Post: Madden NFL 11 Review
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09-03-2010, 02:47 PM
#1
maddenking1234
King of Madden
Overview:
Every August there is an event that happens to excite nerds and jocks alike. The smell of fresh cuts grass, sound of athletes hitting each other, and taste of sweat dripping into your mouth... but your not experiencing any of that. That's right it's time for a new Madden NFL game! Every year EA Sports releases a new edition of this game that some would consider to be nothing more than an updated roster, but fail to realize that an entire group of people have spent their days starting from the ground up each year to make this game. This year is no different, but as we all know there is always a new feature and I plan to reveal that and much more.
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What's New:
Well besides the brand new college athletes that have been drafted and payed millions of dollars to showcase their skills in the NFL. There are many new features that have been tested in previous games and some unknown to fans of the popular game. First, and most prominent, is the ability to speed up your games by letting your "coaches" call your plays for you. This game mode is called Gameflow and a simple explanation of it is you have a play called for you that your "coaches" think are best in the situation. Now I put coaches in quotations because Gameflow is really just the first play when you Ask Madden, so basically this is for the new comers who are not used to the game length. I personally prefer to pick my own plays, mostly because I have a specific set of plays that I use. Which brings me to a feature of Gameflow, you are able to make a gameplan which are specific plays that you pick beforehand.
Another New feature is called Ultimate Team, which was added onto Madden NFL 10 to be tested only a few months ago. I can only assume it did well considering it made it to Madden NFL 11, yet another feature I didn't enjoy. This game mode is similar to Franchise Mode in the way that you play a set schedule of games, but here is where it differs. In Ultimate Team you start off with a set of not so good players, but as you play you earn coins which can be used to buy packs of cards. In these packs of card you will get players and "power-ups", these power-ups can range from contract extensions to a boost in player ratings. The players you get in the packs generally have a one or two game contract, which means you have to renew their contract every few games. For some this can be fun and exciting and for others it could feel like a redundant task, this game mode is heavily dependent on your preferences and may not be as popular as other game modes.
One final game mode is called Online Team Play, this is a completely new feature which was most likely a request from the Madden community. This game mode matches you and two other players against three opposing players online, which means you can end up playing with someone in California while in Florida. Now the way this works is you will choose which part of the offense and defense you would like to control (offense: QB,RB,WR) (defense: DL,LB,DE), they even give you the option to control whichever isn't currently being used. As in the NFL when you choose the QB you run the offense and control the play calling, and on defense when you choose the LB you will run the defensive of play calling. This game mode can be a bit confusing without the use of a microphone, so my suggestion is that you and your team all have mics. It is clear this game mode is new and has a long way to go, hopefully by Madden NFL 12 I will be able to say they have perfected this, but it is fun to play nonetheless.
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Online Play:
This is and always has been a big part of the Madden series, even back on the PS2. Ever since the move to the next generation consoles we have seen a huge improvement, each year, in the online play. Unfortunately this year the online play has seemed to take a step backwards. It seems as though people are having much more trouble connecting to their opponents this year and, in fact, cause the games to have a large amount of lag. I have played this game on both consoles and it has seemed to be the same result, just large amounts of lag and disconnections. Another difference this years game has is the fact that you are no longer able to play a ranked game with people you know, instead you must play a random person with an unknown connection. I understand they wanted to stop the cheaters but in doing so they have taken away the ability to control how well your connection will be in a game. Hopefully there will be a patch released soon to fix these problems, because this is a major game killer.
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Returning Features:
There are many features returning that were established in previous years, one of these is called Madden Moments. This was first established in the Madden NFL 08 and was not really paid much attention until Madden NFL 09 came out. Madden Moments is a game mode in which you, the player, take moments from real NFL games and re-enact or in some cases change history. The scenario will often be a drastic moment from that previous year that had an unsuspecting or almost victory from an underdog team. Such moments as the Detroit Lions getting their first victory or the Miami Dolphins having another shot to beat the undefeated New Orleans Saints. This game mode is easily a fan favorite and will most likely be in the rest of the Madden NFL games from here on out. I consider this to be one of my favorites because not only do you get to test your last minute comeback skills, but you can also make your favorite team get that win that never was (Dolphins).
Another feature that has returned to Madden NFL 11 is the Superstar game mode. In this game mode you will create a character and can try your best to make him look like you, no this isn't some detailed deal your never gonna get your exact replica but you sure can try. You will basically be chronicled through the like of a college senior, which means being out through the draft, attending practice, and eventually working your way to starter. I personally have never been to big a fan of this game mode simply because I lose interest in it only after the draft. I know there are many people who enjoy this game and for good reason, it is not for those who get bored easily though. This yet another feature that is and will continue to be a main stable of this series.
Last but not we have the Mini-Game game mode, in this game mode you put your skills to the test. In this classic game mode you can be almost any position you please, even go as far to put your defensive line skills to the test. Often used as a way to learn how to make your running backs hit the hole at the right time or how to make your quarterback find the right receiver, you can use this to bulk up any skill you feel is lacking. It is also a fun way for you and your friends to compete in a plethora of ways, sometimes seeing who can get the best high score. I have enjoyed this for many years and plan to once again in this years Madden NFL 11.
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Gameplay:
This years Madden has some of the best graphics ever seen on either console before, no doubt that was one part of the game EA was looking to improve. Something you should notice in this year is the sound of a new commentator. Gus Johnson, known well from the NBA Live series, is now apart of the Madden team. He joins up with last years rookie commentator Chris Collinsworth to bring the excitement back in football. Sure we all loved Al Micheals but this is an age of energy and unfortunately Micheals doesn't have the ability to bring that anymore. No worries though Gus Johnson is here to save the day and make sure your Madden experience is top notch. Once again EA brings a whole new repertoire of tackling moves to Madden NFL 11, using motion capture tackling instead of physics. Often debated is whether or not the Madden series should use motion capture or physics to decided how people will be tackled, with physics there is a greater chance for glitches but limitless different types of tackles. Either way it is hard to argue that EA is doing it wrong due to the miserable sales of competitor, 505 Games, Backbreaker Football.
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Summary:
With amazing graphics and new features such as Gameflow, Ultimate Team, and Online Team Play this years madden seems to be a strong blast from the successful past. Though lacking in area's online and catering heavily to customers new to the game, Madden NFL 11 makes up for it with it's unbeatable game modes and stables that made it what it is today. My name may be maddenking1234, but I am subject to give my unbiased decision and for this year i feel a 7.5 out of 10 is a fair rating for the new and old players alike. So get out there and pick up Madden NFL 11 today and show your friends who is the unstoppable master Madden!
Bold = In game terms
(Note: This is my first review and I would love any and all feedback on this, also this was entirely created from my brain and hands lol)
The following 15 users say thank you to maddenking1234 for this useful post:
09-03-2010, 03:15 PM
#3
maddenking1234
King of Madden
Originally posted by n
I think you may find that im being a bit of a dick but, but earlier in the SB you came in, and i havent seen you in....what? Months? Then you say "I want the blog spot". Come on, are you being serious?
Ok bean now i don't mean to sound like a dick, im just a bit tired. Yes I have been somewhat absent, and yes you probably havent seen me in months. Whenever I had the chance to login i would come to the shoutbox and chat, you never were there and this has happened a bunch of times in the past weeks. I have been getting my life in order, getting a job, fixing a very broken life that I had. It is a bit difficult to manage what is literally second life on here and deal with what i had to deal with. I am sorry you feel that way but I plan on trying to earn this spot, I am not expecting to be handed a spot because I'm me. The good news is that I have managed to do an overhaul of my life and now im back, I am sorry if you felt i neglected ngu. Hope that cleared anything you were angry about, please message me if you feel there is anything else.
The following 3 users say thank you to maddenking1234 for this useful post:
09-03-2010, 03:33 PM
#4
Nice review man +rep'd and hey its Real Life man, thats more important that anything else, if you cant keep your life on track then how is one suppose to keep anything else on?
09-03-2010, 03:43 PM
#5
maddenking1234
King of Madden
Originally posted by chris2k7sears
Nice review man +rep'd and hey its Real Life man, thats more important that anything else, if you cant keep your life on track then how is one suppose to keep anything else on?
Thank you for understanding I'm sure bean does as well, hope to be seeing a lot more of you guys now
09-03-2010, 03:54 PM
#6
psychobe@n
Guest
Originally posted by maddenking1234
Ok bean now i don't mean to sound like a dick, im just a bit tired. Yes I have been somewhat absent, and yes you probably havent seen me in months. Whenever I had the chance to login i would come to the shoutbox and chat, you never were there and this has happened a bunch of times in the past weeks. I have been getting my life in order, getting a job, fixing a very broken life that I had. It is a bit difficult to manage what is literally second life on here and deal with what i had to deal with. I am sorry you feel that way but I plan on trying to earn this spot, I am not expecting to be handed a spot because I'm me. The good news is that I have managed to do an overhaul of my life and now im back, I am sorry if you felt i neglected ngu. Hope that cleared anything you were angry about, please message me if you feel there is anything else.
Ah, ok. Sorry if i was bit of a dick, i just didnt understand at all lulz. Good to hear your back on track and i hope you spend more time here than GR.
09-04-2010, 02:40 AM
#9
maddenking1234
King of Madden
Originally posted by killakk
Great review! I look forward to more from you mate
You would be great as a Blog Staff member
You would be great as a Blog Staff member
Ya that's what I'm aiming for thanks dude.
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