Madden NFL 11
Simpler. Quicker. Deeper That’s what they all say...
by Jimmy Glue
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outh Africa is an extremely sports-driven nation, with games like rugby, cricket and soccer taking centre stage. But occasionally a foreign sport will make its appearance, with mixed and often surprising results. American football is one such sport, and although it hardly enjoys any coverage, there is a small and dedicated corner of the community that lives for it. It’s that corner that will jump at the chance to play the latest instalment in the Madden franchise, with number 11 released recently. For this iteration, more than a few things have been changed, which should open the door for more casual players to toss around the old pigskin. The graphics have obviously been ramped up, so without dwelling on the point too much, the detail has been increased to highlight even the smallest of elements and the crowds at least don’t look like cardboard cut-outs. The stadiums have been rendered true to their real-life counterparts and the coaches and players all seem life-like. The major change for the franchise is that the game-
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play has been simplified down to the point where it almost becomes a pick up and play. It has by no means been turned into an arcade title, as it still requires an element of quick-thinking and a certain degree of skill, but it has just been made easier. In essence, the player will only have to control the quarterback, start the snap and direct the passing. If the player would like to control the player for who a passing ball is intended (or any other player for that matter), a simple press of a button will snap to that player, and then it’s just the rush for the touchline. Before each snap, the player will be presented with a playbook, but in a development upgrade, the game will now automatically choose the best play for the right situation. The player still retains the option to choose a different play, but the engine is usually right. Before each play, the coach will tell the player what the strategy entails, and if players use (in this instance) their Xbox headsets, the coach will be heard over it, instead
gamecca review • issue 15 • September 2010