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smokeh
08-14-2008, 08:04 AM
So in a fit of 'new-gamia', and the fact that I generally enjoy a good sports game on occasion, I walked into my local Gamestop on Tuesday to purchase a copy of the Brett Favre-adorned Madden '09.

While this game will probably be an 'on again off again' addiction for the rest of the year, I will have to admit that a lot of things have improved since the last time i played Madden (which would have been on my PC last year, and the year before).

There is the whole 'madden IQ' concept, which is interesting in theory, and works great against the computer, but which is really kind of pointless when playing another person. You pretty much have to turn the difficulty allll the way up when playing head to head, or you'll have 85-73 scores all day because passing is so easy.

The franchise mode is intact in all of it's minute detailed glory, and there are other additions.

Not being a huge Madden nerd, I don't know really know/care what is new/revamped/revisited/the same, so I'll let you hunt down some reviews on your own.

What I can say:

This game is ****ing pretty, and I mean amazing graphics. Definetly an accomplishment.
The commentary is a nice touch, and while you definetly end up hearing the same lines repeated on occasion, there is a huge variety and it doesn't get as old and annoying as it could.
The game is just a little bit more difficult, I think, from the beginning. You have to play the receivers and the mismatches a little bit more. This is also because i'm terrible at this game, and Indy whooped my ass in the first regular season game. :(
The play calling has several sorting options now, making it MUCH easier to call plays. You can go to madden picks, and select from a good basic collection of run/pass plays, sort by formation (if you are insane enough to really know what the **** they are), or sort by actual play styles (short pass, long pass, inside run etc). There is also a really neat option to sort by RECENT plays, so after you develop a few basic plays you like, you can get to them easily.


I haven't tried the online part yet, and probably won't until I get a little bit better... as of right now, Rage played me last night, Bears vs. Packers, and wtf destroyed me 40-15 or something. We were both plaing on the second difficulty level though, and he literally would do nothing but throw it to Donald Driver for 15 yards EVERY DOWN.

Oh well, guess I have some improvement to work on.

Oh yeah, if any of you 360 owners that I like/care about have this game, do the whole 'friends list' thing and we can play some time.

SkifF
08-14-2008, 08:36 AM
Stop using the Bears, you might win more.

smokeh
08-14-2008, 09:16 AM
Stop using the Bears, you might win more.

i know, shitty isn't it?

don't worry, i'm looking at picking up a couple new WR and a new QB in free agency.

stormFury
08-14-2008, 10:53 AM
I'm still trying to get use to it. I played 08 semi-regularly until well after the Super Bowl and 09 feels so different. Plus, the dumb madden test thinks I'm all-madden at running so I can't do shit in an actual game. Even on all-pro which I usually played. Maybe I'll dial it down to pro to get used to the game ...newbie :(

Anyway, I'm stormfury1 on live if you wanna play sometime. Assuming my dumb xbox stays connected for more than 5 minutes. Its hit or miss.

smokeh
08-14-2008, 10:57 AM
I'm still trying to get use to it. I played 08 semi-regularly until well after the Super Bowl and 09 feels so different. Plus, the dumb madden test thinks I'm all-madden at running so I can't do shit in an actual game. Even on all-pro which I usually played. Maybe I'll dial it down to pro to get used to the game ...newbie :(

Anyway, I'm stormfury1 on live if you wanna play sometime. Assuming my dumb xbox stays connected for more than 5 minutes. Its hit or miss.

hahaha, I know. they need to fix that stupid madden test.

without trying, i went all madden on the running test, went all-pro on the passing teste, and then got 0 tackles on both the rushing and pash defense tests. Everyone else in the house (roomate and ex-gf who both had never played madden before) did the same as me. All-Madden for the rushing.

loffles, and when you get into the real game, you get crushed 90% of the time trying to run anyway.

i'll throw you on my friends list, i'm smokehmcpot. you can crush my face one of these days.

Axis
08-14-2008, 01:19 PM
smokey. run a 4-3, w/ double coverage on Driver every down, and either blitz the weak side linebacker.
or run a Nickel formation and blitz the CB covering Driver, and send the safety and Nickel back on coverage on Driver.
OR, setup dbl coverage on Driver in any standard formation, control the LB set to cover the strong side, and depending on how the HB or TE release, you can send him in manually on a blitz (if he's fast enough). Just don't try to cheat around the blocking scheme, or you will really open up throwing lanes. And in '09, they tear you apart with open throwing lanes.

smokeh
08-14-2008, 01:27 PM
those words you were using, most of them weren't english as I understand it. :(

how can i set up double coverage on a person specifically?

i had been running mainly a Cover 3 defense against the passing plays.

talk to me as if i'm football-play retarded (which I am). :)

Long Black Veil
08-14-2008, 01:42 PM
Haha, that was way over my head too.

Canon
08-14-2008, 05:23 PM
I'll explain the first part...

run a 4-3
Refers to:


4 Line-Men: 2x End(DE) and 2 x Tackle(DT)
3 Line-Backers: 1x Middle, 1x Weak-Side, 1x Strong-Side

Strong-Side refers to the side of the offensive line stacked with an extra player, i.e.: w/ a Tight-End(TE).
Weak-Side refers to the side of the offensive line opposite the Strong-Side, if any.



w/ double coverage on Driver every down
Means assign two Corner-Backs(CB) to cover Driver.
and either blitz the weak side linebacker.
Blitz means that the defensive player in question,WSLB, will abandon default coverage and attempt to breach the offensive line for a sack.

Axis
08-15-2008, 12:29 PM
Thanks Canon.

One clarification: Double coverage simply means assigning two defenders to cover one offensive player.

Depending on what side Driver lines up on (and I doubt he'll ever be in the slot or Y position).

What you want to look for is either a Double-X or Double-Z defense. Usually found in Nickel and Dime...(sometimes in a 4-3/3-4/4-5-2/4-4-3/5-1-5/etc....)

The X would be the #1 receiver, and he usually lines up on the left side of the offense. The Z would be the #2/flanker, and usually lines up on the right side (sometimes off the line of scrimmage - for motion purposes). But, this sometimes end up flip-flopped...if the offense reverses a play, which is why Madden allows the offense/defense to audible FLIP THE PLAY. Look for that in the manual.

Later on, you'll get the hang of audibling individual players, groups of players, or the entire defense. Fast learning curve.

So, you'll want to Double-X cover Driver.

smokeh
08-15-2008, 02:48 PM
Excellent article on hot routing defenders (http://www.sportsgamer.com/content/1717)

fushkkk
08-16-2008, 12:32 PM
football would be better if it was hockey.

The only good thing about Football is fantasy football trash talk.

NewBreed
08-16-2008, 01:15 PM
And you almost never put 2 corners on 1 person lol....usually the FS or the Sam Linebacker. Great game. Picked it up today.

wtf
08-16-2008, 02:16 PM
football would be better if it was hockey.

The only good thing about Football is fantasy football trash talk.

Except football is better then hockey in every way.