Madden NFL 11 is the 22nd version of EA Sports' classic video game football franchise. Featuring cover athlete Drew Brees, Super Bowl XLIV MVP and quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, Madden NFL 11 incorporates a blend of simpler, quicker and deeper new features with time-tested classic features expected from a game in the Madden franchise. Features included in the Xbox 360 version include Franchise mode, All-new GameFlow playcall system, dual stick control, extensive online functionality and more.
|
Madden NFL 11 redefines the way you experience the game of football. Simpler: from 350 plays down to 1, the all-new GameFlow system puts you in the helmet of an NFL quarterback, to execute an authentic, situational game plan, one play at a time. Quicker: with 60-minute game times reduced to 30, spend more time on the field and less in the playbook. Same drama, half the time. Deeper: Madden NFL 11 is feature-rich, with improved animations and control options, enhanced online functionality, and new broadcast and audio presentation that delivers the NFL experience fans have come to expect.
Key Game Features
|
Review 1 : by C.Burke
I always hated Madden games, but the new gameflow system takes out the complexity which stopped newcomers from playing madden games! If you don't like the system, you can choose to ignore the system and use the tried and tested play selection system.
Veterans are more upset because now newbies can actually compete with them. Honestly, I really love this, and have NEVER loved a madden game..ever.
My only gripe is the new code allowing you to play online. Should I sell my copy, the poor soul getting it will have to pay 10 bucks to do so. Though I understand the problem and the money issue to be had, I think it is a terrible thing to screw potential customers.
Review 2 : by Leornado
These new changes to bring casual gamers in really hurt the game. None of the features added were requested at all but let summarize the added features.
1. Gameflow-You press A and it picks a play for you good i guess if you can't do it yourself or dont care what play you do but is this really the main new feature added???
2. Improve Blocking and Catching - Awesome ive been waiting for the good blocking and catching for a while.
3. Defense - All i can say the hell happened? The defensive AI is worse than last year maybe even 09, playing online on all-pro the score has been over 40 points each game. I like scoring but this is ridiculous.
4. Online - Ok so if you quit while playing a ranked before 1st half ends you get no penalty and your opponent gets no win, yea EA what the hell where you thinking on this one.
5. Franchise Mode, Superstar, Madden Moments - The same as last year
Im sorry if you disagree but how can you rate this higher??Since I am a Madden fan I hope they fix the issues with a patch because this will have a short life span if they don't.
Review 3 : by dougas2
Concept: Take the best selling NFL video game simulation, revamp several systems and hope for the best.
Graphics: Graphics seem to be improved over last year's version of the game. Players are more detailed as are their uniforms and helmets. There are more equipment options to choose from as well such as breathe-right strips and eye black. Coaches are highly detailed and resemble their real-life counterparts. There are several new animations in the game that are fairly smooth.
The presentation on game day has also been improved. You will either be presented with a shot of key players exiting the game bus, a shot of the locker room prior to the game, or a side-by-side comparison of key players. Time outs, injuries and the end of quarters are each presented in their own unique way. The Superbowl presentation has been given a much needed facelift as well. I won't add spoilers here but there's a special guest should your team win the big game.
The only flaw I found with the graphics is that there are a few places, mainly on replays, where the animations are a bit jittery. It's nothing too distracting, however, as it doesn't interfere with the flow of your game.
Sound: Everything sounds like it should. There have also been major improvements to the commentary, pre-game chants, and crowds. The soundtrack is a nice mix of styles.
Commentary is handled by Cris Collinsworth and Gus Johnson. Gus Johnson replaces the robotic like voice of Tom Hammond that plagued this game for several years. Gus brings a lot of emotion into the game that Tom was missing. It's a great addition to the game.
Cris on the other hand is still Cris. His commentary is essentially a cut and paste job from previous installments of the game. There's nothing new for him to offer other than a few rookie names.
There are a few errors with the commentary such as calling Peyton Manning by his Brother Eli's name. [I found this error while playing the Vikings vs. Colts in Superbowl mode].
Crowd and stadium noises are authentic based on where you're playing. For instance, you will hear the Vikings horn sound after a TD or a first-down. Pre-game chants offered up by the players are also authentic to each team. It's a nice touch that adds to the realism of the game.
The soundtrack is a nice mix of styles and offers everything from Ozzy Osbourne to Sam Spence's instrumentals. There are a lot of older bands added such as Bush, Kiss, AC/DC and Guns n Roses.
Playability: Madden 2011 touts two new game play systems; Gameflow and Locomotion. Gameflow is a steam-lined version of play-calling while locomotion affects the way your players move. Also changed are the pre-snap options and audibles.
The Gameflow system allows the player to set up a game-plan by picking up to fifteen plays for any given situation. Like to run on first down? Pick several running plays for first down and give them a higher star rating than your pass plays. During a game you can either choose to use the gameflow systems have access to the entire playbook. When you use the Gameflow system your offensive and defensive coordinator will pick one of the plays for the situation you're facing. It's essentially a one button system that speeds up the flow of the game. As the game touts, you'll spend more time on the field and less in the playbook.
The locomotion system is a cut and paste job from NCAA 2011. The left analog stick controls the direction your player moves in while the right stick controls special moves such as jukes, leans and trucks. Other special moves such as stiff-arm, hurdle, spin and dive are handled by the buttons. The sprint button has been removed for Madden 2011 which forces the player to rely on blocks and special moves to gain yardage. The system is an improvement to the game but in my opinion it goes too far.
It is much, much easier to break and avoid tackles in Madden 2011 than in previous versions of the game. I typically play as the Vikings as I'm a huge Adrian Peterson fan. During the first two games of my season, I've been able to have Peterson rush for 421 yards and 8 touchdowns. The first game against the Saints he ran for 205 yards and 2 TD's. The second game, against the Dolphins, he ran for 216 yards and 6 TD's [tying the NFL record for most TD's in a single game]. That's simply unrealistic, even for someone as talented as Adrian Peterson. Keep in mind that I don't run a one dimensional offense either. During that two game stretch I was averaging roughly 250 YPG with Brett Favre.
The locomotion system also makes it easier for defensive players to make their way through the offensive line to the QB. You will definitely notice a huge difference in the amount of time you have to make your reads before taking a sack.
Pre-snap options are also different with this years Madden. Nearly everything is handled via the d-pad. The only time you'll be using the buttons on pre-snap is to choose the receiver you want to put in motion. The system may be confusing at first, especially if you've played under the old system for several years, but it is much more streamlined.
The two new systems are nice but need some tweaking.
Also changed is the audible system. Instead of having only a handful of plays to choose from you now have a series of plays based on what type of play you want to run. If you want to throw a deep pass, the AI will choose a play based on the personnel package you have on the field. It's a much needed change but again could use some tweaking. Instead of having the AI choose the play, the playbook could be opened up for the player to choose a play they want to audible to.
With every new system that is added, one is taken away. This year is no different. The kicking system that used the right analog stick is gone and has been replaced with the old three click system. It's an interesting change that I'm not sure was needed.
Entertainment: Madden 2011 allows the player to play through 30 years of dynasty mode. Other modes include Ultimate Team, Superbowl, and Play now.
Dynasty mode allows you take your favorite team and navigate the day to day operations through 30 seasons. You can sign free agents, run a draft, trade players and release them. Players skills either progress or deteriorate from year to year based on several factors. They will eventually retire when they're either hit a certain age or their no longer playing at a high level. It's a fun mode to play if you like trying to build a team from year to year.
Ultimate Team is a card game that is similar to Dynasty Mode. When you first sign into Ultimate Team you will be given a starter pack (essentially a group of low rated players). By playing games against other users or the CPU you earn coins which can be used to purchase new packs of cards or on cards that other players are auctioning off. The goal of this mode is to build the best team you can from those cards. It's an interesting mode but won't be for everyone.
Superbowl mode allows you to play Superbowl XLV with any two teams. You can even choose two teams from the same league.
Superstar mode allows you take control of your favorite player and finish out his career. You can also choose a rookie player if you so choose or make your own player. You can also import a player from 'Road to Glory' mode via NCAA Football 2011. There are no improvements in this mode and is once again a cut and paste job from previous installments of Madden.
Play Now mode is just as it sounds. You pick two teams, a stadium, set your weather and rules and play your game.
If you're not a football fan then Madden 2011 will not be for you.
Replay Value: Fairly High. With the ability to play through 30 seasons in a dynasty you will never have the exact same team for more than a few years.
Final Thoughts: Again, if you're not a football fan then you probably won't like this game. Madden 2011 is definitely a much needed upgrade over last years version. There are still flaws that need to be ironed out but overall it's a step in the right direction.
Buy Madden NFL 11
No comments:
Post a Comment