In opening, Madden 07 for PS3 was certainly rushed, it doesn't even have all of the options of the PS2 and XBOX versions. NO MADDEN COMMENTARY. None. If you click "Ask Madden" he does tell you the plays he likes but other than that...(raspberry). Here's my review:
Graphics The graphics in Madden 07 are great. There is a lot of definition put into the player models, most of whom are built. Even boney wide outs. Most of the star players look life like. I played with the Eagle just this morning and Donavan McNabb looks like I'm watching the soup commercials. The opening to a game is wild, especially if you are the home team. They show you coming out of the tunnel, pumping the crowd up, performing different celebrations, and the whole nine. The camera during the game is up close before the snap, which shows the linebackers talking to the quarterback and both side of the line. It is nice. I have yet to try it on a HDTV yet but I know it would be exciting.
Sound The sound has no Madden commentating; that alone disappoints me. It should just be called NFL 07. The grunts from the players and chants sound authentic, especially during the opening of a game. Pumping the crowd up with your linebacker really turns up the volume. Overall, the quality is very good.
Gameplay It's Madden, which means that nothing has really changed from last year with gameplay. This year, however, there are no moves used by the stick like back juke; you don't used the right stick at all. The turbo burst is R1 and the rest of the four button control the moves. Also no depth like the PS2 version with the Blocker features. They left a lot of features out and for $60 I'm pissed.
Madden 07 changes how you pick plays. Basically, the plays on the left side of the screen and they are separated by by formation, player, ask madden, ask coach, and style. There is the SIXAXIS motion controls which are pretty cool. On offense though, before the snap, its just a fake snap. The camera moves back like there was a snap; thats it. On defense, they included the college games' "JUMP THE SNAP" feature which means that you move the up or sideways before the snap and you'll jump across the line. You have to time it and if done right its an easy sack. After the snap its used for hit stick.
Extras There is more to Madden 07 than football. The superstar feature is good because it lets you be drafted. Though it's not just a draft. You choose your parents to see what kind of genetics you'll have. After birth you take interviews to see how your ego and personality pans out. Also the workouts are a nice touch. You do the 40 yard dash with the sticks and the bench press. My best is 4.84 and 23 lifts which got me a 5th round draft selection. You also hire an agent who dictates a lot about yourself and where you go in the draft. Then there's the online features which consists of your basic head to head and the usual game types. Franchise is where you own a team for 30 years. Another thing I didn't like was that they removed CPU vs CPU games.
Replay value Well, until Madden 08 comes out, this is THE football game. With franchise you could play forever. Update the roster and continue with your superstar and try for the Hall.
Final Thoughts I bought this game expecting more than the PS2 version due to the price of the PS3 and the $60 price tag of the game. I was let down in a big way. So many features were left out (NO MADDEN COMMENTARY) and so much was changed. It is still just football and the X's and O's part doesn't change. Overall, Madden 2007 is fun and I don't think I'll trade it in until May. August is when the new Madden is due out and 2K is releasing an unlicensed football game. Even without all the features its Madden just from like 98 and without him in the game. If you are a Madden fan, buy it, otherwise make it a rental.
BTRs
