Madden 08 (Wii) Review
Posted by Jay Bryant on 09.03.2007
It's that time again. Is Madden 08 a hit or miss? Check it out!
It’s that time again, the month of Madden has returned. EA is continuing to milk its exclusive license with the NFL and its spot as the sole football game on the Wii. After an impressive rookie season last year, there wasn’t much that needed to be changed. EA obviously hasn’t heard the term if it aint broke don’t try to fix it, as they made major changes to the control scheme. Some of these changes are understandable while others are suspect. EA did make a few good moves with the addition of the party mode and online play, but do the pros outweigh the cons on this one? Let’s find out!
First Impression
It’s August, for football fans that means one thing Madden NFL on their favorite console. Of course as soon as I got the game I was excited, I mean c’mon it’s Madden. I’d traded in my copy of 07 a while back so I was in need of my football fix. The first thing I noticed was that the controls were so different. I can’t tell you how many times I would cover the ball while running instead of sprinting because they switched the buttons. Because of EA’s Family Play scheme all the major moves are mapped to the Wii Remote, while the less essential moves are mapped to the nun-chuk. EA changed some of the motion controls too. For instance, in last year’s games in order to do a big hit or a power move, you had to thrust both arms forward, in this year’s game all you have to do is thrust the Wii Remote forward. Besides the control scheme, roster, and added online and party mode, not much has changed from last year’s game, including the sup par graphics.
Graphics
I’ll get straight to the point here, these graphics suck. I don’t even mean in comparison to Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 graphics. It looks just like I’m playing a game on the PSP. The models are not very well done, and the detail isn’t too great at all. The only way to differentiate between teammates is their number and skin tone. I’m usually not a stickler for graphics, but this is ridiculous. It was forgivable last year, but not again this year. Last year EA had the excuse of it being the first football game on the Wii period. Getting the controls and gestures properly developed over having great graphics was understandable. This year, that excuse doesn’t cut it. They made a lot of changes and upgrades from last year’s game; why not add graphics to that list? From minor glitches like the fuzzy cinematic cam staying on during you play if you skip the scene, to major game effecting things like missing a catch or block because the ball goes straight through your arms/hands, EA had more than enough on the list of things to upgrade. If your favorite team plays in an outdoor stadium, then you will have a better visual experience when playing at home. There is a noticeable difference in the lighting between outdoor and indoor fields. That’s about the only positive thing I can write about the graphics. See, I can be positive….
Sound
One thing EA does really well when it comes to the Madden franchise is create a great soundtrack. They worked their magic again this year. They have acquired the rights to songs by everyone from Ozzy to Timberland and Justin Timberlake. When you get in the game, the audio continues to shine. The Wii Remote’s built in speaker system nicely echoes the QB’s pre-snap count which doesn’t necessarily add to the experience, but it’s one of the little quirks that’s just neat-o. Anyone who has been on any team knows that communication is the key to victory. Before the snap you will still hear the random ramblings and adjustments of the defense which makes things a tad bit more real.
Controls
This is where the game gets a bit sketchy. EA has listened to the people who complained about last year’s control scheme (and I must admit it was not perfect), and changed a few things around for Madden 08. Honestly when I first started playing Madden 08, I didn’t understand why they made some of the changes they did, but after playing the game a while longer and reading up on some things, it became clear why they had to change some of the controls. A lot of the changes have to do with EA’s new Family Play scheme that allows you to play a full game of Madden with just the Wii Remote. The computer handles the running all you have to do is perform whichever gesture you want. It’s like Wii Sports Football. For the returning “Advanced” players the control scheme hasn’t changed so much that you’ll be lost, but some key elements from last year have been remapped for this year’s game. For example the turbo button is now “B” instead of “Z” which makes the receiver cover the ball now. On my first play I’m holding down “Z” expecting Joseph Addai to rush through the whole, only look in astonishment as he runs through like a big man with his body over the ball. It was quite embarrassing after the 3rd time it happened. EA also changed the hit stick system to Hit Stick 2.0!!!!! What’s the deal with this? Well I’ll tell you, now you can choose whether to hit a runner at his legs (if he’s bigger than you) or take him out up top (if you can crush him). It’s a good way to be able to use the hit stick even if you’re at a size disadvantage against the bull that’s running at you. All in all the controls are on point. My only suggestion is to look over the manual for a bit before jumping into any serious bouts.
Gameplay
And now we hit out biggest road block. The gameplay this year is essentially the same…as long as you stay offline. Anyone who has played Madden 07 on the Wii, or any recent Madden game, is already familiar with the feel for the staple modes in Madden 08 (Quick play, Franchise, Training Camp, etc). This year EA added a party mode with a few mini games, NFL Trivia, and most impressively the Play Now mode with the Telestrator. It’s so fun to be able to draw out exactly how you just owned your friend for a 90 yard touchdown. I only wish the option was available in all modes of the game. EA has also added an online mode. Don’t go online with this game. It’s not a good experience at all. After you finally get your account set up, everything pretty much goes downhill. Wait, I lied. It’s after you pick your teams and start the game that everything goes downhill. There’s definitely about a .5-1 second lag between pressing the button, or making the gesture, and seeing the action on screen. This gets very very frustrating, and makes it hard to even finish a game online. EA has yet to work out this issue and that’s just for those of us who can actually make it online. I’ve heard that some people don’t even get that far, so I guess it’s the luck of the draw. The glitches don’t stop at the online game though. In a regular multiplayer game I played, the ref has missed calls or made bad calls that couldn’t be challenged, and in my franchise mode the game has frozen at least three times after I simulate the preseason, and once after I played a full game. While these glitches don’t affect the gameplay directly, they do provide you with enough frustration to not want to play the game for a while.
Fun Factor
Madden 2008 is a fun game, there’s no doubt about that, but the glitches really do get you in the end. I don’t see how EA’s tester’s let the game get out in this condition. It really makes me wonder how much effort was actually put into the game.
Lasting Appeal
Madden NFL Football 2008 will keep you busy for a while. With Superstar mode, Franchise mode, Party Mode, a supposed online multiplayer, and of course the quick play mode you will have more than enough game to keep you distracted. You also have glitches to worry about, so it’s more about how patient you can be with the game than how fun it is. If you want to adjust your game and try to predict what the guy a million miles away from you is going to do in your online game go ahead but that’s not how playing online was meant to be.
The 411
You are going to buy this game for one or two reasons. It’s Madden and/or it’s the only pro football game available for the Wii. Is the game passable? Of course it is, but just like Peyton Manning, EA can only try and weave in a bad pass for so long until it gets intercepted. Here’s to hoping 2k Sports brings its Legends franchise to the Wii next year. Maybe then EA won’t be so lazy with Madden 09 Wii.
Graphics
6.5
Nothing special here. They could've one a lot better even with minor graphic upgrades from 07.
Gameplay
8.0
Madden 08 has great gameplay...offline. As soon as you boot up EA Nation you can take away about 3 or 4 points from this score.
Sound
8.0
Sounds great. Of course you have stereo sound, and random voice overs. Pretty much the usual.
Lasting Appeal
9.0
There are plenty of modes to keep you busy. I wish the online mofe was one of them.
Fun Factor
7.0
The game is definitely fun. There are a few bugs and glitches but they can sometimes be overlooked...sometimes.
