Madden NFL 08: The First Look

August 14 2007: They day sports fans will be able to pick up there title of Madden NFL 2008. The leader atop football video games for over a decade, the Madden series releases the undoubtablly best game yet in Madden 2008. Despite the "claims" of nex-gen football in the past, after playing the game for about an hour, it is finally here. Many of the original features that madden lost in last years version are back and strong as ever, ie. fantasy draft and owner mode.

Im the conference I attended Electronic Arts stressed it's excelled gameplay most of all, leaving out details about game modes. Among the next feature in gameplay include new game angles, realistic movement, and counters to the "unstable plays" in past versions. There are all new jukes, ducks, dives and trucking used by the bigger backs. EA also incorporated a system to show players who excell at different things on the field, simular to what NBA live did. The impact players have indicaters with a deferent logo underneath them. They come in 24 catagories:

Spectacular catch reciever, Power back, Big foot kicker, Cannon Arm QB, Finesse move D-lineman, Power move D-lineman, Brick wall defender, Hard hitter, Stiff arm ballcarrier, Shutdown corner ,Pass blocker, Crushing run blocker, Accurate QB, Hands, Smart linebacker, Smart corner
Possession reciever, Accurate kicker, Quick reciever, Elusive back, Speed, Smart QB,Pass coverage corner, Smart safety

Defense has stepped up alot in this title with D-lineman actually making an impact on the game this year. Marshall Faulk (new NFL analyst) actually has a pre-game overview including key players and even a prediction. There's no more running in place when you hit the back of your O-lineman. Receivers have also been retooled to allow for several different situations that were previously unlikely. Now balls over the middle are genuine health. In past years jumping catches over the middle granted your wideouts a sure catch, but this year they can get popped.

EA's plan was to show current sports lovers a peek without letting too much go. I believe the game has great gameplay and graphics, and absolutly love the new impact player. This game is the best Madden yet, with all the characteristic of a next-gen title. My advise: order yours now, your nearest store may not have a copy on the release day.