Although better than last year, Madden has still yet to reach it's full potential.
The one good thing that could be said about last year's game was it's look. The boys at EA did an even better job at polishing this years edition, as the potential of the 360 continues to be better shown by titles like this. From the player's expression's changing in the middle of a play, or the relflections coming off of the helmets, or the always gorgeous stadiums, Madden delivers the goods in the graphics department. Lots of new player animations also greatly help the presentation during the plays.
If there was one thing that stood out more than anything last year, it was the gameplay. A dirty running game met with with an ever-so-stupid passing AI made long sessions of playing feel like more of a punishment than a pleasure. Again trying to overcome last year's shortcomings, EA brought back the solid running game, which is helped slightly by the new "lead blocker" option. Although rarely used and difficult to pull off, it can be succesful if ran properly. The passing AI has gotten better, but still lacks the intelligence of the old Madden games. Still yet, the game has that fun feel this time around, as it has in previous titles.
Another big complaint from last year was the lack of options or game modes. Well, EA is working on it, but there's still little extra to be found this time. You can play in a fairly deep franchise mode, a tough on-line battle, or maybe some of the new mini-games, but the bottom line is, if the gameplay doesn't keep you around, there's not much else to ask you to stay.
While it's leaps and bounds ahead of the only option for football last year, Madden and EA have much work to do to win over the fans and support of the non-traditional crowd of sports gamers. Overall a solid game of pigskin can be found, but you have to really want to play football to enjoy it.