Madden 09 Coverage Wrap-Up and Your Impressions
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Madden 09 has made its way out and with that brings an end to the prerelease coverage of the game. I still have plans to complete full online impressions, a look at fantasy football importing into Madden (which looks like it has been fixed), an EASW video highlight contest, and the setting up of the custom team online competition to look forward to in the near future. Otherwise I’ll be directing my immediate focus towards NFL Head Coach 09 which I’ll have later today.
As always I’ll be curious to see how the masses receive the game. I suspect for the head-to-head crowd it will be considered very good, while those who heavily invest in CPU offline play or online play will have mixed feelings. As I stated in my random thoughts write-up it is a huge jump forward in gameplay and presentation but the overall experience feels somewhat empty as it doesn’t have a feature or mode that can compare to NCAA Football 09’s Online Dynasty or the Online Team Play of several other EA titles.
Here are links from the prerelease coverage. Feel free to leave your impressions of Madden 09 in the comments!
Random Thoughts on Madden 09
Roster Update Details
Online League Impressions
Full Game of Madden 09: Seahawks @ Chiefs
Full Game of Madden 09: Bengals @ Colts
Full Game of Madden 09: Texans @ Titans
Full Game of Madden 09: Bills @ Jets
A Few More Videos (Madden Moments, Superstar Mode)
Community Event Impressions
Live Blog from Community Event
August 12, 2008 at 8:29 pm
I’ve only played a couple games to this point, but I was really impressed. Some of the animations of the players are extremely realistic. I love the broken tackle animations.
And the alternate and throwback uni’s (though long overdue) are great!
A couple minor complaints…Player editing is still a disappointment. Obviously those doing the rosters at EA aren’t exactly diligent in their research for player equipment, skin tone, etc. That being the case, I just wish EA would allow us players the ability to edit all attributes as we could back in the previous gen releases. For the life of me, I cannot understand why DNA style helmets (incuding LT’s) are in NCAA 09, but not in Madden.
They also need to look adding Home Field Advantage in Madden.
Othe than a couple minor things though, this is a great game! Graphics and Gameplay are on pint again as they were in the previous Gen and the presentation (though still some work to do) took a big jump this year.
I’m fully expecting Madden 2010 to be lights out.
August 12, 2008 at 8:31 pm
as far as this yr MADDEN goes the game is DECENT that’s all nothing truly breath taking or unbelievable it’s just a decent game that is EXTREMELY HYPED & OVERRATED
all this talk about being the Best Football Game Ever is unwarranted & frankly BULL ISH any1 who says diff is
STRAIGHT UP LYING 2 YOU
August 12, 2008 at 9:23 pm
[quote comment="31994"]as far as this yr MADDEN goes the game is DECENT that’s all nothing truly breath taking or unbelievable it’s just a decent game that is EXTREMELY HYPED & OVERRATED
all this talk about being the Best Football Game Ever is unwarranted & frankly BULL ISH any1 who says diff is
STRAIGHT UP LYING 2 YOU[/quote]
thank you…people are acting like this game is the best game ever made and if your not amazed people say you should die lol
August 12, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Is it me or is the blocking on This game non-existant? seriously its impossible 2 run. Also at the top of the screen it says the score, but when u go 2 the sim thing it will sometimes say a different score. like i jus finished a game right now, and During the play it says im winning 14 – 11 but when im on the supersim screen it says im down 17-14 but i go back in2 the game and it still says im winning 14-11? WTF!? lol this shit is rediculous. I ended up getn the win altho during the supersim the eagles scored a TD it never counted towards the game? I dnt get it!
August 12, 2008 at 10:18 pm
[quote comment="31995"][quote comment="31994"]as far as this yr MADDEN goes the game is DECENT that’s all nothing truly breath taking or unbelievable it’s just a decent game that is EXTREMELY HYPED & OVERRATED
all this talk about being the Best Football Game Ever is unwarranted & frankly BULL ISH any1 who says diff is
STRAIGHT UP LYING 2 YOU[/quote]
thank you…people are acting like this game is the best game ever made and if your not amazed people say you should die lol[/quote]
Im not gonna lie its ok… alot better than 08 but still not good enough for me to buy, if they add in 2010:
-refs on the field
-chain gang
-better defensive and offensive AI (still a little shaky, the CPU runs out of bounds alot)
- a ALL NEW SS mode, I’m talkin comletely new they need to scrap what they have right now and an online franchise like NCAA ill get the game… but thats next year
as for right now ima play it for a few more days and take it back and play my $3 rental charge because the game froze on me in my 2nd game on franchise so i had to start all over again then it froze once again on my 3rd game in franchise mode…. i know its not my ps3 cause the only other game that has frozen on it is GTA when i first booted it up
August 12, 2008 at 11:47 pm
yea there have been HUGE madden 09 freezing problems: http://forums.easports.com/mboards/thread.jspa?messageID=3983727�
Im on my 2nd copy, and its still freezing
August 13, 2008 at 5:37 am
Found this on the freezing thread on EA’s site. I’m at work now, so wont get a chance to try this approach myself until tonight:
[quote]Found this bit of data from another site…plan on trying it out tonight…. and i quote:
Ok alot of people including me have their game freeze in the middle of a game during franchise mode so i tried to see if i could fix it. Mine always freezed up right when i picked a play and then i could hear the sound but the screen is frozen. I found out that if you pick your play in less than a second the game wont read it quick enough so it freezes but if you just wait 3 seconds it wont freeze but it mostly only happens on the first play call on offense. My game froze alot & since i started waiting a second or 2 to pick my first offensive play my game hasnt froze yet. Mine sometimes froze after the game when i exited the game going to the menus when that skill iq thing came up to show how you progressed. Just let it load fully and wait till it shows how you progressed & then exit. I havent been online yet so ive never gotten the online lobby freeze but mainly you should just take your time and dont rush it.
I think ea should of had us install game data of madden 09 for ps3 so the blu ray player doesnt have to read everything so fast then it wouldnt freeze up.
end of quote [/quote]
August 13, 2008 at 7:45 am
ive been playing ncaa a lot now because of the problems with madden . i know madden is a completely new and different compared to the other maddens ill try to get used to it ill give madden another week
August 13, 2008 at 7:51 am
Not really that impressed suprising because i always am like Ncaa 09 alot better defense way togood in Madden to hard to run and Pass average game at best
August 13, 2008 at 8:50 am
Im on my second copy of 09 already cause of freezing..this one has froze every game ive played too. Going to probably take this one back too.had 1 friend who had this problem about 10 others that r fine.other than this glitch i think the game is possibly the best madden yet imo.
August 13, 2008 at 9:23 am
ok sdot in your opinion what is the best football game then?
August 13, 2008 at 9:58 am
[quote comment="31992"]Look at the 93 edition compared to 08…why are we complaining about graphics? We have come so far and it seems we have been spoiled…we are picking out the most minor details in the game just so we have something to complain about. If your game is freezing than that is a real issue, but some of you guys are being way too picky. Opinion or not come on I think we need to respect where we are now compared to even the xbox versions…it’s a HUGE step up. This is the most realistic gameplay I have ever played and some people are complaining about that??? That it’s too hard??? In 08 after about 2 weeks the game was unplayable solo because it was so easy to beat the computer. I don’t see that happening with this game. I’m not trying to hammer anyone’s point of view I just think we should all be a little more tolerant of the minor flawes and try to enjoy what really is a pretty darn good game.[/quote]
That was well said man.
August 13, 2008 at 10:24 am
For all of you saying that the defense is harder in Madden than it is in NCAA, NO SH*T IT’S THE NFL! IT’S SUPPOSED TO BE HARDER!
August 13, 2008 at 10:31 am
Despite having the game for only one day and already discovering glitches I am pretty impressed. Even though I’ve only played about five games (three in franchise and two in superstar) for the first time ever I feel challenged without being cheated. I don’t know how long it will last but I’m enjoying it for now. Maybe an 8.5 out of 10. I’ve yet to download the roster update (thought it was with the patch that the game intially downloaded) and don’t think I can I don’t have XBOX Live.
Pros: Terrific Gameplay, Ability to Customize difficulty, Great graphics
Cons: Glitches (two different replay glitches and my game froze once), Almost no additions to Franchise and Superstar, Lack of Realism in line Play.
August 13, 2008 at 10:34 am
I think this year’s Madden is the best since 2001. Yes, it is not perfect but it still plays extremely well. The online issues are disappointing. You would think after years of online issues that EA would have tightened the ship.
As far as the player models, I think they look more realistic this year. The uniforms are excellent as the pants have the sheen that brings about realism.
Of course, the classic and retro uniforms are a disappointment in that EA did not include the road uniforms for either (with the exception of a couple of teams). Why can’t I wear Houston’s road uniforms?
Also, Denver’s default home uniforms are all blue? What happened to the white pants option?
These are nitpicking items but items that I thought Peter Moore was going to address…..
August 13, 2008 at 11:05 am
yea froze on me too but game is pretty solid alot more realistic games move real quick though
August 13, 2008 at 11:51 am
Ryan hit the nail on the head. For those of you complaining about the graphics (and have the Collector’s edition), play a game of Madden ‘93. (I beat the Patriots 14-7 in ‘93 last night.) That should shut you up. Realize that was 15 short years ago. Imagine what we’ll have 15 years from now!
These guys can only progress so far in a single year. To see how easy it is, buy yourself a copy of 3D Studio Max and see for yourself how “easy” it is to make a human model (or a goal post or a football stadium or a licensed jersey or a Reebok shoe).
Anyway, I enjoyed the 2 games I played of ‘09 last night. I really liked Collinsworth’s “Backtrack” feature. But I still miss the presentation and halftime shows of NFL 2k5. I’ll have to play a bit more before I can say if it’s better (gameplay-wise) than 2k5/8. But I think graphically, it looks phenomenal. Bear in mind, I started playing football game with little white cards, dice and reems of paper with which to keep my stats. So I’ll never complain about video game graphics.
August 13, 2008 at 1:01 pm
i really think this game was a huge improvement over 08. i rented it from hollywood video and my first copy froze up on me quite a few times, so i just exchanged it for a different one and it hasn’t frozen on me yet.
pro’s:
-much better presentation, collinsworth’s commentary is very natural sounding
-graphical improvements are surprisingly good over 08
-more realistic stats in season mode, not everybody breaks every record
-overall more realistic gameplay, glad they got rid of the 12 foot high spectacular catches
-my skill is AMAZING
neutral:
-difficulty seems to have gone up this year
cons:
-freezing issue is apparently pretty big right now
-interceptions can still be an issue (why is it a DT can intercept a ball when he didnt even see me throw it, but my receiver will be looking the ball square in the face and not even try to catch it)
-fumbles are in higher number this year
-online leagues are not what they were advertised to be
August 13, 2008 at 10:56 pm
The thing that really bothers me is that the game freezes every time I try and play the franchise mode. I have re-started 3 times and never made it past the 2nd pre-season game. I’m very glad I payed 60 bucks for this game.
August 14, 2008 at 7:44 am
Pasta do you know if the next patch will fix the running game?Pretty much everybody cannot run the football and as a Madden vet the running game is ridiculous its near impossible to run the ball.
In about 20 games I am yet to get 100 yards rushing so far my high is 96 and about half of those were with the QB and most of the time the RB averages 1.5 yards per carry.
So I hope EA fixes this fast cause its really ridiculous running does not even exist in 09
August 14, 2008 at 9:12 am
[quote comment="32192"]Pasta do you know if the next patch will fix the running game?Pretty much everybody cannot run the football and as a Madden vet the running game is ridiculous its near impossible to run the ball.
In about 20 games I am yet to get 100 yards rushing so far my high is 96 and about half of those were with the QB and most of the time the RB averages 1.5 yards per carry.
So I hope EA fixes this fast cause its really ridiculous running does not even exist in 09[/quote]
I dont know why so many people are struggling with the running game its not easy but is not as hard as some people are saying, you gave to find your blocks and make good cuts, people are still use to the old days when you would run straight up and the defender would carry you another 3 yards the running is good it doesnt need patching.
August 14, 2008 at 9:49 am
[quote comment="32200"][quote comment="32192"]Pasta do you know if the next patch will fix the running game?Pretty much everybody cannot run the football and as a Madden vet the running game is ridiculous its near impossible to run the ball.
In about 20 games I am yet to get 100 yards rushing so far my high is 96 and about half of those were with the QB and most of the time the RB averages 1.5 yards per carry.
So I hope EA fixes this fast cause its really ridiculous running does not even exist in 09[/quote]
I dont know why so many people are struggling with the running game its not easy but is not as hard as some people are saying, you gave to find your blocks and make good cuts, people are still use to the old days when you would run straight up and the defender would carry you another 3 yards the running is good it doesnt need patching.[/quote]
the think the running game is just right i thought in 08 you could break for 7 yards a tackle like i use the jets and thomas jones will continue to run for 3 yards but then there are those plays were a hole opens up and u can gain really good yards but when i was using the chargers to get the feel of the game and lt gets more yards which really was cool to see
August 14, 2008 at 2:30 pm
No the running game is not good because defenders get to the back field to quickly if it was even half a second less that would be better.Also it takes to long after you break a tackle you are already wrapped up by two more defenders so the animations need to break a little faster.
It is not impossible to run in fact with slide protection I can run pretty easily except its boring to get 1 yard 1 yard 2 yards 3 yards 1 yard and then a 10-15 yard gain.Not to mention breaking tackles is basically non existent.
Bottom line is I can run the ball but I have to use line shift every play and its not Madden it doesnt have that madden feel which ruins it for the hardcore players.It can use alot of improving I’m glad u can run the ball but u cant tell me that it is not a horrible running game this year.I think alot of people would like to not get tackled in the back field 70 percent of the time.
August 15, 2008 at 8:33 pm
I need an answer this please..I’m trying to play a friend who lives in a different state then me online and for some reason i can play most other people but when either of us invite one another to a game the other side of the screen stays blank and we cant both join the same game???? any help would be great thanks…
August 21, 2008 at 4:28 pm
use hb draws to run the ball
August 28, 2008 at 1:10 am
I’ll give the game a solid 8. NFL 2k5/8 is still to date the most accurate depiction of football gameplay in my opinion. Not to mention the 2k series blew Madden out of the water in terms of presentation, but nonetheless this new Madden is solid. Graphics look good, stadiums are awesome and the passing is fun. The running game is RIDICULOUSLY difficult even if you have a stud for a running back. Blocks are almost never held, and the defense is perpetually in the backfield. It’s kinda sad when a 15 yard run is cause for a major celebration. In the 2k’s the O-lineman actually had visible blocking schemes depending on the run play you called. In Madden they just kinda hit anyone near them with no clear strategy, and most of the time they do a lousy job at that. Chris Collinsworth does a great job on the commentary, however his counterpart is absolutely atrocious. I think the dynasty mode on NCAA 09 is more intriguing, and I would agree with earlier comments in that Linebacker reaction time to passes is way out of hand. Other than that take it for what it is: another Madden game that’s really not that much different from the previous 10 installments. Better graphics, and pretty fluid controls is what puts it slightly ahead of its predecessors.