Madden(ing) Glitches and quirks in an otherwise fun game.
1) It's glitchy! In Franchise mode you'll suffer odd crashes during games, which means you have to restart your PS3. Is anything worse? The screen will freeze, though oddly, the sound goes on, like the game is continuing but you can't do anything about it. Ever wanted to play Madden without watching the screen? Now you can!
2) More glitchy! In Franchise mode you'll have the game crash often when trying to train players. This is especially Madden(ing) because your team won't improve through stat acquisition, as in past games. In other words, it won't matter how many touchdowns your HB scores in a season--he'll ONLY improve through these training drills, and if you can't do them because they crash, well, you're outta luck. Ever wanted to play Franchise when you have no ability to improve your players? Then Madden 09 is just right for you! I suppose if you play as the Chargers, Cowboys, Patriots, or Colts, this isn't a problem. For the rest of us, like Bronco fans, Cutler starts with a low awareness rating and it may NEVER get any better.
3) Some training drills still make no sense, such as having your field goal kicker do the bench press to improve leg strength. I'm not kidding.
4) The new Madden virtual training area is strange. For offense, it's too easy. For defense, you can't stop anything. Skip it and just set the difficulty manually the way you always have done.
5) Gone are the days of the long bomb over a receiver's outstretched arms for a TD. The bomb touch pass just doesn't work anymore. You can hit long plays, but usually slants using left or right touch, for a short reception and long YAC.
6) Online play doesn't have enough people playing right now. In Madden 08 you could find a game within 30 seconds. Here, you'll end up waiting a LOT.
7) Superstar mode could be fun, but your player will probably start with REALLY low stats.
8) unrealistic running animations. It's just not fluid--especially true when you break into the open.
Some things I like:
1) Chris Collinsworth.
2) Some fun new tackling and catching animations
3) snow and rain games, while they cause fumbles and interceptions, look very real.
4) endzone celebrations
In sum, I bought it and I'm not sorry, because I'm a Madden gamer. But EA is just riding on their rep and don't fix obvious problems and don't think through new "innovations."