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Video Games : Madden NFL 08 (Xbox 360)
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Rating: 
- Next gen fun
After recently updating consoles from PS2 to 360, I also updated my version of Madden NFL 08. All I was expecting was the same game with improved graphics. But I was pleasantly suprised. EA have taken everything that makes the Playstation version good and updated and improved on it. Good gameplay, specific playing styles and a realistic franchise mode.
Improvements include Hall of Fame mode, which actually has a license this time. So you get names, profiles, stats and even highlight reels for some players, instead of the very poor PS2 system of QB #2 for example. You can now improve your players stats weekly. In previous installments you could only improve one player per drill at the start of the season. Now you can train 3 players per week before you play your game. Drills are a lot better now. You can train your player specifically to improve on areas of weakness. For example, members of your OL (Offensive Line), you can choose to train them in run or pass blocking. Drills for this particular position include bench press and blocking for a RB against defenders.
The last main difference is the Ring system. Instead of earning tokens and buying trading cards, you now earn points and gain rings. There are 5 rings to be unlocked. Each by achieving goals in the regular season.
But EA still managed to frustrate me. In every Madden game ever released you never feel youre in control of your own destiny. If youre up by 3 or 4 points, have the ball and start to run the clock down, after a couple of short rushes you tend to fumble, loss the fumble and the defender with the ball never gets tackled by the first man. Which ultimately ends up with you being down by a field goal with under a minute left. Robbed of the victory. What I said in my review of the PS2 copy still stands. Coverage is very hard, no matter how good your DBS are. And it seems whenever youre in need of points or a defensive stand, you simply cant acheive it.
This aside, Madden NFL 08 is a very good buy. Better than the PS2 version, you get more for your money. Graphics have been improved greatly. And those fortunate enough to have HD will get extra enjoyment out of playing. But be prepared for a hard time playing this game.
Rating:
- Dont buy madden for franchise mode
Ive purchased the game twice because my first franhise kept crashing in the 3rd season of franchise mode- wasnt able to train players and the disk would crash in game situations.This is reason I purchased it a second time thinking it was just a bad disk but I had the same problem. Look around on the internet for reviews of customers who have played franchise mode and you will find it happens to everybody. EA acknowledges this glitch and the other 79 which are apparent throughout the game and have released a patch which means you have to pay a more money to heal an imperfect game which you have already paid &25-39 for. Buy the game for playing but if you want to get frustrated try and play franchise for 3 straight seasons. Apart from that the graphics are brilliant but interceptions and fumbles occur constant. Many features are also missing from last years version such as limited create a logo options,player analysis, adjusting prices in franchise mode.
Rating: - Good but 07 was better
Firstly I got my new Xbox 360 for Christmas and I got this game with it. The graphics are amazing compared to the 07 version on PS2. But the gameplay is no way near as good.
Firstly fumbles occur way to often, for example some of the best backs in the league can fumble up to 5 times in a game. Furthermore, on a difficulty level greater than pro, you are always stopped behind the line for no gains even if you have a great offensive line :S.
When using passing plays, receivers like Randy Moss will drop the ball often and occasionally even get hit on the head by ball because he has not turned around to try and catch the ball.
On the 07 version, on franchise mode you got emails and newspapers and there was the Tony Bruno show. But in this game there is none of this. Good points are that the superstar mode and franchise mode are overall enjoyable.
I recommend this game to new players and people who have played before and are competent at the game.
Rating:
- Cant get enough of it
Out of all my 360 games this on gets easily the most playing time. I love the franchise mode having won the Superbowl with the Seahawks, I decided to create my own team (The Vegas Vipers) and have a go at building a great team from scratch, and this is even more rewarding than pick an already existing team. There is already enough reviews stating the ins and outs of the games but I just felt I had to praise this game. Have a go creating your own teams its great!
BTW I have noticed on forums people having trouble using a created team in franchise mode. If this is the case, Go to start new franchise and on the screen where you pick a team press Y to load your team, you will have to pick a team to remove from the current teams.
Rating: - Go Pack Go !!!
This game is hugely detailed and with the option of creating players, teams, stadiums etc you won't get bored of it too quickly.
My one gripe is with how poor the AI is, especially when you're playing at QB. I've never seen a QB get sacked six times in two plays. The number of times the receivers fail to catch the ball, even on short plays and when wide open is also amazing, even the guys who are supposedly 'hands' seem to be total butterfingers. The number of interceptions and turnovers the computer seems to get is also laughable.
Typically for an EA game the step between rookie and pro is huge, and the instruction book is rubbish.
Overall though, this is brilliant game. If you're a fan of NFl the detail and realism will wow you, if you're just looking for something different it's well worth a go. If you're in any doubt download the demo from xbox live and play it a few times, totally addictive.
- Next gen funAfter recently updating consoles from PS2 to 360, I also updated my version of Madden NFL 08. All I was expecting was the same game with improved graphics. But I was pleasantly suprised. EA have taken everything that makes the Playstation version good and updated and improved on it. Good gameplay, specific playing styles and a realistic franchise mode.
Improvements include Hall of Fame mode, which actually has a license this time. So you get names, profiles, stats and even highlight reels for some players, instead of the very poor PS2 system of QB #2 for example. You can now improve your players stats weekly. In previous installments you could only improve one player per drill at the start of the season. Now you can train 3 players per week before you play your game. Drills are a lot better now. You can train your player specifically to improve on areas of weakness. For example, members of your OL (Offensive Line), you can choose to train them in run or pass blocking. Drills for this particular position include bench press and blocking for a RB against defenders.
The last main difference is the Ring system. Instead of earning tokens and buying trading cards, you now earn points and gain rings. There are 5 rings to be unlocked. Each by achieving goals in the regular season.
But EA still managed to frustrate me. In every Madden game ever released you never feel youre in control of your own destiny. If youre up by 3 or 4 points, have the ball and start to run the clock down, after a couple of short rushes you tend to fumble, loss the fumble and the defender with the ball never gets tackled by the first man. Which ultimately ends up with you being down by a field goal with under a minute left. Robbed of the victory. What I said in my review of the PS2 copy still stands. Coverage is very hard, no matter how good your DBS are. And it seems whenever youre in need of points or a defensive stand, you simply cant acheive it.
This aside, Madden NFL 08 is a very good buy. Better than the PS2 version, you get more for your money. Graphics have been improved greatly. And those fortunate enough to have HD will get extra enjoyment out of playing. But be prepared for a hard time playing this game.
Rating:
- Dont buy madden for franchise mode Ive purchased the game twice because my first franhise kept crashing in the 3rd season of franchise mode- wasnt able to train players and the disk would crash in game situations.This is reason I purchased it a second time thinking it was just a bad disk but I had the same problem. Look around on the internet for reviews of customers who have played franchise mode and you will find it happens to everybody. EA acknowledges this glitch and the other 79 which are apparent throughout the game and have released a patch which means you have to pay a more money to heal an imperfect game which you have already paid &25-39 for. Buy the game for playing but if you want to get frustrated try and play franchise for 3 straight seasons. Apart from that the graphics are brilliant but interceptions and fumbles occur constant. Many features are also missing from last years version such as limited create a logo options,player analysis, adjusting prices in franchise mode.
Rating:
- Good but 07 was betterFirstly I got my new Xbox 360 for Christmas and I got this game with it. The graphics are amazing compared to the 07 version on PS2. But the gameplay is no way near as good.
Firstly fumbles occur way to often, for example some of the best backs in the league can fumble up to 5 times in a game. Furthermore, on a difficulty level greater than pro, you are always stopped behind the line for no gains even if you have a great offensive line :S.
When using passing plays, receivers like Randy Moss will drop the ball often and occasionally even get hit on the head by ball because he has not turned around to try and catch the ball.
On the 07 version, on franchise mode you got emails and newspapers and there was the Tony Bruno show. But in this game there is none of this. Good points are that the superstar mode and franchise mode are overall enjoyable.
I recommend this game to new players and people who have played before and are competent at the game.
Rating:
- Cant get enough of itOut of all my 360 games this on gets easily the most playing time. I love the franchise mode having won the Superbowl with the Seahawks, I decided to create my own team (The Vegas Vipers) and have a go at building a great team from scratch, and this is even more rewarding than pick an already existing team. There is already enough reviews stating the ins and outs of the games but I just felt I had to praise this game. Have a go creating your own teams its great!
BTW I have noticed on forums people having trouble using a created team in franchise mode. If this is the case, Go to start new franchise and on the screen where you pick a team press Y to load your team, you will have to pick a team to remove from the current teams.
Rating:
- Go Pack Go !!!This game is hugely detailed and with the option of creating players, teams, stadiums etc you won't get bored of it too quickly.
My one gripe is with how poor the AI is, especially when you're playing at QB. I've never seen a QB get sacked six times in two plays. The number of times the receivers fail to catch the ball, even on short plays and when wide open is also amazing, even the guys who are supposedly 'hands' seem to be total butterfingers. The number of interceptions and turnovers the computer seems to get is also laughable.
Typically for an EA game the step between rookie and pro is huge, and the instruction book is rubbish.
Overall though, this is brilliant game. If you're a fan of NFl the detail and realism will wow you, if you're just looking for something different it's well worth a go. If you're in any doubt download the demo from xbox live and play it a few times, totally addictive.