Honestly, Madden 09 the game that's sucked the enthusiasm out of me

[dave374]

Before Future15 calls me a *****, let me preface by saying I bought Madden 09 CE for the PS3 and regular Madden 09 for the 360. I have purchased every version of Madden since 1992.
I am anything but a *****. I loved Madden, football is my favourite sport, I was a Madden online junkie for a long time.
Those days, however, appear to be over.
Why?
A) An incredibly buggy game online and off
B) A game - offline - that in no way resembles real NFL football. When I play the Falcons, I look forward to a challenging run game and trying to contain Michael Turner. What I get instead is a 60-40 pass/run ratio from the start of the game - and no challenge from Turner, despite the fact that my run defence sliders are at absolute zero - which means Turner should break the odd tackle.
C) Playbooks that have no reverses, despite the fact that my team (Philly) uses them throughout the game
D) A game that's virtually unplayable online because everyone plays the same way now - all zone D, every pass under 10 yards, absolutely insipid offensive line blocking.
E) Quarterbacks in the real NFL have some recognition how high they have to throw a football - not in Madden: http://www.easportsworld.com/en_US/video/1598456
F) Not existent fatigue ... just because you guys thought you should turn it off because of online cheesers. Thanks a lot.

I enjoyed Madden 08 more than 09. That should never happen.

Madden used to be my #1 choice for gaming, by a wide margin.
Now it's fallen so far down my rotation I'm tempted to trade both versions in.
I used to look forward to every week's game (like Philly vs Atlanta), now I could care less.

Somehow, some way, EA managed to take my love of video football away.

It's a sad day when NBA Live is a better game (by far) than Madden.

Again, feel free to call me a *****. I just want realistic NFL football ... and Madden simply doesn't deliver it.

This guy http://www.operationsports.com/forum...314-post1.html and Gideon Prime have nailed it, but I suspect major surgery is needed before either guys' concerns are addressed.

[SCOTTFREE226]

Re: Honestly, Madden 09 the game that's sucked the enthusiasm out of me

i feel your pain... i traded my CE in saturday. got MLB TThe Show for 3 bucks used at gamestop. enjoying myself now.. now looking for a transfer cable so i can enjoy a real video football game. but hey, theres always next year.. right

[MJenness]

Re: Honestly, Madden 09 the game that's sucked the enthusiasm out of me

I could not agree more with your points....plus a ton of other problems that exist. But, be prepared for the flames, because some people are SO loyal to this game or company, they have lost all objectivity. I swear, EA could re-package least years game with a new label and some people would claim it's the greatest game ever made......which is EXACTLY why this game has fallen so far.

From a business standpoint, WHY should EA put tons of money and time into making the game better when it is simply a cash cow for them??....the LESS time and money they put into it, the higher their profits. And they KNOW it will sell millions of copies simply because it is 1) Madden and 2) the ONLY NFL game available.

It sure sucks for real football enthusiasts looking for something that resembles a sim. Now, if you're looking for a fun, arcade style game, then it is great. just not my cup of tea.

[countryboy]

Re: Honestly, Madden 09 the game that's sucked the enthusiasm out of me

Look, I am one of the biggest "fans" of EA and Madden, I love the series, but as I said in another thread, the game is flat out boring. Atmosphere is nonexistent. Nothing pulls you into the game.

And as you said Dave and MJ has pointed out, there are way too many quirks and bumps in the road that prevent this game from being enjoyable over time. In my opinion, this is the game we should've gotten in '07, not '09.

I do think the game is making steps in the right direction, unfortunately given whats happened with '06-'08, the game needs to take strides, not steps. Somewhere, Ian/Phil/EA need to make up for 2 "lost" years.

[RGiles36]

Re: Honestly, Madden 09 the game that's sucked the enthusiasm out of me

Look, I am one of the biggest "fans" of EA and Madden, I love the series, but as I said in another thread, the game is flat out boring. Atmosphere is nonexistent. Nothing pulls you into the game.

And as you said Dave and MJ has pointed out, there are way too many quirks and bumps in the road that prevent this game from being enjoyable over time. In my opinion, this is the game we should've gotten in '07, not '09.

I do think the game is making steps in the right direction, unfortunately given whats happened with '06-'08, the game needs to take strides, not steps. Somewhere, Ian/Phil/EA need to make up for 2 "lost" years.

[Segagendude]

Re: Honestly, Madden 09 the game that's sucked the enthusiasm out of me

Not to mention these are NOT "next-gen" worthy graphics. I'm sorry, but besides the grass, the players look like something cut and pasted out of a comic book. I tried playing this on an HDTV; I had the feeling I would've had better results playing on my mom's 32" standard tv,complete with rabbit ears.:wink:
EA, "step your game up!"

[FootballDetails]

Re: Honestly, Madden 09 the game that's sucked the enthusiasm out of me

Great post, countryboy.

The whole situation is sad. I didn't think I would lose interest in Madden 09 this fast.

Look, I am one of the biggest "fans" of EA and Madden, I love the series, but as I said in another thread, the game is flat out boring. Atmosphere is nonexistent. Nothing pulls you into the game.

This is one of my biggest problems with the game right now. It's boring. The lack of atmosphere is brutal. As countryboy said, nothing pulls you in.

I've been playing NBA 2K9, and the atmosphere is fantastic in it. NBA 2K9 has made me depressed about Madden 09. LOL

In my opinion, this is the game we should've gotten in '07, not '09.

Absolutely.

I do think the game is making steps in the right direction, unfortunately given whats happened with '06-'08, the game needs to take strides, not steps. Somewhere, Ian/Phil/EA need to make up for 2 "lost" years.

I think Ian/Phil/EA will make Madden 2010 a great game, but I'm already worried that there's too much on the plate to implement.

[briax87]

Re: Honestly, Madden 09 the game that's sucked the enthusiasm out of me

Before Future15 calls me a *****, let me preface by saying I bought Madden 09 CE for the PS3 and regular Madden 09 for the 360. I have purchased every version of Madden since 1992.
I am anything but a *****. I loved Madden, football is my favourite sport, I was a Madden online junkie for a long time.
Those days, however, appear to be over.
Why?
A) An incredibly buggy game online and off
B) A game - offline - that in no way resembles real NFL football. When I play the Falcons, I look forward to a challenging run game and trying to contain Michael Turner. What I get instead is a 60-40 pass/run ratio from the start of the game - and no challenge from Turner, despite the fact that my run defence sliders are at absolute zero - which means Turner should break the odd tackle.
C) Playbooks that have no reverses, despite the fact that my team (Philly) uses them throughout the game
D) A game that's virtually unplayable online because everyone plays the same way now - all zone D, every pass under 10 yards, absolutely insipid offensive line blocking.
E) Quarterbacks in the real NFL have some recognition how high they have to throw a football - not in Madden: http://www.easportsworld.com/en_US/video/1598456
F) Not existent fatigue ... just because you guys thought you should turn it off because of online cheesers. Thanks a lot.

I enjoyed Madden 08 more than 09. That should never happen.

Madden used to be my #1 choice for gaming, by a wide margin.
Now it's fallen so far down my rotation I'm tempted to trade both versions in.
I used to look forward to every week's game (like Philly vs Atlanta), now I could care less.

Somehow, some way, EA managed to take my love of video football away.

It's a sad day when NBA Live is a better game (by far) than Madden.

Again, feel free to call me a *****. I just want realistic NFL football ... and Madden simply doesn't deliver it.

This guy http://www.operationsports.com/forum...314-post1.html and Gideon Prime have nailed it, but I suspect major surgery is needed before either guys' concerns are addressed.

B, E and F are my biggest problems with this game, apart from the lack of atmosphere, every game feels the same. Your so right about playing teams like the falcons, even with the rush D sliders all set to 0 you dont feel threatened by Turner. The same goes for other teams that rely more on running the ball. I've just about given up on this game, it has some good points, all hidden behind obvious "in your face" bad points.

[simgameonly]

Re: Honestly, Madden 09 the game that's sucked the enthusiasm out of me

I think it is absurd the OP has to be concerned about being flamed for expressing his opinion. He is a paying consumer bottom line with the right to express his opinion. I completely concur with him also, its not representative of an nfl simulation and never has been, no different for this installment. Football in a morgue just does not cut it for 60 dollars. No cpu sliders, the list goes on and on. The best thing that came from this game was the frustration that lead me to update rosters on the "other game" That 2.00 I spent has 500 times the enjoyment and that's with a 4-5 year old game lol. At least they let me trade it in at my local store, being that it is essentially worthless in my estimation I was happy to take the 35.00 credit and apply it to another game that is actually worth a f***.

[kcxiv]

Re: Honestly, Madden 09 the game that's sucked the enthusiasm out of me

Holy crap. Countryboy has seen the light. This is an epic day indeed.

When you first turn on Madden and start playing, you think to yourself. Hey, this game isnt half bad. It has some potential, then after a few days of playing it, you realize how bad it is. Like CB said, they are going in the right direction, but they are far from any goal on the game. There is nothing that sucks you into the game.


If you play 10 games in Madden, you have seen everything. Every animation, just about everything that game has to offer. It just doesnt keep you wanting to come back to keep playing. I lasted about 12 days before i just couldnt do it anymore. Once in a while when my nephew is over, he fires it up and he loves the game, but he's only 10 years old. (yeah, i know, their target audience). hehe, quick cheap shot, sorry.


Anyways, i am serioulsy thinking of trading it in next week and paying the difference for Fallout 3.

[kmart2180]

Re: Honestly, Madden 09 the game that's sucked the enthusiasm out of me

I am on the same boat. Me , Bro-in law, uncle and good friend used to love getting together every week to get are 4 man co-op Franchise going. And ever since NEXT GEN its either been not available (06/07) or just too boring (08/09).

I just made a thread that should have probably just been in this thread cause it echo's this post.

I LOVE FOOTBALL! And want to play madden but I just cant do it cause I dont see NFL Football in it. I put it in and try hard to get through a game but between the robo qb %'s the non exsistance of the CPU running game and the big killer lack of difference between the different teams I play.

ITs a sad day when I am playing a sport game that I dont even watch or care for waaaaaaaaaaaay more (NHL09) than the game that I played and loved since it all started on the CPU.

I have been one of EA's biggest fans ever and always spoke against all the (what I though were haters) But I have finally come to relize that it really is not hating it is telling it like it is. A game that was once great is not getting better than what it once was. Its getting better than its last years game but still does not play as fun as the ps2/xbox versions. I played the living snot out of those games. I very rarely touch my next gen maddens after the first month.

I hope Ian really turns this series around and holds true on promises. Cause this " This Madden is gonna be the best ever" bull no longer fly's by me. ANd I personaly know many who feel the same way. Eventually enough is enough but I feel like we are being tested and $60 isnt alot of $$$ to most so we say what the hell buy it anyways and fall victim to the great marketing schemes.

Its so funny cause I used to bash the daylights out of everything 2K. But they really did some things right and although I still prefer madden to 2k football. Madden is still way behind on alot of things 2k5 had done already. And when I look at NBA2K9 it resembles NBA basketball. It looks Authentic. When you see Lebron James he looks and plays like Lebron James. Sorry I got off topic a little.

[speedkills]

Re: Honestly, Madden 09 the game that's sucked the enthusiasm out of me

It sure sucks for real football enthusiasts looking for something that resembles a sim. Now, if you're looking for a fun, arcade style game, then it is great.

It's not even that. Despite NCAA 09's flaws it's at least fun at times. Maybe Blitz the League II or whatever sequel it is will be the best next gen football game out this year. That's sad. This has actually dampened my enthusiasm for the real NFL season and I'll probably be following the NBA closer while I'm playing it's version of a great sports game.
Only two months in and Madden is headed for the trade-in bin.

[Bodizzy]

Re: Honestly, Madden 09 the game that's sucked the enthusiasm out of me

I couldn't agree with you guys more. I want to love Madden 09 so much, but it's just... dull. Everyone's repeatedly enumerated and listed its flaws, but the bottom line is that it does not feel like football. I even wanted to cut EA slack about the development cycles' limitations and how the time constraints hold them back from truly producing a complete game, but that's really unacceptable. They have the only license to make a video game representation of the most popular professional sport in the United States, and they are failing at the single, most basic concept of that contract: they are not representing the NFL.

There's so much they could do with this game, so many countless details and nuances that would catapult it into a different tier of quality. Look at all the amazing games that are being produced now, from sports titles like NBA 2K series to MLB 08: The Show to non-sports titles like Mass Effect, Fallout 3, and GTA IV. Just think of the depth and amount of details that are saturated in those games, and yet we as hungry football fans ask merely for unbroken gameplay and the basic tenets of the sport we love to only be put into the game supposedly representing it.

[roadman]

Re: Honestly, Madden 09 the game that's sucked the enthusiasm out of me

CB is correct.

There isn't anything that draws you in each and every week.

Let's hope that Ian/Phil right the ship.

[countryboy]

Re: Honestly, Madden 09 the game that's sucked the enthusiasm out of me

Holy crap. Countryboy has seen the light. This is an epic day indeed.

I wouldn't call it epic. I played the PS2 version over the PS3 last year as well. It just took longer for '09 to bore me to the change. '08's 30fps and turnover fest, pretty much made me make the change within the first 3 weeks.