Madden 13: 8th time’s the charm?

If you’re like me, then counting down the days until the annual release of Madden NFL is like a kid waiting for Christmas. Admittedly the latest renditions have made it more like a lump of coal in my stocking rather than the amazing present I always get excited for. The Madden franchise really started to hit its stride beginning with Madden 2004. That year brought a revamped franchise mode, including an owner’s mode option. It also introduced the playmaker feature, a feature noticeably absent in recent entries. Madden 2005, and 2006 brought their own franchise changing improvements including the hit-stick and truck-stick, a feature which has transformed into a full on highlight-stick option. Madden was on top of the sports video game world, even buying the exclusive rights to the NFL and all their entities. With their dominance came sudden change, a next-gen console arrived.

            The Xbox 360 was released, with Madden 06 as one of its launch titles. Admittedly the game was horrible, but it was a first time effort on a new console for EA and the Madden franchise. The next seven year run of Madden games would be improvements, but nowhere near the caliber of previous gen Maddens. Then came Madden 12. Madden 12 is in my humble opinion the best Madden this gen, and possibly the best Madden in the series. Madden 12 introduced a completely revamped Franchise mode, including new additions to the drafts, free agent negotiations, and dynamic player ratings. Madden 12 makes you feel like you are running your own franchise and that players really have life to them. Hot and cold streaks affect player’s ratings, and new Player Roles give defined roles to veterans, rookies, superstars, and benchwarmers. There was however one major flaw in the system, the outdated animation system.

            The Madden franchise has always been solely based on animations. Tackles, catches, blocks, throws are all animation driven. Being animation driven may make for some awe-inspiring moments, but it also leads to robotic and primitive player movements and actions. Too often will tackles lack the force of momentum-driven hits and players will just fall to the turf when their target is already engaged with another man. Madden 13 looks to shake up the system entirely. Like fellow EA franchises NHL and FIFA, Madden 13 is introducing an all new physics based system. Players now respect momentum and react appropriately to other player’s bodies.

 Runningbacks are now able to trip over fallen teammates and opponents, brush legs with an offensive lineman causing them to stumble, or shake off unprepared defenders. Quarterbacks have received an overhaul as well with the new ability to aim thrown balls and throw with many new trajectories. No longer will passes be either a bullet or a lob. Now QB’s will make throws with respect to distance and defenders in the area. If your receiver has outside position, you can now throw a rainbow to his back shoulder.

            This year’s Madden is shaping up to be the best in the series and possibly one of the best sports games of the year. With a new physics system, every hit, catch, block, and play will be completely different. No longer will we see the same tackle or catch animation over and over. We will be closer to the NFL field than ever before and it’s about damn time. Christmas may actually come early this year, and not disappoint. Stay tuned for a demo review and breakdown when it is released.