Rather small (in quantity) changes but significant for gameplay...
My first impression for a lot of the last releases (of course including this one) is that the menu front end is a "bit" tweaked but it ultimately leads to the very familiar layout of previous releases.
However the first disappointment comes after realising that graphics have for the most part remained the same as i the 2005 release. Most of the post-game celebrations are in the game since Madden 2003 or 2004? I mean that is a little bit negligent wouldn't you say.
Then again a simple tweak of adding a QB Vision Cone, of which you've all heard about gives a whole different approach to the game. All of a sudden the way you play the game changes. And I really enjoy playing it. A lot of people will, and do, say that the addition of the Vision Cone is too hard. It is worth it for me. It takes time to master, that is true, but it ads a bit of realism for the most important offensive position in the modern football.
There is also a welcome addition of Truck Stick and a more sophisticated precision passing which is also a step in the right direction.
Audio, well if your heard one, you've heard them all.... It's the same, the commentary is boringly the same since 2003 and the changes are much needed.
Yes there's the addition of the superstar mode. Something a lot of people will greet because it adds a new dimension of playing, and especially personalizing your Madden experience. In it you will create a superstar based on the randomly chosen parents attributes (a lot of clicks on the generate button will get you a good start) and lead him through the interviews, training, draft, rookie season and perhaps the hall of fame. I was eager to see this aspect of the game and can admit started to play it immediately.
Although it's good, after a while the necessity to play training sessions before each league game (and not only one) started being tiresome and drew me away. I've played one-and-a-half season and never played it since (even though i play Franchise regularly). So, it is a good idea i must say but at this stage it still requires a lot of polish.
What do you say about a game like this? A lot of people, including myself, will buy and play the game with every new iteration because we are hooked. We are fans in the true meaning of the word. If you get on the wagon of playing Maddens regularly, you will never stop.
If you don't play it with every release, give it a try. The game is definitely worth playing and you'll not have the doom of comparing it with all the previous releases, as lof of us who play it more than regularly do.