Hey GS shut the hell up kicker is hard to play i think i speak for all my fellow kickers when i say stfu
Madden NFL 07 Superstar Spotlight
We hit the gridiron with a position-by-position look at NFL Superstar mode in Madden NFL 07 for Xbox 360.
News that the Xbox 360 version of Madden NFL 07 would include the superstar mode found in the Xbox and PlayStation 2 games was welcome for fans of the long-running NFL series. The mode, which was first seen in last year's Madden, has been upgraded for this year's game and puts more of a focus on individual performance than ever before. Instead of simply choosing a player and then playing Madden games as you normally would in any other mode, superstar mode puts you in the shoes of that superstar and his position for the entire game. When your player isn't on the field, you are a spectator watching the action unfold. When it comes time to lace up your shoes, you'd better have your A-game together because you are solely responsible for your position. As a result, your team's success or failure might come down to just how good you are playing your role on the field. In this preview, we'll take a look at the different positions on the gridiron and how they play in the Xbox 360 version of Madden NFL 07's superstar mode. We'll start with arguably the most important position on the field.
Quarterback
The quarterback position feels the most like a traditional game of Madden, with a few important differences. First of all, as in the rest of superstar mode, you won't be calling the plays that come your way, although you do have the leniency to call an audible on the field if you don't like what you're seeing from the defense. Second, the point of view is much lower than you might expect, especially once you snap the ball. You can still use the coach cam to pull back and check your receiver routes or get a better look at the defensive coverage, but once the ball leaves the center's hands, the camera zooms down right behind your player, and it's up to you to find an open receiver. Finding that open pair of hands, however, is a bit trickier thanks to the lower perspective--the sense of pressure from the defensive backs and linebackers is more immediate, as well. It's in those moments of intense pressure, as you're scouring over the heads of the beastly linesman, that you really start to feel for guys like Doug Flutie.
Halfback
Another position that will feel awfully familiar to Madden fans is halfback. When your number is called, the quarterback will get you the ball, be it with a handoff, toss, or throw, and then it's time to turn on the magic using the standard Madden trick bag. You can use the right analog stick to pull off special moves such as jukes or put your head down and pound through defenders. Of course, the halfback position isn't always about gaining yardage. Sometimes, you'll be little more than a decoy on a counter run; other times, it will be up to you to pick up the block on a blitzing linebacker to give your QB the extra time he needs to find a receiver. You can't move your halfback before the snap, which is in stark contrast to the linesman, where encroachment and offside calls come often if you aren't careful.
Fullback
The big brother to the halfback, fullbacks act as a bulldozer for the running back in most NFL schemes. NFL teams usually have a few plays that involve the fullback directly, but for the most part, the fullback position requires a superstar physique and a selfless disposition. In superstar mode, the fullback position is an on-again, off-again affair--you'll go stretches in the game without getting much playing time. When you are playing, you'll be spending the vast majority of your time blasting through the offensive line in front of your halfback and generally making things happen.
Wide Receiver
Perhaps no position exemplifies the "superstar" NFL lifestyle better than the scoring machines that are wide receivers. Whether you choose to act like T.O. or Hines Ward, the position on the field is still one of the most challenging to be found. On the plus side, you're on the field for almost every play, even during running plays. On the other hand, you won't be seeing the ball every snap--in fact, you might go five or more plays without a ball even being put in your direction. Colored lines on the field indicate the route you should run, and while you don't have any choice on what play is being called, you can make yourself the primary receiver by holding down the right trigger and pressing the receiver button associated with you, which means your QB will more often than not look in your direction first.
When the quarterback throws the ball in your direction, an orange icon shows up on the field, indicating where the ball will land--if you manage to get your receiver open and to that spot, you'll usually wind up catching the ball. From there, it's a matter of getting as many yards after the catch as you can manage. Interestingly, the quarterback vision cone helps to give you an idea of whether your QB is focusing on you or not. If you're within his vision cone, you might want to make sure you spend that extra effort trying to put some space between you and your defensive back. Then you can call for the ball by pressing the left bumper to give your QB a heads up. Both the receiver and the tight end should make frequent use of the "ball camera" option, which is executed by pressing the B button. This camera angle gives you a sideline view of the action--and a better view of the quarterback and the ball--as opposed to the default behind-the-back camera view.
Kicker
Without question, the kicker is the most important position on any football team, usually populated by the grittiest, toughest, and most talented athletes on the football field or, in fact, in any professional sport. Okay, just kidding. Everyone knows kickers suck, and you won't be playing them in Madden NFL 07's superstar mode.
59 comments
tools......they try to disquise the truth that behind all the " new features" madden is gonna suck in terms of gameplay like the last one notice they never talk about the actually game play no defensive audibles and indivisual coverage changes that current gen madden has its back to 2k style arcade crap remember there " fear the D" frase now its all about stupid superstar mode and wow lead blocker control .....
as much as i hate EA, this time the game looks good. i still like 2k over madden though. DAMN YOU EA !!!! DAMN YOU !!!!! JUST LET GO OF THE NFL PUNKS !!!!
After playing last year's madden on the 360 what makes you think this year ea will do any better of a job? When companies have monopolies on sports game franchies the game usually sucks. Madden o6 might be the worst football game of all time and this years 2k MLB was the same way, a waste of 60$. I will wait to rent this game and see if its worth the money.
Kickers do suck, look at Lynn Elliot, muffed a kick that would have sent the Chiefs to the superbowl. But they do still have more money than 90 percent of the country so, if they can slack off, kick a ball every now and again, and make bank, more power to them. This game looks like it will be awesome, but I do wish that 2K was still around for some competition, it seems to make both games better when they are competing. They both have their high and low points so I made it easy and bought both when I could.
metaljeff Madden sucks,2k Stil lRules! Anybody who says differently is a slave. Or, anybody who says differently has their own opinion. that eing said, this new mode looks pretty sweet. more than just franchise with one player featured. i can't wait for this to come out
I actually like both. Madden was more arcade and fun to play with friends / Family. 2k seried I played more solo...
But thiers rounors about an nfl legends like blitz but with nfl legends that 2k thinking about making
Hiraku, looks like you'll be going years without football. the nfl and ea signed a long term agreement deal.
To all of you 2k lovers and Madden Haters what game is in the Football Hall of Fame? MADDEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOT 2K not only that you never heard of the 2k Bowl but you have head of the Madden Bowl. So stop hating.
2K was by-far the better series in gameplay. I have not purchased a Madden title since the 2K series started. And just because EA bought out the competition does not mean that they will bully me into buying Madden. I'll do without until 2K comes back.
all hale to 2K scrubs!!!!!!!!!!! just keep it real if e.a didnt do what they did we wouldnt be waiting for wackkend.2k is a classic fasho i will always play it till they make an new 1 ..wheres the BC for 360 for this game anyway espn nfl2k5 is the King of all video games FOOTBALL handsdown in till i see otherwise
Although Madden 07 for the 360 is going to rock. It still can't hold a candle to NFL 2k, I don't care what anyone says, if there was an NFL 2K7 it would blow Madden 07 away period that's why EA brought out the competition. crazylegzmark We'll see once the NFL license contract is up if the NFL renews it or not, and if they don't Let the NFL 2K series shine like it did. It wasn't taken out by Madden it was forced out by EA, to make people think it was the best, it only a name brand football video game it will never be a complete, competitive full NFL game. Just a name.(visual concepts is were its at, if Madden was made by visual concepts, then it would be the best.)
Pooky TheGamer-"What I don't get, is if the ESPN football game was ("and still is") SO much better than madden why it's no longer around? Madden is, and always will be a better game. And if you don't think that, what the hell ever, don't buy it and quit your whining. " The reason ESPN football games arent around anymore is because EA bought the NFL license at a high price...think before you speak. Ive never played a 2k sports game but i think they should be able to make one type of football game...they should diversify it because if tehy dont EA can come out with the same game every year and not have a fear about any competition
All the Madden haters stop complaing 2k was ok but Madden will always be the best, thats why its in the Football Hall of Fame. 2007 will be better than the 2006 version on the xbox 360.
EA only has 3 more years left of their exclusivity with the NFL and 13 with ESPN.... Cant wait to get NFL 2k back or whatever Visual Concepts calls it then.... Madden hasnt shown me anything since 96 but this one does look decent feature wise I just hope it plays like they say it does............ and yes 98% of kickers suck....There are only two big name kickers in the NFL Vanderjact and Vinatieri
looks good,but if it plays ANYTHING like last years FUMBLE fest it will suck again. they should contact visual concepts to HELP( i mean make the game) dont forget EA has 6 more years of new rosters coming.
Kicker's don't suck, they plain don't. But if you've never played on a team is sure as hell looks like that. Kickers make the difference in almost any game i have played in football. My high school team is either down by a field goal or in order to take the lead we need the extra point, or we need someone that can get a great kickoff. Kickers may seem unimportant, but it takes some serious skill to do what they do.
Imagine people who are ignorant about the game of football, such as: danhatesmonkeys You've obviously never played football before for a real team. Kickers can be among the highest scoring players on the team on an amazing football team. Extra points, you figure you score 6 touchdowns in a game. That's 6 points for a kicker. Think before you speak.
Sure kickers can be the highest scoring players on the team... if the team is horrific in the red zone and couldn't score a TD on a women's football team. It would have been nice to be given the option to play a kicker, but I think you're in the minority. Imagine this.. staying on the bench and watching the game, only seeing action when there's a kick off, extra point, or a field goal.
That's dumb that you can't be a kicker. They can be the highest scoring players on the team, reall they can be. I'm going into my senior year having played varsity for all 3 years I've been here, and I start as a Linebacker but I double as my team's kicker, and a lot more respect is needed for that position because, lets think about it. 2 Super Bowls were won for the patriots recently because of their kicker. And one of the trips to one of those Super Bowls was decided for the patriots by their kicker. I'm not a Pats fan, they are just a prime example haha. But seriously, You should be able to play a kicker, and they do not "suck" by any means.
I hope on two player the play selection is the same as the current gen versions cuz alot of ppl cheat and look at plays.......why would u change that n e way EA??????
i have a demo of nfl2k the last one and i have madden and madden that year look alittle more real. the game play wasnt even fair, madden was way better. i even have NFL fever demo the year before and it was way better then the nfl2k and it looked alot better then nfl2k(the last one 4 think) madden is going to last for ever
In my opinion what makes ESPN NFL 2k5 better than Madden 05 was his online mode with the possibility to create season of 32 players, it was awesome , every games were a challenge , you could scout your opponent by playing against his VIP profile and then develop a real philosophy (west coast , running oriented , vertical passing ...) because you could trade players with the others players. I remember somes very long trade negociations , it was the perfect coach/player life simulation. But EA don't care about the online experience , that's why some people like me keep saying Madden is crap.
actually, I'll give you one thing, Madden always had more gameplay depth then the 2k series, but to be saying thats they didn't up their graphics and their gameplay was terrible, is untrue. The 2k series was awesome in my opinion, of course the gameplay was different then madden but for the better. The animation in 2k5 were much better then Madden 05, the graphics were also better then madden 05. Of course in-game the recievers in the 2k series dropped passes constantly, but the game really made you work harder to get into it, they made it more challenging to run the ball, because most of the time a blitzing linebacker got to you RB before he got pass the line of scrimmage, it always made you think fast. The 2k series was better then Madden and it was for less then half the price. Think about all of the things EA has taken from it, one huge thing is they took the Crib from the 2k series. EA added that in the yr they got the rights, instead it was your home with all of your things in it, but you couldnt customize anything in it to make it your own, you were stuck with what EA gave you. In the 2k series you were able to buy new firniture and things for your home. That had more depth then madden. If you say that the 2k Series were not as good or better then madden, then you never even gave the game a chance.
lol the only NFL2K series to be better than Madden is NFL 2K1. Never beyond that point was NFL 2K series better, the playbook was limited & the AI was shotty and would lock up and do ballerina circles on the target from time to time. NFL series made advancements in graphics and sound instead of incresing playbook depth, to run and pass in the NFL series was way too easy & extremely unrealistic. Sorry, as much as I wanted the 2K series to be the better of the football games (hate EA's monopolizing ways) it definitely wasn't better in terms of depth & realism to the actual sport.
reason why espn is no longer around EA has the liscense to make NFL games now they bought out the rights. so every other game is a spin off cause they can't use nfl teams
What I don't get, is if the ESPN football game was ("and still is") SO much better than madden why it's no longer around? Madden is, and always will be a better game. And if you don't think that, what the hell ever, don't buy it and quit your whining.
to EDOGs comment earlier, Sounds good and have fun playin the '05 season for 15 more years
Traded in my Madden 06 for $10.00 and I think they gave me way too much for it...I should have paid them for taking it...but I have a feeling 07 is going to be a different story...can't wait for it.
I agree with gregoreocookie, any ways Madden next gen doesnt feel next gen it has nice visuals, but the gameplay sucks, and another reason why Im not a madden fan is because they became little bxxxxxs and got exclusive rights from the NFL because ESPN/ 2K5 series was and still is better than Madden. for example why does NBA 2k look gourgeous and plays way better than NBA live next gen then! just imagine Nfl 2k7 on xbox360 ps3 and even wii, yeah just imagine cause Madden isnt going to last anyway, until it gets a full make over. Remember the CGI pre-rendered version of a so -what called Madden Next Gen! even though pS3 graphics are good, not even that system could make the game look like that commercial. In final words madden cheated and it still sucks except on wii cause its a new way to play! and Nfl 2k7 would of been a master piece!
When I was reading the part about the kicker I stopped, went back and re-read it as I thought I had missed something. Then I finished the paragraph and laughed. I am really looking forward to this game.
How did I know that the 2k fanboys were gonna appear as soon as they saw "New Preview for Madden 07" Damn, I wonder when they are gonna grow up?!?!?!? Anyway, yeah this is gonna be a real good feature in Madden. I'm excited to see exactly what direction EA is heading. Hopefully they kick it in to full gear next year but right now they are on cruise control fitting all the features back in. Nonetheless this is going to be a great game.
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Game Info
- Release Date: Aug 22, 2006 (US)
- ESRB: ETitles rated E (Everyone) have content that may be suitable for ages 6 and older.
- Release Date: Nov 14, 2006 (US)
- ESRB: ETitles rated E (Everyone) have content that may be suitable for ages 6 and older.
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