On November 17, all store with a PlayStation 3 will sell out of Sony's allotted 400,000 consoles, and while games such as Resistance: Fall of Man and Genji 2: Days of the Blade will attract many early adopters, most will purchase EA's Madden NFL 07 and for good reason. This year's edition of the popular pigskin franchise received a massive overhaul that includes flashier graphics, the exquisite Lead Blocker Control, and plenty of options to enjoy off the field. There's also some bonus goodies that make this version superior to the Xbox 360 game that released in August; nothing revolutionary, but welcome nevertheless.
For the most part, Madden 07 for PlayStation 3 is identical to the Xbox 360 game, save for some slight graphical tweaks, SIXAXIS control, and some improved physics, the first of the three being the least impressive. EA has bumped up the detail on jerseys and field deterioration, but nothing that's groundbreaking. It's the The SIXAXIS controller really separates this edition from all the rest, though it doesn't necessarily make the game significantly more enjoyable.
While the PS3's controller isn't nearly as advanced as the Wii's remote, there are some notable features. Pulling the controller back can sometimes draw the defence offside, and pushing it in a direction causes the controlled player to hit harder, essentially increasing the likelihood of a dropped pass or a fumble. None of these things are as enjoyable as the Wii's set up (which actually has the player selecting a receiver and physically "throwing" in a specified direction), but they're mildly entertaining. EA's managed to get the "hiking" motion down, and it's hard to imagine people not using the controller to perform even the most basic functions.
In regards to presentation, this version of Madden is superior to its brethren simply because there are less shots of guys standing around. Despite EA's goal to create the most realistic looking football game on the planet, it failed to program enough cut scenes to make the "broadcast" seem believable. Thankfully, the developers have remedied this issue with the PS3 version, which has a few additional scenes to liven up the action. There are also some new camera shots that'll hopefully replace the old and tired "pan of the arena" that pops up when plays are being selected.
The game's best feature (and subsequently, its biggest improvement) is the new player stats. By spending more time working on a player's running, passing, and manoeuvring ability, EA considerably bumped up the number of animations and physics. Skilled armchair quarterbacks will be able to pull off some new moves, and the player models get knocked around a bit more than in the other versions. Considering that part of what makes this year's Madden so incredible is the signature running styles of the more popular players, more animations further cements the game's authenticity.
Madden NFL 07 is the quintessential PS3 sports game. Tiger Woods PGA Tour will be nice and NBA 2K7 is outstanding, but the NFL season has hit its stride, the Madden franchise is one of the hottest properties in gaming, and thousands of people need something gorgeous to compliment their new HDTVs. As usual, it's a pleasure to welcome Madden into the home.
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