Madden NFL 08 Review

Madden is the most successful games franchise of all time - fact. The main reason for this is that legendary developers Tiburon take what is probably the most complicated sport on the planet and translate it seamlessly onto a computer game. The tactics, players and physicality of American Football have been captured superbly by the developer over the last two decades.

So successful is this game series that it comes out on, very literally, all formats - Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2, Wii, PC, PSP and DS all get a look in. The problem with this is that it makes writing a consolidated Madden review almost impossible. I think we can all agree that if I were to drone on about each version of Madden 08, it would be less than exciting for all of us, so we're going to focus on the Xbox 360, PS3 and PS2 releases.

The PS3 and Xbox 360 versions are essentially the same games. There's been outrage in the states over the last couple of weeks because the PS3 version runs at a much slower framerate than the Xbox 360. However, this is hardly new information as Madden 07 suffered from the same problem (as have many other PS3 versions of multi-format releases). The reasons for this lies in the difficulty of developing for the PS3 and this results in visuals that appear less smooth and feel more sluggish.

Regardless of framerates, the game at the heart of both next gen Madden titles is essentially the same. Tiburon have built the next gen games from the ground up over the last few years, with a completely new game engine and different game modes from the current gen builds. In fact, the first Madden title on the Xbox 360 was incredibly limited and offered very few features and game modes beyond the basic season mode. This has been gradually built upon to the point where, on the surface at least, the next gen Madden games seem to have the same level of depth as the current gen titles. However, appearances can be deceiving.

Graphically they look as impressive as any other visually mediocre next gen game, which is not particularly impressive at all. As a loyal Madden fan, I find this to be a huge disappointment as I remember playing Madden 2001 on my PS2 and being stunned by just how good the game looked. They were probably the best graphics you could find on a console in those days - for a sports game at the very least. There is a lot of glitz and glam to the in-game graphics on the PS3 and Xbox 360, such as with the touchdown celebrations and player introductions. Additionally, player animations look impressive with lifelike movement that varies considerably from one tackle to the next. However, Tiburon still have a way to go before they do the same for this next generartion of machines, as they did for the PS2 7 years ago.

Where the next gen game really disappoints is in the franchise mode. This mode has become a defining part of the Madden experience, providing managerial depth to rival games that exist only as managerial databases without a game engine. Put another way, the franchise mode is so good that it sometimes feels like Football Manager and Pro Evolution Soccer combined. Unfortunately, as good as it is on the PS2, Tiburon really have killed it on the next gen titles. The main reason for this is that the infrastructure of player progressions goes completely barmy at the end of each season. The stats of players who perform well throughout the season remain unchanged, while complete nobodies will see super-human improvements that place them above team leaders. This is hideously frustrating as it has the effect of undoing an entire season's hard work, making around 20 hours of gaming (on five minute quarters) utterly worthless.

New features have been added to the next gen franchise mode. One of these features sees you take on the role of team owner where you'll hire and fire coaches, take control of finances and upgrade the stadium. These have been on the current gen formats for years though, meaning that they're more like what you'd expect rather than anything fresh and exciting. Another new feature allows you to scout college players throughout the whole year in preparation for the draft. Although, if you do scout players for the whole season it doesn't reveal any additional information about them other than what you already have, making the whole affair pretty fruitless. There are a couple of other minor additional features but, similarly, they're either poorly designed or have been done better on the current gen game.

Reassuringly, the franchise mode on the current gen game is better than ever. It's well balanced throughout, with all the same features as last year and a more well honed feel throughout. If only we could say the same for the PS3 and Xbox 360. Although, there is one feature on the next gen games that the current gen doesn't have. It's fairly cosmetic, I suppose, but there is a Hall of Fame induction at the end of a franchise season, which is something that the mode has been crying out for.

On a more general note regarding gameplay, the passing mechanic has been significantly reworked this year on the PS2 version. While the running game has always been a joy to behold, the passing game has taken a turn for the worse in recent years. More "zip" (as the American's refer to pace) behind the passes this year means that the deep ball is opened up again, marking a return to the form of Madden 2003's all-round faultless passing play.

The general gameplay on the Xbox 360/PS3 is not as well balanced overall. Similarly to last year's title, the passing game is solid throughout. In another similarity to last year though, the running game is still a little bit overly confined at the line of scrimmage, meaning breakaway runs happen too infrequently. Additionally, the running game lacks the diversity of moves that are available on the current gen game.

Madden 08 hosts the usual range of new control options in-game (available on both next and current gen versions). Working along the same principles as the ability to take control of a lead-blocker pre-snap (added last year), players can now take control of a receiver prior to the snap and then call for the ball when they're open. This is as flawlessly integrated as we've come to expect from new Madden control features over the years.

Another new feature called 'receiver spotlight' allows you to single out a particular threat that should receive more attention from the secondary. I've tried this on both next and current gen game builds and I haven't noticed a huge difference with or without the spotlight on a receiver. To be honest, I've just decided to return to my usual tactic of putting double coverage on a receiver manually if they're causing problems.

There are other tweaks here and there, most of which are beneficial. Player Icons, which mark specific players with special abilities, is a new feature for the next gen games although a very similar system has been on the current gen game for a few years now. Confusingly, Tiburon have added the next gen player icons to the current gen game, which creates a confusing blend of both features. Having said this, it does provide for more differentiation between players on both game versions, which has always been one of Madden's strengths.

Predictably there is no online play on the PS2 game. Online play is available on both the Xbox 360 and PS3, although there are still no online leagues for the next gen consoles, meaning that the PC game will continue to lead the way in terms of online gaming features.

The Superstar mode sees the addition of the class of 2007's best rookies. This means fans of the mode can play with their favourite players from the college Draft earlier this year, as well as the usual ability to create a superstar from scratch; the 'Ring of a Champion' feature also provides more impetus for the obsessive, and deeper pocketed, Madden fan; A new Fantasy Challenge mode on the current gen game is a kind of watered down, fantasy league franchise mode; Similarly, Skill Drills is another mini-camp style mode for the PS2.

But, as with any new Madden game, I could go on for hours naming every insignificant little difference. The big picture is that pretty much everything is better on the PS2 Madden 08 game than it is on the next gen titles, other than the graphics of course.