The review GameFAQS wouldn't post
INTRO: Don't get me wrong, I'm not one of those sports haters or anything like that. I've been a proud Madden player since the days of Sega Genesis. I was really looking forward to betting Madden 07.
I must admit, however, that Madden 07 is probably one of the lowest quality games I've ever bought. This review is comprised of my opinions based on the facts of playing through all modes of Madden 07. Read on.
GAMEPLAY: 1 out of 10. Madden gameplay really hasn't changed since the PS 2 came out in the first place, but Madden 07 still drops the "quality ball" here mainly due to glitches and supurfilous changes.
For instance, the developers made several changes to gameplay which made the game worse, not better in my opinion. One of these areas includes kicking field goals.
Madden already had probably the best field goal kicking system ever devised. However, the developers changed it from an "aim, snap, power meter" system to a Spyhunter-style "stick shift" system.
It's difficult to describe, and I've asked myself every time I kick a field goal, "How did this make the game better?"
Madden 07 also has rampant slowdown, which attacks you after each play you choose. The game just lags much like a PC that's struggling under too much spyware.
There's no excuse for that in a game which was a flagship release.
Oh yeah. Almost forgot. A new lead-blocking scheme was also introduced, but in my opinion it adds nothing new to the gameplay. The running game is virtually identical to the Madden 06 version in my opinion.
STORY: 2 out of 10. A sports game really has no storyline to speak of. Normally, it's up to you to develop your own storyline.
However, I want to give credit where credit is due and that is mostly connected to the NFL Superstar mode. The Superstar mode allows you to create your own first round draft pick and play through what almost amounts to an NFL role-playing game.
Agents, salary, injuries it's all there and is done very well. However, as most Madden 07 owners know, there is quite a severe memory card glitch associated with Superstar mode.
One thing that really annoyed me is the absence of Madden Bowl photos, which is held every year at Super Bowl time. Real NFL players face each other playing Madden, which was very cool. I have no idea why they took it out.
The game also seems to have some problems reading memory cards. It is continually telling me that I've removed my memory card, "so autosave has been turned off" when, in fact, I didn't remove the memory cards.
GRAPHICS/SOUND: 1 out of 10. The graphics in Madden 07 are nothing special, especially considering these graphics are largely unchanged over the past six years.
Nothing new was added to make this year's Madden superior to past years, so you're basically looking at PS 2 launch graphics.
Not surprisingly there are also glitches associated with the graphics, including some wacky endzone logos and other problems that are pretty widely known on message boards across the internet.
Also, the soundtrack and sound effects will turn themselves off for no reason, usually at the same time the game is freezing after a play selection.
REPLAY VALUE: 1 out of 10: Madden 07 may have replay value if you're a big-time football fan.
The different modes, including exhibition, franchise, practice and Superstar will take up plenty of your time. Of course, online play is always a big attraction for the sports video game fanatic. Otherwise the glitches and mistakes will have you pulling your hair out. And who wants to take the chance of permanently damnaging your expensive memory card?
OVERALL : 1 out of 10 . My overall score is based on the impression I got of this expensive game, and what I received in return for my money. It's NOT a mathematical average of the above scores.
Judging only from my firsthand experience playing this game, it's my opinion little to no effort was put into the 2007 edition of Madden NFL Football, which disappointed and frustrated me considering the price I paid for it.
Probably the best way to wrap up my critical review of Madden 07 is to describe the "instruction book" that comes with the game. It's a five page pamphlet, black and white only.
There isn't even a color photo on the front cover. I was completely underwhelmed by the game, and not satisfied with the product I received for the price I paid. Hence I feel Madden 07 deserves a rating of 1 out of 10.