Didn't see a thread about this so here goes. My first First Play thread so be kind 
Have had this game since the start of the week, had been fiending for it since about, errrrr, September '07 when Madden '08 grew old on me.
Always bought Madden since about '02 and have enjoyed the games for the most part, but obviously some more than others. Madden '08 was a great update imo so I was hyped to see videos and screens of '09 in January. Since I heard word of the 20th Anniversary Collector's Edition, I knew that was the choice for me - Madden '09, NFL Head Coach '09 and an added bonus of Madden '93 (+ some random videos of NFL highlights).
So I got the game on Monday for the (bargain? you tell me, lol) price of £59.99. Considering I would have bought Madden & NFL Head Coach had they been separate anyway, I suppose I was making a saving - didn't feel like it though because I don't enjoy spending £30+ on a game, call me tight but hey, I'm just out of student life
Anyways, I digress.
Packaging - Important to some people, not so to others but I'll include this anyway considering it is a 'Special Edition' of sorts. Looks clean, neat and tidy. Double-disc edition with hardback cover and plastic sleeve. Game manuals are packed away between the two discs, not a comfortable place for them. XX is plastered all over the place, so you can't help but know this is the 20th anniversary of Madden. A good milestone for the former NFL coach to reach. Games around that long must be good. Overall, packaging is tidy and looks good, but compared to having the new-Jet's QB Favre in Pack colours on the Madden cover (and I am certainly not a Cheesehead or a Jet's fan! if you know NFL, you'll know who my team is from my avatar) it's certainly a bit dull and lifeless. ::6.5/10::
Presentation - Same old EA Sports layout (reminiscent of NBA Live 07+08, Madden 08 too) but background and pre-game presentations are nice and crisp, despite John Madden's appearance looking like he's just been blasted out from R2-D2's display. A nice update on previous year's gone by. ::9/10::
Gameplay - Having played previous Madden versions, I was expecting the same old, same old. However, I was surprised to see that the new player models are very realistic, although controls remain consistent from '08. There are clearly defined pre-play controls that appear before each snap which make it easy to call audibles (ie. adjust plays), change formations and plays etc. as well as receiver hot routes and half-back's running routes. It plays smooth and according to EA, the AI adapts to fit your own ability to play the game. There is an added addition this year, a feature called 'Rewind'. You can choose pre-game whether to have 0, 1, 3, 5, Unlimited 'Rewind's. Personally, this takes the element of realism completely out of the game as it essentially allows you to rewind the action had you not made those vital yards to get a first, or had thrown a pick you didn't want too. I guess it's good for arcade players who want high scoring games, but I set this off because I want realism! Overall, an improvement certainly on previous versions and handles excellently. Pleased with EA, and I haven't said that often in my lifetime. ::9/10::
Audio - Well, commentary has changed this year. NFL Network's own Tom Hammond and Cris Collinsworth take over controls of calling the plays. Tom Hammond is dull, boring and makes you wish Al Michael's was back! Collinsworth on the other hand is incisive, to the point and down right fantastic as colour commentator. John Madden gives you the pre-game rundown but is otherwise scarce during game-time. He sometimes pops up with a few words and is a little more than usual but don't expect more than 'Use this play, it might work' etc. Soundtrack isn't anything special, although bearable. During a game, player speech and hard hits sound as sweet as ever. Overall, just above average but some excellent audio does rear it's head. ::6.5/10::
Gameplay Modes - Well you've got the Superstar mode again and Franchise mode as well as online. It's pretty much solid and as you'd expect from Madden, so no complaints here - well, maybe one - not much is updated on Superstar but I'm more a 'chise player so for me it's no biggy. ::8/10::
I'll score Madden NFL '09 for the PS3 81 (did not include Packaging in the score), thanks to deep Franchise mode, excellent gameplay and for an AI that adapts to your playing ability. It'll be a keeper until the Post-Season at least. The best Madden yet but as always, I'm left expecting more.
As for NFL Head Coach '09 I'll review it shortly and give an overall score for the Collector's Edition as I realise this was pretty much just a review of Madden '09, but more is coming shortly, promise!
And Madden NFL '93 - well, you aren't really buying the collector's edition for this are you?!
Somewhat fun but only worth playing for nostalgic reasons/for a laugh.
Anyone else got any thoughts on this?
Have had this game since the start of the week, had been fiending for it since about, errrrr, September '07 when Madden '08 grew old on me.
Always bought Madden since about '02 and have enjoyed the games for the most part, but obviously some more than others. Madden '08 was a great update imo so I was hyped to see videos and screens of '09 in January. Since I heard word of the 20th Anniversary Collector's Edition, I knew that was the choice for me - Madden '09, NFL Head Coach '09 and an added bonus of Madden '93 (+ some random videos of NFL highlights).
So I got the game on Monday for the (bargain? you tell me, lol) price of £59.99. Considering I would have bought Madden & NFL Head Coach had they been separate anyway, I suppose I was making a saving - didn't feel like it though because I don't enjoy spending £30+ on a game, call me tight but hey, I'm just out of student life
Anyways, I digress.
Packaging - Important to some people, not so to others but I'll include this anyway considering it is a 'Special Edition' of sorts. Looks clean, neat and tidy. Double-disc edition with hardback cover and plastic sleeve. Game manuals are packed away between the two discs, not a comfortable place for them. XX is plastered all over the place, so you can't help but know this is the 20th anniversary of Madden. A good milestone for the former NFL coach to reach. Games around that long must be good. Overall, packaging is tidy and looks good, but compared to having the new-Jet's QB Favre in Pack colours on the Madden cover (and I am certainly not a Cheesehead or a Jet's fan! if you know NFL, you'll know who my team is from my avatar) it's certainly a bit dull and lifeless. ::6.5/10::
#1 - MADDEN NFL '09
Presentation - Same old EA Sports layout (reminiscent of NBA Live 07+08, Madden 08 too) but background and pre-game presentations are nice and crisp, despite John Madden's appearance looking like he's just been blasted out from R2-D2's display. A nice update on previous year's gone by. ::9/10::
Gameplay - Having played previous Madden versions, I was expecting the same old, same old. However, I was surprised to see that the new player models are very realistic, although controls remain consistent from '08. There are clearly defined pre-play controls that appear before each snap which make it easy to call audibles (ie. adjust plays), change formations and plays etc. as well as receiver hot routes and half-back's running routes. It plays smooth and according to EA, the AI adapts to fit your own ability to play the game. There is an added addition this year, a feature called 'Rewind'. You can choose pre-game whether to have 0, 1, 3, 5, Unlimited 'Rewind's. Personally, this takes the element of realism completely out of the game as it essentially allows you to rewind the action had you not made those vital yards to get a first, or had thrown a pick you didn't want too. I guess it's good for arcade players who want high scoring games, but I set this off because I want realism! Overall, an improvement certainly on previous versions and handles excellently. Pleased with EA, and I haven't said that often in my lifetime. ::9/10::
Audio - Well, commentary has changed this year. NFL Network's own Tom Hammond and Cris Collinsworth take over controls of calling the plays. Tom Hammond is dull, boring and makes you wish Al Michael's was back! Collinsworth on the other hand is incisive, to the point and down right fantastic as colour commentator. John Madden gives you the pre-game rundown but is otherwise scarce during game-time. He sometimes pops up with a few words and is a little more than usual but don't expect more than 'Use this play, it might work' etc. Soundtrack isn't anything special, although bearable. During a game, player speech and hard hits sound as sweet as ever. Overall, just above average but some excellent audio does rear it's head. ::6.5/10::
Gameplay Modes - Well you've got the Superstar mode again and Franchise mode as well as online. It's pretty much solid and as you'd expect from Madden, so no complaints here - well, maybe one - not much is updated on Superstar but I'm more a 'chise player so for me it's no biggy. ::8/10::
I'll score Madden NFL '09 for the PS3 81 (did not include Packaging in the score), thanks to deep Franchise mode, excellent gameplay and for an AI that adapts to your playing ability. It'll be a keeper until the Post-Season at least. The best Madden yet but as always, I'm left expecting more.
As for NFL Head Coach '09 I'll review it shortly and give an overall score for the Collector's Edition as I realise this was pretty much just a review of Madden '09, but more is coming shortly, promise!
And Madden NFL '93 - well, you aren't really buying the collector's edition for this are you?!
Somewhat fun but only worth playing for nostalgic reasons/for a laugh.Anyone else got any thoughts on this?
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