Madden NFL 09 Review

[N51_rob]

That was a very well written review. Terry great job with it! I played the game with a friend and he is one of those speed burst the whole time guys. He had 26 yards rushing on 25 carries. I was abusing him rushing the ball. Unfortunately I was spoiled by NCAA and having all day in the pocket to throw the ball and my passing game suffered. It was fun to play with him, but I am one of those who is passing on Madden this year. But I do agree with a lot of the things that you wrote in this review.

[vegaas]

Lets see in two weeks if the 8.5 is legit or as laughable as the NCAA 8.5 sc ore. I used to trust OS's review scores but after the EA love fest that started with the partnership MM I know am very skeptical of the reviews. It is a shame, I used to be able to know that an OS review was the definitve word on a game.

[asu666]

I think the presentation neeeds to be dialed up next year to include the same elements as an ESPN broadcast. I would like to see the Owner Mode fleshed out like MLB 08: The Show's too.

[Redskins Pride]

Terrible point of view, IMO. Because companies now have the ability to patch, they are more apt to release games with clear flaws in them because they would rather meet a deadline than release a quality game. I like they ability to patch, but it's become clear that developers rely on them rather than use them as a last resort. Madden is the perfect example of this..a patch was being planned as soon as the game went gold.

I honestly think EA should consider putting Madden out every two years, with a large update patch for the tween year. Dishing up a game every year, and they don't even really have a full year to work on it is just too much pressure.

Good business plan, though.

[pietasterp]

Re: Madden NFL 09 Review

The text of the review did not seem to correllate with the score they gave the game (seems like you should have more good things to say about a game you are giving such a high score than 'best playing Madden in years', as if that's a compliment), but whatever...It's really the written part that matters. Not going to start a whole "they shouldn't assign reviews numbers" argument here.

Nice job summarizing the pluses/minuses of the game. Although I did take issue with the statement that the game finally hits the target video they released 3 years ago...the game, at least on my TV in the demo, does not look anywhere close to that rendered "target video" they release in '06. And I don't actually even think it's close...

[Chizzypoof]

Thanks for the review. Now I'm really on the fence.

[chargerrich]

Above average game but the lack of any ability to change the controls is freaking stupid...some of us are left handed and like it that way....L2 for Sprint should be an option like in NCAA 08....

[BlyGilmore]

Re: Madden NFL 09 Review

Lets see in two weeks if the 8.5 is legit or as laughable as the NCAA 8.5 sc ore. I used to trust OS's review scores but after the EA love fest that started with the partnership MM I know am very skeptical of the reviews. It is a shame, I used to be able to know that an OS review was the definitve word on a game.

i'm not going to get too into this other than to say two quick things.

First Terry "TCrouch" Crouch has been a member of OS since 2002 with almost 7,000 posts.

And with that said, I will hold our reviews up against any other site out there. If you want to get insight on how a sports gamer feels about a certain game, this is the place you come.

[zeroice]

Re: Madden NFL 09 Review

The Bug & Glitch thread did it for me... I will still hold out hope that the patch(es) will correct most issues and make this game into the great one it could be -

This is the first year that i will hold off on getting madden, i get it free, but from what i have been reading, i think i will wait a few more weeks, and just play NCAA..When that patch comes out, i might get madden

[BlackRome]

I'll go into it. Terry could be a member since Jesus was born but your NCAA review was terrible. The game sucked. Just like Madden does now. With all the bugs they released the game with EA should be gettign killed. How did they allow a game that was so buggy to be released. I've had the game since Friday. All pro will let you complete certain passes no matter what. I thought I was playing NCAA as I watched a guy complete slant after slant even without me rushing a defensive lineman. ALl Maddden is playable but the D will catch every mistake you throw. Demarcus Ware with 3 int's come on. The best madden ever made was XBox 06. This Madden is no Madden 06 on XBOX. I guess I'll have to wait for 2k9 bball to play the most realistic sports game. I play for money. I won't be playing Madden for Cash anytime soon. To many problems with it.

[jeetaa6]

the issues that do exist with the game are still enough to cause me to take a pass on Madden this year. this will be the first year i'm not running out to get the game.
i'm done until Madden is as fun to play as it still is to play 2K5 with updated rosters. 2K5 STILL tops Madden. maybe next year?

[aholbert32]

Re: Madden NFL 09 Review

Lets see in two weeks if the 8.5 is legit or as laughable as the NCAA 8.5 sc ore. I used to trust OS's review scores but after the EA love fest that started with the partnership MM I know am very skeptical of the reviews. It is a shame, I used to be able to know that an OS review was the definitve word on a game.

If this review was from anyone else here but Terry, I would agree with you. Terry is about as through as you can get when it comes to reviews and totally unbiased. I understand your doubts and skepticism though.

[g2thecore]

Re: Madden NFL 09 Review

Great read! I agree with everything.

[walliworld]

With all that glossy, manicure look, you telling me EA still Can Not put REFEREES ON THE FIELD? I'll wait until a $30 used Madden is available which should be about a month. How can you pay $70 for a game with obvious bugs. I'm still playing Madden 06 on my Xbox. I'm waiting for NBA 2K9 for a realistic sports game.

[walliworld]

Anybody dumb-founded as me as to why I have to goto a "spot" in the endzone just for a celebration?? Why can't I just press a button with a preset celebration?