Real Talk by: D.

Madden NFL 11 is the latest entry in the long-running Madden NFL video game franchise. Madden NFL is among the many sports games that receives an annual releases. Because of this, it often comes into question whether or not that the current year’s Madden really sets itself apart from the Madden of year’s past. Which is why this review will be structured a bit differently. By highlighting key features, and taking a look at the parts that make up Madden, hopefully this review will help answer the question, “Is this year’s Madden NFL worth it, or is just another roster update?”

For this review, lets take a look at the many elements that make up Madden NFL 11:

Gameplay:

- Perhaps one of the biggest changes in this year’s Madden is in gameplay. Madden NFL 11 contains a new A.I. assisted playcalling system referred to as Gameflow. Gameflow involves pushing the A(Xbox) or X(PS3) button down during games to allow the A.I. to choose the play for you. The plays that the A.I. calls for you aren’t completely random, as Gameflow allows the user to customize their own offensive and defensive gameplan based on each team’s playbook. Creating a gameplan allows you select plays to be used in a plethora of situations, ranging from 1st down to 3rd and short. Creating a gameplan also allows you to rate plays on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest, to determine the frequency at which certain plays are called. The main reasons Gameflow was implemented was to make games quicker, and to make the game easier to pick up and play for series newcomers, which falls in line this year’s Madden’s slogan, “Simpler, Quicker, Deeper”. In this respect, Gameflow is a success. However, it is not without its faults. Many times you’ll find yourself audibling out of the A.I. selected plays because a play is called to often, despite the frequency setting, or because a high risk play is called at the worse possible time. Gameflow can also be aggravating on defense, sometimes leaving you with no idea what play is being called. If you have any idea what you’re doing when calling plays, the Gameflow system is probably not for you. But if you just want to pop into a quick game and have little idea what to do when calling plays, then Gameflow is right up your ally.

Another big change in this year’s Madden is the running game. Madden NFL 11 utilizes the locomotion system for running, much like that seen in the NCAA Football series. Using the locomotion system players can use the left stick to determine direction of their player and the right stick to control the body, executing things such as jukes and spins. One of the best changes to this years running system is the blocking. It actually feel like players accurately make their blocks now, and following the blocks is a key to successfully running the football this year. Also, turbo has been turned off by default, and the A.I. does an excellent job of determining when your player needs to speed up or slow down. While these changes to the running game are mostly good, it often leads to some down right ridiculous runs, with running backs often breaking multiple or seemingly unbreakable tackles on their way to big yardage. Still, this doesn’t occur often enough to ruin the game in any way. Another change on the offensive side of the football is the way in which receivers handle the sidelines, no longer going out-of-bounds on every throw to the sideline before the ball is caught, making sideline completions a more common occurrence.

Madden NFL 11 introduces the strategy pad. Using the d-pad the player can make changes such as hot routes, line shifts, and coverages. While the strategy pad is functional, it often takes an extra button press to make changes that were easily made in other Madden games, and at times just feels cumbersome. So much so that EA plans to patch in the old controls sometime in September.

Another change to gameplay is the kicking meter, which now is more like an old school golf style meter that displays as a long bar across the bottom of the screen. Kicking in the game requires three button presses. One to start the meter, one to set the power, and another to set the accuracy of the kick. This works great, offline. Online, kicking can be downright frustrating. Any amount of lag has the potential to mess up a kick, especially on the All-Madden difficulty, in which the meter goes significantly faster. This sometimes leads to missed PATs and kickoffs going out-of-bounds, but as long as there is no lag, the new kicking meter works fine.

Graphics, Sound and Presentation:

- Madden NFL 11 is without a doubt the best looking Madden game to date. There has been significant improvement to the player and coach faces, with many of the models resembling their real life counterparts. However, some of the player faces are horrible (I dare you to take a look at Tom Brady’s in-game face). Other graphical improvements include running and tackling animations that actually look fluid. Presentation wise, this year’s game is a big step up. Many of the stadiums feature authentic stadiums sounds, such as the sound of “J-E-T-S Jets, Jets, Jets” roaring from the stands of New Meadowlands Stadium. The game also includes new sideline and huddle camera cuts that add to the quality of presentation. There are also special presentation elements for events such the Super Bowl, such as the hoisting of the Lombardi Trophy and the winning teams visit to the White House. Also, the old school AFL mode, which was DLC for Madden NFL 10, is back as part of Madden NFL 11.

This year’s Madden adds Gus Johnson to the commentating team, a big step up from last year, but while Johnson’s commentary at times can sound exciting, it often sounds too broken up and robotic. The commentary just doesn’t flow all to well at times and starts to get repetitive after awhile. Another new feature in the sound department is the addition of playing calling tips. This is where the “coach” gives you a rundown on the play you called as you take the field. It can be helpful at times, but eventually gets repetitive and is probably best turned off.

One of the biggest disappointments in this year’s sound department is the soundtrack. It just seems to lack variety and gets to be a bit stale after while.

Modes: (Disclaimer: Online portions of the game require an Online Pass which comes free with new copies of the game, and is $10 separately. The game can be played online for free for 7 days otherwise. Many of the modes feature purchaseable boosts for certain stats which are not necessary, but there as a quick way to progress in several of the modes.)

- Online Team Play: Perhaps this year’s biggest addition to Madden is 3v3 online team play, which can be played versus 3 other people, or the CPU. With 3 players on each team, online team play usually consists of one player each controlling a separate part of the team. On offense one player controls the quarterback, one controls the running backs and the other controls the receivers. On defense one player controls the defensive lineman, one controls the linebackers, and the other controls the defensive backs. When it works, team play can be really fun. Defense can take a while to get use to, and its recommended that you play with people you know. Often players online will try to turn it into a one man show, play out of position, or completely ignore their routes, taking the team out of team play, turning what can be a fun experience, into a frustrating one.

- Head to Head: It’s what you’d expect it to be. It’s your standard one on one game and it’s as fun as you’d expect it to be. However, I do wish there was some sort of points or incentive system to promote more sportsmanlike conduct. Expect constant attempts at 4th down and 2 pt conversions and lots of quitting if you happen to get a decent enough lead.

- Franchise Mode: Franchise mode is pretty much unchanged from last year. Not the deepest franchise mode, but it’s serviceable.

- Ultimate Team: Ultimate team is a collectible card game and fantasy football mash-up that was featured as free DLC for Madden NFL 10. Players start off with a starter deck of mediocre players. Players can then play games online, or versus the CPU in order to earn coins, which can be used to buy a variety of decks, or be used to bid on individual cards. Players can also put their own cards up for auction and there is a collecting element that rewards players for collecting cards of certain types, such as all the AFC head coaches. It’s a mode that you’re either going to love, or hate.

- Madden Moments: Madden moments features various moments from the past season and challenges you to change them, or ensure the outcome. Challenges include things such as the Broncos’ amazing comeback versus the Bengals at the start of last season, when Brandon Stokley made an amazing catch to run for an 87 yard touchdown (You won’t be recreating the actual catch, but rather the come from behind victory).

- Practice: Practice is just that. Practice running plays to your heart’s content.

- Mini Games: Mini games are a fun way to kill some time if you don’t have time for a full game. They include things such as the 40 yard dash and the quarterback challenge, which is basically just a passing drill. It’s just too bad that these mini games weren’t included as part of the Superstar mode as a way to improve your player over time.

- Virtual Trainer: Virtual Trainer is virtually unchanged from what it was in Madden 09. Still, it serves as a good way to brush up on some skills.

- Be an NFL Superstar: Superstar mode is the same as it was in Madden 09, which is kind of sad. Hopefully they do more next year. It’d be nice to have a rating system to grade your performance or rate your value as a teammate, similar to that of the My Player feature in the NBA 2k series.

Verdict: Overall, Madden NFL 11 is a good step up from last years game, featuring improved graphics and presentation, online team play, and an overhauled running game. Although it has a few hitches, and many of the modes went almost untouched from last year, Madden NFL 11 is a blast.

Madden NFL 11 gets a MF MF MF MF out 5

What’s Legit:

+ Improved graphics and presentation.

+ Improved running game that rewards you for following the blocks.

+ Online Team Play.

What’s Perpetrating:

- Online kicking meter lag.

- Superstar and Franchise Mode have gone pretty much untouched.

- Commentary can at times be robotic.

dharris.tlr@gmail.com

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August 23, 2010
Categories: Reviews, Sports . Tags: Madden NFL 11 . Author: dunderdawg

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