Madden NFL 07 hands-on preview

[Everlost_MI]

TeamXbox (http://www.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1448/Madden-NFL-07/p1/) has posted their hands-on preview of Madden 07 (http://previews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1448/Madden-NFL-07/p1/xbox-360/1448/Madden-NFL-07/p1/) for your viewing pleasure.

Here's a bit from it...
...it appears that this year’s game is shaping to be what last year’s should have been. It has a nice amount of content that should keep players busy for months to come, and the aesthetics of the game have been upgraded significantly--even since last month’s NCAA 07. Everything from the streamlined menu system to the enhanced online integration will likely have players believing that they’ve finally entered into the next generation of football gaming.
I don't know about you, but after watching some pre-season football the last few days I am damn ready for some Madden.

[bapenguin]

I've been playing some NCAA. It's OK...but it still has the same damn things in the games always have. The post-up patterns are still damn near impossible. There's still the same stupid run animation. I'm curious to see how Madden pans out.

[phantomhitman]

Like the garbage madden is. The NCAA series has kicked maddens ass for the past 3 years. I just hate how the long ball is so cheesy to pull off. The same stiff slow ass run and pass animations have been used since 95. Get real, a 180lbs fast as lighting running back doesnt take 2 seconds just to make a cut to the opposite side of the field.

[MoJoBehaumat]

Time to bring back the tecmo bowl;)

[antoniogaud]

just hate how the long ball is so cheesy to pull off.

This is true of Xbox/PS2 but not X360 version - making long passes is hard work.

I wonder how Madden 07 for X360 will play. Is it faster? Does it have more animations? Are some of the animations still 'on rails' like lat year's?

Anybody know?

[bapenguin]

This is true of Xbox/PS2 but not X360 version - making long passes is hard work.

Not in NCAA 07. Pick a Play action with a post up patter on the X receiver. Roll out of the pocket to the left, hit X with a little bit of up on the left stick, hit b control your guy and speed burst. Instant long play.

[Montolio]

I can't wait for Madden on 360. It will automatically become my most played online game until GoW comes out. I'm an NFL nut. I've already watched a couple of preseason games, put my fantasy football strategy together, I'm heading out to the Chiefs vs. Texans game tomorrow night and reading all the training camp updates online. Good times, good times.

I called Microsoft Tuesday night to have them send me the shipping materials to send in my 360 but I'm still waiting :mad:

[fitbabits]

I don't know about you, but after watching some pre-season football the last few days I am damn ready for some Madden.
I'm hankering for a good game of football, but I don't know that Madden will ever fit that bill. At the risk of repeating what's already been said a thousand times, NFL 2K5 still reigns supreme where football videogames are concerned. I'm not a Madden-hater, but I don't think it's unreasonable of me to expect more from EA than the shovelware they've been throwing on their fans year after year.

As for this year's Madden on Xbox 360, I'm not hopeful. Some pretty important features are being ripped out of it that are in place in the PS2, Xbox, PC, and Gamecube versions. Surely with the power of the 360, more features would be the order of the day?

[gzsfrk]

Meh....

<takes a moment to consider giving a modern football game since 2k5 another shot>

Meh...

<loads up Nestopia and plays Super Tecmo Bowl>

[Jack B]

I never play the Superstar type game modes. I stick with standard seasons. I've occaisionally done Franchise, but mostly I just play a season and repeat or go online for some games.

As for the 3rd person type camera. I tried the helmet cam a few years back with 2k Sports and it was just a novelty. This article seems excited by it. Maybe the camera angle is less helmet cam and just more zoomed in on your player. Could be fun, but that's a huge switch from playing QB to start a play. We'll see I guess. I'll have it on day one.

[gzsfrk]

Surely with the power of the 360, more features would be the order of the day?

But the 360 version does list some new features! Did you miss these?

- Fiscal anal reaming by random laughing EA Exec
- Repetitive fan motions in HD
- 1500 pt. mid-season roster update download over Marketplace
- Slurred Madden commentary in digital 5.1 surround
- Next-gen plasticoated helmet lens flare effects

Now that's a feature list worth at LEAST the $20 premium you'll be paying for the collector's edition.

[Montolio]

I'm hankering for a good game of football, but I don't know that Madden will ever fit that bill. At the risk of repeating what's already been said a thousand times, NFL 2K5 still reigns supreme where football videogames are concerned. I'm not a Madden-hater, but I don't think it's unreasonable of me to expect more from EA than the shovelware they've been throwing on their fans year after year.

As for this year's Madden on Xbox 360, I'm not hopeful. Some pretty important features are being ripped out of it that are in place in the PS2, Xbox, PC, and Gamecube versions. Surely with the power of the 360, more features would be the order of the day?I agree 100% but I also realize that I don't have a choice right now unless I don't buy Madden or the people behind that game put out a unlicensed ( NFL ) game next season.

I would have kicked your ass in NFL2K5 fitbabits ;)

I look forward to playing you and lots of other Evil Avatar regulars online once the game is out. Who knows maybe we can organize a tournament for fun or something.

[fitbabits]

I agree 100% but I also realize that I don't have a choice right now unless I don't buy Madden or the people behind that game put out a unlicensed ( NFL ) game next season.

I would have kicked your ass in NFL2K5 fitbabits ;)

I look forward to playing you and lots of other Evil Avatar regulars online once the game is out. Who knows maybe we can organize a tournament for fun or something.
There's no way you would have kicked my ass in 2K5 - NO WAY! If I somehow manage to score a free copy of Madden, then I'll beat your ass online anytime. :D

[Montolio]

There's no way you would have kicked my ass in 2K5 - NO WAY! If I somehow manage to score a free copy of Madden, then I'll beat your ass online anytime. :Dfitbabits,

Gamefly isn't a bad way to go for games you don't want to pay full price for, believe me I understand where you're coming from. My friends and I are giving Gameznflix (gameznflix.com/) a try to see if they can match the back and forth performance of Gamefly and Netflix. They have much better offers than those two and I'll gladly switch if the games and movies go back and forth in the mail smoothly.

I'm sure we'll get to play at some point heh.

[Mac]

I'm hankering for a good game of football, but I don't know that Madden will ever fit that bill. At the risk of repeating what's already been said a thousand times, NFL 2K5 still reigns supreme where football videogames are concerned. I'm not a Madden-hater, but I don't think it's unreasonable of me to expect more from EA than the shovelware they've been throwing on their fans year after year.

As for this year's Madden on Xbox 360, I'm not hopeful. Some pretty important features are being ripped out of it that are in place in the PS2, Xbox, PC, and Gamecube versions. Surely with the power of the 360, more features would be the order of the day?

I disagree. There was a lot about NFL 2k5 I liked - but there was a lot I disliked as well. Blitzing players didn't take a good route to the QB, secondary AI was shaky, and tackling a big time back was in and of itself an award (toned down a bit with the roster updates).

The presentation was light years ahead of Madden in every faucet, but I didn't think the gameplay was as fundamentally solid.

[Mac]

But the 360 version does list some new features! Did you miss these?

- Fiscal anal reaming by random laughing EA Exec
- Repetitive fan motions in HD
- 1500 pt. mid-season roster update download over Marketplace
- Slurred Madden commentary in digital 5.1 surround
- Next-gen plasticoated helmet lens flare effects

Now that's a feature list worth at LEAST the $20 premium you'll be paying for the collector's edition.

Wokka Wokka Wokka. He'll be here all week.

When Madden comes out, I'll start a Madden Gamertag thread. I want to be able to play EA'ers online.

[Montolio]

I disagree. There was a lot about NFL 2k5 I liked - but there was a lot I disliked as well. Blitzing players didn't take a good route to the QB, secondary AI was shaky, and tackling a big time back was in and of itself an award (toned down a bit with the roster updates).

The presentation was light years ahead of Madden in every faucet, but I didn't think the gameplay was as fundamentally solid.All good points and you could add good luck stopping any of the slant routes in the game. I'd have to risk pass interference flags to stop a player who could throw those with skill. Using different man under, zone over coverages helped a bit sometimes.

I remember that it wasn't until 2K5 that they fixed the "griefer bug" where people could get the ball on offense and just take delay of game flags forever in the hopes you would quit giving them a free win and you a disconnect on your record. Wow that sucked. I once left my Xbox on overnight just to prove a point to a jerk who tried that with me. As stupid as it sounds, and it was stupid for both of us, you couldn't use your own console while you waited for the other person to blink.

I was never so happy to see that one taken care of, then EA went and got their new deal with the NFL and it didn't matter anymore. Sad day.

[mille.mots]

Time to bring back the tecmo bowl;)

In the days of the original NES, my brother-in-law and I referred to Tecmo Bowl as 'that popcorn football game.' We used to play for drinks; fond memories.

[mille.mots]

Wokka Wokka Wokka. He'll be here all week.

When Madden comes out, I'll start a Madden Gamertag thread. I want to be able to play EA'ers online.

Start an EA league...I've got the Vikings.

[Mac]

Start an EA league...I've got the Vikings.

No way, amigo - don't have the time, nor the inclination.

[mille.mots]

OK, enough one line replies. I haven't read the linked review (I'll get to it later), but here's my prediction for the Madden07/360 experience:

* There will be a random lockup at some point during one of the first three games after getting in to the regular season in franchise mode

* The roster downloads will be FUBAR for six weeks, if not altogether missing

* The running game will still suck compared to the passing game

* EA will claim that they are unaware of any problems and suggest the problem is with the user or the user's console

* I'll buy the fscking thing anyway, even though I got reamed by EA on Madden06/PSP and Madden06/360

And the most important prediction:

* In early play Everlost_MI will be beating me by 20 points late in the third quarter and offer me 'TheMercyRule(tm).' I will politely decline (it's not whether you win or lose...) and then go on to kick his ass up and down the field, winning by one point with no time left on the clock. This will lead to him complaining that I sandbagged and/or somehow cheated. All while he's playing as the Eagles (or whomever is the uber-team this year) and I have the lowly Vikes. :D

[Montolio]

I'd love to watch that game mille.mots.

[Mac]

I'll gladly hand it to you with my Eagles, if you'd like :)


(No way 'uber' team is the Birds this year - Bengals, Colts, Seahawks (although they'll bust in the NFL), Panthers - have your pick.)

[Everlost_MI]

* In early play Everlost_MI will be beating me by 20 points late in the third quarter and offer me 'TheMercyRule(tm).' I will politely decline (it's not whether you win or lose...) and then go on to kick his ass up and down the field, winning by one point with no time left on the clock. This will lead to him complaining that I sandbagged and/or somehow cheated. All while he's playing as the Eagles (or whomever is the uber-team this year) and I have the lowly Vikes. :D

Hmmm....ok the gauntlet has been thrown down. So we are going to do this on August 22nd? Tequila invovled? I'll take the Cardinals for the first game against you and yes the 'TheMercyRule(tm)' will be in effect.

:D

[mille.mots]

Tequila invovled?

IIRC, that's what gave me the edge the last time around. :eek:

[Everlost_MI]

IIRC, that's what gave me the edge the last time around. :eek:

Ah...Ok. I'll bring Madden and Cabo. You supply the cigs :D