Each new addition of the Madden series brings an abundance of new features while also responding to criticism by removing those less appealing aspects seen in the series’ predecessors. But do these new changes make a significant in the latest chain of the series’ evolution or does the game fail to touchdown the core elements that make up a good game of American Football?

One of the most appealing features of last year’s game were the Online Leagues but now this has evolved into an Online Franchise mode where you can construct a league with up to 32 human players. Although, the offline mode has been developed a bit more, it is a more than reasonable attempt at creating an online virtual League.

Some of the highlights of previous games that did turn out to be relatively successful have remained unchanged in this year’s addition. The holographic Madden Test training program is just like you would it expect it be from last year and it is ideal for training you up and preparing you up for the matches to come. Jumping around from mode to mode is now less of a strenuous task as the lobby and home menus have much more fluidity to them allowing you to access all the modes you like without any uneccessary hassle.

One of the main single player modes is called “Be an NFL Superstar.” You can create your own custom player and then you get to work your way up the ranks of a random team you are placed in. However, unless you are a really keen football fan then you may not know have any interest in the team that you are playing in. Co-operative play plays a major role in the game as usual and there are plenty of game modes for you and a player to work together or play head to head.

EA Sports have really made it clear this time that visual impressions are an essential for creating an authentic atmospheric football stadium. This is definitely the best looking Madden NFL game made to date. Player models and animations are great and movement has a bit more fluidity about it. Players will act more natural and get in arguments with the refs and the linesmen. Although graphics for character animations don’t always stand up to close scrutiny, there has definitely been a solid improvement since last year. However, The dynamic duo of  Chris Collinsworth and Tom Hammonde make quite  a mess of the commentary and they some times fail to notice even the basic in-game observations and  as a result provide very little realism and intensity to the game.   

Anoher aspect of the game that has been taken a step further is the tackling system. The new Pro-Tak system allows tackles of up to 9 defenders to form a massive scrum of players. This provides a sense of realism that the game has not yet seen before. The Pro-Tak feature can also turn the tide of a match by moving the scrum forwards or backwards. However, movement of the pile are based on player strength ability, angle of contact and button inputs from the player. This, along with co-operative play, enables players to try out and use a greater variety of tactical strategies.

As you would expect there are a few issues that have not been properly addressed yet. AI will occasionally make a slip-up with players running off the pitch and over the sidelines and some team members will be oblivious to the opposition in tight fast paced scenarios.

The Madden series has come a long way to date and its had its ups and downs but Madden NFL 10 has definitely been the most action packed game so far. Ultimately, aside from a few minor issues, you are left with a very cutting edge simulation of American football that has taken the true NFL experience one step further into realism. All new co-operative and Online Franchise modes, along with the new Pro-Tak system, offer huge potential for future games. Fans of the series should not pass out on this opportunity.

+ Easy navigation menus.

+ Online Franchise is great.

+ Pro -Tak creates whole new style of play.

- AI can be a bit hit and miss.

- Commentary is poor.

8.0/10

By Ian Ratledge Posted Wednesday, August 26th, 2009 7:39 pm