Coming Attractions 8.08.08: Happy Maddenoliday!

Posted by Drew Robbins on 08.08.2008

411's Drew Robbins wishes you a happy Maddenoliday, as the latest edition of the football series is right around the corner. See his thoughts on that as well as his thoughts on Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People!



Welcome to another edition of Coming Attractions, brought to you by your very awesome host, Drew Robbins~! This week, I'm going to tell you not to buy Madden…but you probably won't listen. I would love to be excited about Madden like the rest of you, but much like with the Sonic series, my heart has been broken too many times.

- Speaking of Sonic, I just hooked up my Sega Genesis a few minutes ago. Weirdly enough, I hooked it up with the intention of playing Aladdin but, what the heck, I can't find it! Usually I hook up the Genesis to play Sonic 2 (though I guess I could just play it on the Mega Collection…but something about the Gamecube controller doesn't feel right for Sonic), but I guess playing the original Prince of Persia got me in the mood for Arabic platforming. Well I guess I can't satisfy that desire. Unfortunately, I don't have many other games for my Genesis, so I was stuck with just playing Sonic. No, it's not because the SNES was a better system (it wasn't), it's because back in the 16-bit era me and Derek mostly rented games. Just ask him how many times we rented Chrono Trigger, Earthbound, Kirby Super Star, and Vectorman. Then you will be amazed at how many times one man can rent Earthbound, I assure you that the number is RIDICULOUS! *Update* - Multiplayer General Chaos is the best thing ever. That is all.

- Let's talk some football. I am a St. Louis Rams fan, so I've been keeping my eye on the happenings of their off-season. What I've learned is that Steven Jackson is holding out for a better contract. Now let me tell you, I think that a hold out is the sign of being a spoiled brat. You already get paid more than most people do in their lifetime, so why do you need that extra money. Maybe it would be a little more acceptable if you had more than one good season, but before last year Steven was more known for costing us the game by fumbling the ball.

- There were post-E3 awards from this association of game critics. I'm not surprised by their picks. Little Big Planet took best console game and Spore took the award for PC games. But game of the show, Fallout 3? Really?! The game looks good, but come on! Game critics always bemoan the lack of innovation, and they continue to give Bethesda unrelenting praise? What have they done in the past few years that can really be called new? Oblivion was the same as the other Elder Scrolls game, and I've heard Fallout 3 described many times as "Oblivion but in the world of Fallout." Yeah, there you go, that is innovation.

Reader Feedback

Not a lot to work with this week (thanks) but I did get a few comments.
Mega Man Forever who, per Rod Oracheski, is possibly David R. I don't mind, David R. is cool when he isn't attacking Microsoft.

Too bad Zombies Ate My Neighbors isn't on VC. I would download it in a second.

I JUST picked up Dead Rising for my 360. Unfortunately, I'm busy trying to unlock the Achievements on CoD4 for the 360. I borrowed the game from my friend for the Achievements, because I have CoD4 on the PS3 (free online play).

That means, I'm playing the game on Veteran to get most of the Achievements. Oh yeah, BABY!

VC? Psh, I have a copy of the game sitting in my game shelf. Though I don't need it, the VC desperately needs Zombies Ate My Neighbors, it simply doesn't have enough Genesis games. Dead Rising was my first 360 game and now that I think about it, the last one that I played. After beating GTA4 I was in the mood to kill zombies. That game never got old.

Also, achievement grinding? Oh you…

Derek Robbins

Bazooka Duke Says Chew On This!

A look at bad games (or just games in general) to come out on this same week last year.

A look at bad games? I already do that on a weekly basis. As Rod pointed out in the comment below yours, I think I'd find that this week last year was just as interesting as this week this year.

Trevor gets an honorary thumbs up from Coming Attractions, that is more thumbs up then I gave Madden!

You could do an overlooked game from the last month as your filler for slow weeks. Or maybe a look at a game from a year ago that people can get cheap now as a Past Attractions?

Alright, this was the only idea that I could actually see myself doing, so I did it. See, you readers have a part in my column! It's a column for the people, so don't be afraid to give some suggestions.

Coming Attractions – Week 5

Happy Maddenoliday! I really wish I could be enthusiastic about that sentiment, but I'm not. After Madden 2006, every Madden has just failed to live up to the past iterations. Madden 08 was particularly ridiculous, and I think Madden 07 was traded back to the store within a week of purchase.

Madden 2009 - Another year, another Madden game that seems to add just about nothing new. Let me give you my Madden timeline (which will start from 2002 because that was the year I first bought a Madden game).
2002 – Madden 2003 comes out, it was a great and simple game with an addictive franchise mode.
2003 – Madden 2004 does more of the same. I didn't buy it though, too busy playing ESPN Football 2K4 (which is TEN TIMES BETTER)
2004 – Madden 2005 continues to do the same old song and dance, but this version featured an improved franchise mode…including an EA Radio show (oh lord that was awful). Also, ESPN Football 2K5 comes out for $30 less and proves to be a much better game.
2005 – Madden 2006, the first Madden since the exclusivity deal, adds Superstar mode, which was easily the best addition to Madden in years. No way they can screw that up…
2006 – …but they did. Because you know, it's more fun to control ONE player on your team than it is to actually play the darn game. Why? WHY?!
2007 - Its time for Madden 2008, and this was the first year since 2003 that I didn't buy the game. For good reason, they didn't fix Superstar mode, and the game was more broken than Yoda in SCIV.
2008 - Madden 2009 is only a week away from release and I care less than I've ever cared before.
So now with my timeline out of the way, I'll tell you my thoughts on the latest Madden. Every year I hear all of this hype for the new Madden game, with reviewers claiming that it changes things (I wonder how much EA Sports pays them?). Then, I end up trying the game and I get the sense that I have played this game many times before. Even when they do something new, it seems like it only takes a year for them to screw it up. Seriously, I can't think of any way for them to have made Superstar mode more boring than making me take control of only one player. This was especially awful if you were a quarterback. You snapped the ball, pressed a button, and then you just watch. I thought this was football? If I wanted to watch my games I would just go out and buy Metal Gear Solid 4. I will admit that Madden is very fun in a multiplayer environment, but I'm not going to pay $60 so I can play the same game with a few new players and maybe one new mode of play. Here is my advice for Madden, advice that I know it won't take because EA loves money. Do what Tony Hawk is doing; taking a year off. If you just wait two years before releasing another Madden, imagine how fresh it would be in 2010. Even I would buy it if that happened.
My Rating: Thumbs Down - If you have last years Madden, or the year before that, just skip this one. It's the same game, with improved graphics (allegedly), and a few new players. Do you really want to pay $60 just so you can beat up the Raiders and their shiny new running back, Darren McFadden? As good as beating up the Raiders sounds, it's not worth it.
- What if EA Sports decided it was going away, but then 6 months later EA Sports decided they wanted to make it again? Would EA let them back, or would they continue to put all their faith in the new team behind Madden?

This Week's #1 Pick

I thought that this would be like last week, with no game that I could bring myself to recommend purchasing. Well yesterday (I'm writing this on a Wednesday), that all changed. Telltale games announced the release date for their newest adventure game…

Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People: Episode 1 (Wii/PC) - Telltale games is most well-known for their work on the Sam & Max series of games. Even though I enjoy the adventure genre, I never cared for the sense of humor in the Sam & Max episodes on Game Tap. However, Strong Bad's humor has always appealed to me. I remember going on that site every week waiting for them to upload the latest Strong Bad email, and then laughing hysterically when I finally got to see it. The plot of Episode 1 is that Strong Bad's plans to beat up Homestar Runner failed and it caused him to get an unwelcome roommate. Hilarity ensues, and then you get to take control of everyone's favorite masked e-mail reader. If you've played any of the Sam & Max games (if you haven't, one episode is free on GameTap) you'll understand that the gameplay is very simplistic. You just click at whatever you wish to investigate, and there you go, that is basically it. Of course, there will be plenty of puzzles to solve, which will make up for most of the gameplay. But that isn't why you play adventure games? Is it? I hope not.
My Rating: Thumbs Up - Adventure game? Strong Bad? This can't go wrong.

- Will he choose Ally…or Ally's Seester?!

Yesterday's Attractions

ESPN NFL 2K5 - NFL 2K5 was a part of 2K's strange price drop idea. When I say strange though, I mean GREATEST IDEA EVER! Most complaints about Madden involve spending $60 on the same game with nothing more than a roster update. Well this game was pretty much the same, and only cost $20. I would complain much less about Madden if the game was at least a little cheaper. But no, it will remain at the average price of games on the newest generation of consoles. Aside from price drops, NFL 2K5 also had more polished gameplay (though it did have a problem with calling pass interference on every play), and a customizable area called the Crib. Another thing I always liked was the ESPN presentation that could be found in the game. After a week in franchise mode, you could see highlights and a recap of the week in football on NFL Primetime. Also, there were halftime and post game shows. Speaking of "post game" I just realized the moment I started to hate Madden. I had just gotten Madden 2007 and was playing the franchise mode. After winning the game I watched the celebration, and I saw my player shake the camera. Now here is my problem, I have seen my player shake the camera after winning a game in EVERY Madden game I've ever played. They don't even change the celebrations!
Related To - Madden 2009
My Rating - **** ½ out of 5

- This was when T.O. was an Eagle. Remember that? Those were crazy times.

Not going to review anything related to Strong Bad. I was considering giving a review on Hotel Dusk (which would receive no less than 5 stars) but then I remembered that they are completely different types of adventure games. Hotel Dusk is an incredible game with an incredible story; Strong Bad is a good game that looks funny. Big difference.

The Console Wars Scoreboard

Its back from its one week hiatus, so lets see how things are shaking down!

Nintendo DS 1
Nintendo Wii 1
Xbox 360 1
PS3 1
PC 1
PSP 0

How exciting, it's a tie for first between everything…except for the PSP. A little bit sad, but a little bit expected.

- Don't worry PSP, I still love you…kind of. I mean not as much as DS but...

Past Attractions – Better Ways to Spend Your Cash!

Suggested by my new favorite reader, Trevor, this section will take a look at better games from last year that you can probably find for a lot cheaper than $60. This section will only appear during slow weeks, so expect it to be almost constant until October, and then resurrect itself around February. I'll try to keep this a lot like Yesterday's Attractions, with each game being related, but it might get out of hand. You never know. Also, to combine with his other idea, these will be games that were overlooked.

Hotel Dusk: Room 215 - I couldn't resist, I told myself not to….BUT I JUST COULDN'T. This game is….absolutely…freaking…incredible. Within the first few minutes I was completely sucked in, as the game opens up with a beautifully animate cut-scene. Then I got into the hotel and was just absorbed into these conversations. Why? The animations are great. Not since Wind Waker has the art style of a game swept me off my feet. I can't say enough good things about the way it was drawn. The gameplay…well there is not too much of that. Every once in a while you'll be forced (unwillingly if you are anything like me) out of the dialogue and into the Hotel. As you can expect with adventure games, it is basically just detective work to get you to your next dialogue scene. Animation alone cannot be the driving force behind the game, and this game uses its excellent writing to help the animation push this game along. This game could have just been a book, it was so well written…and so good. I can't say anything bad about the game.
Better Than: Strong Bad's Cool Game for Attractive People
My Rating: ***** out of 5.

- I'll make it real simple, you don't like Hotel Dusk? I don't like you. Also, this is from the beginning cutscene, so those of you who haven't played it and thought it might be a spoiler…its not. I swear!

I can't think of an overlooked sports game so…yeah, just don't buy Madden. Please?

The 411

Since I'm not the only writer on 411 (yet…) let's take a look at the other great columns on 411.

The Exploding Barrel Podcast by Mike Minotti and his brother AJ. They talk about Soul Calibur, and how bad Mike is at it. Don't worry Mike, I'm horrible at it too.

The Hall of Shame by Vincent Chi-oo-chi? Is that how you say it? Anyways, he inducts Shaq Fu…which I may or may not have bought…COME ON I WAS YOUNG!

Nintendophiles by Theo Frasier. He bought Guitar Hero 3…but I forgive him. Surprised he is this late to the plastic instrument scene though.

B3yond the Report by Mark Salmela. This is possibly his last week, but he'll be writing another column on the site eventually. I've heard you state your love of the Sega Genesis, so how about a Genesis retrospective column?!

The PC Centric Extravaganza by Chris Evans. Something about id, it might interest you readers to know that I've never played one of their games. Does that make me a bad person (or should I say worse person?).

Fact or Fiction featuring John Curry and Dan Owen. The Curryman said that he disliked companies doing games like Mega Man 9…hey! None of that now, that is the greatest thing that has ever happened.

The Checkpoint by John Curry. I agree with Jim Brown, but that is mostly because I dislike Madden.

The 10th Hour – Top 10 Favorite Games by Derek Robbins. Spoiler Alert: His number one is Earthbound. Are any of you surprised by this?

The Full Circle by Joe Roche. He says something about Gears of War 2 replacing cursing with bible passages. I know it's not true, but you can't deny how awesomely out of place it would be for Marcus Fenix to quote scripture when he is in a tight situation.

That is all for this week's Coming Attractions. Next week, I'm fairly sure that a game is coming out on the 360 that may be Too Human for me to handle…yes I'm aware of how bad that was.