Madden 07: Somewhat dissapointing.

I have been a huge fan of the Madden series for over a decade. It has been virtually the only game I have played for the last 11 years. Each year the game has progressed, adding amazing new features and improving on graphics and game play substantially. The newest version for playstation 2 upholds the Madden series' reputation completely; however, Madden 07 for playstation 3 a disappointment.

Due to the playstation 3, the graphics are noticeably improved. They have added new styles of tackling and the way the players move is even more natural and realistic. Also, the players are looking more and more like their real life counter-parts. However, the graphics about the only thing that has improved. The new controls are cumbersome and tough to adapt to. They break away from all of the previous Maddens' game play formats. They have changed the assignments for the buttons even more dramatically than the change from Madden 06 to Madden 07.

On offense, they have added the novelty aspect of being able to control one blocker for a play, but you can only control blockers on the offensive line. This feature is fun for the first few times, after that, it is almost useless. They have switched around the running controls as well. For some reason they have changed X to juke, and also the R3 button. They have tripled the ways to juke but they're all basically the same move.

On defense, proficient players will instinctively find it difficult to audible they're formations. The triangle button is now used to "jump the snap," which is almost completely ineffective. It really does not increase your chances of getting in the backfield very much at all. Also, they have taken away the ability to double cover receivers, and other useful audibles.

The only possible reason that I can think of for them making these changes is to be able to utilize the "new capabilities of the PS3." These new features, however, are more of an annoyance during game play than an improvement. The motion sensitivity of the new controls often cause you to go offsides pre-snap. If you shift the controller suddenly, your man jumps offsides without fail. Also, they have taken away the beloved rumble feature on the remotes. Although there isn't rumble on any PS3 games, it is especially missed in the new Madden. Possibly the worst feature that is missing, one that would have made up for many faults, is the ability to change the controls back to the previous Maddens' controls. If you want to change them, you have to go in before every game and change them manually one by one.

What I would suggest if you have a PS3 and are looking to purchase the new Madden, is that you purchase Madden 07 for PS2. You can still play it on the PS3 because the system is backwards compatible, which means you can play games from the previous system on it. Madden 07 for PS2's graphics are almost identical because of the PS3 system and the controls are much less of a hassle, and much more fun. Also, the same game for PS2 still has all the same new game scenarios, such as create a superstar and quest for the hall of fame.