When it comes to game modes, Madden 11 also doesn’t leave you wanting. On top of the basic exhibition modes as well as challenges based on real NFL events and mini-games, you can play a full franchise mode which can span over 30 years with a team of your choice. You also have the NFL Superstar mode which allows you to play as one NFL star, and progress in your career from rookie to seasoned veteran. Controlling only one character has never been simpler, as the game allows you to skip to only the parts where your player is actually on the field. This mode is actually really great if you for instance, just like playing quarterback and want to play a quick game that only includes the part of the game that you like the most.

One of the biggest modes in the Madden franchise is its online modes. You can go head to head with other players online, and even compete in co-operative season play with online 3 vs 3 play. The craziest thing about the 3 player online play, is that each player can have a squad assigned to them, which they make decisions for. The quarterback for instance, will call the plays for the offense, while the other two will be calling the plays for their respective defensive squads for instance (each player also controls the players in their squad). It requires major team work, so playing in this mode without a mic would be gaming suicide.

The game really has a ton of stuff to do, without mentioning too much, you can also play a mode that works like fantasy football and allows you to also collect player cards and build your ultimate team. Also included with Madden 11, which has become a standard for the games of late, is access to NFL news including behind-the-scenes videos of team practises, injury reports and more.

screen3.jpg

As far as presentation and visuals are concerned, Madden 11 is a fantastic looking game. Sure, it still doesn’t come remotely close to the “target render” cinematics that were shown at the beginning of the HD console’s lifespans, but textures are sharp, animations are smooth, weather effects look nice and to top it all off, the game runs incredibly smooth with nice quick frame rate.

There is however, one part of the presentation that I really don’t like in Madden 11. We all know that in the world of US sports and television, advertising plays a big role and it becomes tricky when you need to decide if the inclusion of advertising in a game like Madden 11 increases its realism or feels like a plain rip.

The soundtrack is also a little strange, and while it’s not so bad, it feels like it was stolen straight out of a Guitar Hero playlist, with the exception of a few songs here and there. The coach voiceovers are great for gameflow and the commentary is smooth but I did experience a few instances where the voice would cut out suddenly for no reason.

The problem here, is that this is a video game, that you have paid a good chunk of money for, not a free TV broadcast that requires your money to exist. At one point I wanted to let my gripes with the advertising slide, but then my mind was changed very quickly. After receiving a punt and running it all the way across the field for a touchdown, I unlocked a sponsored trophy. That’s right, a trophy (or achievement on Xbox 360) that is actually sponsored by a company, and that made me realise that it was beyond the realms of advertising for realism’s sake.

Conclusion:

I cannot fully express just how much Madden 08 had put me off of Madden games, I was honestly quite happy to never play one ever again. Madden 11 changed my mind, and fast. This is undoubtedly the best looking, smoothest playing Madden ever released and one that can be fully appreciated by veterans and newcomers alike.

For fans of: Madden, NCAA, Backbreaker, Sports games


Scoring (not an average)

Gameplay: 9.0

Responsive controls that feel natural and are fun to use

Presentation: 8.5

Really good looking, smooth running game. Advertised to death.

Sound: 7.5

Good commentary mixed with the usual bangs and crunches. Soundtrack is a touch odd.

Value: 9.5

When it comes to value, this is almost as good as it gets. There are tons of modes to keep you busy offline for a long time and the multiplayer modes only triple that longevity. If you are a big enough fan to already be planning your purchase of Madden 12, you have more than enough here to keep you busy for the entire year until the next game’s release.


Overall: 9.0

It makes me want to play more and more, and that’s what a sports game should do. The best NFL game that I have played to date.

[Reviewed on Playstation 3]

Last Updated: August 20, 2010

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Madden NFL 11
9.0

9 Comments

  1. Let me just say that the NFL is a pretty strange game. I’m not a huge fan of it and I rather prefer the awesomeness of rugby, ice hockey and real football.

    Having ranted about handegg like a lunatic, I can see the appeal of it. I played the demo a few nights ago, but the gameflow changes are really not my cup of tea. It feels very simplified and oddly I actually felt like I had less control of my game (than in previous Madden titles).

    Reply

  2. Conor MUFC

    August 22, 2010 at 13:24

    Iam a huge fan of American football I got into it two years ago and iam not even American. So I have enjoyed the last madden titles. But when I rented madden 11 the game had totally changed the gameflow thing is stupid and is only for people who are new to football it also choose stupid plays for you like if your 3rd and 8 it might choose to play man to man coverage No stupid coach play zone coverage . Being the QB has changed passing the ball is frustrating . Being a corner back is pointless as you dont have the ablity to intercept the ball the game does it for you? And some teams are over rated such as the Saints they win one Super Bowl and there the best team in the game rated 92 this was a team that in madden 10 they were rated 71. How did that happen! My team the Colts nearly go 16.0 trough the season but end up with 14.2 they were best team trough the season. We even go to the Super Bowl but we a robbed by the Saints and we only get a rating of 90 WTF! Nick you were to kind to this game giving it 9.0 it should be 5.0. Drew Brees is only half the QB that Payton Manning is he should be cover boy not that one hit wonder.

    Reply

  3. Nick de Bruyne

    August 22, 2010 at 15:07

    You can switch the game assists off, you don’t need to have them on.

    Reply

  4. Conor MUFC

    August 22, 2010 at 21:02

    Yeah but its pointless unless your new to the game. I just choose my own plays I find that gameflow is stupid and frustrating I am sure after a while Nick you started to to choose your own plays from the playbook.

    Reply

  5. Nick de Bruyne

    August 23, 2010 at 11:44

    Have you tried cutstomising the gameflow in the menus yet? You can actually give it so many options, even tell it what to choose from for 1st down, 2nd and long, 2nd and short, 3rd and long etc.

    Reply

  6. Conor MUFC

    August 23, 2010 at 12:56

    No I only rented the game and only had it for 5 days so I just kept to the my playbook. But gameflow isnt the only problem to the game as I pointed out in my frist comment. Team game rating is stupid so if any team wins the Super Bowl this season they will be the best team in next years game. So if a team like the Detroit Lions win this year won are rated 63 will be 92 next year game which is just a lazy game rating system. Also Nick whos your favorite American football team.

    Reply

  7. flmboy

    August 23, 2010 at 13:34

    So by your definition, the team won who the Superbowl (ie the best team) should NOT have the highest rating in the game? So if someone wins something then they are not the best?

    As for your other statements “it also choose stupid plays for you like if your 3rd and 8 it might choose to play man to man coverage No stupid coach play zone coverage” – All the stupid coaches in the REAL NFL call zone defensive plays. All the teams gameplans are based on their real life counterparts. You can’t just blitz every fucking play.

    “Being the QB has changed passing the ball is frustrating” – You mean you can’t bomb the ball downfield on every play and score a touch down? Well guess what…that’s not how football works.

    “And some teams are over rated such as the Saints they win one Super Bowl and there the best team in the game rated 92 this was a team that in madden 10 they were rated 71. How did that happen! My team the Colts nearly go 16.0 trough the season but end up with 14.2 they were best team trough the season. We even go to the Super Bowl but we a robbed by the Saints and we only get a rating of 90 WTF!” – 2 points…really? Is little baby gonna cry cause his precious team isn’t the highest rated.

    “Nick you were to kind to this game giving it 9.0 it should be 5.0. Drew Brees is only half the QB that Payton Manning is he should be cover boy not that one hit wonder” – Are you related to lans by any chance.

    Just as a matter of interest I support the Giants. And as far as I know Nick supports the Steelers. And Peyton Manning isn’t the best quarterback around at the moment. My vote goes to Aaron Rogers but I guess it’s a matter of opinion or fanboyism…

    Reply

  8. Conor MUFC

    August 23, 2010 at 23:44

    Dude calm down I just thought the game changed a lot from 10 I never thought you could bomb the ball down to the endzone its just a little harder to throw with the lob pass. Yeah but game rating system is a bit crazy 71 to 92 a bit much sure the saints played well but not that well. And flmboy cant we just be friends and not qoute my every word. I might cry as Iam a baby dude lets not start one of those sad fanboy fight as we are both smarter then that .Also I love NY Giants their my second team. Aaron Rogers played decent at Green Bay he had big shoes to fill (farve). But he got sacked over 20 times this season ouch! But as you said its a matter of opinon. So cant we just be mates and agree to disagree flmboy.

    Reply

  9. moose

    August 29, 2010 at 12:11

    Manning is an incredible quarterback,most consistent QB ever,and 4 time MVP.Cant argue with that.

    Reply

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