Madden NFL 09 – PS3 – Review

Celebrating its
20th anniversary this year, the Madden NFL franchise finds itself being
not only the most recognized football game that inspires its legion of fans to
turn to it each year but it is also just about the only licensed NFL game in
town. Madden NFL 09 is not just another game with an updated roster and
better graphics but rather its an edition that brings the legion of Madden
fans together with football fans giving the game a shot for the first time. In
other words, Madden NFL 09 for the PlayStation 3 is a football game
that’s a major step in the right direction but also one that should please
sports gamers of all levels.

I must admit that
the Madden NFL games didn’t start off as impressive as they should have
been since the PlayStation 3 was first released. Sure, the graphics were
prettier than the current-generation console, but its better gameplay and game
modes that we crave. Very slowly, the franchise – especially on Sony’s new
console – has been improving the flaws that stood out and adding new elements
that helped push the franchise forward. Last year’s game was not perfect but it
certainly fixed a few of the weaknesses that kept popping up. Madden NFL 09
is far from perfect but the new gameplay elements and features certainly
bring us a lot closer to a far more rewarding football game.

From the very
start of the game, you’ll notice some changes right away. For one thing, a
holographic John Madden welcomes you to the game to begin a series of tests that
will determine your skill level and, thusly, how the gameplay will react to your
playing style. Your skill level, or Madden IQ, is tested in the game’s new
Virtual Training Center that tests your Rush Offense, Pass Offense, Rush Defense
and Pass Defense in a holographic training room. Coach Madden not only offers
descriptions of each test but he also tallies up the points to determine your
Madden IQ number. This means the game will change the AI and gameplay style to
suit each skill as determined by your performance during the test. Say you have
a strong Rush Defense and a poor Pass Offense … the game will cater to your
strengths and weaknesses.

Now you can
always skip the test and make the settings manually in the options menu but I
would advise against it. The beautiful thing about the Madden IQ feature is that
you can strengthen your weaknesses playing the game and thus raise your IQ score
along the way as you play exhibition games or Franchise mode. Your Madden IQ can
also drop if you lose on the field so this will give you an incentive to play
your best. A drop in your Madden IQ is not punishment but rather it sends a
message to the game that some work is needed in your defensive or offensive weak
points.

Before I go into
the game’s other new features, I must add that because of the Madden IQ feature
the overall gameplay certainly does change the game a little. You’ll notice a
few changes in the way a team reacts to your plays and adjusts their team’s
playbook accordingly. Now this doesn’t mean that they dumb it down a notch but
it does mean that if you know your weaknesses then you know they’ll know it soon
enough. If anything, this makes Madden NFL 09 more accessible to new
players while not alienating returning Madden NFL veterans.

Gameplay-wise,
certain adjustments have been made to give more control to players so even if
you were tackled on the 30-yard line you can still attempt to break out of said
tackle. This adds more realism to what would have – in the past – simply left it
to a tackle animation. You can even come up with your own touchdown celebration.
Setting Audibles is even more easier this time around and you can make formation
sub on the fly without even having to push the pause button. One of the most
interesting features this year is EA Rewind that allows you not only to rewind a
boneheaded play you just made but also retry a different play in the process.
Think of it a do over or, like the Tiger Woods PGA Tour games, a mulligan
that allows you to rewind and fix your mistakes.

Aside from the
tests and mini-games mode that helps strengthen your Quarterback’s skills,
Franchise mode is back and keeps things relatively the same while adding new
touches that add to the realism. Everything from drafts to injuries of various
degrees play a part in adding more depth to Franchise mode and rivalries even
develop between your team and other teams depending on the outcome of games you
play against them. Joining Franchise is Superstar mode where you can create a
rookie from scratch or import a player via a save from EA Sports’ NCAA
Football 09 (or last year‘s game). You’ll go through trails similar to
NCAA Football such as taking college exams, select an agent to represent you
and be a part of an official NFL draft. There are even training mini-games that
might not be good but at least they raise your player’s skills.

Madden Moments
allows you recreate as well as change the outcome of a 2007-2008 NFL season
game. Online, the game allows you to play against players at your same skill
level and there’s EA Sports Fantasy Football feature that offers you the chance
to import your fantasy team based on real-time drafts. It’s a nice touch that
football fans will certainly appreciate.

Madden NFL 09
is also a very
good-looking PlayStation 3 game that is a step above last year’s really
attractive game. The overall presentation is filled with great little details
from the player animations that include a variety of different touchdown dances
to the flashy replays. The sidelines are realistically cluttered with everything
from coaches to photographers and stadium security. The various arenas are even
more detailed than last year’s game as well. Even the holographic Virtual
Training Center figures and the improved camera are great.

The game’s
soundtrack is simply Ok if you like alternative rock from the likes of Franz
Ferdinand, Disturbed and a collaboration between a rock group and Busta Rhymes.
The real treat here comes from Coach Madden himself who offers tips during the
game as well as dissect your plays alongside the commentary team that replaces
the tired radio DJ. The stadium sounds are also quite decent so the sound isn’t
bad at all.

Madden NFL 09
for the
PlayStation 3 delivers a solid football experience that is suited for all levels
so if you’re a seasoned veteran or new to the franchise then you are in for a
pleasant surprise. Fixing many of the past problems that plagued the game since
its inception into the next-generation of gaming, this one feels more complete
and thus a giant leap in the right direction. It might not be the absolute perfect
football game but 09 is certainly a very good edition for Madden fans and
newcomers alike.

Gameplay: 8.8
Thanks to the
Madden IQ feature, the computer-controlled teams and other little aspects of the
game change to fit your playing style … but don’t expect a major change in the
AI. Still, that said, the improvements in the defensive and offensive plays feel
better in this 09 edition. Superstar and Franchise mode are good but
doesn’t take the franchise to new heights.

Graphics: 9.0
On the graphics
front, Madden NFL 09 looks sharp and visually pleasing all-around on the
PS3. The player models look great in-game as well as during replays and there
are more natural player animations that go well with the good weather effects.
The overall presentation is just very impressive.

Sound: 8.5
The collection
of tunes is actually not bad at all if you like alternative rock acts like
Offspring or Disturbed. Then there are the stadium sounds that really put you in
the game and the new commentary team does a good job with the play-by-play
coverage.

Difficulty:
Medium
The game’s AI
and difficulty setting or set to your individual playing skills depending on
your skills and your Madden IQ score. Still, even with this neat feature, you
can expect the more powerful teams to really bring their game either way.
Thankfully, Coach Madden is back with some great hints for each play.

Concept: 8.5
We love the
concept of playing at your own skill level and upgrading your skills along the
way. The new EA Sports Rewind feature is brilliant and the Virtual Training
Center should have been added to the franchise a long time ago. There’s a lot to
like about this year’s edition. 

Multiplayer:
8.5
The game plays
at a steady framerate online so playing against a friend on the same console or
with others online will definitely be a blast. EA Sports Fantasy Football is a
good feature that diehard football fans will certainly appreciate and use
online.

Overall: 8.8
Football fans
and PS3 owners, Madden NFL 09 doesn’t raise the bar but it certainly does
a great job in bringing us a game worthy of the franchise and one that is
inviting enough to please all pigskin fans. While the main modes feel relatively
the same, this year’s gameplay is a clear indication that this franchise is
getting closer to perfection.