Madden 08 on the PC delivers the truest form of NFL simulation of any madden this year, hands down. Believe It!
Excerpt: Call me crazy, but Madden 08 on the PC delivers the truest form of NFL franchise simulation of any madden this year, and for the biggest of football fans, that makes it an incredible and classic experience.
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I've been an avid madden gamer for years and years, dating back to the PS1 era. I've seen high points and low points in the series, but no point has honestly been lower than what the 'next-gen' platforms of the 360 and Ps3 have offered. A terribly unrealistic franchise mode that lacks depth, strange looking moments and tackles, odd gameplay and a terrible announcer highlight these failures.
Yet, because of such a terrible game of simulation football being released on the next-gen systems, I have come to find that the PC version of Madden 08, (which sticks to the tried and true 'old-school' madden engine) delivers the most satisfying madden experience, without doubt.
Does it have worse graphics? Yes, that much is obvious, but the way the players run, the plays that are made, as well as the quick pace and fluidity of the game severely trumps the overly mechanical high-budget next gen titles.
More than having the extremely solid gameplay common to the classic madden's found on the Xbox and Ps2 back in the mid-2000's (read: Madden 2006 especially) the game is seriously chalk-full of great franchise features that were once greatfully common, and now, sadly scarce.
Complete with realistic player progression, player weapons AND player roles (IE, injury prone, or, Fan Favorite), a full-blown owner-mode, (including coach firings, stadium upgrades, relocation, advertising, etc.) player morale, true-to-life pro-bowl uniforms (with team-specific helmets; unlike the other versions) realistic on-the-field injuries, position battles during pre-season, as well as restricted free-agents, a solid draft system as well as an active CPU when it comes to signing and releasing players… Madden 08 on the PC, IS simply the best NFL experience this year. In fact, to my mind, and in my thorough experience, the supposedly superior games of the other systems have none of the great and vital features that I mentioned, which are common to the PC and other 'last-gen' systems.
From extremely solid gameplay, that's fast, fluid, realistic and fun, to a franchise mode absolutely littered with the features Madden fans EXPECT out of their games. The only draw backs to the game come with a lack-lustre Online, and Superstar mode.
Regardless though, when faced hollow resume of the better-looking but terrible-playing opponents, Madden 08 on the PC has been a fast friend to me these past many months, and, unless Madden 09 on the 360 or Wii comes through on the Franchise front, I'll likely play through 30 whole seasons. It's that good.
Bug free, packed to the brim with franchise features and realism, whilst operating on a amazingly solid gameplay foundation, Madden 08 on the PC is a perfect example as to why hype can't be believed, and one just has to play the game for oneself. I own both the 360 and Wii versions of madden 08, and for lack of depth, and a ridiculous amount of game-destructive bugs respectively; I always come back to the PC version.
If you're anything like the football fan that I am who revels in the thrill of the franchise mode, look no further; You've found your game this year.
9.0/10
The only Madden for the year 2008 that I recommend and stand behind
Here's hoping this doesn't fall on deaf ears.
Written: May 14th 2008