Product Description

Every Sunday in the NFL, an epic battle rages between the offense and defense. Every play is a struggle, with each side relentlessly pursuing every single yard. In Madden NFL 10, you will join the fight and experience first-hand what it’s like to Fight For Every Yard. With the all-new Pro-Tak animation technology, you will have more control over the outcome of a play than ever before. Whether driving your receiver towards the first down, or battling for a fumble at the bottom of a pile, the play won’t be over until the whistle blows. Madden NFL 10 also lets you take your fight online with an all-new Online Franchise mode, complete with 32 teams, NFL-style drafts, and a custom league webpage. Add to that the most immersive broadcast presentation to date, and Madden NFL 10 gives you everything you see on Sundays, minus the grass stains.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #18 in Video Games
• Brand: Electronic Arts
• Model: 19023
• Published on: 2009-08
• Released on: 2009-08-14
• ESRB Rating: Everyone
• Platform: PLAYSTATION 3
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: .59" h x 5.40" w x 6.79" l, .30 pounds

Features

• A revamped play calling system and menu options that take you to kickoff faster than ever before and speed up online matches with accelerated clocks, presentation and more.
• Pro-Tak animation technology providing unprecedented control over the outcome of every play via the dragging and dropping of players, a new blocking system and more.
• The most comprehensive list of online offerings in franchise history, including new modes like online co-op, to satisfy the needs of every football gamer.
• New TV broadcast-style presentation and cinematic cameras bring the suspense and intensity of the NFL to your living room.
• Enhanced franchise mode allowing you to draft players, sign free agents, manage the salary cap - just like a real GM.

Amazon.com Product Description

Every Sunday in the NFL, an epic battle rages between the offense and the defense. Every play is a struggle, with each side relentlessly pursuing every single yard. In Madden NFL 10, you will join the fight and experience firsthand what it is like to fight for every yard. With the all-new Pro-Tak animation technology you will have more control over the outcome of every play than ever before. Whether driving your receiver towards the first down, or battling for a fumble at the bottom of a pile, the play won't be over until the whistle blows. Enhance Pro-Tak control. View larger. Improved franchise mode & new co-op play. View larger. Ultimate realism. View larger. Madden NFL 10 also lets you take your fight online with an all-new Online Franchise mode, complete with 32 teams, NFL-style drafts and a custom league webpage. Add to that the most immersive broadcast presentation to date, and Madden NFL 10 gives you everything you see on Sundays, minus the grass. Pro–Tak This all new animation technology provides unprecedented control over the outcome of every play. Drag defenders towards the first down marker, including up to 9-man gang tackles, fight for a fumble at the bottom of the pile, and evade the rush with all-new quarterback avoidance actions. Enhanced play at the line of scrimmage features a new blocking system that allows the quarterback to step into the pocket and gives the defensive line more control over the rush. Fight for Online Dominance One of the major improvements of Madden NFL 10 over its predecessors is its improved online franchise mode. Battle for franchise dominance online with leagues of 32 teams, with functionality featuring real NFL scheduling, live fantasy drafts and draft options, player transactions, league message boards, and more - all manageable from your console or your league's custom web page online, making your Madden NFL 10 online franchise always just a click away. There are even iPhone and other smart phone apps in the making to help Madden fans keep a hand in managing their team when away from their console and computers. The Extra Point Show The realism of Madden NFL 10 is about more than just for the action on the field. With the introduction of the game's postgame show, the Extra Point, every game feels even more like a real life gridiron contest. Check out the happenings around your online franchise league with its dynamic, network-style reporting and commentary hosted by Fran Charles and Alex Flanagan of NFL Network. Featuring news and information from each week's games, The Extra Point recaps all the excitement of your franchise. Online Co-op For the first time in Madden NFL franchise history, players can team up with a friend online and battle against the CPU. This co-op mode supports the headset accessory for communication in and out of the huddle and allows players to play any position on their squad, switching anytime before the snap of the ball. In addition, the mode features a variety of camera angles specific to the chosen position, allowing players to work on game strategy, practice plays and experience the game from a new point of view. Madden NFL Your Way Madden NFL 10 is the most customizable version of Madden NFL to date. Now players can alter gameplay options to adjust the experience to their liking. A revamped play calling system and menu takes you to kickoff faster than ever before. Players in a hurry can even speed up online matches with accelerated clocks, streamlined presentation and more. Unprecedented Authenticity From referees peeling players off a fumble pile and the chain gang rushing in to measure for a key first down, to authentic throwing and kicking styles, all-new player equipment and pre-game ceremony for every game, including the Superbowl, players can be sure that if you see it on Sunday, you'll see it in Madden NFL 10.

Customer Reviews

Best next-gen version of Madden, albeit the flaws.
Graphics/Visuals

I know this sounds cliche', but this year's version of Madden is better than ever, albeit the flaws. There are many new enhanced graphics and visuals. The experience can be additionally enhanced with a HDTV, such as the LG 37LG30 37-Inch 720p LCD HDTV. Overall, the whole game is a lot more lively and vivid than the last. Many visuals seen on the game are usually seen on Sundays.

The new player models are excellent and the uniforms look superb. On one cutscene, the texture of the uniforms can be seen. In the previous next-gen versions of Madden, many of the player models were kind of bulky looking. Now, the players are built more realistically. New uniform accessories have been added, such as towels, hand warmers, team colored gloves, and team colored cleats. They are not the same boring black and white cleats, which was on the previous versions. For the first time, uniforms can be interchanged, as well.

Seen on Sundays

During the game, many details and animations can be seen on the game, fan interactions, QBs talking on the phone, coaches ranting, players talking on the sidelines, kickers practicing kicks, players riding the exercise bike, referee interactions and chain gains. One of the coolest features is seeing fans leave early, if their team's game has gotten way out of hand. It is also quite funny.

The most exciting feature is the referees interactions on questionable TDs. The two refs will look at each other and talk. Then, they will either throw their hands up or decline the TD. Sometimes, it is a lot of suspense, while waiting to see the decided call. How many times have fans been in suspense, while waiting on the referees in a real game? Some may call some of the new visuals gimmicks, but it is what you see in real football.

The halftime presentation is great. You'll love the different angles, which the highlights are shown. Unlike M09, they show just about every relevant higlight. It is creative. Plus, the commentary during the halftime show is not that bad, either. This new feature is an upgrade over the dull halftime features of last year's version of Madden.

Game Play

The game play is better. First off, the game speed can be adjusted. Many of you played the demo and didn't like the speed of the game. Well, it can go from very slow, slow, normal, fast and very fast. Also, EA has added a new threshold differential. This means setting to the higher the level will give the player less of a disparity between the fast and slow players. A lower setting will increase the disparity.

The player animations and movements are realistically fluid and not robotic, such as the previous versions.
I noticed on some movements, the players use more momentum. Players can't just break out and turn different corners, quickly, like they are on wheels. They actually bend and don't stay upright, while turning a corner. Sometimes, the player may have to make a cut, in order to head up field. The best animations are while going through the hole. Pressing the directinal buttons will make the RB make many different cuts. Time them right and the defender can be juked. Typically, juking could only be done by spinning.

The phyisics has improved. Players fall many different ways. Sometimes, it even seems as if they are going to break out of a tackle, then they start to fall. There have been times when I was on the edge of my seat because I thought my player was breaking the last tackle in order to "take it to the house", but he goes down. That is very realistic.
The Pro-Tak is realistic. The players pile up, when necessary. It is not an every down occurrence. Keep in mind, different modes carry different Pro-Tak results.

The defense is improved. Controlling a player in the secondary is a lot easier. The best defensive experience is at the line of scrimmage. DTs and DEs can penetrate a whoooole lot better than ever before. This makes the players more likely to be more successful in the sack and run-stopping department. In fact, many different moves can be made by using the R3 stick, instead of the R1 button (PS3 version) on the previous Madden games. For example, on last year's version, I could barely penetrate with the best DT in the league (Albert Haynesworth). Now, I can make more impact plays.

The game is very competitive!!! Even this year's version of All-Pro is a lot harder than the previous versions. Players cannot expect to just dominate the game above the Pro level. Many glitches from the previous version have been neutralized, as well. Also, the computer does not make themselves sitting ducks for hit-stick tackles, such as previous versions of Madden. They do more weaving on this game, which is fine.

Another cool feature is the roster update. For those who like to keep REAL rosters updated, don't bother to do it yourself! The automatic roster update does it for you. Players will be automatically added to the teams, which they actually play for. Players who aren't even on the game are added on the roster update. For example, Michael Vick and Brett Favre were not on the original rosters. Well, in the roster update, they were added to their new teams. In addition, the player's ratings will fluctuate, depending on the seasons, which they are having. Players gone for the year will be put on IR. It is just great.

With all being said, you have to have an online account, so you can have access the roster updates. This also means you must have a router. I recommend the [[ASIN:B00004SB92 Linksys EtherFast Cable/DSL Router with 4-Port 10/100 Switch (BEFSR41)]. Assuming you have the router, you must go to online mode on the main screen. Click on the depth chart, a sign will pop up, which prompts you to update the roster. Agree and the updated roster will load. You can save this and play with updated rosters in exhibition or other modes.


Flaws

There are a few things that disturb me about the game. The first issue is the new running motions of the players. It seems like they run with their heads down. They also look as if they are just struggling to try to run. In addition, every player runs in the same motion. The previous Madden had at least 3 or 4 different running motions.

The next issue is the new "fight for the fumble" feature and the chain gang. "Fight for the fumble" is a joke. It is like a mini game, which you have to press various buttons rapidly in order for possession to be gained. There was a play, which the player fumbled and two of my team members dove on the ball. Clearly, I had possession of the football. Unfortunately, I still had to fight for the football and lost possession of the recovery. Of course, this feature can be turned off. The chain gang will drive you crazy. Every single time you have a nine yard play, the chain gang comes out. I mean, lots of times, you know that you didn't get a first down. What is worse, this feature cannot be skipped.

Some of the cutscenes get repetative. During the game, you will constantly see the same cutscenes, which involve the same position players. For example, when you see the QB talking on the phone, you see the FS over his left shoulder, each time. Then, you will see the triplets sitting down (QB, RB and WR). Then, when a play goes awry, the coach will be ranting at a player who had nothing to do with the play going wrong. For example, if the QB throws a pick, the coach will rant at the OL. Why not the QB? If the QB throws a pick, he yells at the OL or the FB. That makes no sense. They should have had at least 20 cutscenes, which involves different position players.

Depending on what level you play on, you will experience some of the issues, which was on the other Madden games. You will still see makeshift tackling. This goes on during "Pro-Tak" animations. In modes other than Pro, you will NOT see double-hit tackling. In All-Madden, the AI of your teams just goes out of the window, such as OTs ignoring blocking assignments. In addition, many of the issues become more magnified. All-Madden is totally unplayable. I would suggest playing on Pro or Custom and tampering with the settings.

The commentary is just dull and scripted. It would be nice to have a Madden, which has some loud an exciting commentary. For example, if someone makes a spectacular catch, I want the commentator to have excitement in his voice, when the play happens. I compare this to how it feels when watching Sunday Night games on ESPN. Hearing exciting commentary, while watching a game makes it more exciting. The dull commentary takes away from that experience.

Though the half-time presentation is good, the highlights are shown out of order. When watching real football, half-time and post-game shows at least have the highlights shown in sequential. This could have made the half-time presentation more organized.

The Verdict
Everything on the game has been improved in many ways. In fact, it is a complete turnaround from the last version. If it were not for the flaws, which I mentioned, the game would be even more superior. Of course, no game is going to be perfect, no matter what. Many critics need to realize this. Therefore, if you loved M09 (2008 was horrific), you will absolutely love this latest installment of Madden. Keep in mind, this finished product is a lot better than the demo!!!

Good, but not great.
Do something, do anything. For three years, the Madden franchise has been painfully stagnant. Probably four, but Madden '06 was the first Madden game I had played since 2002. That's not to say I didn't try the other Maddens. They were tremendously inferior products to the 2K Games that Sega was pumping out and it only took a few games to see why. The presentation made you feel like you were watching the game on TV, great, for it's time, commentary, creative cut scenes and animations, gang tackles in 2003, and graphics so real, you'd mistake what was on your TV for a true broadcast. Madden, to this day, has lagged behind, only adding gang tackles recently, trying a failed "rewind" feature that infuriated even it's most loyal supporters, and only this year have they added in game cut scenes to add to the realism.

To this day, NFL 2K5 remains the benchmark for sports games. Madden 10 deserves a spot on the team, but still likely play on the scout team.

First, what are the positives with this game?

-Greatly improved graphics. Madden '09 seemed like simply a retexture of '08 which inturn seemed like a retexture of '07. Madden '09 added almost nothing new with the exception of the previously discussed rewind feature. Yuck.

-In-game cutscenes. Finally! It only took them six, maybe seven years to realize how this adds to the gameplay. NFL 2K5 found the perfect balance of what to add and what to avoid. Madden 10 has great timing with cutscenes, but they also get repetitive fast and there are some issues where you see the back of the crowd animation instead of the players. Still, nice addition, but why did it take them so long?

-Two man commentary. Another overdue "feature". Who thought one man commentary was a good idea?

-Slowed down game play. I see a recurring trend. The addition of "features" that were in the competitor's game years and years later. Also, another thing NFL 2K5 did well. This kills the high, high, high scoring games.

-Better blocking. The ability of your linemen actually matter in this game. It's about time.

-Taking time of the clock as you skip ahead. A real nice feature for exhibition games. This is one of the few features I haven't seen in a football game before.

-Updated rosters. Hell, I was playing with '08 until now.

But there are negatives. A few of them.

-The "new" features aren't really that new. Most of the features touted as new in this game were actually all in NFL 2K5, and most were in NFL 2K3. Unfortunately, the lack of competition allowed Madden to lower expectations and produce games that often are stripped of features that previous Madden had. Examples include the 7 man gang tackle and the in-game cutscenes. I wouldn't have had a problem with this had they been better than 2K5's, but they weren't.

-Lot of graphic flaws and errors. In two games, I had more players arms go through torsos and crowds block out cutscenes than playing any other game.

-Online franchise is here! Wait, you have to pay for it? Nevermind.

-Music. Generally, sports games have terrible soundtracks. MLB The Show '07 was an incredible game, but the soundtrack hurts the complete experience. I can't really fault Madden 10 for this, as the only sports game that I played that I actually enjoyed the soundtrack was MVP '04, which included "My Coco", "Walkie Talkie Man", and, um, "Hey Driver". Ok, so two out of three ain't bad. Still, "Bullgod" by Kid Rock? What? Seriously Madden?

So what's the final verdict? As many faults as Madden 10 has, it has its moments. The graphics are great, when they aren't obscured, and the game plays a lot better than last year's, even if the changes were due years ago. I would give this Madden a 7 out of 10, but for Amazon, I'll round up to 4 out of 5 stars. It's a good game, but the fact that I'd almost rather play a game that came out in the summer of 2004 to get my football fix, knocks it down a few pegs.

A LOT BETTER THAN 09!
I've only been playing Madden for a few years, but among my friends who've been playing the series for a while, many felt that the older versions on the PS2 were better than 09. Madden improves with its 2010 version. Madden '10 has much more to offer than '09, but also has some shortcomings.

MORE REALISTIC
Gameplay looks incredibly realistic. Graphics and broadcast also are more realistic, and at times makes you think you're watching TV instead of playing a video game! The use of different camera angles make it a lot like a broadcast, and I especially like the depth-of-field, which makes the game look so much cooler since the background is blurred, drawing your eyes more to the object in focus.

CO-OP MODE
The new co-op mode feature is a lot of fun if you want to play with someone else. It adds to the whole online experience that's permeating the console-gaming world. The downside to this mode is that only the host controls the plays (the guest only sees the play after it's been selected). This in itself makes it almost essential to maintain constant contact with your partner to better coordinate, i.e. via headset.

ONLINE FRANCHISE MODE
There is an improved online play experience, online franchise mode. This is a HUGE improvement from last year's online leagues. It really feels, well...real! That being said, there are shortcomings, such as an inability to trade draft picks. Still, a great feature.

COST/THE MONEY ISSUE
Like EA's NBA Live 09 Dynamic DNA, online franchise mode is a seemingly helpful feature that comes at a hidden cost: only buyers of a new copy can benefit. Your box comes with a code to authorize the franchise; while this is a useful feature to conceivably halt piracy, the real sufferers are used-game buyers.

I understand that they want to prevent piracy, but they really hurt people on tighter budgets that are true fans of the NFL, but might not be able to afford a new game, or find it questionable to pony up more money just to participate in the online franchise mode. Some say you can't blame EA for trying to make a few extra bucks, or that a few dollars isn't a big deal. Yes you can, and to some, yes it is!

To seal the deal on this argument, is the ELITE Madden mode. Elite players can play ranked matches on All-Madden difficulty settings. In other words, UNLESS YOU PAY $5 EXTRA, you WON'T be able to play on All-Madden difficulty for ranked matches...

More realistic gameplay, online franchises, and co-op mode are great features in Madden '10 that makes this much more worth getting than Madden '09. That being said, this game is very representative of the trend in video-gaming towards a more tiered system (which I'm not a fan of!). But still, a great game, highly recommended :-)