Madden NFL 08

When Madden NFL 07 was released last year, it was a huge step in the right direction. I really enjoyed how they made the game more alive and got the players into it more with the new motion controls. The various motions (some more the others) gave players the feeling that they have more control of the characters and made the game feel more realistic to them. This year EA had their work cut out for them, since they had to continue to build upon last years game to make it better then ever, since they couldn’t solely rely on the new control scheme. How did this years game fair?

If you enjoyed playing Madden NFL 07 then you will be pleased to know that the controls have been refined even more, which makes things a whole lot easier to play. The majority of the motions have remained the same, yet new ones have been added which gives the game even more depth than previously. Also there are new moves available for players to use such as the strip-ball button (Number 1 button) and if you time it right you can get the ball right from the offense. Another new feature in this game is the read-and-react system, which allows you to scan the field to identify strengths and weaknesses before every play. This will allow you to make better plays when you are on the line and hopefully go in for the touchdown, or prevent the other team from getting one.

Thats gunna hurt in the morning

EA has also included a new gameplay mode for gamers to use called Family Play, which makes it easier for younger and more inexperienced players. Basically it removes the function of the Nunchuck (since you remove it from your controller). The computer AI then takes control of the movement of the football players. The problem with this mode is that the computer is not that intelligent. All players have to do is take the time and learn the controls for the game, and they will find that it is a much more pleasant experience to play using the full controls.

There are many games modes in this game that will keep you occupied for months on end. Even if you have played Madden NFL 07 for the Nintendo Wii, it will be in your best interests to hit up the Learn Madden mode so that you can be up-to-date with all of the game’s controls and any changes that has been made from the previous version. I really liked that EA really made sure that everything was explained in this game, which made it a whole lot easier to really enjoy the game to the fullest while playing at your very best.

The other “standard” game modes make it into this year’s version of Madden such as: Franchise, Superstar mode, mini games, and online play. The franchise mode is extremely deep this year and you will have tons of things to do over the course of 30  seasons. Superstar mode makes a comeback and is better then ever. In this mode you take a rookie (or even a pre-created NFL Superstar) and it is your goal to make him the best around and your ultimate goal is to make it into the Hall of fame before the guy retires.

Practice makes perfect

There are numerous mini-games available this year. The first is “2 on 2” which brings back fond memories since it is just like school-yard football. This means that you get five plays to get a touchdown before it is the other teams turn. Y.A.C. Attack (yards after catch) is a mode where it is three verses one (one QB verse three defenders), the more swats or interceptions the defenders get the higher their score, and the more competed passes and touchdowns the QB gets the higher his score. Kicking Combine is where three people take a field goal kicking challenge and see how many you can score. Rushing Attack is when you team up with a friend on offense and guide your running back to daylight. Then there is in the Mini-camp competition, which tests 19 different drills that are in training camp.

There is a new mode in this game entitled Party Mode. In this mode you can import your Mii’s (a personalized profile or digital avatar) to represent you and track your stats. You can the chose between three options: play now, mini-games, and trivia. Play now is standard, but now includes a telestrator, which means you can now show them how you beat them in certain plays. Mini-games contain all the games mentioned previous. The last is trivia which means that you will test your knowledge on various madden trivia. All of these modes are a blast to play with your friends. The only shame is that this is not playable online.

If you can’t find anyone to play with at your house, EA has graciously made this year’s version playable online! While the wonderful mini-games are not available to play online, this is a wonderful step in the right direction. Getting online and actually playing a game is a snap. Just sign on and try to find someone that you would like to play against. While playing online I rarely ran into to much lag, which made for some great games. Hopefully next year EA will expand the online play to include the mini-games.

Unfortunately it is not all sunshine with this game as there are certain glitches that you will encounter while playing this game. Sometimes there is a weird camera blur that pops up and really distorts the game while you are playing, especially after a cut scene. Next up, the AI - at times - does some really particular things that will have you screaming at the screen for its sheer stupidity.

Bragging just went up a notch

The graphics engine for this game needs a serious facelift. The problem with this game is that it is based off of the PlayStation 2 engine, and it is definitely starting to show its age. This can be seen in the overall presentation of the game to the actual player models. What is a shame about the player models is that they mostly have the same look to them. The stadiums that you will be playing in have a nice amount of detail, but still look “last generation.” The character animations have been stepped up from last year, which is always a good sign. Even though all of this is the case, hopefully next year EA will finally step up and make a dedicated engine that uses all of the graphical power of the Nintendo Wii, just like they did with the other next-generation systems.

The sound for this game is good, but it is the same stuff that you have heard for years now. The musical soundtrack is a mix of popular songs that can be heard on nearly any radio station. The sound effects are decent as you hear the players taking various hits on the field. The commentary is the same as it has been for years now, with some new phrases thrown in, but nothing that will knock your socks off. My hope is that the audio section will get some improvement in next year’s version, as it has needed some attention for some time.

Madden NFL 08 is rated for everyone.

Gameplay: 8.7
The control scheme from Madden NFL 07 returns and it is still as fun as it was last year. EA really made the motions easier to pull off which makes for better gameplay. There are a ton of new mini-games that are an absolute blast to play.

Graphics: 7.3
The graphics in Madden NFL 08 are not bad, but the Nintendo Wii is capable of much more then this. Hopefully next year EA will update the graphics engine than what they are currently using. The framerate is also really steady, which always makes for a better game.

Sound: 7.5
The music in this game is a really good and contains the usual mix of hip-hop and rock. The commentary is decent and gets the job done as it has for many years now. The only bad thing is that this is the same stuff that you have heard year after year, with no new meaningful additions. Hopefully this will change soon.

Difficulty: Medium
If you have never played Madden NFL 07, then it will take a little time to get adjusted to playing the game and all of its motions to perform certain actions. Thankfully there is a Learn Madden mode option that is available from the first time you load the game which will teach you all you need to know.

Concept: 8.5
While Madden NFL 08 is not as “revolutionary” as the previous version, the inclusion of online playing and the multitude of mini-games makes this a great game to play. The Family play controls also make the game more accessible to younger and more inexperienced players.

Multiplayer 9.0
There so many things to do with multiplayer that it is unbelievable. The party mode alone is worth getting the game for. Also you can play this game online, which is always a welcomed addition. While playing it I never real hit much lag and the connection always seemed smooth.

Overall: 8.4
Madden NFL 07 for the Nintendo Wii is a great game. Even though this game has its fair share of glitches and the graphics engine is not updated, it still remains a blast to play. The inclusion of all of the multiplayer modes is a great treat and will make this a game not to leave your Nintendo Wii for some time.