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 11:58 am
Could someone please post if you can edit a players position? Change an OLB to DE or a SS to FS or something more drastic, like what the Raiders are going to do with Adam Archuleta, change him from safety to strong side linebacker?
thanks…
August 12, 2008 at 12:16 pm
Online….online…..online…..WHERE ARE YOU?!?!?!?!?! Why does the game freeze as soon as I click “Online Play”. This should not EVER happen. I am pissed. KUCF MADDEN and KUCF EA SPORTS!!!!!
August 12, 2008 at 12:20 pm
[quote comment="31850"]and i didnt even mention the commentary no joke they make the radio announcer seem like the best comentator ever[/quote]
I for one never had a problem with the radio guy. At least he showed emotion. Tom Hammond’s commentary seems really canned & he doesn’t show emotion. That being said I can live with the commentary. Chris Colinsworth does a good job.
August 12, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Is it just me or does it seem like some players heads are too big for their bodies. T.O. & Zack Thomas really stand out. The player models are a lot more realistic this year but some players body’s are disporportioned.
August 12, 2008 at 12:26 pm
[quote comment="31887"]Hey Pat,
I can respect your opinion, but just out of plain curiosity. What are you comparing the graphics to? I can honestly understand it being really hard, but I cant understand the bad graphics opinion you had. By the way I’m only old enough to really have been playing Madden now 9 years, Im not a freak or a nerd, so just respectfully answer my question.[/quote]
well obvisoulsy the graphics in 06,07 and 08 are much different i think the player modles look great but there is something that just isnt right i didnt play that much yet ill get play and will have to really set my final thoughts tommorow
August 12, 2008 at 12:33 pm
I have to say that I had very high expectations for this game & for the most part I am not disappointed. The gameplay will take some time getting used to because it is more realistic. I was discouraged to hear Pasta say that you couldn’t turn off the preplay control panel when reading his initial impressions but after getting the game I found out that it wasn’t the case. If you play on hardcore mode it gets rid all the arcady icons & you can go to settings to turn off the preplay panel. Although the game has some minor flaws, it is a big improvement over 08 & overall I am impressed. I can say that this is the 1st true Next Gen football game. If nothing else, it definately makes you anticipate what Madden 2010 will be like.
August 12, 2008 at 12:51 pm
[quote comment="31923"][quote comment="31887"]Hey Pat,
I can respect your opinion, but just out of plain curiosity. What are you comparing the graphics to? I can honestly understand it being really hard, but I cant understand the bad graphics opinion you had. By the way I’m only old enough to really have been playing Madden now 9 years, Im not a freak or a nerd, so just respectfully answer my question.[/quote]
well obvisoulsy the graphics in 06,07 and 08 are much different i think the player modles look great but there is something that just isnt right i didnt play that much yet ill get play and will have to really set my final thoughts tommorow[/quote]
Although the graphics are improved, I kinda understand what he’s saying. If you read any of the development blogs that EA put out, they stated that they put a white outline around the player models this year in both NCAA & Madden to try to make the players stand out more with the lighting. It kinda gives the players a metallic look at times which can look a little fake at times. But overall the graphics are much improved although it sucks that they didn’t add progressive lighting to go along with the lighting improvements.
August 12, 2008 at 12:51 pm
I see we still cant get N SS mode
i wonder if they will ever add 2 this mode. I’ve been acquired by the cowboys lol i wanna get drafted!
August 12, 2008 at 1:07 pm
[quote comment="31869"]not that id trust these sites normally for reviews on sports games but 1up gave madden an A+ and IGN a 8.8. gamespot for some reason gave it an 8 which is .5 lower than last year wtf lol
this is a great game that actually can benefit from a patch that just tweaks the issues which so far there arent any big ones ive seen[/quote]
Yea how gamespot can rate 09 lower than 08 is beyond me. I really don’t put too much in to people’s reviews because they’re really just someone’s opinion. IGN normally does a respectable job at reviewing though.
August 12, 2008 at 1:10 pm
[quote comment="31871"]Love the game…
Quick question…is anyone else having trouble with the “backtrack” feature where Collinsworth breaks down the play? For me, everytime they begin to break down the play, the screen goes black and it just goes right back to the play-call screen…
Am I doing something wrong?[/quote]
I had that problem too. Do they not use backtrack when playing on hardcore? I have yet to see 1 backtrack analysis.
August 12, 2008 at 1:21 pm
there are a couple of things that are frustrating me one of them is when u throw to an open reciver he doesnt attempt to catch he just watches it go over his head and the line backers can still react to balls that are impossible to pick
August 12, 2008 at 1:29 pm
Another thing thats frustrating me n SS mode is the QB decision making, Pasta u said they made better decisions? Yea right! lol Cus Im on the cowboys as an RB and Tony Romo is averaging 5 pixs a game? Thats jus like last year. The running game on the comp is impossible if ur playin on all madden cus there always jumpin the snap. I jus turned the game off in frstration b4 i break my controller. I guess i wil have 2 stick 2 playin online and playin my friends cus SS mode is crap!
August 12, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Im lovin the game I haven’t had any problems yet just great games
August 12, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Hey guys… this is an ongoing issue… if you want call this number and tell them. The more people that call about the issue the faster they will work on it. : 1-650-628-4322 (EA Sports Customer Service)
Hopefully they get it fixed. Right now, im thinking its only the collecters edition.
im suprised pasta hasnt known about this already
August 12, 2008 at 1:51 pm
sweet my game just froze and I lost my franchise progress.
August 12, 2008 at 1:58 pm
^^^ what problem u talkn bout?
August 12, 2008 at 2:12 pm
im talkin about the freezing in the game. ITs all over
Hey guys… this is an ongoing issue… if you want call this number and tell them. The more people that call about the issue the faster they will work on it. : 1-650-628-4322 (EA Sports Customer Service)
Hopefully they get it fixed. Right now, im thinking its only the collecters edition.
Links: http://forums.xbox.com/2/22087705/ShowPost.aspx#22087705
http://forums.ea.com/mboards/thread.jspa?messageID=3979716�
August 12, 2008 at 2:13 pm
I have reg ed and its freezing
August 12, 2008 at 2:17 pm
YEa its only on the special edition cus my reg ular one doesnt freeze
August 12, 2008 at 2:24 pm
wow it just happened for the 5th time in virtual trainer
August 12, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Damn this is sad, EA is F’n terrible i swear
August 12, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Yea I have collectors & mine is freezing also. Hopefully this isn’t a reaccuring problem & if it is then EA better send a patch asap!
August 12, 2008 at 2:39 pm
MADDEN 93 IS AWESOME!!!!! lol
August 12, 2008 at 2:46 pm
I hate how they took away strafe catching. You can’t even battle for position with your receiver now. If they’re going to take strafing away from receivers then they need to take it away from the defense to make it fair.
August 12, 2008 at 3:00 pm
nvm 6th time … lol
August 12, 2008 at 3:55 pm
I was wondering with the Brett Favre trade how EA sports was going to compensate with the trade between the packers and jets. I understand the packers made different scenerios for which excat draft pick they do recieve from the jets. However, the pack are atleast guarenteed a 4th rounder. So i was curious with the player updates that easports does will they also be able to do “draft pick” updates as well??? Cuz otherwise ea sports basicially makes the jets double dip and get favre and one of the draft picks and the packers get squat except for more cap room. This should aslo apply come nfl draft day espicailly when nfl teams trade draft picks with one another the madden game should update all 32 nfl teams with the correct draft picks just like with the player updates. ok thats all i got thanks.
August 12, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Haven’t been able to finish a game due to FREEZING.
Atrocious.
August 12, 2008 at 4:18 pm
OK… you guys are making me scared to go pick up my copy tonight. Is it mainly freezing online or is this also a solo issue?
Great points on the draft picks, Travis.
August 12, 2008 at 4:35 pm
does the collectors edition have Brett Fave on the cover?
August 12, 2008 at 4:37 pm
I have the reg gm and it freezes as soon as I go to the lobby option online….wtf?
August 12, 2008 at 4:54 pm
what is the purpose of the 2 big jumboscreens on the madden 09 main menu?
i cant seem to get any videos to play on it.
it would be stupid if the screens did nothing except show the madden 09 logo
August 12, 2008 at 4:57 pm
I hope the menus are better than ’07s. Those were confusing and sucked.
August 12, 2008 at 5:14 pm
go here if you are experiencing freezes:
http://forums.ea.com/mboards/thread.jspa?threadID=409899&tstart=0
its an EA Sports servey on how the game is freezing for you, so they can release a patch.
August 12, 2008 at 5:38 pm
No freezning here. regular version,
ATTENTION COWBOY USER’s:
Is it just me, or is the lighting in Texas Stadium a little…yellow? I mean I adjusted the contrast and color on my tv and it still looks yellow. the letters are crisp white on the scoreboard and the menu so I know its not my TV. AND, when the “backtrack” feature or replay pops up the “yellow” color goes away and the field is much brighter. WTF?
(only seen night games in Texas Stadium, no daytime games yet
August 12, 2008 at 5:51 pm
[quote comment="31848"]no joke the worst madden i have ever played the graphics are terrible runing and passing is sooo hard this game is just flat out horrible[/quote]
Then you must be the biggest retard on the face of the planet. The graphics didn’t change from the demo, so if the graphics are so terrible for you then why in hell did you buy this game?
August 12, 2008 at 6:04 pm
COLLEGE IS WAY BETTER. MADDEN IS A LET DOWN TO ME GAME PLAY JUST FEELS ODD AND IT SEEMS LIKE YOUR PLAYING IN GHOST TOWN NO STADIUM SOUNDS JUST COMMENTARY…(IS IT TO LATE TO GET MY COLLEGE BACK FOR A EVEN TRADE….LOL) COLLEGE WAS A WAY BETTER GAME AND EXP TO ME WITH ALL THIS HYPE AND HIGH RATINGS I EXPECTED A BETTER GAME OH WELL MAYBE NEXT YEAR!
August 12, 2008 at 6:16 pm
[quote comment="31971"][quote comment="31848"]no joke the worst madden i have ever played the graphics are terrible runing and passing is sooo hard this game is just flat out horrible[/quote]
Then you must be the biggest retard on the face of the planet. The graphics didn’t change from the demo, so if the graphics are so terrible for you then why in hell did you buy this game?[/quote]
because just like a lot of people who buy madden i got sucked in by all the hype and buddy its called an opinion if u cant respect my opinion then dont comment with ur bull s#!t
August 12, 2008 at 6:46 pm
The Lobby for PS3 online has been down the whole day
August 12, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Hey Pasta, How do you save your replays online
August 12, 2008 at 6:47 pm
for those of you that hasn’t bought the game, DO NOT BUY IT!!!!!!!! it is unplayable. it’s a good game but UNPLAYABLE. freezes on franchise, online, play now. you name it, it FREEZES. i’m returning my copy as defective cuz i can’t play it.
August 12, 2008 at 7:24 pm
personaly I love the game! best ever! that graphocs are amazing the game play is awesome. I love how the game is more difficult because it makes it more like the real game. the only problem I have is the superstar mode. it is too easy to make your player better… your guy is going to be a 99 everything before the season is over it is too easy… but other than that I think the game far out did it self it was better than I prodicted and I am truely in love with it
BEST GAME EVER 20 outta 10! haha
the game just came out today and i am excied for next year and besides the little glitches i’m wonder how they are going to make it better?
August 12, 2008 at 7:25 pm
and for those who think the game sucks and telling people not to by it need to go jump off a bridge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 12, 2008 at 7:29 pm
[quote comment="31980"]and for those who think the game sucks and telling people not to by it need to go jump off a bridge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!![/quote]
omg!!! wow does anyone know the defintion of an opinion not everyone is gonna love the game like me and jack …there is a lot of great games that people dont like…..not everyone likes halo or gears of war if someone doesnt like the game dont say stupid stuff like go jump off a bridge
August 12, 2008 at 7:34 pm
never said i didn’t like the game. i said it is UNPLAYABLE. it fvckin FREEZES.
August 12, 2008 at 7:35 pm
i’m just wondering how you don’t like it? i know everyone has an opinion but come on the game is amazing! my little brother loves it and he doesn’t even like football! he likes how it makes up for his lack of gaming skills. i just think if you don’t like it you didn’t give it a real chance
August 12, 2008 at 7:49 pm
i’m not trying to be mean but have ya ever thought maybe it is your system!?
I played mine all day and didn’t have it freeze once!
and the online problems will get better it is because the game came out to day everyone on the face of the earth is trying to play online all at once and it is over loading everything
August 12, 2008 at 7:50 pm
[quote comment="31984"]i’m just wondering how you don’t like it? i know everyone has an opinion but come on the game is amazing! my little brother loves it and he doesn’t even like football! he likes how it makes up for his lack of gaming skills. i just think if you don’t like it you didn’t give it a real chance[/quote]
i think at times players look terrible sometimes they look shiny and things like that and so many things that frustrate me like how receivers dont bother attempt to catch balls right in front of them and the linebackers are STILL reacting to passes they cant see also pass defense is near impossible and im not playing with my skill level i just set the diffuculty to all-madden and its always freezing and in the middle of online games it says the connenction to your oppenent has been lost and you have to end the game and its not because they quit its because ea still cant get it right
August 12, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Eric wrote:
i’m just wondering how you don’t like it? i know everyone has an opinion but come on the game is amazing! my little brother loves it and he doesn’t even like football! he likes how it makes up for his lack of gaming skills. i just think if you don’t like it you didn’t give it a real chance
i think at times players look terrible sometimes they look shiny and things like that and so many things that frustrate me like how receivers dont bother attempt to catch balls right in front of them and the linebackers are STILL reacting to passes they cant see also pass defense is near impossible and im not playing with my skill level i just set the diffuculty to all-madden and its always freezing and in the middle of online games it says the connenction to your oppenent has been lost and you have to end the game and its not because they quit its because ea still cant get it right
well I don’t know what is wrong with yours but my WR are cathing every ball that comes there way… maybe something in your settings? and for them being shinny at times and looking bad sometimes does it completely ruin the game for you? just because the guys don’t look amazing all the time. i haven’t even noticed anything wrong with them being shinny. and for the online like i stated before it is because a billion and one people are trying to play all at the same time and it is over loading it. give it a few day’s it will get better
August 12, 2008 at 8:10 pm
[quote comment="31976"]The Lobby for PS3 online has been down the whole day[/quote]
thanks man i thought i was the only one that could not get into the lobby< my cousin is going thru the same thing, but i have to restart the game when this happens
August 12, 2008 at 8:23 pm
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.