Madden 08 *General Discussion*

mr ryles

mr ryles

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just wanted to get a few things out there about how I feel on this game.

Being a madden fan as I am, (I've bought everyone since 2003) I have to say that this is actually one of the first ones that has increased the challenge. And by that I mean smarter AI all around. The coverage is so much better, the way I played in past maddens is no longer working for me. I think I threw 5 interceptions the first game I played. The 2nd game wasn't much better. Plus there are soooo many new options as far as audibles and adjusting, your defense before the snap that it boggles my mind.

I am now officially 0-3. Which for one pisses me off, but on the other hand shows that madden isn't just a roster update every year.
 
It seems that running the ball is A LOT harder in this Madden than in previous years. I'm playing on Pro or higher, so I'm not speaking about rookie. In past Madden if you ran the ball 20 times, you'd get 200 yards. I'm running the ball 20 times and I'm lucky to get about 80 yards.

Also I like how defensive linemen are able to get off blocks and tackle the running backs easier. It used to be they were perma-blocked and the only way to tackle the runner with a D-linemen was to have him run into his own blocker or never to engage in a block to begin with. Sacks are harder to get and rushing the Outside LB from the edge no longer results in an automatic sack.

This game is definitely more challenge than the past versions and I'm liking it a lot more because of it. Scoring isn't nearly as easy except when I'm playing morons online who blitz EVERY SINGLE PLAY and then I just keep hitting slants to my recievers for 20-30 yards a pop.
 
I thought the game was pretty good. Only played about 3 quarters though.

Although, the rosters are HORRIBLE out of the box. I mean, they are REALLY bad. I went online, and the downloaded ones are the same.

So, I guess I have to wait to start my franchise until I get some good rosters going.
 
I agree with the ramped up difficulty and I threw at least 6 INT's in my first game. It is refreshing to see Madden get a list of improvements for this year.

A few disappointments are the stadium announcer, hated this from Madden 06. Give me the damn choice next year to either select Madden and Michaels or the generic stadium announcer please! Also the refs sound like they are talking under water.

The running game is much more difficult this year and I am thankful for that. I'm sure I'll get used to it. There are some great animations and some not so great. I don't really like the 'summersault' move that alot of my linemen and linebackers will do when getting blocked by the O line while rushing the QB.

I have seen some very cool pass block animations from lineman jumping up and throwing up their arms to defend (nice touch EA) and I had my MLB sitting back in the defensive pocket and he leapt up to make an INT, very cool indeed.

As for my record, I would be 0-2 against the computer but I decided to end the games.
 
This may be a dumb question, but did they do away with the *BLUE line of scrimmage? I can seem to find where to turn it on! Anyone know?
 
[quote name='soliddragon']This may be a dumb question, but did they do away with the yellow line of scrimmage? I can seem to find where to turn it on! Anyone know?[/quote]I can't find it either. Been caught a handful of times with my nickelback coming on a blitz.

I can't go too in-depth with my impressions since I've only played a couple of games and the mini-games a few times, but all I can say is that the gameplay is oh-so smooth.

Graphically, it's much more polished than NCAA without all the horrible clipping going on in the college game. I hate the over-used depth of field blur, though. It looks terrible.

I still have problems with TEs or backs running the flats to the short side of the field. They don't seem to sit or slow down when they get to the edges so most of the time they run straight out of bounds for no gain even when timed properly.

Hopefully next year, they add specific player animations or personalities. The gameplay seems to be as solid as Madden has ever been, but it takes away from the presentation so much when you see Manning or Harrison jumping around after TDs. Mannerisms (TM) in next year's version would add so much to the overall feel of the game and make it far more unique than the current generic feel all the players have.

Oh, the announcer sucks.
 
Do they give you achievements at the end of the game or not? I had TWO INT's with my CB in the 2nd quarter, and no Achievement. Just curious as I didn't finish the game. I played on the default settings.
 
[quote name='doubledown']Do they give you achievements at the end of the game or not? I had TWO INT's with my CB in the 2nd quarter, and no Achievement. Just curious as I didn't finish the game. I played on the default settings.[/QUOTE]
At the end of the game.

As for my impressions, so far I am very impressed with the A.I. Like stated from a few other people, the DB's are much better. They cut routes off...finally!! I haven't found the running game that difficult and right now I am playing on All Pro. I just think you have to pick your spots better and mix up your plays. Graphically the animations are great. Other than that I don't see much of an improvement except for the frame rate. The presentation is the worst. No refs on the field?? The sidelines need a huge face lift and the announcing is just bad. I understand back in 06 they wanted to change it up since we been listening to John Madden since 92' but they really need to go back to him and Michaels or in a whole different direction.
 
I have enjoyed the few games that I have played so far. The only bad this is that I imported my free safety campus legend from NCAA, only to be drafted by the Browns in the 7th round. I sucked hard at the coverage mini-game, hence the 7th round selection.

It is going to be a long season ;)
 
Love the game. Haven't played a madden since 05, though. If you're on the fence about it, I'd get it. Though the achievements are pretty easy to me, I got 10 in 1 game.




Is anyone else's Superstar mode glitched like mine is?


Whenever I try to run the drills (40 yard dash, bench press). It acts like I'm doing nothing at all. I press the sticks up and down, my guy stumbles all over the place on the 40. Then I press both sticks up on the bench press and nothing. On the RB Challenge (I chose to be a MLB) I can't even move. It's like the mode doesn't recognize my analog sticks at all. But if I go do Mini-Games from that menu and do the same exact things, it works flawlessly.


What's up with my superstar mode?
 
Anyone else get the NCAA play-calling glitch where only one square shows the plays and the others have an "x" in the top left corner of the play-call screen? IIRC, it happened whenever a play was challenged in NCAA and that's when I got the glitch in Madden.

Also, I wish they'd bring back the "run-to-first down" feature for routes from Madden a few years back. It's always annoying when you know the only route that will work with a defense is a hook or an in, but the original play call has it coming up a few yards shy of the first down.

BTW, the run and pass commit feature is still in the game, it's just not in the shoddy manual (as always), hold R-Trigger at the snap and press up on the R-stick to pass commit and down to run commit.
 
I've played about 3 games so far against my brother. They were all blowouts. First game I was the Cards, he was the Niners. I smoked him. Second game, Bengals vs. Chargers, he killed me with LT. Third game, Titans vs. Rams, I slaughtered him. Many things were apparent in the losing teams: it was hard to run the ball, the passing game was nonexistant, and turnovers were prolific.

Maybe if we lowered the difficulty the games would've been closer.

@doubledown - Achievements are rewarded when you finish the game. Yeah, it's not like NCAA.

Speaking of NCAA, I noticed the frame rate in Madden seemed way much smoother than it was in NCAA. Maybe it was just me, cause aren't both reportedly running at 60fps?

I think once I play around with the sliders, everything should be fine though. Oh and thanks SteveMcQ for mentioning the commit commands. I kept trying to do the opposite way, LT + left stick, lol.
 
The weird thing about acheivements is I could've sworn watching a vid online when someone broke a 60 yard TD run and the achievenment popped up right there. Guess they took that out. Oh well.
 
I can't believe it... I'm not on the dark side of the force.. I accidentally bought the PS3 version of Madden, and so errrr, so I'm going to get the 360 version. Just wanted to know if I had to pay for xbox live service to acquire roster updates for Madden. Or if there was another option for getting rosters updated... please help..
 
[quote name='Thomas96']I can't believe it... I'm not on the dark side of the force.. I accidentally bought the PS3 version of Madden, and so errrr, so I'm going to get the 360 version. Just wanted to know if I had to pay for xbox live service to acquire roster updates for Madden. Or if there was another option for getting rosters updated... please help..[/QUOTE]



You don't need to pay for xbox live gold to get roster updates or any download content (besides paying for that of course). You just can't play online against people, that's all.
 
[quote name='Flyersfan']You don't need to pay for xbox live gold to get roster updates or any download content (besides paying for that of course). You just can't play online against people, that's all.[/QUOTE]


Thanks!
 
Some achievements will unlock during the game but most show up at the end.

I know the long pass and run ones unlock when you do them.

Does anyone know how to get Barry Sanders and other HOF players in your franchise like it says on the back of the box?
 
[quote name='kennistond']Some achievements will unlock during the game but most show up at the end.

I know the long pass and run ones unlock when you do them.

Does anyone know how to get Barry Sanders and other HOF players in your franchise like it says on the back of the box?[/QUOTE]



Barry Sanders is in the game?


:drool: :drool: :drool:


Now I'm gonna go try to find out!
 
it's all about that split second between switching to the closest defender and actually defending

maybe i'm too used to the 2k style now, but about half the time i try to bat the ball down or strip it... the defender will make a weird move, like stutter step and run in the other direction for a couple of steps.

i don't think it's the game, i just think i need to get used to Madden controls again. but so far it's been a little frustrating.

it's sad, but my goal for today is to win a game in Pro. haha.

then i need to figure out how to draft HoF players.
 
[quote name='Thomas96']I can't believe it... I'm not on the dark side of the force.. I accidentally bought the PS3 version of Madden, and so errrr, so I'm going to get the 360 version. Just wanted to know if I had to pay for xbox live service to acquire roster updates for Madden. Or if there was another option for getting rosters updated... please help..[/quote]

Unfortunately, you do need gold for roster updates, as I believe you need to get into a game with someone (atleast to team select) to download them. The workaround would simply be to make a new username and use your one month of XBL Gold to download them.
 
got to play a game yesterday at work, and I have to say, I'm not impressed. honestly, I'd rather just stick with the college football this year. and after pricing and stocking madden 08's at work yesterday, I've had just my fill of staring at vince young's pathetic face to last me an entire year.
 
[quote name='drbutchevil']Unfortunately, you do need gold for roster updates, as I believe you need to get into a game with someone (atleast to team select) to download them. The workaround would simply be to make a new username and use your one month of XBL Gold to download them.[/QUOTE]



thanks for the info... there's no other wa to get the roster updates for 360?
 
[quote name='Flyersfan']The weird thing about acheivements is I could've sworn watching a vid online when someone broke a 60 yard TD run and the achievenment popped up right there. Guess they took that out. Oh well.[/quote]


I think only some acheivements show up, i broke a 60 yard TD run yesterday and it popped up.
 
[quote name='ReturnofBoltz']This game is definitely more challenge than the past versions and I'm liking it a lot more because of it. Scoring isn't nearly as easy except when I'm playing morons online who blitz EVERY SINGLE PLAY and then I just keep hitting slants to my recievers for 20-30 yards a pop.[/quote]
Ugh, I just experienced that first-hand. Thank goodness he quit in the 2nd quarter. He also had a thing for Reggie Bush. Almost every play went to him, pass or run.
 
Rented it today. The gameplay is pretty good, but I am definitely disappointed in the number of turnovers, the radio announcer, the lack of ESPN usage, and the lack of not being able to save your replays + photos (unless I'm missing it, this is really a great feature in NCAA 08...especially uploading them to their site). I loved the intro video and I picked up the controls pretty quickly, but I just feel that such a huge franchise, and the only NFL licensed game, should really be better IMO. I'm definitely going to put some more time into it, but right now I think NCAA 08 is the game for me this year.
 
So is there some way to lessen the amount of turnovers (like a slider or something)??

Cuz this is plain rediculous. I'm playing with the Pack and while interceptions haven't been an issue really, my RBs obviously aren't great and they get leveled and cough up the ball like 6 or 7 times a game. These are open field tackles too, even by DBs like 10+ yards downfield so it's not like a LB or DE got a good jump. It's insane and basically ruins the run game. I try using the protect ball button and it seemed to even increase the fumbles.
 
The weapons icons at pre-snap don't come up for me anymore (when you press the L-Trigger). Was that an option in the menu I wasn't aware of that I turned off? They were on when I played last night.
 
[quote name='Duo_Maxwell']So is there some way to lessen the amount of turnovers (like a slider or something)??

Cuz this is plain rediculous. I'm playing with the Pack and while interceptions haven't been an issue really, my RBs obviously aren't great and they get leveled and cough up the ball like 6 or 7 times a game. These are open field tackles too, even by DBs like 10+ yards downfield so it's not like a LB or DE got a good jump. It's insane and basically ruins the run game. I try using the protect ball button and it seemed to even increase the fumbles.[/QUOTE]

I'm with you on that, I need to find some good sliders, my turnover ratio to the computer is ridiculous. And breaking tackles is another thing. I was using Willis Mcgahee and he is supposed to be a stiff arm master, but every time I would try the stiff arm I was still getting wrapped up. The computer on the other hand who had Rudi Johnson at RB, was truck sticking and breaking all my tackles.

I may try and come up with my own good set of sliders, I'll let you guys know if they work good.

Basically I think turning down the safeties and CB's awareness a little should prevent so many INT's or turn down there catching ability. Then just turn down the CPU break tackle ability and juke effectiveness.
 
[quote name='mr ryles']


Basically I think turning down the safeties and CB's awareness a little should prevent so many INT's or turn down there catching ability. Then just turn down the CPU break tackle ability and juke effectiveness.[/QUOTE]

that's a good idea
 
I am overly pleased with my purchase. It's not perfect. I agree with the poor announcing but it is better thant he redundant phrased from Madden in the past. Took me a little while to get used to the menu interface. So far, I'm really into. I have the PS3 version and it is better than I expected. Along with MLB 07, I am extremely pleased. Now to get NCAA when selling off my Blu-Ray titles...
 
I agree with The Truth, I actually don't feel suckered into making another Madden purchase this year. Its got its flaws but is hands down the best football game period. Gameplay and the franchise options put it over the top for me. It feels more like playing football then playing a football videogame in a way.
 
[quote name='mr ryles']I'm with you on that, I need to find some good sliders, my turnover ratio to the computer is ridiculous. And breaking tackles is another thing. I was using Willis Mcgahee and he is supposed to be a stiff arm master, but every time I would try the stiff arm I was still getting wrapped up. The computer on the other hand who had Rudi Johnson at RB, was truck sticking and breaking all my tackles.

I may try and come up with my own good set of sliders, I'll let you guys know if they work good.

Basically I think turning down the safeties and CB's awareness a little should prevent so many INT's or turn down there catching ability. Then just turn down the CPU break tackle ability and juke effectiveness.[/quote]
Yeah you just have to play around with the sliders to match your other settings (whether you want true sim results or whatnot). You might want to also lower the kick power. Seems awfully powerful when the CPU always ends up in their endzone and never seems to return it. =/
 
:lol:

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBXOZIRF9Gw[/media]


this is about 5% of why I don't pick up this shit... the other 95% is due to me not caring one bit.
 
[quote name='SteveMcQ']The weapons icons at pre-snap don't come up for me anymore (when you press the L-Trigger). Was that an option in the menu I wasn't aware of that I turned off? They were on when I played last night.[/QUOTE]

turn on the mismatch thing in the options
 
I thought the defensive default AI was pretty good in the game. It was harder to get the big offensive plays in this Madden but I got all of the achievements in about 12 games, so it's still not that hard. The hardest achievement for me was the recovering 2 fumbles with one player achievement. But I didn't notice anything too much different about the turnover rate from the previous Maddens, although they did swat the ball alot more on deep passes.

The offensive AI still sucks, since I could just exploit it with 2 plays (FG block to intercept it, or 3-4 renegade scheme to sack the QB if he wasn't in Shotgun formation).

Overall though, I'm glad I just rented it even though this was probably one of the best football games I've played. I've bought each previous Madden dating back to Madden 2001, and I'm just getting sick of football genre in general.
 
My thoughts:

(Playing on Pro atm)

Defensive AI is much better, which is nice. I still broke off a couple decent pass plays to Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson (I'm a Lions fan, so sue me) but rushing was harder for sure. Tatum bell at a 96 speed seems so much faster then Kevin Jones at 94, its weird. Big plays do seem harder. One money play I used in 07 (Single back, normal, TE drag) usually left the slot WR pretty wide open like 80% of the time. The PC defended it perfectly.

Turnovers do seem a little more common. I DO like that some LBs actually miss some passes thrown over their heads now. Stupid Chad Greenway had a leaping fingertip grab that kinda bugged me, and some no name guy picked me off twice when I had 1 on 1 coverage with Roy - both times he had full extension across his body and had his back to the QB. Which is crap. The DBs just seem to recover way too quickly in Madden.

I don't like that the QB seems to evade pressure automatically. There were a couple instances where crappy Kitna just wouldn't throw the damn ball and take the hit and chose to step to the side and just get sacked anyways.

Framerate, animation, presentation is good. Better then 07. Not sold on the unique player thing yet, but only played 3 games (3-0, yay for me).

I miss the "run route to first down" feature also, as previously mentioned.

I sincerely hope they take Mike Vick out of the game when his dumbass gets suspended for life. Will probably make online (which I don't play a lot) less repetitive.

I do have a question:

Apparently this version the WRs toe the line to make the inbounds catch - is this automatically or is this some sort of button press? Chester Taylor did it after he was out of bounds for the PC but when I threw a 10 yard out for Calvin Johnson he didn't stutter-step or drag the toes at all, and he had plenty of time to do so.
 
[quote name='RelentlessRolento']:lol:




this is about 5% of why I don't pick up this shit... the other 95% is due to me not caring one bit.[/QUOTE]



I bought ever Madden, like an EA Slave... I love Madden. But I'm tired of being Pimped by EA...

I played the All pro Demo 2k8 on 360, and damn, the crowd looks more realistic, the players talk during the coin toss, the crowd reacts to plays as they develop, the slideline activity is more realistic.. on Madden the players on the bench are doing the same exact thing.. in 2k8, there are fans, the chain gang is present, and are unfield characters... and hey..were there even on field refs on Madden 08? Cause I don't remember seeing them. oh well... no more EA products for me.. I'm done.
 
Ummm, but the gameplay in Madden 08 seemed as good as 2K8's game. I could care less about the fluff. I'm sure they will eventually fit all that in....gameplay is the BIG deal though.
 
[quote name='Thomas96']I bought ever Madden, like an EA Slave... I love Madden. But I'm tired of being Pimped by EA...

I played the All pro Demo 2k8 on 360, and damn, the crowd looks more realistic, the players talk during the coin toss, the crowd reacts to plays as they develop, the slideline activity is more realistic.. on Madden the players on the bench are doing the same exact thing.. in 2k8, there are fans, the chain gang is present, and are unfield characters... and hey..were there even on field refs on Madden 08? Cause I don't remember seeing them. oh well... no more EA products for me.. I'm done.[/quote]So you buy your football games, not based on how the game PLAYS, but by how good the fake fans look, or because All Pro has REAL Gatorade coolers on the bench? :applause:
 
The AI is improved. One thing I noticed was their ability to defend a corner pattern, something it couldn't do from '03 to '07.
 
Also, I noticed you can get achievements during the supersim mode. I got 6 the first time I tried it. Weird.

Otherwise, good game. I haven't played any of the "next generation" Madden games yet, so the feel took a bit to get used to.

If anything, while the game might play a bit more realistically, it looks more exaggerated. Tackles sending people flying 5 yards sideways, running backs juking under 4 guys (that was always there though), and wide recievers jumping 5 feet in the air to bring down a spectacular catch. These things don't happen all the time, but it's amusing when it happens.
 
[quote name='VanillaGorilla']So you buy your football games, not based on how the game PLAYS, but by how good the fake fans look, or because All Pro has REAL Gatorade coolers on the bench? :applause:[/QUOTE]



Madden on 360 plays fine.. because it plays just like 2007, that's why for those whose played any madden in the past 2-3 years there's no learning curve. I remember, having a learning curve cause the madden engine was changed from year to year but now its like a roster update like people have been saying. I'm not trying to say that APF is better than madden, but just as always, Madden has some things to learn from APF... thank goodness for APF, because they were the ones who initially put strafe into football games. APF just can't copy Madden blow for blow but they do pretty good. I've bought every madden... so I expect them to get the little things right as well as the gameplay. There's nothing wrong with APF gameplay... it's just not madden. APF thanks you for the applause...
 
Wow. This game is HORRIBLE. I loved 07, but this year's is damn near unplayable.

I beat the Lions (as the Packers) and in the process of that one game, there were 7 interceptions and 8 fumbles. I never had that problem with 07. I was intercepted twice, while I picked off 5 of their passes. They fumbled 6 times, while I fumbled twice, regaining it both times. I won 21-0 and all 3 TDs were scored off turnovers being run back.
 
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