Tag Archive: xbox 360


Halo Wars!

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April 18, 2010

Originally Published: January 21, 2009, on 1050ESPN.com (now ESPNNewYork.com)

Ray Carsillo with Graeme Devine, Lead Story Writer for Halo Wars
Video by Jared Bodden

The name of the game says it all. Halo Wars is a prequel in the canon of Halo, but some would consider it a look forward for the series in terms of its grand war-like scale. Halo Wars turns the Halo series on its head by taking it out of the 1st person shooter perspective and pulling the camera way back to a satellite view and turning it into a Real-Time Strategy game.

Now, initial reactions when this game was revealed were a chorus of moans and groans because, traditionally, it is impossible to have any good RTS on a console and people were afraid of what it would do to the Halo series. In terms of problems, many times in console RTS games it is hard to manage and find your resources, difficult to choose units and the glitches with troop movement are enough to make you throw your controller through the TV. I had a chance to play an early make of the game and it seems that most of these problems have been corrected.

Managing resources is a breeze because all the resources have been streamlined into one resource that is produced right next your base. Basically, the construction that manages your resources is a helipad and you are constantly getting supplies from your mother ship sent to your base of operations planet-side. Finding and managing resources, taken care of.

Choosing groups of troops and commanding them has also been streamlined. By pressing the A button, you can either choose unit by unit, or if you hold it, the cursor turns into a larger paintbrush type tool that will select troops highlighted by this large circular cursor. This method simplifies making groups of troops to the point that you’ll be sending scouting parties, making flanking maneuvers, and leaving no man behind in barely any time at all.

The gameplay is smooth and crisp and the story has been reworked repeatedly to sit well with all those hardcore Halo fan-boys. I also have found something that might compete with the Gears of War Lancer Chainsaw Rifle fun-level; running over a platoon of Covenant ground troops with a squadron of Warthog vehicles. Their screams of fear and pain followed by a satisfying *squish* may be my new guilty gaming pleasure.

Also, for you die-hard Halo fans, wrap your heads around this. You enjoy controlling one Spartan in Master Chief. Think about controlling an entire platoon. Let the geek-gasms commence. (I know, there is still only one Master Chief, though)

This game could pave the way for the RTS genre to finally find a foothold on consoles. It solves the traditional problems that come with an RTS on a console and has the backing of the powerhouse Halo franchise. It’s easy to just pick up and start playing and once you start playing, you don’t want to stop. I had to have the controller forcible ripped from my hands once my time with the demo was up and I spent three days in a dark room going through painful Halo Wars withdrawal involving the sounds of muted screams of Covenant troops and flashes of images of Warthogs and dropships. And, of course, a Master Chief with a rotating head.

I soon won’t be the only one addicted because Microsoft announced a couple of weeks ago at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show that a downloadable demo for Halo Wars will be available on February 5, 2009, via XBOX Live. If you can’t wait for the downloadable demo, then take a look at the video above where I had a chance to sit down with Graeme Devine, Lead Story Writer for Halo Wars, and take a look at some awesome in-game gameplay and cinemas and hear from the source how the plot unfolds. Be sure to check back here when the game comes out for a full review, but early impressions have me saying that Halo Wars looks like one of the first must-haves of the year, and if you want a little more than a demo, look for it on store shelves March 3, 2009.

-Ray Carsillo

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Grinding the Gears

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Originally Published: November 21, 2008, on 1050ESPN.com (now ESPNNewYork.com)

Ray Carsillo Reporting for 1050 ESPN at NYC Gears of War 2 Launch
Video by Jared Bodden

It helped launch the current generation of systems and prove just how far we had come in terms of shooter games. It also left us on the edge of our seats as we knew by the end cut scene that this epic was not over. Gears of War was revolutionary in terms of how much it stressed firing from behind cover and blind firing without a stress on stealth. Add in that there was nothing more satisfying in online play than sneaking up behind someone and mowing them down with the chainsaw attached to your gun. Graphics, weapon design, enemy A.I., they all took steps forward with the first Gears of War, so how on earth could they top it?

If you loved the first Gears as much as I did, then you were at a Midnight Mayhem Launch at one of the many locations across the tri-state area, waiting anxiously for the clock to strike 12:01 AM on Friday, November 7th. Take a look at the attached video to see a special interview with Rod Fergusson, the Senior Producer for Gears of War 2 from Epic Games and you can get a better sense of what to expect.

After finally procuring my own copy of Gears of War 2, I staved off sleep for as long as it took for me to beat it and I could not have been happier with the product.

The first game set the stage for one of the grandest universes we’ve been immersed in as gamers in a long while and the second game did its job, which was to flesh out the characters and expound on the background of this amazing universe.
You once again take on the role of Marcus Fenix and have to lead Delta Squad against the Locust Hordes who are trying to take over the surface world after living under the earth’s crust for no one knows how long.

One of the additions to this game is in Co-op story mode, you aren’t a ghost shooter when you tag along with a buddy, but take over as Dominic Santiago, Marcus’s closest friend and 2nd in command and follow the story through his eyes as well as Marcus’s. A nice addition to mention is that both Marcus’s and Dom’s back stories have been fleshed out and you learn a lot about their characters and personal motives with some interesting twists and turns along the way.

As well as the fleshed out story, the graphics have been upgraded to push the XBOX 360 to its limits and you can tell. The light effects, the blood, the lush color of vegetation (or not so lush of rotting vegetation), all bring the sense of realism to all new heights. The enemy A.I. has been upgraded and the gameplay is as smooth as can be. I saw no glitches to speak of. And some of the most fun levels I’ve played in a long time were when you get behind the wheel of several C.O.G. and Locust “vehicles” and just start blowing everything and everyone to kingdom come.

The multiplayer is back as well and has been ramped up. With new multiplayer modes, like King of the Hill, Wingman, and Annex, new maps, and the pure satisfaction of winning a battle of clashing chainsaws and you have one of the best multiplayer experiences out there.

Add in new abilities, like using dying Locust soldiers as shields while under fire, collectibles from every level, and new weapons such as poison gas grenades, burst shot pistols, the ability to turn your grenades into proximity mines (which can be planted right on enemies as well as on walls), flamethrowers, and the return of some of the greatest weapons ever imagined like the Lancer chainsaw rifle and you have all the ingredients for, in my opinion, so far, the best gaming experience of 2008.

Ratings are based on a system of 1 to 10 with 10 being the highest.

Graphics: 9.5: Sharp, clear, crisp. These are words that you use when describing Gears of War 2. The only reason why I deducted points was that when you mow down enemies with the chainsaw, they fall apart into lots of little pieces that would not make sense if you’re slicing them right down the middle. Aside from this minor critique, the game is a feast for the eyes.

Audio: 10.0: The voice acting was superb. The gravel and guts in Marcus Fenix’s voice made you think of how much fighting this man had seen. The music fit every situation and helped to build tension to let you know when something was coming so that you actually tensed up because you didn’t know what would be behind the next corner. Explosions, gunfire, chainsaws grinding, and other SFX were all solidly used as well. Can’t deduct from something was perfect.


Plot/Plot Development: 9.0: The first Gears ended in a cliffhanger and the second Gears ends in even a bigger cliffhanger. Questions from the first Gears were answered, but even more questions pop up as you play through the game. I don’t want to give anything away by saying what they are, but I already can’t wait for Gears 3! Add in the emotion you feel for the characters as their backgrounds are fleshed out and you walk away from this one like you just watched a great movie in the middle of the trilogy. Dare I say, this is The Empire Strike Back of video games?

Gameplay: 10.0: There were no glitches as far as I could tell and everything kept up at a great pace. I didn’t even realize how long I had been playing the game for until I finally looked at my clock and said “Damn!” It felt like I was watching a movie it was so smooth. Enemy A.I. was relatively unpredictable and the game was just hard enough to give you a challenge, but with enough checkpoints to keep you from being frustrated. Best game I’ve played this year, I think.

Replay Value: 9.0: Not a lot to bring you back to the story mode aside from getting the achievements of beating the game on a harder difficulty and trying to find all the collectibles, but the multiplayer is great. Lots of different modes keeps the multiplayer situations constantly in flux and there is still no greater feeling in gaming than sneaking up on someone and hacking them to ribbons with your Lancer Chainsaw Rifle.

Overall (not an average): 9.5: One of the most enjoyable experiences I’ve had in gaming in a while. From the story mode to the great multiplayer mode, this game is tight as a drum. It’s hard to really complain about anything except that I don’t think I can wait another two years for Gears 3 to come out. Gears of War 2 is out now exclusively for XBOX 360.

-Ray Carsillo

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I Wanna Rock!

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Originally Published: October 29, 2008, on 1050ESPN.com (Now ESPNNewYork.com)

Growing up, you have dreams. You want to be an astronaut, a professional athlete, a scientist. Others dream of one thing: being a ROCK STAR.

Unfortunately, most of us have no real musical talent whatsoever and the farthest we get in terms of a record deal is our fantasies as we sing along in the shower with our radio.

This being said, MTV Games and Harmonix have come out with one of the most highly anticipated sequels in a long time: ROCK BAND 2.

The main problem with games like this is that there are usually few differences between the sequel and the original. So why should you get this game? Well, first off, all the great stuff from the original game is back like customizing your rocker, the instruments, and the awesome music.

The big difference is all the online and multiplayer interactivity. You can battle your rockers against a friend or online to rock out in ways never before imagined. Add in the hundreds of downloadable tracks and content and the game can keep evolving every time you add new goodies. If you’re a Nirvana fan, there is an entire package to download. Is AC/DC more your style? Not a problem. You can download their greatest hits, too.

Another awesome feature is that you can even purchase merchandise based on your personalized rocker. Imagine action figures, t-shirts, and other great memorabilia with your band’s name and logo all over it.

The main setback of all these amazing online features is that you do end up having to pay for it. The downloadable extra songs are $0.99 each, the same price as an iTunes MP3, but it could add up after a while and I am sure the personalized merchandise will cost you just as much as if you were buying anything from your favorite band.

So the real question is how badly do you want to rock? This is one of the most fun, and most entertaining games that have come along in a long time, but it is also one of the most costly. In the end, if you have the cash, and really dream of rocking out, then this is the game for you. The online community is unparalleled and the opportunities to battle are constant. If you are a little pressed though, I’m not going to lie, it can get expensive. The entire set of guitar, drums, microphone, and game is close to $200. If you already have these from the original, though, at least you won’t have to go out and buy them again as they are compatible with the new game. Personally, I’m tired of singing in the shower.

Ratings are based on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the highest.

Graphics: 9.0: These games are not developed to look pretty, but the folks at MTV and Harmonix did not want the pyrotechnics to fizzle out either. Plenty of the game’s power has been devoted to keeping the game visually stimulating even if it’s more dedicated to pleasing your ears more than your eyes. Very pretty game results in a great score.

Audio: 10.0: Now this is where the bread and butter of the game really come into play. Looks are all fine and good, but when you’re playing a music game you want it to SOUND great and boy does this deliver. Great music from bands whose prime is past and those who are still rocking strong today keeps your foot tapping through all hours of the night and there isn’t a single hitch to think of. Perfect in every way possible.

Plot/Plot Development: N/A: There really isn’t a plot here. It’s a simulator, much like a sports game except instead of trying to win the Super Bowl or the World Series, you’re trying to become a rock star. You choose where you play and what you play, but, in the end, that doesn’t really constitute a plot.

Gameplay: 10.0: No glitches to speak of and a pace as steady as the rhythm of the song you’re playing. It’s almost a workout if you really get into it. I’ve broken a sweat rocking out on the drums a few times.

Replay Value: 10.0: With all the online features and downloadable content, it’s hard to put this game in the corner to gather dust. Add in that whenever a buddy comes over and sees the instruments, you’re going to have yourself a battle 90% of the time. You’ll be rocking on for months to come.

Overall (not an average): 10.0: For what the game is, it’s the best. There is no better out there. With its constantly updated content (even if it is for a price) and some of the best music the world has ever seen, if you can afford it, this game is a must have.

-Ray Carsillo

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Somewhere, Joe Theismann is Crying

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Originally Published: October 22, 2008, on 1050ESPN.com (now ESPNNewYork.com)

Brutal. Plain and simple. You wanted to look away, but it was like a car accident. You couldn’t do it. Joe Theisman’s leg was bent at a 45 degree angle in a place where the leg is not supposed to bend. Lawrence Taylor, the man who revolutionized the linebacker position, snapped Joe Theisman’s leg in two for all the world to see.

This play was a microcosm of the intensity and ruthlessness that this man, this defensive god, played the game with. Every play, every game, the original L.T. dominated the game like no other before him had.

L.T. had to retire at some point though, like all football greats. As time passed, the NFL became the “No Fun League” as hard hits and flashy moves have almost all been banned with threats of fines and suspensions from men in suits who have no idea about the smell of freshly cut grass on a Sunday afternoon or the sound of pads clashing as these modern-day warriors battle for the entertainment of millions.

L.T., like many, did not like the direction the NFL had been going. Some have come out and criticized the league in statements. Some players simply ignore the fines and suspensions and play the game the way it is supposed to be played. L.T. took a more creative approach.

Along with the arcade style genii at Midway Games, I present to you Blitz: The League 2.

Okay, so that was a little overly dramatic. Basically, Lawrence Taylor and Midway Games have put out a sequel to the original Blitz: The League. This game is everything you love about football with none of the restrictions. I am talking about smash-mouthed, hard-edged, no holds barred football where you are breaking people, like L.T. broke Joe Theisman, on every other play. Unsportsmanlike conduct is encouraged. In fact, it is all but necessary if you want to win and, by all means, dance as much as you want in the end zone.

This is one of the most fun gaming experiences I have had in a long time. Unlike the sports simulation games, this incorporates the one thing that is always missing: a story. Blitz 2 offers an in-depth story mode that plays out across three seasons that makes you care not only about the franchise like in sports sims, but your players as well. Every player and franchise has a unique history that makes you feel as if you’re rooting for a real team and this is a league that would blow the “No Fun League” out of the water.

Aside from the story mode, there is a great online mode with few people backing out because unlike in the NFL, this game can swing back and forth with each snap of the ball. Also, if you have some friends over for beers or what not, there are some great vs. modes aside from standard exhibition game. One mode has every tackle force a fumble. Another gives you bonus points for injuring opposing players. These bonus modes bring the level of competition to all new heights.

Overall, this game has it all. Great gameplay, engrossing plot, superb voice acting; you can’t go wrong with this game if you like football. I wish they could come out with a Blitz: The League every year so I wouldn’t have to get my football fix from the tired Madden franchise when there isn’t a Blitz option. If you don’t get this game, L.T. will have to make sure you end up like Joe Theisman.

Ratings are based on a system of 1 to 10 with 10 being the highest.

Graphics: 10.0: I don’t give 10s a lot for sports games in terms of visuals. Usually graphics are sacrificed to fit in all the playbooks, rosters, stadiums, etc. This game, though, is one of the most beautiful games I’ve seen in a long time. The weather effects are AMAZING. You look forward to playing in cold weather stadiums just to see how real the snow is. Add in how realistic the players look and I can’t give anything less.

Audio: 9.5: Voice acting is crucial in games and this game delivers in almost every aspect. Jay Mohr nails the greasy, sleazy agent and Frank Caliendo is hysterical as a Madden-esqe color commentator. Add in Lawrence Taylor re-voicing hard hitting linebacker Quentin Sands and almost all the voice acting was spectacular. The only thing I took away from was that I felt the play by play commentator became tiring and little too quickly and so I had to dock it from the game’s score. Aside from that minor critique, music, SFX, and voice acting are all top notch.

Plot/Plot Development: 9.0: Usually, this is N/A, but this game actually has a story mode and it is phenomenal. The biggest critique for it is that it only lasts through three seasons. I would love to see a more expansive story mode that is a little more open ended, but considering it is the first major sports franchise to even think of incorporating story lines, it is forgivable.

Gameplay: 9.5: Smooth all around. No lag or glitches to speak of. I did notice a couple of minor things with the guys being carted off the field with injuries, but aside from that, there is nothing. This game plays beautifully and considering all the things going on with it, that is an amazing accomplishment.

Replay Value: 8.5: Online mode kicks butt and the bonus modes are great for when you have your boys over to chill. I have to dock points because there really isn’t a lot to bring you back to replay the story mode and it is a little shorter than I like. Still though, lots of fun and lots of bonus modes will keep this disc warm in your machine.

Overall (not an average): 9.5: This was one of the best gaming experiences I’ve had in a while. I did not want to put the controller down on more than one occasion. The only major knock I have is that it is relatively short and I want to break more people like L.T. broke Joe Theisman. There is nothing holding you back now from smashing people’s faces in as Blitz: The League 2 is currently out for XBOX 360 and PS3.

-Ray Carsillo

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Steel Chairs and Wheelbarrow Neckbreakers

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Originally Published: September 23, 2008, on 1050ESPN.com (Now ESPNNewYork.com)

Imagine a steel chair slamming into your face at 100 MPH; in a good way, of course. That is what TNA Impact does to you from the very first match you play. You can either jump right into a match with some of your all time favorites like Sting or the “Samoan Submission Machine” Samoa Joe or you can take part in the expansive story mode that will take six to ten hours for you to complete depending on fast you pick up on the nuances of the game. And it’s those little nuances that make this game one of the most enjoyable wrestling games to come out in years.

Unlike another popular wrestling brand’s video game series, TNA Impact is more of homage to what makes wrestling as great as it is. It combines over-the-top non-stop action with an engaging storyline and a versus/online mode to keep you coming back for more with friends and strangers alike. Add its stunning visuals and this game is a winner through and through.

The first thing you notice is the awesome graphics. For the first time ever, the crowd is not a sea of sprites, but instead every person is a 3D model that comes to life as your match progresses. The details of every wrestler and every move they make are as sharp as a honed blade and the facial expressions are remarkably detailed. Add in that every wrestler and commentator voiced themselves (and did it well) and you feel like you’re watching TNA sometimes instead of playing it.

To create this sense of realism, there had to be a few cutbacks, though. Such as limits on your weapon selection and on exactly where you can go with the wrestlers. Aside from the immediate area outside of the ring, you are confined to fight in-between the ropes. It would have been nice if you could have gone up the ramp or into the crowd like so many of the great matches of the real TNA. Also, your only weapon is the customary steel chair, with a handful always scattered about the ring.

This limits your hardcore experiences, but it does give you a chance to focus on your moves. And every wrestler has his old standbys. Kurt Angle performs the Angle Slam with precision and if that doesn’t work, he’ll break out a series of submission maneuvers that almost make you want to tap your chair in hopes of making it stop. Kevin Nash comes across with all the power you would expect from all 7′ of “Big Sexy”. And all the guys from the X-Division fly high and fly far from the top ropes.

Only thing about the moves is sometimes the enemy A.I. gets a little reversal happy, though, and if you have trouble mastering the reversal yourself, you might get frustrated at times from this. It’s hard to find that mix of needing reversals and just being able to go for your moves in a wrestling game and this is another game in a long line that might want to look more into that. Maybe a reversal meter to go with your finisher meter?

The other thing that stands out by itself, but isn’t without fault, is the story mode. The fact that they have a complex story mode is amazing in and of itself because a proper story is something that has been lacking in wrestling games for a while. This might be the best game since WWE: No Mercy (largely considered the best wrestling game of all time) for the N64 just because it has a really compelling, well written story mode to it. The only thing it lacks is open-endedness. The story suffers because you are not in control of the choices your wrestler makes. You just keep winning and advancing through one story. A few options or consequences for losing would be nice.

Overall, this was a great first installment. TNA and Midway should be proud of this game. It’s fun, engaging, and aesthetically pleasing. It needs work though. They need to find a way to expand where your wrestler can go and what weapons he can use, they need a little more variation in the commentary, and they need to expand the story mode for this to be a complete smash hit. Otherwise, if you are a wrestling fan and a looking for a little old school, in your face, off the top rope action, you need to get this game.

Rankings are based on a score of 1 to 10 with 10 being the best.

Graphics: 10.0: This game is beautiful. Everything about it was great visually from the wrestlers’ entrances to the crowd to the wrestlers themselves. This game could not have been better visually.

Audio: 10.0: In terms of audio, this game could not have been better either. Having every wrestler and announcer voice themselves was great. The commentary got a little repetitive after a while, but it didn’t take away from the experience so I can’t take away points.

Plot/Plot Development: 8.0: The story mode is expansive for a wrestling game and really draws you in. The only problem, and it’s a big one, is that the story is too linear. You have no choice in how the game plays out aside from you winning or losing in the ring and having to either replay the match or continue on.

Gameplay: 9.0: Stellar. Only a handful of notable glitches to think of. Even the easy setting made the wrestlers somewhat difficult to beat unless you master the timing for the reversal button. Making you rely on the reversal or the steel chair in some matches to win though became tiresome, but I can’t blame someone for making a difficult, old-school wrestling button masher.


Replay Value: 7.0: A lack of options in the story mode make this a less than ten hour ride, but the multiplayer and online options are the bread and butter of wrestling games for the most part.

Overall (not an average): 8.5: TNA and Midway have the makings of a hit franchise on their hands, but it needs some work. More options in the story mode, more creative reversal format, more weapons, and more diverse commentary. Basically what every good first installment inspires from its fans. THEY WANT MORE. That alone means that TNA Impact might just be the must have wrestling game of 2008.

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We Will Rock You!

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Originally Published: September 16, 2008, on 1050ESPN.com (now ESPNNewYork.com)

It was one of the most popular games to ever come out for a home console. Following the trend of DDR and Guitar Hero, Rock Band took it to an entirely new level. With both bass and lead guitars, drums, and a microphone, Rock Band allowed you to gather a couple of friends and live out that dream of touring around the country with thousands of screaming fans, all from the comfort of your own home.

So how would they top it? How could they continue this phenomenon and continue to draw in not only their hardcore fans, but to extend it to even the casual gamer/rocker? I had a chance to talk with John Drake, a member of the Harmonix team that put together Rock Band 2 , to see just what they did to make Rock Band 2 bigger and better than the original.

Click here – To listen to my interview with John Drake a producer of Rock Band 2 .

After talking with John, I had a chance to try out the game myself and my initial review is that this is a chart topping hit in every way possible. Not only was the selection of songs larger, but the graphics were sharper, and the possibility of downloading extras for it made my mouth water at the prospect. I only had a chance to play a demo so I can’t give a full detailed review, but my gut instinct screams as I smash a guitar on stage that this is 10 out of 10. You can pick up Rock Band 2 for XBOX 360 now and expect it out on the Wii and PS3 sometime in the middle of October.

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Golf Clubs and Green Carpets

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Originally published: September 16, 2008, on 1050ESPN.com (now ESPNNewYork.com)

For the Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 World Premiere, I had a rare opportunity to talk with Tiger Woods’ golf coach, Hank Haney. Hank is also featured prominently in the game for when you need advice and he gave me some insight into how golf transitions into video games. Also, he gave me an update on Tiger’s condition and what we can expect from Tiger once he returns to PGA play.

Click here – To Listen to my interview with Tiger Wood’s coach Hank Haney.

I also was afforded a chance to play a demo of the game. My initial review of the game is an 8.5 out of 10. I had to dock points for a few things. First, the controls are extremely sensitive. If I was not concentrating on the joystick for the entire time I was swinging, I more often than not sliced the ball. I understand the need to have a sensitive controller, but for this game it was a detriment.

The only other thing about this game that bothered me was that once you mastered the controller, it became ridiculously easy. For anyone who has played golf knows how difficult it can be and I was dropping birdies left and right after warming up on the front 9.

Aside from these critiques, the game was solid. Graphics were clear, although you would imagine it would be hard not to be since most of the backgrounds are green. The audio was crisp, but then again there wasn’t much audio to worry about since it is a golf course. The motions look authentic and the players and courses were very accurate to real life.

I did not have a chance to get into the game that in-depth so I cannot give it a full review, but from what I saw, if you enjoy golf or want to get into golf, this is the game for you. Of course, being it is the ONLY golf game out there; you don’t have much choice in the matter either. There is no competition like a Vijay Singh PGA Tour 09 or something. Again, initial critiques give Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09 from EA Sports a 8.5 out of 10.

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Bring on the Turducken!

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Originally Published: August 28, 2008, on 1050ESPN.com (now ESPNNewYork.com)

Every year, right around the middle of August, the sounds of shoulder pads clashing, helmets cracking, and buttons clicking can be heard nationwide. That’s right! Football season is back and, with it, EA punts out yet another installment of the most successful franchise in gaming history, Madden.

For as many gamers that are out there that go out and get it every year like it’s a migration pattern, there are just as many who have grown tired of the series and of dropping $50-$60 on updated rosters. And for as much as John Madden gets mocked for his football commentary, he is a smart business man and knew his series needed a facelift.

So what exactly did they add or change to revitalize a series that has gone 20 games deep? Well, for starters, they created what they call a “revolutionary” A.I. system that conforms to your style of play. Before you’re even allowed to play a game, you are thrust into a series of mini-games to test your running game, passing game, run defense, and pass defense. Depending on how you do in each of these games, the game will change the level at which the computer will react to the plays you call.

This had a lot of people excited because one of the problems that many people faced, myself included, is that you would find the glitches, the handful of plays that would always work and allow you to run up the score and shut down the opponent even on the hardest difficulty level.

Unfortunately, this new A.I. is nothing to be excited about. Even if you should struggle with the mini-games, it would only take you a season or two for all you Madden veterans to max out the A.I. and get it back to the same exact point that you were at with all the other games. The glitches are gone for the most part, and it is nice that it forces you to mix up your plays a little more, but anyone who knows football, or specifically football games, should not end up too stressed over it.

Speaking of the mini-games, why are they hologram outlines? I was happy with the mini-games showing the actual players on the field. The neon hologram field is hard to see and makes it difficult to tell where exactly you are in relation to the ball, making the mini-games much harder than the actual game itself.

Speaking about hard to see, how about almost everything that is smaller than the players’ heads? When looking for the right play in the playbook, the button that corresponds to the appropriate receiver is too small to decipher because the playbook itself has been shrunk to ¼ the size of the screen when it used to be twice as big. What did they do with the extra space? They gave you a stat tracker. Now, if Madden had any affect on my fantasy team, then I would love to know all my stats up to the second, but otherwise, it is unnecessary, especially when the sacrifice is being able to see what play I am selecting. On more than one occasion I have selected the wrong play just because I could not read if it was a run or pass. In the game’s defense, I do not have a HD TV. But my TV is 36″; not small by any standards and I still couldn’t see and since the majority of people do not have an HD TV yet, we should not need one to read what play we are picking.

Aside from this, all the favorite modes are back. Franchise, Exhibition, a revamped Superstar mode, and they even threw in the Coach only mode instead of making it a completely separate game.

With all systems being online capable now, the Online Play mode is a big feature. This was something that needed to be fixed and wasn’t. What needs to be fixed? Simply that every time I start pummeling an opponent online, they jack out and I do not get the win, even if I still select that they get the loss (I show no mercy when it comes to that!). There should be a rule where if the game gets through the 1st half, it should still count as a win for the player who was winning at the time. If the player who was winning jacks out after a half, the game does not count for anyone. No losses or wins given. Play with honor or do not play at all!

In conclusion, it was a valiant effort, John, but maybe you should stick to just making up animals and riding on your bus because it failed. You even listened to your harshest critics and cut out your commentary and Al Michaels play-by-play and replaced it with Cris Collinsworth and some guy named Tom. Cris does a great job. Random guy needs some work. The game needed a facelift, John, and it looks like I’m going to have to sue you for malpractice because you botched it up.

Rankings are based on a score of 1 to 10 with 10 being the best.


Graphics: 6.0: The graphics on the field are solid. Everything you would expect from a game for this console generation. The graphics on the menus and the mini-games are something that look like last generation and that barely gets this an average rating. Very disappointing.

Audio: 9.0: The sound is great. The hits are crisp and loud and make you feel in the game. The commentary from Collinsworth is priceless. The random Tom dude bothers me a little and that keeps it from getting a perfect score. John Madden’s voice helping you navigate the menus to keep him in the game was a nice touch.


Plot/Plot Development: N/A: It is a sports sim. There is no storyline or plot beyond the one you create by how you play.

Gameplay: 7.5: The game is great until you max out the A.I. and find the ways around the system. If you are a diehard football fan (or a sore loser) then you have no problem winning all the time with no challenge at all. I can’t give that a perfect score though.

Replay Value: 10.0: Until the next installment comes out, this is football fans’ number one fix Monday – Saturday.

Overall (not an average): 7.0: With the downgrade in graphics, difficult to navigate menus and an overhyped new A.I. system that is almost as bad as the last one, this game is passable at best. Add in the lack of people who like to play fair online and I can’t give this a great overall gaming experience. This is a great reminder why most of us do not buy the game every single year.

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