Madden NFL 11 will be hitting store shelves this Tuesday and it is one of the biggest sports game releases of the year, but is it worth buying?
Let’s get into it and look at some of this years’ features. First we have the new Online Team Play. This mode will allow you to play 3 vs. 3 cooperative play on-line. This could be a lot of fun for people who enjoyed playing co-op mode in last year’s Madden. I personally didn’t like the co-op mode, so this is probably a feature I wouldn’t use that often.
The next feature is GameFlow. This is the one to look forward to. This new system will reinvent play-calling with a more authentic approach. The feature will create a game plan based on the down and the situation, which has said to make your game move quicker. The feature will also have audio advice enabled for your headset and will tell you how to execute the play.
Those are two really great new features, but there is also disappointment in the game. Three of the games big modes, On-line Franchise, Offline Franchise and Superstar mode will not offer anything new this year. They’ve not been touched so don’t expect any huge updates for them, because you’re not going to get anything. Early reports have also stated that the NFL Network’s weekly show and halftime presentation, which was part of last year’s franchise mode and told you what was happening around the league, has been removed from the game. It might be in the game but what I’ve been reading it’s not.
Other changes in the game are not as huge as GameFlow or On-line 3-on-3 but are changes that are attempting to make your whole Madden experience complete. The new changes include a new audible system, a new kick meter, a new locomotion animation system, lightening improvements, new QB ratings, run blocking changes and a new “Swagger” rating.
The swagger rating is something that is being talked about a lot and it’s essential just an attribute boost. During the game if you make a big play you will receive an attribute boost. The size and length of this boost is determined on the swagger rating. I would rather they just took this out of game ... I don’t want any boosts to help me win.
Madden 11 will also look better and sound better then any other Madden that has come before it. EA Sports has improved the visuals and made some changes to the audio presentation. Tom Hammond will not return this year; he will be replaced by Gus Johnson to call play by play. Yet, Cris Collinsworth will be returning as color commentator.
Moving away from gameplay and features here is the full soundtrack to this year’s game. This year we have some really good songs that will make navigating through the menus more enjoyable. We have AC/DC “Thunderstruck”, Archie Eversole “We Ready”, Blur “Song 2”, Bush “Machinehead”, Gary Glitter “Rock and Roll Part 2 (cover)”, Guns N’ Roses “Welcome to the Jungle”, Joe Satriani “Crowd Chant (cover)”, Kevin Rudolf featuring Lil Wayne “Let It Rock”, Kiss “Rock and Roll All Nite”, Ozzy Osbourne “Let Me Hear You Scream”, Ozzy Osbourne “Crazy Train”, Queen “We Will Rock You (cover)”, The Hives “Tick Tick Boom”, Todd Rundgren “Bang the Drum All Day”, Ying Yang Twins featuring Homebwoi “Halftime” and Zombie Nation “Kernkraft (cover)”.
Some good songs, not to crazy about using covers but what can you do. There is also another new thing for songs this year and they come in the form of fight songs. Yes, team fight songs for seven NFL teams will be in game. Here is the list of the fight songs in game: Chicago Bears “Bear Down, Chicago Bears”, Detroit Lions “Gridiron Heroes”, Green Bay Packers “Go! You Packers! Go!”,
Having fight songs in the game is a great direction to go. Yet, with all these new features and tweaks, is the game worth putting up $60 for it? My answer is yes, if you are a huge Madden and NFL fan.
I think the GameFlow mode is something you can really sink your teeth into and if co-op is your thing then the 3-on-3 is for you. If you’re just interested in on-line franchise, offline franchise and superstar and already own Madden NFL 10, there isn’t any reason for me to tell you to go out and buy this one. You’ll be getting the same from those three modes just with updated rosters.
