Madden NFL 07 (PC Games, 2006)

Before starting, I had to adjust the controls because the game only has preconfigured presets for the keyboard/mouse. This is a problem for new comers because everything is sorted out by numbers, not the icons on your controller. I am using a ps2 controller hooked up via a converter that I got at radio shack for $10. Madden 06 was the sameway so I wrote down my configuration to match the ps2. This didnt take me long but I can see someone who didnt write them down might get frustrated.

Gameplay:

I picked San Diego and I made the CPU Chicago. Game loaded up and the graphics is pretty much the same as its predecessors. Just darker. (Thats all I am going to say about that). The very first kick off, I returned it for a TD. I cried because in Madden 06, it WAS IMPOSSIBLE to return a kickoff for a TD. I thought maybe it was too easy but I was to busy crying to change it. The very next defensive series, I intercepted the ball for a TD on the second play. The game is too easy on the default settings. This is no problem because you have AI/Human sliders to tweak.

Running: Running the ball has never felt this good since 2k5. I honestly think they are pretty much the same. The highlight stick has the same function in 2k5. Big guys run over and the small guys juke. If anything, running seemed a bit easy due to all the available options you have: Juke left/right, stiff arm left/right, highlight stick, spin, coverball, sprint. With all these options, the hard part is which one will make your RB look good rather than which one is the most effective.

Overall, I give Running B+/A-.

Passing: Passing is pretty much the same as Madden 06 or 05 minus the vision cone (07 has the Vision cone and there is an option to turn it off). Nothing special here. In 06, the cpu's vision cone was almost non existent because it would flash to the other side of the screen and throw the ball instantaneously w/o giving the human much time to react to the QB's line of sight. The vision cone in 07 was more subtle when the CPU QB switched sides of the field giving you time to react. A much needed tweak.

Overall,I give Passing a solid B.


Defense
Defense is exactly the same as 06. Nothing good/bad about this. My only gripe about this is the individual adjustments. If you chose to do so, you can select any player to go into zone, man, cover, etc. Some of these presets will cause the player to go into zone a mile away from where you want him to go. I.E, I want a player to change from man to man to zone but do so 5yrds to the right. The preset zone will cause him to go 10-15yds to the right. Not a big deal because you can always control him but it is still a gripe.

Overall, I give Defense a B.

New Features:

Highlight stick: Same as 2k5, which I thought was impressive. In madden 06, they had a hit stick which basically meant run over the defensive player even if you RB was 180lbs and the tackler was 280lbs. It aint gonna happen. This seriously hampered the agile RBs. The highlight stick willl automatically adjust the (special move) according to your RB. A big RB will run over the person and the agile will juke around him.

Blocking: Now in madden 07, you can take control of a blocker before the snap (if you chose to). It took me awhile to get used to this new feature. Basically this is how it works: You pick a running play. Before the snap, if you chose to, you can pick any player on the field. Once you have your player, hike the ball and you can control the types of blocks