August 12, 2008 - Madden is a rare sight in the videogame industry. It's a yearly release that has managed to stay fresh and fun throughout its 20 years. Detractors say that its general lack of overhauled innovation is an abomination, while fans rabidly defend it (and the sales charts prove it). Madden NFL 09 will likely be received the same way by both groups as it manages to refine the already splendidly realistic football that was seen in last year's version, while bringing it to a new level. It may not look all that different to the casual observer, but football aficionados and Madden veterans alike will be able to appreciate the small enhancements.

EA Sports is putting a large emphasis on the accessibility of the core Madden gameplay, now offering different play styles and a user-defined difficulty setting known as My Skill to go along with revamped production values. These two main features represent the biggest changes to the Madden formula.


When you first boot up Madden NFL 09 you'll be presented with the Madden Test, which is four drills that gauge your Madden IQ. The results are used to establish your My Skill difficulty level. My Skill changes based on your performance after each game. It's a clever mechanic in theory and one that actually does work for the most part. My only complaint is that My Skill can't separate the game's ineptness with the actual skill of your players shining through.

What that means is that it takes you gaining 150 yards per game with your halfback as a sign of weakness in the AI. No matter who your running back is, you'll face a tougher and tougher rushing defense if you continue to excel. It sort of puts a stop to any serious MVP candidates you might have on your team. But, if you do notice that things are getting a bit too difficult, there are several handy dandy sliders that let you manipulate rules and finite details with regard to each of the different areas of football.

Favre on the Jets. Get used to it.

So while My Skill might not work exactly how it's intended, users still have the ability to create their own customized set of difficulty settings if they so desire. Play styles are another addition that, unlike My Skill, works to perfection. Players of varying football knowledge can choose styles that change the complexity of the game. The easiest level handles everything except for hiking, running and the act of throwing; everything else is handled by the AI. The hardest level puts everything in the hands of the player for a true football experience.

Play styles were designed to simplify the game for newbies, and in that regard they're a success. Their importance shines through to an even greater extent when a new player lines up against a pro. Madden now has handicapping which can skew the game in one direction in a hurry if you stack things enough.

But no true Madden fan really gives a damn about how EA Sports is making Madden easier for the less-than-important player who has never picked up the game. Sadly, core changes to the tried and true Madden formula aren't a main focus for this year's release. There have been some additions -- slide protection, formation subs on the fly, bluffing play art and rivalry games -- that football junkies will surely appreciate, but there is no vision cone or mind-blowing camera angle that totally changes the game.