Dear Madden, Get Back in The Game
Madden 12 is not set to be released until August (and yes it will be released whether there is a lockout or not) but its never too early to talk about what this game needs. First off let it be clear that the Madden Franchise has only deteriorated since the advent of the "next gen" consoles. Aside from graphical enhancements, this series has taken nothing but steps in reverse.
Lets take a trip down memory lane, to a time when Madden was not the only football game on the market, the year is 2004, and SEGA has just released ESPN NFL 2k5 to rave reviews. This game was innovative, it featured in game highlights, sportscenter segments, the infamous crib, and "in the helmet" game mode. All of this was presented for $20, making it one of the most glorified sports games in history.
To this day Madden is still trying to overcome the shadow cast from that game. However, what must not be forgotten is what that competition brought out of EA Sports. Madden 2005 was a great game itself, one of the best the series ever offered. Competition will bring out the best in anybody, including game developers.
Madden 2005 featured the revolutionary hit stick, owner mode, the Tony Bruno show, and improved AI. It was also more playable than 2k5.
The next year everything changed. EA bought the exclusive video game rights to the NFL on consoles. Apparently the guys at EA have been celebrating their monopoly ever since because their games only get worse. Features are lost only to return years later and labeled as new or revolutionary. People were actually excite
d when Madden 08 featured the ability to create a team. Really? Did everyone forget that this feature was in every sports game for the last ten years? Oh and what a revelation it was when Madden 11 changed the kicking meter from a flip of the right thumbstick to an actual side to side meter! Hey, wait a minute, that was the way the meter was before they released the revolutionary thumbstick meter just a couple years prior!
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