Couldn't see anything about this but heard really good things prior to launch - Anybody got/played this care to share their impressions ?
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My Madden Score. 8.9/10
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I've got this and it plays really well.
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-- unabridged version --
I've got this and it plays really well.
There is a bucketload of different game options available in game, from quick match-ups, and superstar mode through to the franchise mode and multiplayer mini games (based on pratice drills).
The wiimote and nunchuck have been used to great effect in the game. The game has suddenly become a lot more immersive as a result.
For example.
In offense you call a run play, say a HB draw in the right side of the line. Before the snap you can aim your wiimote at any of the offensive linemen and hold A on the wiimote. This will bring up a list of extra instructions you can give them, like slide left or right, close up the gaps in the line or spread the line to create gaps, etc..
You can use the wiimote to highlight any tight end or receiver and give them instructions too, like run a different route, call them to run across the line and take a different starting position to stretch the secondary. The FB can be given extra orders too as well as the HB. Highlight the QB and you can call an audible and change the play all together if the defensive formation isn't looking too favorable. Ready to snap then just make sure the QB is higlighted flick the wiimote up and the ball is snapped. As it was a run play the ball is handed off to the HB who you now control you can action a duke by either swinging the nunchuck left or right, sprint by holding the Z button down, protect the ball by holding down C. You can dive using the B button. To perform a stiff arm either swing the wiimote to the left or to the right. Time it properly and you will fend off a would be tackler, get the timing wrong and you will get a visual indicator from the game indictating of you got were early or late in your timing. Very helpful. Speaking of helpful, if you forget any move, you can pause the game and go into an onscreen manual with all the moves laid out, you can even practice the motion to get used to it.
Calling a passing play gives you the same freedom to tinker at the line before the snap, in addition you can change the default go to guy based on what you see the defense present you in their formation. To pass to the go to guy just snap the ball with the wiimote and pass by flicking the wiimote. You can float a pass by flicking slow or chuck a bullet by flicking it fast or anything in between. Catching the ball, if you throw the ball over the receiver you can make him jump by moitioning both the wiimote and nunchuck in an upwards motion. Once in possesion you can use any of the running back moves when you try to eek out extra yards with your receiver.
The passing is so fluid if you want to pass to a receiver who has broken coverage but wasn't the go to guy simply hold the corresponding d-pad direction or hold A if passing to the FB or HB and flick the wiimote to pass to them. Before the play you can press and hold the Z button to see the routes and corresponding D-pad directions for each eligible receiver. You want to do a pump fake to stop the defensive backs and safety/s in their tracks and help your receiver out, simply press B and flick the remote and then release B and then pass to your chosen receiver.
Don't hang around too much in the pocket or you will get sacked, run wide of the tight ends starting position with the QB and you can throw the ball away to avoid losing yardage by holding Z and flicking the remote. Better a loss of down than a loss of yardage. If you throw the ball away without breaking the pocket you will get called for intentionally getting rid of the ball.
Kicking is okay in the game although a little limited, just like the real thing. Line up your kick, press A with the wiimote pointing down off screen, bring the wiimote up as if doing a bicep curl and watch that you bring it up straight or you will and hook or slice. Faster longer motions seem to add power while slower shorter motions will result in loss of power, though this does sometimes still seem a little hit and miss, I've had what I though perfectly good kicks register as little more than pot shots. Nothing that's cost me a match yet.
Defensive options are just as exhustive as the offensive, you can give extra instructions to the defensive line whilst at the line up. Give orders to the linebackers, defensive backs and saftey/s. I won't go into lots of details here but be assured there is just as much to do defensively as their is offensively.
Tackling is made using the wiimote, you can also thrust the wiimote too try and strip the ball causing a fumble.
I found the graphics were more than acceptable, the helmet reflections are really good, although there are some minor texture issues and an odd use of lighting that sometimes makes things look a little too dark when playing in daylight.
If you are a fan of the NFL and want a game with the most options and the most immersive experience yet, then this is THE version to get.
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Have they done anything to sort out the absolutely awful defensive back AI? Made the 360 version an asbolute joke.Comment
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cheers for the review! have you played the 360 version? how does it match up gameplay wise? also how easy are the controls to pick up sounded a little complex in your review (that might just be as just got my wii today ;=)Comment
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Awesome writeup Stuey thanks - you should copy/paste that to a first play thread in the folder !!!Comment
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I'm looking at getting this but it's like rocking horse s**t online no where's got it in stock!Comment
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Only played the demo version, but game modes wise I think there are certainly more options available over the 360 version. The extra training games etc...Originally posted by clnmckec View Post
The controls very quickly become second nature. In fact when you first play Madden on the Wii you get taken through the very basics in a series of mini games to get used to the control system. It is all very intuitive.
Sorry tom please can you elaborate for me? Is it just generally rubbish coverage or a particular play call that can be relied on to get big gains.Originally posted by tom-nook
I tend to favour the running game, and spend most of my time pounding the ball up the middle to notice too much wrong with the secondary. Having said that there were certain passing plays that used to spook the CPU AI in the NFL2K games series as well as previous Maddens.
But so far in this version I've been intercepted a few times by the CPU defensive backs when passing into double coverage. I know I shouldn't do it, but sometimes I can't help but try to force that pass in there. I'll probably get a call from Lovie Smith to see if I'm intersted in being starting QB for the Bears.
In defense the only times I've gotten burned is by calling too aggressive a play on consecutive downs and having the CPU pass over the top of a blitz much to my embarrassment for big yardage or even a TD.
If you have something for me to specifically look for, I could try and see if I could replecate it in the wii version.
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