As September falls so do the sports games from EA; Golf, Football, Soccer, Ice Hockey, College Football, Crown Green Bowling, the list goes on. If you don’t own the last one, or maybe the last 17, then why would you pick this up? Especially if you don’t understand the sport, and who can blame you with American Football, it’s a confusing beast, to say the least.
The first Madden game I picked up was Madden 04. With a very limited understanding of the sport, I persevered and slowly learned the basics. Only now, some six or seven years and 4 bought games later, I think of myself as half-decent. At best.
Madden has always tried to help you, the uninitiated, by featuring customisable difficulty levels and “Ask Madden” play options. I have always used these, only dipping out of Big John’s safe embrace if I want to play a running play when he has none on offer. The customisable difficulty levels are a godsend, too. Especially if, like me, you’re a weak quarter back but a strong running back. I increase the difficulty of the running and drop the difficulty of the throwing to not make it seem too cheap.
Now why am I banging on about “old features”? Well in this iteration it all comes together perfectly to create a fluid experience that anyone can learn to play. This is thanks to the new Gameflow feature, which takes all 350 possible plays and gives you one with the press of a button. It analyses the defence you’re playing against, the way you’ve been playing and your recent choices, and then gives you the best possible play. It may sound like dumbing down, and well, it is, but it makes the whole experience so smooth.
CoachSpeak adds to this experience by blasting an angry American through your headset. But it’s actually pretty useful, especially for beginners. You can see your play before you, with all the lines arcing out and displaying the different receiving routes and blocking lines, but until you have played it for a awhile it may remain unclear what exactly it is you have to do. Well just listen to your coach as he explains where to go, how long to wait for and what to watch out for. He has even helped me improve my throwing game and pick up new plays that I am confident with.
This combination is great for newcomers to the genre but don’t think you seasoned pros are missing out. Oh no, you can use this too, as it has layers of options to perfect the Gameflow with your exact style. Game Planning allows you to set up your preferences for specific situations. Are you 3rd and long but don’t want to play the obvious long ball? Then set up a cheeky route and catch your opponent off guard. Streamlined audibles and the New EA Sports Strategy Pad (Yes, I had to say EA) add another layer to give you lots pf options.
I know I’m using smooth and slick a lot, but the game really is. It looks great with some wonderful weather effects, especially the snow. It sounds great and the commentary is as impressive as before – it even manages to add humour to the advertisements thanks to Old Spice. There are a ridiculous number of little details from fans outside buying merchandise and playing games in the parking lot to seeing the coaches give water to players on the sidelines. It just seems to capture the glitz and drama that surrounds American Football perfectly.
But most importantly the gameplay has been brought up to match this level of shine. The controls have been streamlined in a similar way to the play calling with the player movement being reduced to just two sticks – unless you want to dive, jump or spin, of course, which are mapped to the face buttons. The movement feels sharper and more intuitive allowing you to change direction with ease, opening the running game up and making it more akin to the unpredictability of it’s real-life counterpart.
Franchise is still there and so is its options to let the computer handle all the injury and draft issues and let you focus on the football. Another great inclusion for the new or less confident players. Superstar mode is there too, as well as the online 1vs1’s, but now there are a few new modes to keep everyone happy. For the more hardcore football fan there is Madden Ultimate Team, something FIFA fans will be familiar with. It’s like a cross between franchise and Panini sticker collecting. You earn points for winning games and competing in tournaments and you use those points to buy card packs which house players, stadiums, coaches, contracts, a bit of everything really.
FIFA’s game modes come into play again with Online Team Play, allowing 3 on 3 action with different players selecting either “any” or specific player roles. Now this is great for me as I can focus on running at people and ignore the anxiety fest that is throwing the ball. Obviously, like any online co-op, it’s better to play with friends who will share the fun and let you in on decisions.
Although this is odd to point out in a review, the achievements are near perfect too. The majority unlockable through lots of play and a bit of luck, and a few that will push even the best player – namely the Madden Moments, that put you in control of a team that pulled off a near impossible comeback and expect you to do the same.
Madden NFL 11 manages to bring all the different elements of previous installments and merge them together perfectly. Loads of different game modes to play with, good online support and most importantly fun gameplay that can be tailored to suit every kind of player make this the definitive American Football experience.
VideogameUK verdict: 9/10
