If you played the debut version of Madden NFL on the Xbox 360, then you
probably remember that just as amazing as the high-def graphics was the fact
that it was a bare-bones Madden game. There wasn’t much to the game outside of
the instant action and franchise modes. Madden NFL 07 provides a lot more
gameplay than its predecessor, giving us a career mode, mini-games, and more. It
all makes the 07 version a marked improvement over the 06 model, but it hasn’t
achieved next-gen football perfection just yet.
Madden NFL 07 also includes the gameplay additions found in other console
versions of this year’s game. The first of these is the highlight stick. You can
use the right stick when running with the ball to try and pull off special moves
to elude your tacklers. Some of the superstars such as cover athlete Shaun
Alexander even have their own signature moves. The downside is that the player
is more likely to fumble while using the stick. As someone who made liberal use
of the truck stick in prior Maddens I can personally attest to the increased
frequency of fumbles as I tried to break old habits.
The new blocking control lets you take control over one of the blockers on
offense, lay down a block to open a hole, and then switch back to your runner to
take the ball up field. It sounds pretty cool and I’m sure that some players
will be able to use it effectively with practice, but personally I didn’t find
myself using it that much and when I did I didn’t do particularly well with it.
The kicking game has been changed by a new kick meter, although if you played
NCAA Football 07 you’ve already seen it. You draw back on the right stick to
start the meter and then push the stick forward when you’re at the desired
power. If you push the stick straight up your kick will be dead-on, but if
you’re off a bit you’ll push or draw the kick. I like the new kicking control
because it feels a bit more like you’re actually kicking the ball rather than
timing button taps.
The career mode gives you the chance to create a player and then attempt to
turn that player from a green rookie into a Hall of Famer. This mode takes some
dedication if you’re going to play through the whole thing and not rely on the
game to simulate anything. There are a number of practices, camps, and even
interviews to make it through before you even get to draft day. Once you find
yourself on a team (consider yourself lucky if you get drafted by your favorite
team) it’s time for more practice in training camp and then the preseason
schedule before you even make it to a game. Or you can just sim the whole thing
up to opening day. Playing the games takes a little getting used to. First of
all, you’re not the coach so you don’t get to call your own plays. Secondly the
camera angle is set down low to a view similar to that of a third-person
shooter. This can make it tough to see downfield, but then again this is the
view the players have to work with. Lastly, you’re a single player and this
means that if a play doesn’t call your number than you’ll just be handing the
ball off, running a decoy route, or trying to block a defender. And when you’re
off the field you’re relegated to just watching the action, although there is a
game option available that will let you run the defense when you’re an offensive
player or vice-versa. Putting together a Hall of Fame career will take some
serious dedication as you will have to make it through years and years of
practices, interviews, and games, but reaching that hallowed hall would feel
like quite an accomplishment. At least I imagine it would.
Page 2 of 2 »
