Customer Reviews

Madden NFL 09

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Here's my review of Madden 2009 for the PS2.

First off, I'm not really concerned with the gameplay. I'm one of those people that only plays the Franchise Mode (I call it Franchise Mode, I know some refer to it as Owner Mode, but I use Franchise). Within a year I might play an actual game maybe a half dozen to a dozen times, that's it. In Franchise Mode I simulate all the games, I LOVE to act as a GM/Owner making all the decisions. So with that being said I'm basing my review with the bulk of my emphasis on the Franchise Mode. I'll touch a little on the gameplay first.

- The gameplay seems like the same old Madden a basic re-hash of last year's version or the version two years ago, or the version three years ago (you get my point).

- Commentary is the same, Madden & Michaels. The PS3 version has Hammond & Collinsworth. All the new added features you'll hear about, i.e. Madden IQ, Rewind, and the new graphic effects are all available on the PS3 version not the PS2 version. Nothing new is added execpt for the Fair-Play feature. I do think they added more people/personel on the sidelines during a game.

- The Rosters are updated but updated very poorly (Indiana Jones 3). Like a recent reviewer said they don't even keep past stats available for seasons players had before '08. All it says is N/A. Strahan is still a Giant, Dan Klecko is the only FB for the Eagles, Mike Hart isn't in the game with the Colts, Favre is nowhere to be found, and Pacman "Adam" Jones isn't even on the Free Agent roster. Heck Cedric Benson is still on the Bears roster, that's how bad it is. A lot of updating by you is needed. Plus if you don't have an internet connection you'll have to make Favre yourself. For the Eagles I had to cut Dan Klecko, and go get Lawton from the Colts to play FB for the Eagles. Lawton is currently an Eagle, but Jason Davis isn't in the game. So I had to give the Colts some b.s. player just to have a FB on their roster since I had to get Lawton to the Eagles since Klecko isn't an FB anymore, he's back at DT. Oh yeah getting the rosters up to date takes a ton of time and patience.

- One pet peeve I have is that EA doesn't even update their interface on the game. Some of the NEW features added in the past Madden's are still featured as NEW features. Player Weapons is not NEW, it was available how long ago?! Gosh!!

- Ok, the Franchise Mode. First off, I will say I love the new Decade Scoring System. At the end of the off-season right before Training Camp you get a score card evaluating your past season. Your score card has points and grades on it ranging from if your team made the playoffs, average attendance throughout the season, net profit, how many pro bowlers you had, how many rivalry games you won, etc, etc. Then you are given a grade or a score for each category and a total is added up, and each season you can compare each Decade Score Card and the points you earn. It's really neat, puts even more pressure on you to do well in that particular season.

The trade deadline glitch is gone. You can't trade your 1st round pick for the worst team in the league's 1st round pick anymore. Trades are graded now depending on your record at the deadline. Makes things harder, no easy way out anymore to stack your dynasty with multiple 1st round picks. One thing I do have a problem with is the Draft Grading in Madden. I always get an F, no matter who I pick. The Draft Grades emphasize your Decade Score Card and getting an F every season really hurts your point total.

During the Draft now the computer will approach you with selection trades. I like this. I had no idea they added this till, I was in my draft and all of a sudden while it is cycling through picks a window pops up asking me if I'll accept this trade. Very cool. You can review the trade, accept it, or reject it.

The loading times in the Franchise off-season are a lot quicker. On the load after the retired players screen when players are getting new roles and roles taken away it's better. Instead of loading through each player now it loads specific to each team. You can't go away anymore to get a cup of coffee while it loads for 5 minutes, it's more like 1 minute then done. Same with the Roster Management screen, loads quicker.

Pretty much that's it, the rest of the Franchise is the same. Nothing new, but given the quicker loading times and the advent of the Decade Scoring System, it's still a lot of fun. Highly recommend it if you are a Franchise gamer like me.

This years Madden is much like the others with only a few updates for ps2. There is no madden IQ on the ps2 version and we still get the same commentary as last years version. They added the new QB avoidance stick which takes some getting used to. It seems easier to run in this version than last years version of madden. Graphics got a little update and the soundtrack is better than last years as well. Other than that theres not a whole lot to brag about. If you enjoy updated rosters and a few new updates and have an extra 40 bucks to drop then go for it, but if your just the casual madden player then save your money. Im sure the PS3 version of the game is a lot better. I think its time to upgrade b/c the games on ps2 are just getting plain outdated at this point, I'd much rather play madden on a ps3. Now if only i had an extra $500...!

Madden 09 grabs your attention right out of the box. Some pros: the graphics are better by a small margin. The new QB avoidance works great except when you forget to use it. I love the all new Supersim because it makes simulating games faster and less time-consuming. Cons: it plays too much like last year's game! The Superstar mode is almost exactly the same as 08. They don't have Bret Farve on the J-E-T-S or Chad Pennington on the Dolphins. However, the Packers roster includes Aaron Rodgers. The graphics are better by a small margin. Overall, it contains all the awesome features you expect from a Madden game. I definitely suggest it if you are looking for the updated rosters! If you are looking for a less expensive game than Madden 09, simply get Madden 2008.

As a total Madden addict, I always wonder if they can make the newest version better than its previous incarnation. After a disappointing 08 version, 09 really delivers. It keeps all the great aspects of its previous versions, with some extra added features. My favorite include the ability on pre-snap defense to focus on the other teams best receiver. On offense, the quarterback now has an increased ability to avoid sacks, by using the highlight stick, and to also send his receivers to open of the areas of the field while he's scrambling away from pressure. However, the best aspect of the game is how the CPU adjusts to the gamer's level of play. Since I've been playing Madden for years, its become easy for me to destroy the computer. The new version makes every game fun, as the computer "steps up" its skill level to match the player's. Five stars.

I love this game it is all i have wanted to play.Great graphics and sound it's the best.

This is a really good game. A few things could be changed, like too many running backs got stars. Every single team has a star running back. And too many unproven rookies have stars. Also I think they could have made a few changes to Superstar Mode, like changing the appearance of your "apartment". But a good change to Superstar Mode is that there are certain goals that you must meet in order to become a starter. Overall a really good game that will provide fun and entertaining football action for years to come.

I bought this for my grandson and he loves the interaction of the game. I had bought him Madden 07 and 08 the past 2 Xmas and he wanted the 09 this year so that tells you how much he enjoys the game. He actually plays basketball and soccer but not football so this is a great way for him to learn and enjoy the game. He can play it solo or with a friend, I have even played against him. Truly a lot of fun with great graphics.

My brother-in-law loves this game. I got it at a better price than any listed on black Friday. Thank you for the convenience.

This game is great I bought it for my brother-in-law for christmas and he loves it. He says its the best one yet.

This game is one of EA's poorest efforts, which is really saying something. Again, in 2009, this is nothing more than a roster update, and what's worse, many of the players don't even have career stats, it just comes up N/A. They have bragged for months about all these new features, and each year they add stupid little things like "quarterback camera 3-d mode" but what people really want is a complete game with all the details that make each player unique. Other than the linemen appearing a little fatter and moving a little slower, nothing has changed. This game is so dreadfully incomplete that I cannot believe it was cleared to be placed on shelves. Madden 2008 was better (nothing to date has, and may never top Madden 2005) and if I were you I'd hang on to it for another year and keep playing it; it's not that difficult to do your own roster updates.

Man, this is the biggest letdown of any game I have ever bought.