Developer: Tiburon
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Genre: Sports
Rating: E (Everyone)
System: Playstation 2
Available On: PC, PSP, Xbox, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS, Game Boy Advance

Madden 07 Gallery

Gameplay
Classic Madden feel

To say that Madden NFL 07 has a “classic Madden feel” is an understatement.  This game feels dull.  As someone who has owned nearly every Madden title since 1994, I have to say that I haven’t been so disappointed by the gameplay of any one Madden release in years.  I loved the 2005 release and even the 2006 addition of QB Vision was logical and could be turned off for those who didn’t like it.  However, in 2007 things just feel like more of the same. 

There is a nice addition of lead blocking which allows a user to toggle off the ball carrier and switch to someone out in front to lay down an important block and allow a couple more yards on the play.  The lead blocker feature runs pretty smoothly and has only a brief delay when toggling back to the ball carrier to allow a seamless transition.  The lead blocker feature aside, Madden 07 has brought the gameplay cycle back towards rushing the football.  Perhaps it’s because Shaun Alexander is on the cover, but running the football is both trendier and simpler than in 2006, even without utilizing the new blocking feature.  This has helped keep the game balanced and has taken away from the advantage favoring pass-happy playbooks like those of the Colts and Patriots.

An expanded game mode in Madden 07 is the Hall of Fame Superstar mode.  In this mode players will interact more with the off-the-field activities of NFL players as they take an unproven rookie from obscurity to enshrinement in the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.  This arduous journey starts by selecting a rookie to take the role of and entering the NFL Draft.  The life of your potential NFL star includes daily training camp, team workouts, trips to the barber and even e-mail from agents and the coaches.  The Hall of Fame Superstar mode looks good on paper, but controlling one player at all times is horrendously boring for those who don’t select a quarterback or running back.  EA did a nice job of including defensive skips for those who select offensive players, meaning that users only have to worry about the side of the ball where their rising superstar happens to play.