X3F Presents... Season Update: Madden NFL 09

by Xav de Matos { Aug 12th 2008 at 2:00PM }

Welcome to X3F Season Update where we outline the additions and changes to major sports franchises. Looking to nab Madden NFL 09? This handy guide will walk you through some of the updates to the franchise and pinpoint issues we've heard from around the web. In this feature we tackle everything from the new Madden IQ feature to the utter failure that is the online leagues in the game. Jump in sports fans and find out everything you need to know about Madden NFL 2009.

Continue to X3F Season Update: Madden NFL 09

Tags: ea-sports, featured, features, joystiqfeatures, madden-09, madden-nfl-09

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Brian @ Aug 12th 2008 2:11PM

Can't...play...

at...work...

game sitting next to me on the desk saying, "Play Me! Go home already!!"

Doug @ Aug 12th 2008 2:29PM

Cool that you provided this... and the feedback players are reporting online. That's cool. (One question, why quote Gamespot's review. After all the talent drain out of that site, and the editorial/advertising issues they've gone through, are they a standard-bearer to quote?)

IGN liked the game better, btw.

Vcize @ Aug 12th 2008 2:56PM

Well, for this game in particular I'm more inclined to go with Gamespot since the IGN review could have been written without ever even playing the game.

Gripes like slants/crossing routes are too easy to defend and that swing passes are semi-broken is stuff I want to know about. It seems like all IGN does in their reviews nowadays is restate the features from the preview they wrote a month beforehand.

Give us some indication that you've played the game. Little gameplay tweaks make HUGE differences in this game, so it's alarming that IGN just glosses right over them as if they're not even there.

Doug @ Aug 13th 2008 12:06PM

After playing through Madden, I don't think Gamespot's complaints are valid, and I still think that site is sketchy.

The most critical review isn't necessarily the most enlightened, especially with such a large target as Madden.

It seems like too many reviewers try to get their name out in the blog-space by bashing Madden, so when there's an actual constructive review, people don't believe it.

I think IGN was on the money here.

StLouisRibs7734 @ Aug 12th 2008 2:32PM

Xav, i've always wondered what team you root for. Who is it?

Xav de Matos @ Aug 12th 2008 4:24PM

Colts, baby!

bts0uth3 @ Aug 12th 2008 2:33PM

x360fanboy league?

im down for it :)

murph @ Aug 12th 2008 2:54PM

nice work Xav. i expect an equally in-depth look at NHL09 when it drops next month. while Madden stagnates, NHL innovates. 09 and the EASHL is going to be SICK!!! MMO+hockey=no free time.

Xav de Matos @ Aug 12th 2008 4:25PM

Oh, you'll see one for NHL 09... don't you worry!

murph @ Aug 12th 2008 4:29PM

did you see the developer video @ IGN for NHL 09? 12 minutes of EASHL footage. "Bill Cosby" scores an awesome game winning goal. LOL.

Wayne @ Aug 12th 2008 4:11PM

I love both the college and the pro game. With that said, which of the two - Madden 09 or NCAA 09 - should I get for my football fix this season? Keep in mind that the context - pro vs. college - doesn't matter to me and I'm mostly concerned with gameplay that's most true to football.

Would love to hear from those who have played both.

Bryce @ Aug 12th 2008 5:31PM

I haven't played either, but going by experience I'd go with Madden 09. I had NCAA 08 and had to exchange it 3 times because I would constantly get "Disc Unreadable" errors. I haven't tried this years release, but have heard rumblings on the interwebs that the same thing is happening. From what I understand, NCAA always got the last years Madden engine anyways. Wayne, I would go with Madden baby! can't wait to get mine after work.

StLouisRibs7734 @ Aug 12th 2008 6:01PM

madden by far

Th3 C @ Aug 12th 2008 4:32PM

haha x360league!
make it so xav!
and i will join FOR SURE

St Louis Rams!
Hopefully we can do something this year :D

Lkr @ Aug 12th 2008 6:35PM

I was kinda unsure about buying it, but I went out this morning at 10AM and bought it. I am really pleased so far, and I haven't even played online yet!

Kinda off topic, but is there a way I can change my password?

Joe H @ Aug 12th 2008 7:32PM

Hate to break it to you but Backtrack and Rewind are two separate features, one of which tries to teach you about the coverage used and which man to throw to for future situations (Backtrack) and one of which lets you redo the play (Rewind) and you can TURN IT OFF, and more importantly you can't even do it online.

Your description is entirely wrong.

Xav de Matos @ Aug 12th 2008 8:23PM

The issue with this slide was discovered soon after it was published. We apologize for the error. If you hard refresh the page the update should appear as the page hasn't refreshed on its own yet.

Thanks for the comment.

Press Shift + Refresh and the update should appear.