Someone needs to fix the AI!

Madden 07 for the Xbox is much better than the 360 version. No doubt about it. The Xbox version doesn't lag (the 360 lags in single-player!), and the players in the Xbox version look normal when they're running. I've played the crap out of this game with my friend in Franchise Mode (I won the first two Super Bowls and he won last three!), and here's what I got to say.

First, the positives. The new Roles system is the most innovative thing Madden has done in years. A person like the 350+ lb behemoth that is DT Shaun Rogers has a Run Stopper role because that's what he's good at. In-game, the role decreases the O-line's run-block ratings, the RB's agility ratings, and increases the defense's ratings when they are defending the run. There are some cool roles such as Pass Rusher (like Julius Peppers), Enforcer (Roy Williams), Captain Comeback (Tom Brady), Shutdown Corner (Champ Bailey), and more. This makes Franchise Mode infinitely more interesting, as you try to collect some of these guys and hope your young guys develop into them. It's lame though when one your guys is among the league leaders in Big Hits every year and never can become an Enforcer, and for some reason, the cornerback that only started half the season and still allowed more catches than my other CB somehow becomes a Shutdown Corner. Roles are neat, but EA needs to fix the algorithms or something so that Roles are truly deserved.

This is really the only new thing in Madden 07 worth talking about. Yeah, you can control O-linemen, TE's, and FB's during run plays and block for your tailback, but I'd rather control the runner anyway. Superstar Mode is a little better, but you still have to watch the game when you're not in it. It's also incredibly frustrating playing it, because you can only control one guy on the field and the CPU is incredibly dumb. As a running back, I had to deal with Byron Leftwich and Tom Brady (!) audibling run plays INTO where the defense is bunched and AWAY from my blockers. Also, on pass plays, I would pass block or go out for the pass only to have the QB throw pick after pick. The CPU also can't tell when you're open, which is absurdly easy to do for some reason. As a WR, I had to deal with Matt Hasselbeck constantly underthrowing me. Also, watching from the sideline lets you notice that when QB's throw bombs in the game, they throw it absurdly high and sometimes it hits the roof of a dome! Superstar Mode is a great idea, but it's not going to get good until they tweak the camera angles and revamp the AI.

The AI is just plain bad except in All-Madden mode where the CPU cheats. We play in All-Pro and tweak all the sliders to make the game as hard as possible without resorting to All-Madden, and I have made the Super Bowl every year and probably would have won all of them if it wasn't my friend that I was meeting there every year. I'm on my 6th season in Franchise now and I don't plan to stop anytime soon, but I wonder how long I would have played if I was playing a Franchise by myself.

The graphics haven't really changed at all. I've seen a few new animations I think (the one-handed catch that WR's try to pull off once in a while), but the graphics are still in the same not good, not bad category. But after playing the 360 version, I'm just glad that the animations are ok. Although it would be nice if gangtackling was possible. You'll notice that Madden never keeps track of solo tackles and assists, because all tackles are solo tackles and there are no assists.

Madden needs more than just a facelift, it needs a total retooling of the AI. Until they do, I'll probably still play Madden all the time but I won't be completely happy about it. Hopefully NFL 2Kwhatever will save us. Though I have heard that they are working on a football game focusing on the old legends. Stay tuned!

xo,

underdawg

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