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Madden NFL '09 All-Play

by Jonathan Metts - July 20, 2008, 10:59 pm EDT
Total comments: 4

Now, even you can play Madden.

Considering how complex the average Madden game tends to be, this year's "All-Play" edition might be the poster child for that new brand. EA is hoping to make the game more accessible to new gamers and casual football fans through various means. In my brief time playing the game, I'd say they are on the right track.

All-Play is an optional feature that can be turned on and off per player, so you can easily match up someone new to the series with an expert player and still get a fair game. The specific effects of All-Play are different for each EA Sports game. In Madden, you'll get somewhat simplified controls, more AI assistance, and simpler play-calling. Many actions are more streamlined, like choosing a receiver, while steps like catching the ball are handled automatically. For instance, instead of having plays like "RB Slash 22", you'll see "Run Middle". A Mii version of John Madden is always available to suggest a play for the current situation, and his suggestions seemed reasonable to me. Overall, the mode feels a bit like NFL Blitz, which is cool with me since that was the last football video game I could enjoy.

The new five-on-five mode is even more like Blitz. This part of the game is designed to feel like backyard football, and you even play on a neighborhood field. The characters are all bobbleheads, and you have four plays to score on each possession – there are no first downs. There are also no penalties, turnovers, or play clocks. There are, however, several special game rules you can set, like a "Mississippi count" before defenders are allowed to rush the quarterback. If your family needs a break from this mode, there is also a set of football-themed mini-games called Party Mode.

On the other hand, if your college buddies are in town and want to play a more realistic game of football, the standard Madden gameplay is still fully present here. Even this mode benefits from a few Wii-specific features from the past two years, like gestures for passing and kicking, and the telestrator. This year's version adds custom touchdown celebrations (using motion control, of course) and Call Your Shots. The latter feature is essentially a way to call audibles before the snap. You can point to the screen and set up to four waypoint markers for a runner or receiver, and that player will follow your route once the play begins. Of course, you can still choose whether to give the ball to him or do something else with it, so there will definitely be fake-outs in multiplayer. EA also confirmed that online play will return this year, and it still works through EA Sports Nation, so there are no Friend Codes required.

If you already own a version of Madden for the Wii and are most interested in the simulation gameplay, I'm not sure how appealing this year's edition will be. Then again, I have never understood how people can justify buying a new Madden for just a few tweaks and roster updates. The real additions for the '09 version are All-Play and the backyard football mode, and these features seem relatively significant for the famously conservative series. As someone who loves football but is turned off by the excessive depth of most game adaptations, Madden NFL 09 All-Play seems like an olive branch from EA.

Talkback

StogiJuly 21, 2008

Sounds fantastic.

I've been waiting for a good football game, but the internet told me to pass on 07 and 08 (which I was glad to do). 09 seems like the right time to buy (if the gameplay is tight of course).

MorariJuly 21, 2008

I liked Blitz on the Dreamcast. It was humorously over the top.

EA should bring Mutant League back, with full decapitations and such!

This game, however, sounds oddly appealing. Last year's had online play, right? I assume this one does as well.

Nick DiMolaNick DiMola, Staff AlumnusJuly 21, 2008

Quote from: Morari

EA should bring Mutant League back, with full decapitations and such!

YES

AVJuly 21, 2008

hmmmmmm now this game sounds like fun. I bought 07 for Wii because I thought wiimotions will help make the game fun, it did, but it was still overly complex for me.

I already own Blitz 2002 for cube, so not sure if I need a new football game. I don't care about stats and such but its good to know they are making this game more mainstream and fun.

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Genre Sports
Developer Tiburon (EA)
Players1 - 4
Online1 - 4

Worldwide Releases

na: Madden NFL '09 All-Play
Release Aug 12, 2008
PublisherElectronic Arts
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