Mediocre graphics, great performance DS: Poor graphics, long load times Kid Factor by Andrew Bub This review edited by Michael Anderson Format For Printing | Tell A Friend | Digg | Slashdot | del.icio.us | Buy This Game Home > Review Archive > Video Games > Results: Madden NFL '08 |
Read the GamerDad 2007 Holiday Guide!
|
Please Note: GamerDad is not intended to be read by anyone under 18. We stay clean, but be warned! Content Management System developed by Redbird Solutions. |
