Madden NFL 06 - Review
Added November 28th, 2005 by Kisan Parikh
Introduction:
Ever since the Draft Day commercial first aired football fans have been eyeing the next-generation of football gaming with glee. No one could wait for the amazingly realistic graphics, though many doubted their veracity. After a solid outing on the original Xbox, expectations rose even higher for Madden's first appearance on the 360. The game provides all the pretty visual aspects we all wanted, but it seems too much time has been put into building the engine from the ground up; as a result, Madden 06 for the 360 is lacking key gameplay elements.
Gameplay:
Madden 06, while generally the same in-game, does feature some notable changes (and omissions). First, and most noticeably, the play calling system has been revamped and been made much more accessible. While you still have the option of selecting plays by formation, you now have the ability to choose to take a variety of different approaches. Now, you can call plays by picking the general type of play such as Long Pass, Short Pass, Inside Run, Outside Run, etc. Additionally, you can base your play call around a key player. These key players include your Running Back, Wide Receivers, Full Back, and Tight End. When choosing a play with this method, you choose the player of choice and then select one of the listed plays that will get that player the ball. Other ways you can choose plays are by asking Madden, asking Coach, or using one of your last five. The new system is great for experienced Madden players and rookies alike due to the fact that you no longer have to dig through formations unless you really want to.
Ever since the Draft Day commercial first aired football fans have been eyeing the next-generation of football gaming with glee. No one could wait for the amazingly realistic graphics, though many doubted their veracity. After a solid outing on the original Xbox, expectations rose even higher for Madden's first appearance on the 360. The game provides all the pretty visual aspects we all wanted, but it seems too much time has been put into building the engine from the ground up; as a result, Madden 06 for the 360 is lacking key gameplay elements.
Gameplay:
Madden 06, while generally the same in-game, does feature some notable changes (and omissions). First, and most noticeably, the play calling system has been revamped and been made much more accessible. While you still have the option of selecting plays by formation, you now have the ability to choose to take a variety of different approaches. Now, you can call plays by picking the general type of play such as Long Pass, Short Pass, Inside Run, Outside Run, etc. Additionally, you can base your play call around a key player. These key players include your Running Back, Wide Receivers, Full Back, and Tight End. When choosing a play with this method, you choose the player of choice and then select one of the listed plays that will get that player the ball. Other ways you can choose plays are by asking Madden, asking Coach, or using one of your last five. The new system is great for experienced Madden players and rookies alike due to the fact that you no longer have to dig through formations unless you really want to.
Another change is the new kicking controls. The former kicking system was really becoming old and tired, and the change is much appreciated. Now you must stop a side to side arrow as well as control a power bar. The system is simple and effective. These two things are really the only big additions and the rest of the gameplay changes are more on the subtraction side.
The most shocking thing in-game is the absence of challenges. Now, we no longer have the option of contesting the referee’s opinion on a ball spot or sideline snag. There were quite a few times where I was positive that my Quarterback’s arm was going forward when he was hit, thus making the ball dead. Instead the referee would call it a fumble, and I lost possession of the ball. Had there been challenges, I could have had the play reviewed and kept my drive alive. The fact that challenges were overlooked altogether is a disappointment.
Another in-game omission is the defensive Playmaker system, which allowed individual assignments to be altered on the fly. This drastically limits the control you have over your defense. You can still alter your secondary to make them back up, play closer, or show blitz, and you can shift your Defensive Line and Linebackers. However, without the Playmaker element, these adjustments seem basic.
In addition, the Passing Cone system has been turned off on default. You can still access it by using the right thumbstick or left trigger, but it isn’t necessary. This change is due to some negative reactions to the changed passing system. Some people didn’t like the fact that it led to an increased number of sacks and controlled the dominant passing game.
On the Franchise Mode side of things, the game actually looks like the Franchise mode of a few years back. There is no Owner Mode, PDA system, Total Control Simulation, or Tony Bruno Show in the Xbox 360 version. This leads to a Franchise Mode that is still fun, but it is nowhere near the depth of the Xbox version’s. The above listed features will be missed dearly, but perhaps the most heartbreaking thing is that Training Camp isn’t included either. The Training Camp mini-games are not only missing from the Franchise Mode, but they are absent from the game completely. These mini-games were terrific ways to both improve your skills and to also get a break from the standard football game.
As far as additional features go, Madden 06 proves to be very disappointing. There are no alternate modes besides Franchise Mode, Quick Play, and Xbox Live. I would have loved to see EA expand upon the Superstar Mode in the next-gen version of the game. Actually, I would have loved to see at least something besides the 3 simple modes of play.
Madden 06 for the Xbox 360 has the basic football gameplay that we have come to love, but it lacks in very key areas. The absence of challenges, Defensive Playmakers, and a deep Franchise Mode holds the game back from being “next-gen” in terms of gameplay.
Graphics:
Graphics, on the other hand, give gamers a taste of what the next-generation of gaming will look like. The visuals are breathtaking, and that is apparent as soon as the intro-movie plays. Player models and stadiums are much more detailed when compared to the Xbox version. The players, from their jerseys to their helmets, look incredibly realistic, and stadiums are direct representations of their real-life counterparts.
The most shocking thing in-game is the absence of challenges. Now, we no longer have the option of contesting the referee’s opinion on a ball spot or sideline snag. There were quite a few times where I was positive that my Quarterback’s arm was going forward when he was hit, thus making the ball dead. Instead the referee would call it a fumble, and I lost possession of the ball. Had there been challenges, I could have had the play reviewed and kept my drive alive. The fact that challenges were overlooked altogether is a disappointment.
Another in-game omission is the defensive Playmaker system, which allowed individual assignments to be altered on the fly. This drastically limits the control you have over your defense. You can still alter your secondary to make them back up, play closer, or show blitz, and you can shift your Defensive Line and Linebackers. However, without the Playmaker element, these adjustments seem basic.
In addition, the Passing Cone system has been turned off on default. You can still access it by using the right thumbstick or left trigger, but it isn’t necessary. This change is due to some negative reactions to the changed passing system. Some people didn’t like the fact that it led to an increased number of sacks and controlled the dominant passing game.
On the Franchise Mode side of things, the game actually looks like the Franchise mode of a few years back. There is no Owner Mode, PDA system, Total Control Simulation, or Tony Bruno Show in the Xbox 360 version. This leads to a Franchise Mode that is still fun, but it is nowhere near the depth of the Xbox version’s. The above listed features will be missed dearly, but perhaps the most heartbreaking thing is that Training Camp isn’t included either. The Training Camp mini-games are not only missing from the Franchise Mode, but they are absent from the game completely. These mini-games were terrific ways to both improve your skills and to also get a break from the standard football game.
As far as additional features go, Madden 06 proves to be very disappointing. There are no alternate modes besides Franchise Mode, Quick Play, and Xbox Live. I would have loved to see EA expand upon the Superstar Mode in the next-gen version of the game. Actually, I would have loved to see at least something besides the 3 simple modes of play.
Madden 06 for the Xbox 360 has the basic football gameplay that we have come to love, but it lacks in very key areas. The absence of challenges, Defensive Playmakers, and a deep Franchise Mode holds the game back from being “next-gen” in terms of gameplay.
Graphics:
Graphics, on the other hand, give gamers a taste of what the next-generation of gaming will look like. The visuals are breathtaking, and that is apparent as soon as the intro-movie plays. Player models and stadiums are much more detailed when compared to the Xbox version. The players, from their jerseys to their helmets, look incredibly realistic, and stadiums are direct representations of their real-life counterparts.
The stadiums and player models are great, but the best part is the animations. There are a ton of different animations for everything. The amount of different animations for wide-receivers is stunning. Tackle animations are just as varied and really allow you to see the impact. Everything visually is representational of the football games you watch on TV except for the fact that the game isn’t presented as a television broadcast. I would have loved to see this, but for now I am content with the taunting and celebration cut-scenes following the play.
As well as looking good in-game, Madden 06 looks pretty slick in the menus. Everything is presented in an all new sliding-windows. Instead of selecting options and being taken to a new screen, Madden 06 allows you to seamlessly navigate through the game. You merely press right and the highlighted window will expand, allowing you to access what you need. This makes the menu presentation very slick.
Audio:
John Madden does not play any role in announcing in the next-gen version on Madden 06. Yes, you read that correctly. This is the best omission in the game, and gamers will no longer have to hear Maddens old and tired phrases repeated over and over again. My only hope is that this is something that was left out for good and not just overlooked like the other features.
Instead of Madden announcing, you get a radio announcer that doesn’t offer his insight or expertise. The announcer is generic, and the game is much more focused on the actual gameplay noises and crowd reactions. I like the direction the game has taken in this department, but I know that if the game will ever have a TV broadcast-look, it will need the audio style to match.
Controls:
The control scheme for the Xbox 360 version was changed up quite a bit to suit the new controller. One notable change is the fact that the speed burst is now accessed through the right trigger. Another change involves the QB running controls. Quarterbacks can scramble around using the right trigger. By pulling both triggers you can access juke, spin, and stiff arm. This is a much improved running system for QBs. Overall, everything seems to work seamlessly in the control scheme, but you will need to get used to a few things first.
Replay:
This version of Madden 06 hurts badly in terms of replay value. With only the basic modes of play included, the main hours you will get out of the game is from Franchise Mode and playing multiplayer. I play tons of Madden just against buddies on the same console, and the franchise will always be good for that. The online mode is pretty basic, and there is no online-league play. You are able to either jump into a quick game against matching skill-levels, or you can customize options and set up your own leagues. Not much in terms of replay value with this game, but many people will be content with playing against friends for bragging rights.
As well as looking good in-game, Madden 06 looks pretty slick in the menus. Everything is presented in an all new sliding-windows. Instead of selecting options and being taken to a new screen, Madden 06 allows you to seamlessly navigate through the game. You merely press right and the highlighted window will expand, allowing you to access what you need. This makes the menu presentation very slick.
Audio:
John Madden does not play any role in announcing in the next-gen version on Madden 06. Yes, you read that correctly. This is the best omission in the game, and gamers will no longer have to hear Maddens old and tired phrases repeated over and over again. My only hope is that this is something that was left out for good and not just overlooked like the other features.
Instead of Madden announcing, you get a radio announcer that doesn’t offer his insight or expertise. The announcer is generic, and the game is much more focused on the actual gameplay noises and crowd reactions. I like the direction the game has taken in this department, but I know that if the game will ever have a TV broadcast-look, it will need the audio style to match.
Controls:
The control scheme for the Xbox 360 version was changed up quite a bit to suit the new controller. One notable change is the fact that the speed burst is now accessed through the right trigger. Another change involves the QB running controls. Quarterbacks can scramble around using the right trigger. By pulling both triggers you can access juke, spin, and stiff arm. This is a much improved running system for QBs. Overall, everything seems to work seamlessly in the control scheme, but you will need to get used to a few things first.
Replay:
This version of Madden 06 hurts badly in terms of replay value. With only the basic modes of play included, the main hours you will get out of the game is from Franchise Mode and playing multiplayer. I play tons of Madden just against buddies on the same console, and the franchise will always be good for that. The online mode is pretty basic, and there is no online-league play. You are able to either jump into a quick game against matching skill-levels, or you can customize options and set up your own leagues. Not much in terms of replay value with this game, but many people will be content with playing against friends for bragging rights.
Summary:
The basic summary of the Xbox 360’s Madden 06 is the Xbox version with amazing graphics and a ton of cut out features. I really miss the depth of previous Madden titles, and I wish they could have included some of the key features such as Training Camp. This game is a good purchase for those who must have a football game for their brand new Xbox 360 (and graphic whores), but those who had the game on the original Xbox will probably be content with playing that version. We’ll have to wait till Madden 07 to see a truly next-gen football game, because Madden 06 only improves upon the Xbox version in terms of graphics.
The basic summary of the Xbox 360’s Madden 06 is the Xbox version with amazing graphics and a ton of cut out features. I really miss the depth of previous Madden titles, and I wish they could have included some of the key features such as Training Camp. This game is a good purchase for those who must have a football game for their brand new Xbox 360 (and graphic whores), but those who had the game on the original Xbox will probably be content with playing that version. We’ll have to wait till Madden 07 to see a truly next-gen football game, because Madden 06 only improves upon the Xbox version in terms of graphics.
