Madden 08 Wii Game EA
It's that time again, the month of Madden has returned. EA is continuing to milk its exclusive license with the NFL and its spot as the sole football game on the Wii. After an impressive rookie season last year, there wasn't much that needed to be changed. EA obviously hasn't heard the term if it aint broke don't try to fix it, as they made major changes to the control scheme. Some of these changes are understandable while others are suspect. EA did make a few good moves with the addition of the party mode and online play, but do the pros outweigh the cons on this one? Let's find out!
First Impression
It's August, for football fans that means one thing Madden NFL on their favorite console. Of course as soon as I got the game I was excited, I mean c'mon it's Madden. I'd traded in my copy of 07 a while back so I was in need of my football fix. The first thing I noticed was that the controls were so different. I can't tell you how many times I would cover the ball while running instead of sprinting because they switched the buttons. Because of EA's Family Play scheme all the major moves are mapped to the Wii Remote, while the less essential moves are mapped to the nun-chuk. EA changed some of the motion controls too. For instance, in last year's games in order to do a big hit or a power move, you had to thrust both arms forward, in this year's game all you have to do is thrust the Wii Remote forward. Besides the control scheme, roster, and added online and party mode, not much has changed from last year's game, including the sup par graphics.
Graphics
I'll get straight to the point here, these graphics suck. I don't even mean in comparison to Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 graphics. It looks just like I'm playing a game on the PSP. The models are not very well done, and the detail isn't too great at all. The only way to differentiate between teammates is their number and skin tone. I'm usually not a stickler for graphics, but this is ridiculous. It was forgivable last year, but not again this year. Last year EA had the excuse of it being the first football game on the Wii period. Getting the controls and gestures properly developed over having great graphics was understandable. This year, that excuse doesn't cut it. They made a lot of changes and upgrades from last year's game; why not add graphics to that list? From minor glitches like the fuzzy cinematic cam staying on during you play if you skip the scene, to major game effecting things like missing a catch or block because the ball goes straight through your arms/hands, EA had more than enough on the list of things to upgrade. If your favorite team plays in an outdoor stadium, then you will have a better visual experience when playing at home. There is a noticeable difference in the lighting between outdoor and indoor fields. That's about the only positive thing I can write about the graphics. See, I can be positive?.
Sound
One thing EA does really well when it comes to the Madden franchise is create a great soundtrack. They worked their magic again this year. They have acquired the rights to songs by everyone from Ozzy to Timberland and Justin Timberlake. When you get in the game, the audio continues to shine. The Wii Remote's built in speaker system nicely echoes the QB's pre-snap count which doesn't necessarily add to the experience, but it's one of the little quirks that's just neat-o. Anyone who has been on any team knows that communication is the key to victory. Before the snap you will still hear the random ramblings and adjustments of the defense which makes things a tad bit more real.
First Impression
It's August, for football fans that means one thing Madden NFL on their favorite console. Of course as soon as I got the game I was excited, I mean c'mon it's Madden. I'd traded in my copy of 07 a while back so I was in need of my football fix. The first thing I noticed was that the controls were so different. I can't tell you how many times I would cover the ball while running instead of sprinting because they switched the buttons. Because of EA's Family Play scheme all the major moves are mapped to the Wii Remote, while the less essential moves are mapped to the nun-chuk. EA changed some of the motion controls too. For instance, in last year's games in order to do a big hit or a power move, you had to thrust both arms forward, in this year's game all you have to do is thrust the Wii Remote forward. Besides the control scheme, roster, and added online and party mode, not much has changed from last year's game, including the sup par graphics.
Graphics
I'll get straight to the point here, these graphics suck. I don't even mean in comparison to Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 graphics. It looks just like I'm playing a game on the PSP. The models are not very well done, and the detail isn't too great at all. The only way to differentiate between teammates is their number and skin tone. I'm usually not a stickler for graphics, but this is ridiculous. It was forgivable last year, but not again this year. Last year EA had the excuse of it being the first football game on the Wii period. Getting the controls and gestures properly developed over having great graphics was understandable. This year, that excuse doesn't cut it. They made a lot of changes and upgrades from last year's game; why not add graphics to that list? From minor glitches like the fuzzy cinematic cam staying on during you play if you skip the scene, to major game effecting things like missing a catch or block because the ball goes straight through your arms/hands, EA had more than enough on the list of things to upgrade. If your favorite team plays in an outdoor stadium, then you will have a better visual experience when playing at home. There is a noticeable difference in the lighting between outdoor and indoor fields. That's about the only positive thing I can write about the graphics. See, I can be positive?.
Sound
One thing EA does really well when it comes to the Madden franchise is create a great soundtrack. They worked their magic again this year. They have acquired the rights to songs by everyone from Ozzy to Timberland and Justin Timberlake. When you get in the game, the audio continues to shine. The Wii Remote's built in speaker system nicely echoes the QB's pre-snap count which doesn't necessarily add to the experience, but it's one of the little quirks that's just neat-o. Anyone who has been on any team knows that communication is the key to victory. Before the snap you will still hear the random ramblings and adjustments of the defense which makes things a tad bit more real.
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