Before beginning this sentence, I sat in front of my laptop for at least 45 minutes probing my brain for something witty but there was no point trying to dazzle you, not for a review of game that's going to sell millions of copies no matter what anyone says, so let's just get right down to it. I absolutely love the new Madden, and this is coming from someone that despised EA as soon as the NFL exclusivity agreement hit the wires a couple of years ago. But times have changed, I've matured, and this game is fabulous.

Madden NFL 07 is everything 06 should've been. It's a delightful mixture of beauty and brains; a game that looks drop dead gorgeous running in 720p, but it also has plenty of attractive qualities underneath its candy-coated exterior. You're not buying a football game/rushed launch title that's missing important features for the sake of looking attractive. It's the real deal. Actually, why you're still reading this review boggles the hell out me. You should already be on your way to the store.

The game shines on the field. I mean, even with all of the new improvements it still plays like Madden, so if you've loathed the franchise for the past decade then there's a better than good chance that you'll still be disappointed, but I strongly urge you to give it a try. The game's still not as realistic as the deceased NFL 2K franchise, but it plays a mean game of football. The new kick meter is simple to use, the type of system that produces big yardage with very little effort, and then there's the Lead Blocker Control which is especially satisfying. By tapping a couple of buttons, you're able to (as soon as the ball's snapped) take control of a lineman, deliver a huge hit on the defense, then switch to your running back and capitalize on the hole. Furthermore, the developers have worked some extra magic on the right analog stick, which on offense is known as the Highlight Stick. By tilting it in different directions you can perform various maneuvers depending on the type of back you're controlling (smaller backs juke, larger backs run over people). It's good stuff, not only because it allows you to get an edge on your opponent, but also because it lets you play an even bigger role on the field, and the same goes for defense. In this year's version, you can get a jump on the snap, and the famous (and positively brutal) Hit Stick has returned, this time with even more punishing blows that'll allow you to make some serious statements. And finally, you can challenge plays, which is something that's sorely lacking in the 360 version of Madden 06.

Online, it's very easy matching up against opponents of the same skill level, and the game runs smoothly for the most part. But it can't escape lag. It's not so bad that it makes the game unplayable, but it's annoying all the same.

Considering that the recently-released NCAA is missing features included in its PS2/Xbox counterparts, I was concerned that this game would suffer the same fate, but EA proved me wrong. Madden 07 includes Mini Camp, complete with several games such as the forty yard dash and bench pressing. There's also Franchise Mode and it's fabulous, particularly because I can challenge online opponents. But I'm also enamored with Superstar Mode, where I can create a player (and by create, I mean actually handpick his parents), and then take him through an entire NFL career, from the stressful draft all the way to multiple Super Bowl/Pro Bowl victories, the ultimate goal being to guide him to the Hall of Fame. I get to attend practice, take IQ tests, deal with the media, hire and fire agents, and become the best player at my position (the game generates a position based on developed skills). Sports Illustrated...here I come!

Then there's the Madden Gamer Level. Basically, you can earn points for doing all sorts of things both online and off, and as you accumulate these points (aside from attempting to become a level 50 Madden player), you can wager them against offline opponents, meaning that you're in for a windfall if you pull out the victory. It's just a nice incentive to work hard.

Finally, there's a bunch of extras. EA's promised downloadable content such as jerseys and stadiums but I haven't seen any of that. However, there are fifty plus legends that can be unlocked, each of which comes with his career stats, a biography, and in some cases, a highlight reel.

As I previously mentioned, the game looks fantastic. Player faces could use more detail (some are downright ugly) and I wish the crowd wasn't a spastic mess, but for the most part, Madden 07 is absolutely gorgeous. The player models sweat, the stadiums look great, replays pick up individual blades of grass, jerseys look realistic; it's a true visual showpiece for the Xbox 360 hardware and the primary reason why it's the best version to own. I'm not doing back flips over every little thing. I got used to seeing the same old camera shots real quick (the lack of variety bothers the heck out of me), but there's no denying this game's visual splendor. It just beams, even in standard definition.

Despite all of this praise, I still think EA could've done more. The company's put out a tremendous football game, but I'm still looking for it to innovate on a much larger scale that transcends analog sticks. I'm also disappointed with the boring one man commentary as well as the lack of true ESPN integration. I want a half-time show, I want sideline reporting. I just want more, because if EA's acquired all of the licenses that matter, it's a crying shame if we're not getting our monies worth. However, and all things considered, Madden NFL 07, despite feeling very familiar to the Maddens of old, is a solid product and a fantastic way to usher in the upcoming NFL season.