|
Madden 2010
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Tiburon
Genre: Sports
Release Date: August 14, 2009
Platforms: Playstation 2, Playstation 3, Playstation Portable, Xbox 360,
Wii, iPhone
ESRB: E - Everyone
Reviewer: Eric
Why in the world am I reviewing another Madden game? We all know I only play
one of the Madden games for trophies and the other Madden titles I reviews I
might have been a tad to harsh. Honestly I had perfect reason too since EA
Sports put nothing real new in those games. I mean come on look how bad those
games really were, I don’t even remember what years they were. All of that is
about to change though with this years Madden because I actually like it.
Twenty one years, that’s a long time for a video game franchise. Well it really
isn’t when you consider the fact this is an ongoing football series with a
football legends name. Now it just sounds sad that it has only been twenty one
years but lets just ignore all of that and get on with my praise review on
Madden 2010 (Madden 10, Madden NFL 10, etc.).
Madden 10 is bringing football back. No shit, I am not messing with you. The
last few years it seemed like the series was thinking of ways to make your
football matches end in cheap ways, almost like you were at an arcade putting in
quarters. The series sucked. EA Sports lost their love in the Madden franchise
and did very little since they own the rights to the NFL in the video games
world. Why give fans what they want when they are forced to buy your game each
and every year?
The team behind Madden 10 listened to what people had to say and trust me there
was a lot. I remember hearing people complain with Madden 2009. People were even
complaining a week before Madden 10’s release, saying they have given up with
the franchise. Do not worry any more because this is football. EA Sports is
giving us the first true football game since the series first made it onto the
Playstation 2 (back then they cared for that one year).
One of the biggest improvements in Madden 10 is the Pro-Tak feature. What is
Pro-Tak? Pro-Tak allows you to have nine of your teammates to tackle instantly,
making the game feel more like a real-life football game. You see, Madden 10 is
a real football game and it took how long?
Just like every year there are new player animations, giving the game more
realism. Tackles look more like they do during Monday Night Football or any
other day they have football games. The is now a tiny mini game for fumbles now,
giving new players some what of a chance to stop or prevent a fumble. This would
have never been possible before due to the lack of…well almost due to the lack
of everything (in ways).
Games run a lot better this year with few or none glitches during matches. I
don’t know if it is me but the playbook options are pretty confusing, but that
might be since I am not a huge football fan both in real life and in video
games. Hardcore Madden fans might enjoy the nicely organized sections Madden 10
has to offer. It is slick and easy to use. Me, I tend to ask Madden most of the
time since he is such a goddamn genius.
The AI is revamped this year too. New comers can take a test to see how
difficult the AI is with you (I throw like a pro bitches). As you play the game
more the AI will adjust to your skill level as you get better or maybe even
worse. Whatever you do don’t quite games if you are loosing. The game won’t
recognize this and the AI will not adjust. Just stick with it, trust me, it is a
lot of fun.
Online play has gotten much better this year. Two player online co-op is finally
available after all this time. It boggles my mind that this mode was never
online before but hey we get it in the year of Madden that matters, Madden 2010.
More reason to finally take the dive into Madden.
Another huge addition to online play is Online Franchise Mode. Up to 32 teams
can draft, trade messages and do so much more through online. If all of the
players can’t be on at the same time the franchise mode will still manage
itself. Another cool part about this mode is you can make changes with a
computer. I could careless about this mode but holy shit this is pretty cool.
EA has managed to screw up some things with Madden 10. Elite Status can only be
obtained by paying money online (400 MS Points or $4.99). Hardcore Madden fans
will want the true Madden experience so they will spend the money. It really
does feel like EA took this out of the game at the last minute to make some
extra money.
To make matters better on Electronic Art’s front they went ahead and made Online
Franchise obtainable through a one time use code that can be found on the back
of the Madden 2010 booklet. If your console breaks then you are out of luck or
if you decide to buy a used copy of the game because you will now have to spend
money online to get Online Franchise. I can understand the reasoning over this
decision but if EA were to make great games, like this years Madden, then no one
will trade-in the game. As for those whose systems break I recommend calling EA
and complaining because then it is just bull shit, plain and simple.
Every year in Madden you have the whole music track selection. I am not a fan of
some of the music choices, even the exclusive remixes. Your best bet is to edit
the track listing to your liking or just turn the music off. The commentary is
good enough (fantastic this year I must say (commentary)). The half time
commentary is great too. Not only does it do a “best of” plays it actually has
commentary. Madden 10 is the ultimate football game.
Final Verdict
It took a lot of convincing for me to try another Madden game. Once I got my
hands on Madden 10 and truly play it I was hooked. There is just so much in this
years game that is note worthy, I know I left out some very important aspects.
Fans of the franchise will instantly love this year’s game due to the realism
while new players will enjoy the game after they take the Madden quiz. If you
ever considered playing a Madden game then make 2010 this first year to start
with.
Rating Breakdown
Gameplay: 9 out of 10
+ Figure out your skill leave and let the fun begin.
- New players might find certain aspects too overwhelming.
Graphics: 9 out of 10
+ Almost looks as good as the real thing.
- As good as it looks there are more impressive looking
games.
Audio: 8 out of 10
+ Commentary in this game is almost life-like.
- Those exclusive tracks are crap; music selection is worse
than previous games.
Replay Value: 9 out of 10
+ There is just so much to do both on and offline.
- Why can’t more people play at the same time online?
Overall
8.50 out of 10
More reviews:
MetaCritic: 8.6/10
TestFreaks: 9/10
|
