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(More customer reviews)I've been a madden fan for as long as I can remember, from Madden 94 up until the 2010 version. This years Madden (2011) is easily the worst all around Madden game that I have ever played. Having said that, it is still really fun! I'm finding it very hard to even begin listing the faults, but here goes nothing...
First, lets start with the "gameflow" - In Madden 11 the game introduces "gameflow" a system which is designed to select the perfect plays for the perfect on field situation. It is suppose to make the game simpler and go by much quicker, it certainly goes by quicker, but when I used gameflow I would find more often than not, that the plays the CPU selected didn't match the on field situation I was in, causing me to audible out. Hardcore Madden fans will despise gameflow, and the good thing is that you can switch it to "conventional" in the settings. You are able to set up a gameplan using different formations and playbooks before you actually play a game, but in game when its time for the CPU to call the plays, the system fails. gameflow isn't a terrible idea, but often it doesn't work properly at all. Take the extra five seconds and call the plays for yourselves.
Next, lets talk about "Online Play" - Everything is the same as last years version with the addition of team play, which is really fun. If you know someone else who has madden 11 and xbox live, you need to try teamplay out. It is easily the most redeemable part in this game. As for head to head ranked matches, everything is pretty much the same except for a very very annoying feature. Before every play that you have, an "A" button and "X" button will show up on the bottom of your screen asking you if you would like to use "A" gameflow, or "X" full playbook. Why couldn't they give you the option to either turn gameflow on or off in online play like they do for offline? it gets really annoying to have to keep pressing "X" before every play, i've even pressed "A" by mistake by trying to skip cut scenes, and then you have to deal with what play the CPU has chosen or what you can audible into. Its just so unnecessary.
Next, lets talk about the "Game Modes" - Everything in Madden 11's game modes menu is exactly the same as last years version. Absolutely no updates with superstar mode or franchise mode, their still as terrible as they have been for the last three years. For some reason this year the Madden team has chosen to ignore the public's constant demand for a deeper franchise mode (which was once a reality) and the first really good superstar mode (which we have yet to see). Instead they put all their efforts into making an easily accessible simulation football game, that merely anyone can pick up and play instantly with pretty much no skill what so ever.
Next, Lets talk about the "gameplay, AI, and how the game plays on the field" - This years Madden plays pretty well despite all the cons. The first new addition is the "dual stick player control" which lets the user control a players body with the left stick, and their skill moves with the right. This works really well, and despite there not being a turbo trigger anymore, it makes the run game really fun. But the CPU AI is just so dumb, that you'll have no problem getting 300 yard games whenever you want. The lack of DEFENSE in this game is probably its biggest flaw. Users will find it almost impossible to take over games with their D, I mean sure, you'll get interceptions, force fumbles, pick up sacks, but the game is designed so that the offense can pick up easy yards after a while. What will happen is a defensive player that your not in control of will all of a sudden crap the bed, and help an offensive player get open. There is no doubt that this game is made for the offense, they want those big games (59steelers -57raiders). Another disappointment this year is the audible system the game has. Instead of using the face buttons to bring up coverage, line, and backers the game now uses the D pad. What makes it complicated and not as simple is you have to press an extra button to complete the audible! after awhile you'll get used to it, but its so unnecessary. Very good animations and overall presentation. Gus Johnson's commentary is better than the game has ever seen, but it sounds fragmented and weird all too much. The games graphics are as good as ever, nothing to complain about there, and players faces look better than last years version too.
In closing, Madden NFL 11 is still a fun game despite all the technical problems it has, and everyone who loves the NFL and video games will play it (EA owns the American football license until 2015), but if your a perennial die hard madden gamer, odds are this game wont live up to your standards at all. If your new to the genre and you've never played a game of madden in your life before, you will probably like it very much. And why not, it was made for you. The casual gamer.
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Product Description:
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.
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