Pros: Beautifully re-vamped passing/running game; Cool vintage tunes; Menu and presentation; realistic gameplay as a whole.
Cons: Super-star mode is anything but; Where are all the annual new simple features?
The Bottom Line: This is absolutely the best Madden video game ever. This is based on my conclusion that the overall gamely is simply twice as realistic as Madden 2005.
First off, I should mention I basically feed on the annual Madden between the months of August to November. It may sound extreme, but for me there is absolutely nothing better then killing a franchise for 5 years or winning a superbowl, then starting fresh again, perhaps with a new team. Now I'm not afraid to say that the only difficulty I use is "All-Pro," because it seems every time I use "All-Madden" I can rush 2-3 yards per carry. Tops. I'm telling you this because the game as a whole is drastically altered from difficulty to difficulty, so continue reading with caution.
What I like....in my e-pinion
It seems as though many reviews…i.e. IGN, Gamespot etc. really dislike some of the features. “Oh! That new passing deal is hard to control!” Well, I agree and disagree. It takes about 5 hours of intense Madden practice to truly get use to the greatness of this idea. I mean truly, the whole look where you pass makes a little bit of sense, versus the every down “blind-pass” of Madden 2005. Please, instead of whining and switching the “QB Vision” option off, try it out a little longer, as you’ll start to appreciate its true beauty. Next off is the “truck stick.” It could fall into categories of both an antonym and synonym to the beloved “hit stick” on defense. It is basically the same, a bigger, badder way to nail the opposing player to the ground. Except this time it’s the offense dealing out the punishment. It really is just that, however it is really, really fun to use. Now my next positive feature about Madden 2006 may not be a big one, but it just adds a swift sense of realism. The rookies now have their pictures, instead of those blank black outlines! I like to be able to see pictures of the NFL players I’m using in action. the menu system, although very similar to 2005, has a fresh new look, with cool NFL footage of your "favorite team."
Another new “gameplay” change I admire is the new passing/receiving style. It is incredibly more realistic. Receivers now jump for footballs…isn’t it about darn time! Whenever I see NFL games, receivers generally JUMP to gain a height advantage over the cornerback. Likewise, quarterbacks effectively throw passes up in the air so only their 6-foot-4 receivers can grab them versus the 5-foot-9 corners. Like another epinion reviewer said, I love the new vintage “NFL video” music played by “Sam Sneed.” It gives Madden an authentic sound versus the usual “Wylde-Bunch” and other hip-hop crap. (Not to suggest that there still isn’t any!)
What I DON’T like....in my e-pinion
Wow, that new superstar mode is pretty garbage. I tried my absolute best to appreciate Madden 2006’s biggest new feature, but honestly, I can’t. This thing is like the exact same as creating your own guy in Madden and then using him in Franchise mode. Say you created a QB, and the Vikings drafted you as a backup. You are somehow also the coach, so feel free to start yourself over Culpepper, every game and every play.
Also, versus franchise mode, you cannot trade, arrange plays, or have control over the external factors of football (Like stadiums). Another downer was that there was no new practice facilities, mini-games, mini/training camp games etc. Also missing, are key franchise mode additions, as it is the exact same menu system as 2005 with the same old Tony Bruno and fake guest calls. Lastly, and this is a biggy, is that Madden 2006 like all its predecessors back until 2003 seem to have trouble with my Xbox. Now it just may be me, but it seems like “Your disk may be damaged or need cleaning” comes up WAY TOO much during games. Please feel free to contact me if you have the same problem, it will lesson the “that guy’s crazy” label imprinted on me after that last remark.
My brilliant Conclusion
Some people may say that there's not enough or half-a**ed improvements in Madden 2006, but you must look past the superstar mode, and venture deep into the radically new offensive game play as a whole. The passing is now genuinely realistic. The receiving is now comparable to NFL Football (I would have never had said that about previous Madden’s). The running is more fun with the truck stick. So all-in-all, there are a lot of deep enhancements not visible a the back of the game box. So go on, have a blast with the new and improved Madden video game.
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