Madden NFL 07 review

It must be interesting being involved in the design meetings at EA. Every year it has to take their various sports franchises and decide what new features it can add to make people decide to upgrade. Of course there's always the roster updates but you need something more than that to make it worth the upgrade price.

With the Xbox 360 arriving for last year’s instalment the team at EA had the chance to develop new graphics and game engines which could be used for the PC and the inevitable PS3 version. There's also always the possibility to update some game features for based on fan feedback. So, what's EA done to the game this year and, more importantly, does it add up to a good game?

First Down

Well, you might expect the PC version to benefit from the redesigned next gen graphics engine but, in fact, the game engine is unchanged from last year. That's not necessarily a bad thing since the graphics do look great but there's a definite difference between the Xbox 360 graphics and the PC graphics. The PC version contains almost all of the new gameplay details of the new version with one exception.

The console versions change the kicking meter so that you line up your kick in the normal way and then push the right analogue stick up and down to set the power an accuracy – rather like a golf swing in some golf games. This is missing in the PC version, presumably, because it requires a dual analogue stick controller which isn't a requirement for the PC. Otherwise the features are the same as the Xbox and PS2 versions.

Second and Five

If you own a previous version of Madden you're probably wondering what is new in this year’s edition. All of the old features make a come-back for this edition so you get mini-camp, QB vision, franchise, superstar and online modes. In game features making a return are the QB vision mode, although this is now optional, the truck stick and the pre-snap reads.

The truck-stick is used by the running back to perform running moves – side steps, power runs and dodges. This is an upgrade from last year where the truck stick was just used for a head-down power run. The new version is more versatile and depends on the type of back you're controlling. A power runner will have power moves when you push the right analogue stick in any direction and a more agile back will hurdle, stop and duck and side step.

Most of these effects can be achieved with the normal buttons but the new stick can be used in conjunction with the buttons to get more dramatic effects. This all helps to make the game look more realistic, it's great to see your back running and then stop and duck as the defender flies over your head.

The QB vision is activated during passing plays by moving the right analogue stick which highlights the direction the QB is looking before the pass and results in a more accurate throw. Generally I've found it hard to control accurately and the benefit of getting it right is minimal. The pre-snap reads allow you to adjust your linebackers, coverage and line on defence as well as commit to a type of offensive play on the snap. On offence you can guide your line to block in a particular direction, hot route your receivers and switch your running direction.

Third and Long

The game modes from 2006 are all available again this year with only minor tweaks. The two main modes are the superstar and the franchise. The superstar gets you to create your own player, take them through initial training and get him drafted to an NFL team. From here you play just as your character in the team you're drafted to. You don't get to choose any plays although when your character isn't on the field you can control the team normally. When you are on the field you're fixed in that character with a slightly different perspective and your route drawn on the field.

As you become more experienced you will have greater influence on your team mates potentially boosting their stats. When you're on the field, any success the team has will increase your influence in the team and any bad things that happen deplete your influence. In this mode you'll be able to meet with your agent and hold press conferences, take part in movies and control your characters appearance. The ultimate goal is to get into the hall of fame at the end of your career. On your character screen you can see how well you're going to achieve that goal. Each position has specific goals to achieve like throwing lots of completions and touchdowns as a quarterback or getting lots of interceptions for a defensive back.

Fourth Down

The franchise mode makes a return and is much the same as before. In this mode you choose a team and look after them for as long as you keep interested. You manage every aspect of the team from off-season training, controlling the in-game action, handling the trades, setting ticket prices and so-on.

Clearly this is the bread-and-butter of the game with the Superstar mode providing some alternative interest. There's also an on-line mode for multiplayer action. The commentary is much the same as in previous years with sparse commentary on non-feature games and Madden commenting on the main games. The repertoire of his comments seems to have been increased as ever but still gets a bit repetitive.

Turnover on Downs

Although the graphics and gameplay engine hasn't been updated since last year it still looks pretty good on a modern PC. To get the most out of it you need a decent machine but anything from the last couple of years should be able to turn the settings up full. Although you can control the game with a keyboard and mouse you really need to invest in a decent controller with dual analogue sticks to get the most out of the control system.

I've been using a controller from my Xbox 360 which works pretty well and has an intuitive layout especially if you've plaid the game on a Microsoft console. Sound wise it's pretty much what you'd expect from a Madden game, repetitive commentary and a rock sound track. The in-game effects are pretty good with good hitting effects and a bit of talking from the players on the field.

Touchdown

Madden 2007 on the PC is not much of an upgrade from 2006. Apart from new rosters it really just comes down to a new roster and a couple of tweaks to the game modes and in game controls. There are those people who buy Madden every year, including me, and we'll buy the new one anyway. If you're not amongst our number and you own last year’s version then there isn't really enough to recommend it as an upgrade.

If you don't already own a version then this is certainly the best version to appear so far. There's nothing really wrong with it, although there's a few things that would have been good to see – upgraded game engine, new kicking method and so on, which appear in the console versions. It's possible that these will appear in next year’s edition. If you don't own Madden and you're keen to get into the NFL games then this is the one to get. It might be better to wait for next year’s inevitable edition to hopefully get the benefit of the newer game engine.