Maybe it's that first somersault into the end zone, or using the Hit Stick to deliver the first bone-jarring tackle. Maybe it's pulling off that first one-handed catch for six or that first sixty-yard bomb. Whatever it is, it won't take long to fall in love with Madden NFL 08.

It has been a while, too. After two disappointing efforts the last two seasons -- disappointing by the high standard that EA's football franchise set for itself over the years -- Madden NFL 08 redeems the franchise as one of the best-playing football games in recent memory.

As expected, that's because EA totally revamped the game mechanics, creating a fast, intuitive, dynamic experience that won't deliver the same game twice. Inspired by Konami's Winning Eleven soccer franchise, EA creates a game where the ball takes odd bounces off helmets, where an over-aggressive tackler can take his own teammates out of a play, and where star players actually play like stars. In past years, armchair jocks would simply substitute their No. 1 receiver into the slot and run constant corner routes. Those days, thankfully, are gone.

Now, scoring big requires making smart use of a team's star players, aka "weapons," We're not talking Cincinnati firearms here -- we're talking about the explosive Chad Johnson, a quick, spectacular catch receiver able to leap over smaller corners and make plays that few others can. There's no need to run Ocho Cinco in the slot. Run him on a streak against single man coverage, and just see who comes down with the ball. Hint: Johnson pulls off his trademark Riverdance once he reaches the end zone.

Any seasoned Madden fan knows it's not about a turbo button or spin move -- it's about reading the opponent, exploiting match ups and utilizing the best players. In this, Madden 08 excels. This year's rendition of the football classic plays much more like a thinking-man's game, a chess match with shoulder pads. Before each play you can see all the weapons on the field and find a mismatch. But beware: the other team has weapons too, and a brick wall defender like Brian Urlacher can make you flip your play faster than Steve Young can spell concussion. Too bad players can't be substituted by formation, so those hoping to get Reggie Bush in the slot in some formations and in the backfield on others will be disappointed.

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