Madden NFL 08 - Xbox 360

If you're buying Madden, you probably know what you're getting yourself into. Madden is fun, as advertised, and is the best (read: only) NFL game featuring current players on the market. However, with every feature they add or improve on, with each year something seems to go horribly wrong. This year, it's turnovers. It doesn't matter if you cover the ball up every play, you're going to fumble. It doesn't matter if you're a great quarterback, you're going to throw lots of interceptions. It doesn't matter if you try to throw the ball a second before the defender gets to the quarterback, he's going to pull the ball back in and take the sack. Online play always lags, it's just a matter of how much. For some reason, invite games seem to lag the worst of all and disconnects are commonplace. More than once at the end of a game when it should show the score and the gamerpoints earned for the game, it just sits there scrolling around the stadium. You aren't able to get out of that by hitting start or anything - you're forced to turn off the xbox or exit the game, losing any and all EA points you may have earned during your gaming session. Basically, it's a fun game, and I play it a lot, but I sometime wonder if the frustration it causes is worth it.

This year's is definitely better than the previous next-gen offerings. It has a decent Franchise mode, but it lacks in some details that have come to be expected, like price changing on merchandise and in-depth feedback. The Superstar mode allows you to play as either a created football player with great options to customize, or as a real NFL Rookie, offering diverse options that provides solid play. There have been several improvements to the gameplay, most noticeably the weapons feature. Superstar and special ability players have icons that recognize them for being able to perform to a certain level, allowing the gamer to quickly recognize the go-to players on each side of the ball. The graphics are solid and animations are up to par, although some animations are glitched, such as players bumping into each other in a goofy looking motion. There are also several hitches in the game, mainly after passing the post-play animation. There aren't any game breaking glitches like in Tiger Woods 08, but the game isn't perfect. The online play, as should be expected with online EA games, is horrid. No matter what type of connection each player has, online play hitches, disconnects, freezes, all of that. As said, it's common with other EA Games but still disappointing. Even though there are problems with online, you'll still be able to play a decent game every now and then, but if you're paying $60 for online only, rethink your purchase. All in all, it's a solid game. The best since the 2005 edition, but not better. The only real football game out this year. It's worth a purchase if you're a fan of the single player and split-screen multiplayer, but if you're looking for great online play, you should pass on this year's edition and wait for EA to get their act together.

Graphics: Excellent 9/10 The graphics are very well done and they are sharp. You can tell that this game moves at 60 frames per second (FPS) when it goes from close to far shots. Sound: Great – 8.5/10 The commentary is well done, but having ESPN radio as a live feed is the ultimate bonus. You will feel that you are watching / involved in a pro game. The commentary is not as good as NCAA 2008, but they have the College Gameday Crew. Gameplay: Great – 9/10 Smooth animations, large playbooks, multiple and deep one player modes – this game has really improved from last year. Replay Value – Above Average 9.5/10 This is a great football game. The multiplayer alone gives it a high replay value (though a bit choppy online), but the single player experience is there to keep you coming back to take your team to the Superbowl again and again. Overall – 9/10 This edition of Madden Football by EA is a drastic improvement over the last two years outings. With additions such as “Super-Sim”, this game is a great addition to an XBOX 360 owner’s catalog. Since EA has the NFL rights locked up, a player does not have much choice - but it is a good thing that this game is really well done and is leaps and bound better than the previous two XBOX 360 Madden games. With plenty of single player options, newly added player attributes, family mode, additional gameplay modes, and the online capabilities of the 360, this game will keep you coming back for more. The smooth gameplay and 60 FPS make this the better football choice for those of you that have both the PS3 and the 360. This game is deep, and it will keep you deep. The achievements are all gameplay based, which is a bonus for those individuals that are not on XBOX Live. This game comes highly recommended.

Contrary to many other reviews this game is not that bad. Madden 08 is exactly what was expected madden with better graphics and more and less features than the previous edition. This games graphics are great with out a doubt and the AI is not as bad as some would say. the AI for cornerbacks and saftys is very high and they do take a lot of balls. However they do not get nearly as many if you mix it up. This game needs to be played like a team you cant run the same play six times a drive all game and get 50 catches for 650 yards it wont happen. Having said that the receivers AI is very very bad, as usual balls or catches that can be reached out for are not and they are just running through routes. If you have NCAA 08 and like drafting your players and developing them this really is a great game. The 'Train Active Team' before franchise games is great for young players to develop and decent and good players to make them great. However my biggest pet peeve is the freezing in my fourth or fifth season I kept freezing trying to load a game for no reason. I tried two separate madden 08 disks on three consoles and every time I would freeze. The freezing is not only annoying but makes you wanna stop playing the game. If your not one to spend money on the newest version of the game this is not a bad choice if you want to fool around with player and teams or play with other people. But if you like going into multi years of franchise its not really worth it once the disk starts freezing out. Overall its a good rental or a game you'll only want to play for a few months other wise its not really worth it.

I have been playing the Madden titles for years and this by far is the best one yet. Incredible graphics, insanely fast frame rate, looks great in HD, fun minigames which help the player to have increased status and credibility in online gameplay. One new feature I noticed right away is that if you are signed up to xbox live, the game provides a realtime feed of up-to-date sports news on the ticker at the bottom of the screen. Awesome. Definitely 2 thumbs up!

This Madden is a slight step up from 07, but has great game play. In 07 I noticed once you broke off the line with a carry then you got past the last defender it was going to be a touchdown 99% of the time. In this one I see they fixed that. But I also had 6 interceptions in 2 game all which were ran back for TDs averaging 70-90 yards per. But all in all great job

I'll keep this brief. This is a considerable step up from last year's waterred down version. The graphics and gameplay are vastly improved as well as the option package. Basically, it's the same Madden game you have been playing for 18 years, just the first true installment for the current gen of platforms. There are little signs that EA has an exclusivity agreement with the NFL like Tarik Glenn, Booger McFarland, and Corey Simon all still being on the Colts. It's been a known fact that those guys were not going to be on the roster for almost two months (pre-launch). I don't know when the window closes for making corrections like that, but it seems like those things were often taken care of in PS2 versions of the game even when they happened at such a late date. All in all, it is very enjoyable, yet carries with it that deja vu feeling. But you already know that.

I gave this game a five just because of how much better it is compared to 06 and 07. Going back to the old Playstation 2 versions of Madden this is the first next gen attempt that can actually hold it's own. You can create and edit players again, and you can actually change your players numbers if you want. So no more weird numbers for your players anymore. It is amazing that it took EA three attempts to finally get all of these small, but important updates into this game. I had heard that the game had a lot of flaws upon release, but buying the game now I have an update that downloaded and the game has played fine. If you do not have the ability to update the game, I would be wary as the issues sound like they are pretty widespread. Also though the newer game discs may contain the update, but I wouldn't take my chances. If you are a fan of Madden and are looking for the best NFL next gen game this is finally the one. A must have for Madden players who have been struggling with the previous lack luster next gen attempts.