FROM IGN.COM
Shaun Alexander. See the Seahawks superstar on the box and you know the game's about to change (not to mention the team's luck). The thing is, Madden NFL 07 isn't really about Mr. MVP, his dominance on Sunday nights, or the way he pushes aside linebackers like he's brushing dirt off his shoulder. Madden 07 is really about Walter Jones. It's about Mack Strong. It's even about Jerramy Stevens and Darrell Jackson to some extent, as the new mode in the game, Run to Daylight, is more about the way you block than the way you run.
After selecting a running play, you will be able to cycle through your offensive players as they get into position at the line. Select the player you want to control, that's right, control, and after the ball is snapped, the camera zooms in on the fullback, tackle, guard, center, tight end, or even wide receiver that you decided to possess. It's now up to you to open up the path for the run, as the computer controls the halfback and tries to follow your path to daylight. In the E3 demo I was able to get my hands on early, once you made your initial block, control immediately switched back to the man with the ball as you attempt to take advantage of the hole Jones or Strong opened up for you. I am told, however, that in the final version of the game, you will be able to control the blocker for as long as you want, running down field for multiple blocks as the computer runs through the open field.
This mode is quite addicting, and really places an emphasis back on the running game after years of long bombs and QB scrambles. I found myself attempting the same running play over and over again, but choosing different blockers to see how I could best bust Alexander through the line. Playing as a blocker, you have different blocks assigned to the right analog stick. Press up to try and pancake the defender. Press down to cut block. Press right or left to try and spin the defender out of the hole. Approaching the same play with different blockers, you're trying to pancake the defensive end with Walter Jones. You're either taking out the corner or charging back into the line to cut a lineman as a receiver. You're leading the charge through the line, hoping to take out a linebacker with the fullback. And if you're able to lead the way with a successful block, your running back will receive a little boost to his run, enabling him to pick up extra yards and rewarding gamers for their skill.
During two-player games, the camera doesn't switch to the blocker, but you still have all of the same controls and rewards for opening up holes.
But that's not the only improvement to the running game. You know about the Truck Stick and how bigger backs benefited last year from the ability to run over defenders with the flick of the right analog stick. But if you were a guy like Willie Parker, sure you had speed, but you didn't have the moves that help make you a special back. Introducing the Highlight Stick. Now when you're playing with someone like Parker or Tiki Barber, press the right analog stick in any direction and you'll see an animation where the smaller back will duck, spin, or squirt out of a tackle. You'll even be able to combo moves with the stick, piecing together a juke left with a hop step backwards (down on the right analog stick) to leave defenders eating turf. This will add an advantage to the elusive runners, not just the backs with bulk. The Truck Stick animations still exist for the bigger backs, but now you'll see a lot more variety of running moves with the addition of the Highlight Stick.
But if the blocking up front is broken, there's no point in running the ball, even if you're leading the charge or spinning through tackles. That's why the team at Tiburon spent a lot of development time fixing the run blocking in the game. The goal is to make even a four yard run fun. It's not about breaking 30-yarders every down. It's about being able to establish a running game as part of your offense, and make it a realistic way to dominate opponents by pounding them with players like Alexander and Ronnie Brown. You can finally feel the satisfaction of a good pancake thanks to the new animations, and the cut blocks will send defenders flipping into the air. I even saw a missed cut block where Larry Foote of the Steelers jumped over his blocker and completely obliterated the ball carrier.
All of these improvements to the running game can be found in every version of Madden NFL 07, from current to next gen. But there are still some distinct differences and feature sets between each system that fans will need to be aware of.
NFL Superstar Hall of Fame (Current Gen only)
Last year, EA introduced Superstar mode, and it ended up being a complete mess. This year, they pretty much started over, listening to feedback of fans and players on what it should really mean to be an NFL superstar. The thing about last year's mode, beyond cycling through countless screens of text, was the fact that when you were playing the games, it didn't really feel any different than playing a game in your franchise, other than the fact that you were trying to get your created player the ball so you could blow up his stats.
That's why the main goal of NFL Superstar Hall of Fame mode was to put the emphasis back on the superstar, both on and off the field. That means when you create your player, you only play as that player in games. So if you create a wide receiver, you actually play only as the receiver, complete with a different camera angle showcasing your player, with special moves tied to the right analog stick for every position. That means you don't call the play (you're not the coach). You don't throw the ball (you're not the QB). And you don't play defense (you simply watch the game and cheer for the D to play strong). For those gamers who don't want to watch the defense, you do have the option to take over the D and play that side of the ball like a normal game, but if you decide to watch, the gameplay is sped up so you don't have to sit and wait too long.
Playing receiver, you can call for the ball ala Randy Moss by waving your arm, but as a rookie, who is going to listen to you? The better you play, the more influence you gain on your team and around the league, so as you build up a rep, that QB will start looking your way more often. Each play, you're given your route assignment, so it's your job to work your way open to get the ball.
Create a cornerback and jam receivers at the line playing bump and run. Create a tackle and level the D-Line, then run down field and blast the secondary as you see the halfback running past you and start to high-step down the sidelines. You can create punters, kickers, tight ends, safeties…whatever position player you want, with the goal to one day make it to the Hall of Fame. Making it to the Hall as a quarterback or running back is going to be a lot easier than a tackle, but that's the challenge. Can you make it to the Hall with created players from each position?
Influence points are built up by what you're able to accomplish on the field. If you're an offensive lineman, earn points through pass protection or opening up running lanes. As a defensive back you'll want to shutdown your opponent, and to help you out, as you line up, you'll see a bubble appear to show your zone on the field so you know your assignment.
As you play, you'll quickly realize that even if you have skills, your teammates play a major role in shaping your superstar. If you're created receiver gets drafted by the Colts and Peyton Manning gets injured, obviously your stats are going to take a hit as Jim Sorgi throws the ball at your feet instead of hitting you in stride (
although you won't have to worry about the passing cone this year as it's still there, but now turned off by default).
Before every drive, you select your role in the scheme. Using the receiver example, you can play as a Possession Receiver, and this will increase your catching ability and the QB accuracy. You can play as a Burner, and this will send you deep, affecting not only your speed and awareness, but it will also negatively affect the rating of the CB trying to cover you one-on-one. Or you can be the Lone Wolf, forgetting about the team game and trying to rack up as many yards and catches as possible. As a cornerback, your roles are Coverage DB, a Blitz Specialist, or again, the Lone Wolf. This all leads to character development and how you're viewed as a teammate, adding extra depth beyond simply catching passes over the middle or picking off a pass and trying to take it to the house.
Earn enough influence, and one day you'll be inducted into the Hall of Fame. But you won't be the only legend in the game as EA Sports went out and signed approximately 160 legends this year for you to unlock in Madden. Players like Barry Sanders, Steve Largent, Walter Payton, Earl Campbell, Deacon Jones, Dan Fouts, and Sonny Jurgensen. Some, like Sanders, have dominated Madden games in the past. Others like Earl Campbell, might just make those Truck Stick moves more lethal than ever.
In terms of additions to franchise mode, you'll now be able to scout collegiate prospects with a new NFL Draft Scouting system as well as a College All-Star game. There is also a new feature called Franchise Player Roles that will show how different players impact their teams throughout the season. And for the first time,
you'll finally be able to get your Ron Rivera-on with team-specific defensive playbooks.
Madden Next Gen
Depth. That's the goal for the Tiburon team working on Madden next gen. EA got the look they wanted last year in building the game from scratch. The foundation was there. Recognizable faces, amazing atmosphere and stadiums, player voices. At the same time, the more you played, the more you realized what was missing. Replay challenges. How you can lob the ball deep time and time again and you still wouldn't see the safety come over for help. Fans will be happy to know that the second year of Madden 360 is about adding depth back into the franchise.
The first new feature is Mini-Camp…but this isn't the old mini-camp you're used to seeing in current gen. This is a living practice field you walk through, looking almost like what you'd expect if you attended the Combine with players bench pressing in one area, running the 40 in another. When you create a player, you actually build him up through a variety of mini-games, and the better you do in these Track & Field-like events, the better he'll play on Sunday. The cameras and look are like nothing you've seen from Madden in the past. When running the 40 (alternate pressing the right and left sticks down), you'll see the player running with a PIP window showing you his facial expressions as he motors. Hit a grove in your taps and you'll see a blur effect, helping your player sprint faster toward the finish. In the bench press, you're simultaneously pressing the sticks up and down to mimic arm movements, while slamming on the bumpers in between reps for added strength and stamina.
During the season, you'll even use these Mini-Camp games to help rehab your players in order to get them back on the field after an injury. But there is a risk here, as you can push your players too hard trying to get them back quicker, and end up injuring them even worse if you're not paying attention to their pained expressions in the PIP windows in the corner.
The second big addition to the game is called Madden Gamer Level. You'll now be able to track everything you do in the game, all of your accomplishments, as you earn a ranking (Gold, Silver, Bronze) for how well you master everything Madden. Earn points for how many yards you rush (1 point every 10 yards) to playing good defense and limiting your opponents to under so many points and/or yards. Payoffs come in unlocking Hall of Fame players (the same legends mentioned earlier in Superstar mode). When online, you're opponents will be able to see your Madden Gamer Level, and you'll even be able to wager rewards against opponents as you try to earn enough points to land yourself in the NFL Hall of Fame.
The audio is staying true to Madden 06, with Madden himself staying on the sidelines to offer advice on your play calling while a PA announcer handles the calls on the field. Working with the NFL, EA was able to capture more player faces and more quarterback audio (Matt Hasselbeck is one of the voices added in the game) along with adding more special effects, like inflatable helmets at the intros along with fireworks and smoke.
Graphically, the first thing you'll notice is the new 3D grass and field degradation. As play progresses, you'll see the grass actually get torn up. When it rains, you'll see puddles start to form and the water splash up from cleats. And it's all dynamic depending on where players are on the field. The more you run up the middle, the more the middle of the field will get chewed up. Mud will accumulate on jerseys. Helmets will get scuffed up. You'll see details down to the wrinkles on uniforms.
And thankfully, the players wearing the uniforms don't all look like Balco ballers, as they have a much more slimmed down, athletic look than last year's game.
You'll also finally see player-specific animations in terms of running styles. Tiki Barber's character will actually hold the ball up high in his no-fumble clutch. You'll see Shaun Alexander bounce off a linebacker and continue running down field, and the way he's moving, you'll swear it's the MVP. You'll also notice a lot more animations on both the offensive and defensive line.
But the improvements aren't all cosmetic as a lot of work has been done to improve the overall gameplay. On bump and run coverages, the cornerback will actually chuck the receiver and smack him in the chest, impacting the way he runs his route. When you throw the ball deep, you'll see more realistic safety play and help coverage.
But that's not all. There is also a new feature called Madden Live Opponent. This means when you're playing your franchise and you see one of your friends online, you can challenge your friend to take over the next opponent in your schedule. Think you talk a lot of smack now, break up your friend's undefeated record and the trash talking might never stop.
The Future
While these are some of the main new features of Madden (both current and next gen), EA Sports still has plenty of secrets left to reveal about their titles. Like a good coach, they don't want to show their complete gamelan…not just yet. Until then, city of Seattle, cross your fingers. Team mini camps are about to open, and it's your first chance to see the curse play out in person.
Good luck, Shaun. No matter what happens, I know I can get 2,000 yards with your character in the game. Especially when I'm the lead blocker.
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