Madden 08

[Buckeye]

Madden 08 is out today. I wonder which of you guys bought it today, will get it soon through preorder, or will eventually get it. As you know already, Titans QB Vince Young is the cover boy for Madden.

[bci110]

Barring anything castostrophic, I'm definitely getting it today. :D

[Azumangaman]

I'm expecting people to grab the 360 version. I'm getting it today and pre-ordering Bioshock at the same time. Can't wait anymore (if anybody can't decide, Madden for 360 is killing PS3 review-wise.

[machineger4]

Well my Dad got the PC version today (coulda swore he was getting the 360 version but whatever) so I'll get a crack at it some time later on. I look forward to having some fun with it.

[ADC]

I still believe that I'm going to pass on it this year. It could be because, as has not been the case the past four years, I think my guys have a serious shot at going to the playoffs this year in real life. Poor Azu, though, and his Vikings … I mean, that's a 6-10 team whether on 360, Wii, or PS3. :P

[Jarred]

I still believe that I'm going to pass on it this year.
Me as well. I was on the fence about picking it up, since I haven't played Madden since the late 90s and I read/heard great things about the improvements, but the deciding factor was online leagues for me. Seeing that EA is giving it a trial with NHL 08, I'll hold out one more year and get a starting spot for Madden's junior year on the 360. :)

There are also just too many other games I want to play this fall way more than Madden. :sd:

[juliant59]

Bought the PS3 version today. I don't have a 360 so it's the PS3 one for me. I look forward to ruling later today :)

[ADC]

There are also just too many other games I want to play this fall way more than Madden. :sd:
Hells, there are too many other games I want to play this week! And that's not even counting that I'm almost at the end of FF3.

[DeadlyMessiah]

Meh, I bought the game a while ago when it was called Madden 97. Nothing has changed since then except its graphics.

[Collectonian]

I'll probably be buying it for PS2 in another month or two. It is pretty much the expected traditional Christmas present for my best friend now. I've bought him the newest version every year for at least 5 years now :sd:

(only way I'd be buying it since I'm not into sports LOL)

[Jarred]

Meh, I bought the game a while ago when it was called Madden 97. Nothing has changed since then except its graphics.
Ugh. That's such a tired, bandwagon statement. But I guess it was inevitable that someone play that card in a Madden thread.

1) It's a fucking sports game. How much has football changed in the past 10 years? 20? 30? Just rosters, play books, and subtle rules here and there. Football is football.

2) The 97 game didn't include Franchise Mode, Superstar Mode, Hit Stick, QB Vision, online play, True Stick, Precision Passing, Weapons, etc, etc. So they've added a lot around the game since then. The 08 version also features a lot of AI updates that make the game play feel even closer to the real thing (read any review, they all say it).

[Jarred]

Actually, I lied. I did play some Madden 07 on the Wii, but traded it in after a few plays because I had no one to play with and I didn't think the controls were all that.

So now I'm thinking I should pick this year's version up to get a year of practice under my belt in preparation for the possibility of online leagues coming next year. I'm back on the fence! :D

[machineger4]

Meh, I bought the game a while ago when it was called Madden 97. Nothing has changed since then except its graphics.
Ugh. That's such a tired, bandwagon statement. But I guess it was inevitable that someone play that card in a Madden thread.

1) It's a fucking sports game. How much has football changed in the past 10 years? 20? 30? Just rosters, play books, and subtle rules here and there. Football is football.

2) The 97 game didn't include Franchise Mode, Superstar Mode, Hit Stick, QB Vision, online play, True Stick, Precision Passing, Weapons, etc, etc. So they've added a lot around the game since then. The 08 version also features a lot of AI updates that make the game play feel even closer to the real thing (read any review, they all say it).

Exactly, while there aren't any big-ass changes, it's a much more complex/sophisticated game than it was 10 years ago.

Anyway, I played a couple games of Madden and I gotta say it looks to be a winner this year. It's not radically different but it's the little things that are really impressive - tackling physics/animations and player control. For example: I was in the shotgun one play, it was a high snap and Eli would've been able to get it but Jacobs bumped him when starting to go on his route so the ball sailed over his head and the Raiders were able to recover the fumble. While it sucked b/c it was bad for me, I was amazed that such a random thing actually happened in Madden since you would never think to see it in a game.

I only played 2 games so far and I'm not a big Madden junkie so I can't point out all the little things but Tiburon really needs to fucking fix the Special Teams part of the game. :angry: It's the same tired shit that I've seen for years: no punt return game, most of the time if there's no fair catch there's a good chance of fumbling it, there's no wedge on kick coverage. It's appalling that they put in all these fancy defensive and offensive adjustments/hot routes/play makers and haven't done anything for ST. Maybe I'm doing something completely wrong, but it's a huge oversight.

[Azumangaman]

So now I'm thinking I should pick this year's version up to get a year of practice under my belt in preparation for the possibility of online leagues coming next year. I'm back on the fence! :D
Get 360 please :D
You know you want to face-off with my Vikings, you know it.

[Azumangaman]

Meh, I bought the game a while ago when it was called Madden 97. Nothing has changed since then except its graphics.
Ugh. That's such a tired, bandwagon statement. But I guess it was inevitable that someone play that card in a Madden thread.

1) It's a fucking sports game. How much has football changed in the past 10 years? 20? 30? Just rosters, play books, and subtle rules here and there. Football is football.

2) The 97 game didn't include Franchise Mode, Superstar Mode, Hit Stick, QB Vision, online play, True Stick, Precision Passing, Weapons, etc, etc. So they've added a lot around the game since then. The 08 version also features a lot of AI updates that make the game play feel even closer to the real thing (read any review, they all say it).
Amen. I absolutely HATE hearing that.

[Jarred]

Get 360 please :D
You know you want to face-off with my Vikings, you know it.
Ok, I caved. I realized that I was done with The Bigs, so I needed a new sports game in the rotation. Time to practice my Hasselbeck/Branch hookups. :D

If anyone wants to play, my gamer tag is RidingThePine if I haven't added you to my friend's list. I know I'm behind on adding people from the other thread, I'm just bad at remembering to do that. But feel free to add me if you want to play!

[ape2020]

Well the reviews are in for Madden 08 and the PS3 version is getting hammered. Here is EAs excuse. (http://www.joystiq.com/2007/08/14/ea-tech-support-explains-ps3-madden-frame-rate-issues/#comments). Funny I thought Madden 07 was the first on PS3?

-ape2020

[DeadlyMessiah]

1) It's a fucking sports game. How much has football changed in the past 10 years? 20? 30? Just rosters, play books, and subtle rules here and there. Football is football.

2) The 97 game didn't include Franchise Mode, Superstar Mode, Hit Stick, QB Vision, online play, True Stick, Precision Passing, Weapons, etc, etc. So they've added a lot around the game since then. The 08 version also features a lot of AI updates that make the game play feel even closer to the real thing (read any review, they all say it).

1. Franchise mode makes no difference.
2. EA holds a monopoly on NFL, which is total bs and wrong in so many ways, so I will NOT buy any of their sports titles.
3. I lost my interest in football in 98.
4. They need to add something NEW to a football game. Look at Blitz, they added character development, gave the game a story, which was far superior to anything Madden has ever done.
5. BRING BACK MUTANT LEAGUE!!
6. Mutant League was original and fun.

[Jarred]

1) It's a fucking sports game. How much has football changed in the past 10 years? 20? 30? Just rosters, play books, and subtle rules here and there. Football is football.

2) The 97 game didn't include Franchise Mode, Superstar Mode, Hit Stick, QB Vision, online play, True Stick, Precision Passing, Weapons, etc, etc. So they've added a lot around the game since then. The 08 version also features a lot of AI updates that make the game play feel even closer to the real thing (read any review, they all say it).

1. Franchise mode makes no difference.
2. EA holds a monopoly on NFL, which is total bs and wrong in so many ways, so I will NOT buy any of their sports titles.
3. I lost my interest in football in 98.
4. They need to add something NEW to a football game. Look at Blitz, they added character development, gave the game a story, which was far superior to anything Madden has ever done.
5. BRING BACK MUTANT LEAGUE!!
6. Mutant League was original and fun.
So basically you just changed the argument from "Madden hasn't changed since 97" to "I don't like football sims and EA". Well played.

[DeadlyMessiah]

So basically you just changed the argument from "Madden hasn't changed since 97" to "I don't like football sims and EA". Well played.

No, I still stick with that Madden has not changed in a good 4 years. I have no doubts that if I played 04 and 08, that I'd see any difference other than graphics and player names.

[Jarred]

So, my years away from Madden have not been kind to me. I suck. :D

Recent online Ranked match results:
Seahawks 14
Seahawks 48

Seahawks 7
Cardinals 35

Seahawks 7
Chargers 28

So if you want some easy wins, invite me to a game! :D I did score a 80+ yard TD run, which gave me 50 achievement points. :cool:

[Azumangaman]

He's lying. He's quite good at the game. Beat the crap out of me (although I'm awful in Madden with the Vikings).

[machineger4]

He's lying. He's quite good at the game. Beat the crap out of me (although I'm awful in Madden with the Vikings).

It's not that you're awful with them in Madden, they're awful in real life. :> Tiburon is trying to make an accurate representation of the NFL game and their suckiness is just part of it. :P

[ADC]

He's lying. He's quite good at the game. Beat the crap out of me (although I'm awful in Madden with the Vikings).
Dude? He could have used the Amsterdam Admirals and you'd say he's quite good at the game. It's not a reflection on you.

I'd like to see a CFL version of Madden, with the 12-man teams, forward motion prior to the snap, longer field, and the kind. Does Ottawa still have the Rough Riders?

[Azumangaman]

Oh man, nevermind. I showed him how to play with the Broncos. 27-10. Hells yeah. Broncos are my new madden team, just so you know (they've always been the other team I use).

[Jarred]

Oh man, nevermind. I showed him how to play with the Broncos. 27-10.
I have this really bad habit in All-Pro Mode of throwing interceptions that get run back for touchdowns. That and my open field tackling SUCKS.

Seriously, I think in the 5 online All-Pro ranked/unranked games I've played, I've given up 6-7 defensive touchdowns. :sd:

[ADC]

I've found in past versions that, if you want to cut down on interceptions on fly patterns, you want to overthrow your receivers a bit. Step up while throwing a bullet pass (yes, even deep) and you'll usually get it over the defender unless he's playing over-top coverage (which is unwise if you're good at slants and crossing patterns). Try it against Azu, and he'll wonder if he really chose the Broncos or if he had a brain fart and picked Minnesota again.

It's especially effective against the slower cornerbacks and safeties (think <90 speed) because they just can't keep up.

[Jarred]

I'll give it a try. I think they also just improved the d-back AI a bit this year. From what I've read, it might even be too stingy in All-Pro. Most of the picks have been pretty legit, a lot of time me throwing into double coverage or not making a read and a safety jumping in after I throw. Azu did somehow pick off a ball on a Tight End fade TD pass with his corner BEHIND my big TE. Not sure how that one worked. :sd: