AndyDursin wrote:Back to games for a bit

-Eric I don't know if you saw the reviews but it's basically confirmed this MADDEN is one of the crown jewels of the entire series, as some of the early write ups indicated. I CANNOT wait to play it, especially since it stands to reason if NCAA this year was good (which it was), this will be even better.

I sure hope so.

The last few years or so, I've basically given up on Madden pretty early compared to playing both it and NCAA for months on end.

I'm cynical enough to know that certain review outlets are uh...motivated to give certain big studios better write ups than they deserve, especially on titles like a Madden.



The preview hype for a lot of these games has just reached a point where I deliberately ignore it. They built NCAA up to the moon and a lot of that hype wasn't delivered on either, IMO.

-I'm still on Varsity in NCAA.

Me, too, and I think that's where I'm staying!

I had to dumb down the CPU's INT AI to almost zero to get the thing to be humane. They still get plenty of picks even at that.

The rest of the CPU AI is at default 50. The human AI is maxed out at 100.

I'm starting to get to used to this game's slower pace and quirks, but there are some issues that it has, regardless of platform, that I hope are eliminated next year.

Even when I use the cover ball button, I find there are too many fumbles in this game, even by great players. There needs to be a "fumble slider" or something. I'd zero that thing out, too, if I could.


Overall, they definitely did make the computer AI a lot better finally, and that's a good thing.

In Year 1 Dynasty with BC, I ended up 6-6 -- blowing two games on the last play (seemed to be a bit too much "catch up logic" with the CPU this year), but went into the Emerald Bowl against #18 Oklahoma as a decided underdog.

Again, I battle hard, take it down to the wire...then watch as Oklahoma hits a FG to make it 15-13 with 5 seconds left.

I've had some good games like these as well. See my lengthy post a page or so back.

But thankfully, of course I saved the best for last...I return the kick-off 80 yards for the game winning score to win 19-15 as time expires!!

I saved that video highlight by the way

Yeah! I've quickly become addicted to doing that. For so many years there were some great plays that would happen, and I'd be like: "Dang, I wish I could copy that somehow."

Now we finally can!

Here's what's lame -- on the "Greatness" scale my awesome, end-of-game kick return for a TD nets 3000 points.

THEIR FG they hit seconds before nets 5000 points.

What gives?!?!

That's the kind of BS that they need to get a patch out for, among other things.

But since this is EA we're talking about...it won't happen.

I think I will tinker with the sliders and drop the FG Power/Accuracy numbers. It's too easy for either team to end up with 50 yard kicks.

I set mine to a 100 along with everything else and kept the CPU's at default 50.

Let 'em have it. *shrugs*

I still have everything set at default (except for pass protection) but will probably bump the CPU's Pass Accuracy/Ability/whatever sliders down a little.

Otherwise I'm getting into the game this year, no doubt

Try my settings in a practice game or two and see how you feel about them.

For a good number of years, I've always had to max out human AI just to get rid of what I deem "excessive and unfair BS" and it's true again this year.

I'm kind of in the middle with this game. Lukewarm. I like it but I don't LOOOOVE it like I usually do.

I usually get these games in here and it's like video crack or something.

As of this writing, I haven't felt like playing it for about three days now and I'll probably fire it up this weekend but it's just not real hot with me.

The game has only been out for what? About three weeks?

Trust me: If I'm already this lukewarm with it...that doesn't bode well at all.

Maybe I'll get more fired up when college football actually begins for real.

I think a 7.8 or 8/10 at most is a fair score that I'd give the game this year.

Next year, I need to see it be a 9/10 game, at least.







Switching back to the format war subject again for a moment:

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/arti ... 9/70809084

^^ This is a link to a recent Associated Press article about the format war as it currently stands. Unlike my last link, which you saw that I disclaimed upfront, I think a source like the AP needs no disclaimer.

It's a good read and again you'll see Universal's Kornblau show up. This is also a much better piece in terms of direct quotes and the rest of it.

I agree with most of what's being said in that article.

I think we'll all agree that this Christmas season is probably going to tell the tale for where things go after that, one way or the other.

I think the 4th quarter of this year is the "4th quarter" of this ballgame.


The only two things I wholeheartedly disagree with as cited again in this article are Warner's stance on things and Universal's stance on things.

But of course, that doesn't surprise any of you.


Again, I do agree about the point of the one positive of the format war being that prices came down faster then they would have otherwise.


http://www.videobusiness.com/index.asp? ... =CA6467868

^^ Also very interesting.

The only two things I wholeheartedly disagree with as cited again in this article are Warner's stance on things and Universal's stance on things.

But of course, that doesn't surprise any of you.

No, it doesn't

AndyDursin wrote:

The only two things I wholeheartedly disagree with as cited again in this article are Warner's stance on things and Universal's stance on things.

But of course, that doesn't surprise any of you.

No, it doesn't

I see the reviews for Madden already coming in.

Pretty dang high scores! 9/10 for the 360 version from 1up, for example.


Here's a little snippet:


360: http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=31 ... ec=REVIEWS



PS3: http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3161872

^^ The key differences:

Aside from these player classifications, the developers went back and cleaned up some of their previous "experiments." Superstar mode returns, but this time the position-specific camera angles are actually playable -- the view's been pulled back, which allows you to see more of the action. Also, rather than creating a superstar, you can also play this mode with one of the league's top rookies. The game's franchise mode takes another step forward with its scouting options,


and for all you Xbox 360 owners, you've never played a Madden that moves as blistering fast and smooth as this one. That's what 60 frames per second can do for football (see the sidebar for the unfortunate PS3 difference).

Sidebar says:

The PS3 difference.
Sadly, just like with NCAA Football 08 and All-Pro Football 2K8, PS3 owners are stuck with an inferior version of Madden. While the game runs at 60 frames per second on Microsoft's box, Madden only clocks in at 30fps on Sony's console. The result? The gameplay isn't nearly as smooth as the 360 version and even stutters at times (see the difference in this comparison video). And that's the reason why we're scoring the PS3 edition slightly lower.

And you have links to comparision videos and the rest of it.


^^ I still say there's no good excuses for the PS3 being shortchanged like this.


Obviously you can expect the other major outlets to have their reviews pour out over the next few days. I expect they'll all say more or less the same kinds of things.

The hype is one thing but the impressions it received and now the reviews indicate this is going to be a good one. I hope Gamefly gets it to me by week's end, we'll see (fingers crossed

I think it's going to be a very good year for EA. The NHL game is supposed to be sensational and NCAA -- while still having a few issues -- is the most playable for me in several years.

Probably figures they'll get their act together this year with the 360 and PS3 both on the market. They can't just "coast" forever, as they have been for the last few years.

BTW the BIOSHOCK demo is up. Can't wait to play it (it took forever to download!). Going to be a good couple of weeks for gaming.

AndyDursin wrote:The hype is one thing but the impressions it received and now the reviews indicate this is going to be a good one. I hope Gamefly gets it to me by week's end, we'll see (fingers crossed

I think it's going to be a very good year for EA. The NHL game is supposed to be sensational and NCAA -- while still having a few issues -- is the most playable for me in several years.

Probably figures they'll get their act together this year with the 360 and PS3 both on the market. They can't just "coast" forever, as they have been for the last few years.

Good. It's about time!

BTW the BIOSHOCK demo is up. Can't wait to play it (it took forever to download!). Going to be a good couple of weeks for gaming.

Big time. I can't wait to get Bioshock in here next week!

The demo of BIOSHOCK is just fantastic -- I love the idea, the atmosphere, the game design...I actually stopped playing the demo since I don't want to "spoil" too much of next week. Suffice to say, this one may be a classic!

AndyDursin wrote:The demo of BIOSHOCK is just fantastic -- I love the idea, the atmosphere, the game design...I actually stopped playing the demo since I don't want to "spoil" too much of next week. Suffice to say, this one may be a classic!

I honestly do, too.

This thing has potential Game of the Year written all over it.

I was debating buying the limited collector's box but $70 is still too much for me...but if I WAS going to get one, it'd either be for this game, or RESIDENT EVIL 5 when it comes out.

AndyDursin wrote:I was debating buying the limited collector's box but $70 is still too much for me...but if I WAS going to get one, it'd either be for this game, or RESIDENT EVIL 5 when it comes out.

The BioShock Collectors Edition is worth it IMO. Soundtrack, artbook...yeah, I'm all over that.

I couldn't stand it any longer.

I broke down and bought a new Xbox 360 Elite today with a build date of just last month. If this doesn't work well for me, then I just give up.

I got all the football games for this system and honestly, I can tell you it's really almost a night and day difference outright in terms of the feel of the games and even how they look.

I fired up NCAA 2008 on this and within 5 minutes I was back to the kind of timing and playing that I'm used to doing.

Really, it's almost kind of shocking how much better these games are on this system.

It's too bad. The PS3 really got needlessly screwed over this year, but I've got to have my football fix done the best way possible and this year, that's on the 360.

I would think with the Elite you will be fine.

Is MADDEN even worse than NCAA? I read that blog's comments and they seemed to indicate it was.

I pre-ordered the BIOSHOCK Collector's Set after all I actually pre-paid for the game from Liongames.com (for $39.99!) so I'll just sell that and probably make a few bucks profit if I can.

AndyDursin wrote:I would think with the Elite you will be fine.

Is MADDEN even worse than NCAA? I read that blog's comments and they seemed to indicate it was.

Forget the blogs. Even the major outlets are harping on it, with comparison videos to boot.

I'd say the problems are about equal for both college and pro, but since Madden is the "bigger/flagship" title, everyone's making a bit more noise about it.

I pre-ordered the BIOSHOCK Collector's Set after all I actually pre-paid for the game from Liongames.com (for $39.99!) so I'll just sell that and probably make a few bucks profit if I can.

That's a worthwhile Collector's Set, though, and I'm someone who's pretty picky (re: cheap) when it comes to those things.


I've spent a few hours with both NCAA and Madden on 360 and NOW it feels like football season! NOW I'm feeling addicted to them like I always do. I think these games are great this year!

Eric,
What skill level are you using on Madden?

Liongames.com is a relatively new site, based in Ct., and I've had good experiences with them so far. They had three big specials -- Bioshock, Mass Effect, and GTA IV for $39.99 plus ship -- going for months which just ended.

They have new ones going though, mostly with trade-in deals -- as in, trade in 2 games, get Madden for $42.99 PLUS take off the value of what you traded in.

I pre-ordered CALL OF DUTY 4 for $27.99 after I traded in STAR TREK LEGACY (lol) and TOP SPIN 2, for example.

AndyDursin wrote:Eric,
What skill level are you using on Madden?

I usually start out on pro.

Same tricks here: Human AI maxed out across the boards, CPU AI at defaults 50...I suspect the CPU INT will be getting turned down like I've done in NCAA, but I'll say this again:

Now that I'm playing the game with such nice speed and silky smoothness as it should be...my timing is back and I'm simply playing better so I may not have to dial the INT down as much as I was on the PS3.

I just can't get over how much BETTER these games are on the 360. They really were not ported well to the PS3 and that's a real shame.

Now I'm excited and addicted to these games like I expect to be and I'm jacked up for football like I should be! These games are incredible!


Do you know if I can get rosters for the 360 version of NCAA?

Liongames.com is a relatively new site, based in Ct., and I've had good experiences with them so far. They had three big specials -- Bioshock, Mass Effect, and GTA IV for $39.99 plus ship -- going for months which just ended.

They have new ones going though, mostly with trade-in deals -- as in, trade in 2 games, get Madden for $42.99 PLUS take off the value of what you traded in.

I pre-ordered CALL OF DUTY 4 for $27.99 after I traded in STAR TREK LEGACY (lol) and TOP SPIN 2, for example.

Impressive prices.

Legacy made me sad. That should have been a great game.