Madden NFL 10 Review [PS3]

With every new Madden title comes the promise of a whole new experience, an experience like no other, a game that is a significant improvement over its predecessor.  What usually happens however, is that it turns out to be almost exactly the same as its predecessor with a few bells and whistles attached to create an illusion of progress.  Perhaps that’s a little harsh but, nevertheless, Madden games (like most annually released sports games) tend to improve by taking baby steps rather than the full, gazelle-like strides you’re likely to see watching an NFL game on the telly (we suspect men vs. gazelles would make for a more interesting sport – Ed).

And so, in time for the start of the new season, Madden NFL 10 is upon us.  Initially the changes to this year’s gameplay seem minor, indeed some casual Madden players will struggle to highlight any differences between this game to the last.  It’s only after a couple of games that the improvements start to become more apparent, and the overall experience is undoubtedly better for them.  In fact, one could even go as far as to say that this year’s game represents the biggest leap forward in gameplay the series has ever seen.

Let’s start with the new ‘Pro-Tak’ animation system, a feature that allows for gang-tackles of up to nine players.  The most hyped of this year’s new additions, Pro-Tak adds an extra layer of authenticity to the running game that has been lacking in previous outings.  No longer will a player simply crumple up and fall to the turf when hit with a clean tackle, instead he’ll often push and fight against the opposition for every last blade of grass.  If this battle of brute strength continues for long enough other players (from both teams) quickly get in on the act, creating a mass of sweaty, muscle-bound guys desperately pushing and fighting against each other for every last inch.

The system adds more bite to a running game that hasn’t been especially exciting in the past, and heightens the level of realism when it comes to using players known for their ability to burst through tackles.  The likes of Brandon Jacobs and Frank Gore, for example, are much more effective thanks to the Pro-Tak system, meaning running the ball straight up the gut of the offence (as those players do week in week out in the NFL) is now a viable tactical option.

Quarterbacks have undergone some statistical surgery this year, most noticeably in how throwing accuracy has been broken down into separate ratings for various distances; long throw accuracy, short, medium etc.  While it sounds like only a minor alteration, it has quite a dramatic effect on how your QB performs.  It forces you to play to your player’s strengths, which in turn impacts the plays you choose to run in any given situation.  Miami’s QB, Chad Pennington, for example, has fantastic accuracy over a short distance, but trails off dramatically on anything over 15-20 yards.  This forces you to adopt a short passing game and become more creative with your play calling, no longer spamming the same play regardless of which team you’ve selected.