Madden NFL 09 Review

August 12, 2008 | By: Robert Workman

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Tron football, snazzier graphics and (oh my) Brett Favre make Madden NFL 09 the definitive pigskin experience.

For Madden's 20th anniversary, EA Sports went all out with Madden NFL 09, removing a few of the meaningless gimmicks (mainly QB Vision) and focusing instead on making the sport as fun as possible. Not everything works, but overall, this is great football.

When you first start Madden 09, you receive a greeting from the former Oakland Raiders coach himself, in virtual form. He walks you through the Madden Test, which rates your skills on specific offensive and defensive mini-games. Upon completing the Test, you receive a Madden IQ and My Skill difficulty level. At first, we thought Madden Test would be a convenient addition, but it's unbalanced.

Let's say you successfully complete the defensive drills. They're push-button exercises that require you to tilt the analog stick or press buttons before getting hit. They're incredibly easy to get through, and you'll probably receive an All-Pro ranking with minimal effort. This is a mistake because what's easy in the Test facility doesn't equate to what you'll see on the field, where opponents make short work of you. As a result, Madden Test isn't as effective as it should be.

"Aw, lemme tackle you, please?!" Click to see more images from the game...

That's not to say, however, that the Virtual Training Center doesn't have its benefits. You have the option of honing your passing, rushing and defensive skills and applying them on the field. This is a great tool, helping you learn the basics of a play before putting it into action. Never mind the fact that it looks like something out of the old Disney movie Tron. It's great.

To further assist your play style, EA added EA Rewind and EA Backtrack. Rewind allows you to erase a play in case you screw up with an interception or fumble. Cheaters are sure to squeal in delight over this addition, while devoted players will turn it off. Backtrack is more helpful, with Cris Collinsworth and Tom Hammond, the in-game announcers, breaking down certain plays to tell you what went right or wrong.

Backtrack ties in with the new Beyond Broadcast presentation system. It divides into a split-screen display, so you can keep an eye on the in-game action while watching stats and other information pertinent to the game. While you may have difficulty seeing the on-field action with a smaller television (or one lacking high definition), it's a nice addition.

Notice the build-up of ice on the field. Very nice (and very slippery). Click to see more images from the game...

Overall, the presentation is solid, thanks to the new ActionCam effects. The camera sways in and out of plays without losing momentum. (The game includes original camera options as well, if you prefer.) Player animation runs smoother than ever, thanks to several new motion captures; it's wild watching a running back spin around defensive backs in a mad dash for the end zone. There's also a striking level of detail on the numerous fields, whether you're playing on the Astroturf in Arizona or on snowy Invesco Field in Denver.

As for audio, Collinsworth and Hammond's commentary is decent, occasionally faltering when things get too fast. The sound effects run the usual Madden route, with crunching play-by-play action and referee calls.

Online match-ups through the PlayStation Network are great, as it's easy finding opponents. The new Online League functionality also gets a thumbs up. Up to 32-teams compete during a session, although skill settings make it better suited for veterans than newcomers. In addition, you can download the separate Fantasy Football Live Score Tracker, released over the summer and use it in the game.

Franchise Mode is still an important part of Madden NFL 09. The addition of Front Office let you control finances, home field maintenance and other tiny aspects, ideal for those who like paying attention to details. Franchise Rivalries recognizes pre-set opposition between certain teams, like the Raiders against the Broncos, that make their particular matches stand out during a season, especially in the playoffs. (We love pounding the Raiders, personally.) There are also key Madden Moments you relive with your team, although they're taken from last season and not other pivotal moments in history. Still, it's cool to play through a crucial match-up and change things if you're skilled enough.