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How Metascores Are Calculated
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Altered Beast
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games. |
For passionate Madden NFL fans, this year's iteration promises to take authenticity and depth of gameplay to an entirely new level with more than 85 new features and enhancements, including the all-new Virtual Trainer tutorial mode. Utilizing a holographic environment, this mode teaches gamers simple concepts about playing football and how to use the controls in quick, fun and stylized drills. In Madden NFL 09, the game engine is continually assessing the player's performance and adapst a custom experience to every type of gamer, from newcomer to the veteran Madden NFL player. Madden NFL 09 also features a network-inspired broadcast presentation. Players benefit from the authentic football knowledge of an in-booth play-by-play and color commentary team featuring Cris Collinsworth and Tom Hammond. In addition, numerous graphical enhancements have been made, including realistic weather and grass, sleeker player models and exterior stadium views. Madden NFL 09 gives gamers the ability to create online leagues. Avid Madden NFL fans can now take their rivalries online and compete in leagues with up to 32 teams. Online league play features in-depth stat tracking, player trades and a flexible scheduling option. [Electronic Arts]
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more... 100
1UP
The mud-caked Slop Bowls, bustling sidelines, and significantly varied player physiques mean that Madden 09's finally lived up to EA's next-gen target video from three years ago that -- for three years -- looked way better than the games themselves.
 100
G4 TV
The new commentating team, Backtrack replays, soundtrack, and improved graphics really packs that extra punch of realism making this game a must buy.
93
XboxAddict
The game will satisfy the appetite of both casual and hardcore football fans and its mixes those two worlds together very well.
91
Gaming Age
Everything from the visuals, audio, and presentation have been bumped up a notch to a level that would make any fan who has turned their heads for the last 3 years take notice.
91
NZGamer
The most accurate description of American Football on a videogame console that I’ve ever seen.
91
GameFocus
This 20th version of Madden NFL will sure be known as one of best of the series and will sure keep the whole Madden Nation happy…until next year of course. Expectations will continue to grow.
90
WonderwallWeb
A real solid sports game that does not disappoint.
90
Console Monster
EA have this year won the Superbowl this year by providing the best NFL experience to date.
90
Kombo
Madden has finally entered the next-generation with a fierce new look and some ability to flex some powerful new features like Madden IQ.
90
GamerNode
Madden 09 is the best Madden of this generation. It's the first of the series which feels like it actually belongs on these consoles, and wasn't just ported with prettier graphics.
90
Gamervision
The game looks great, there are a ton of little nuances football fans everywhere will love, and most of all, it’s fun to play. Despite some issues with the AI, I think this is the first must-buy Madden for next-gen consoles.
90
GamePro
The controls are tight and responsive, and the overall flow of an NFL contest feels realistic.
90
Official Xbox Magazine
We're happy to report that Madden NFL 09 represents the pinnacle of the modern Madden era. [Sept 2008, p.68]
90
Gameplanet
Additions to this year's Madden title have truly made it shine. The franchise just keeps getting better and better!
90
Official Xbox Magazine UK
It's online that Madden 09 really comes into its own. [Oct 2008, p.88]
90
Thunderbolt
Madden NFL is a series which feels like Pro Evolution Soccer did in its peak. It’s a game which every year you wonder how they could improve it in any way other than basic graphical updates and the odd new mode, however unlike the former, Madden is a series which on its twentieth anniversary is still taking large strides every single year.
89
GameZone
Players will love the new features in this game and will come to long for them if they pop in an older game for nostalgia sake.
89
Electronic Gaming Monthly
Parity's finally come to Madden multiplayer, though - the new difficulty-balancing feature works great, and it allows me to finally play competitive games against better players. [Sept 2008, p.80]
88
IGN
Madden NFL 09 is the most loyal translation of America’s favorite sport I’ve ever seen. It looks great, plays great, and despite its few moments of inaccuracies, is still one of the best sports games in memory.
88
Planet Xbox 360
Even though Madden NFL 09 is not perfect in any shape or form it is the best football experience available on the Xbox 360 and should be checked out by new fans of the series as well as twenty-year veterans. The new features tossed into the game give Madden 09 a bit of everything for everyone who enjoys football.
88
Cheat Code Central
There are a lot of new features this year, but none of them are of much consequence. If you own Madden 08, there is no truly outstanding aspect that makes a repurchase necessary. In fact, the Superstar and Franchise game modes are nearly identical, and the Online Leagues aren't impressive enough to outshine the excellent online play of last year.
88
Da Gameboyz
Madden NFL 09 is far from a perfect game but at the end of the day this one is the best versions in its 20 year run.
88
Play.tm
I've not played many of the previous Madden games, and I wouldn't call myself an American football enthusiast by any stretch of the imagination. But this game really managed to capture my attention. Its addictive; its fun, and its very easy to get sucked into.
88
Games Master UK
Enormous US football sim that isn't as hard to get into as some of the previous versions. [Oct 2008, p.82]
87
Gamer 2.0
Madden 09 has far more successes than failures, enough that any pro football fan that’s been hesitant to actually pick-up the game for the past few should definitely give this game a shot.
87
GameTrailers
There’s a whole lot of game here, but that was true last year, and for every gameplay improvement there’s something annoying to dampen the enthusiasm. It’s still an excellent football game, but the casual player is going to like it a lot more than the grizzled vet.
84
Team Xbox
Madden NFL 09 is a competent addition to this twenty year franchise, and perhaps the best that Tiburon has to offer for the Xbox 360. But one has to wonder why issues such as unnecessary clipping, framerate/loading issues and the lack of full Live functionality are still around three years into the 360’s console cycle.
83
Game Informer
While the play-to-play action has some awesome moments, the Franchise mode is stuck in a boring rut.
83
MEGamers
Even with all the new features and promised tweaks, Madden 09 still feels a bit too familiar and some might even have a hard time separating it from last year’s game.
81
Game Positive
Ultimately, Madden NFL 09 offers just enough to fans to warrant a purchase. Although meager, the new additions do help the game feel like it's worth the price of admission.
80
DarkZero
This is a game that has successfully changed my opinions on American Football, and could do the same for you.
80
Video Game Talk
If you've been waiting for a Madden that's going to be entertaining instead of frustrating, this is your year. I highly recommend the '09 edition!
80
LEVEL (Czech Republic)
The polished diamond called Madden NFL combines first rate playability together with adaptable AI and a very good multiplayer mode. Unfortunately, most parts of the game are the same as last year's version, so it is more of an add-on than a regular next version. [Sept 2008]
80
AceGamez
The refinements and tweaks made to the already exceptional game engine have resulted in the best Madden game to date, while the new additions of My Skill, Play Style and Rewind make it a surprisingly accessible introduction to the series for newcomers.
80
Level7.nu
Madden NFL 09 is a massive improvement and a great experience for NFL fans everywhere. The two new modes, Madden Moments and Online League are great additions although quite as good as the "classic" modes Superstar and Franchise. Virtual Training Centre works well even though the level of difficulty still isn't entirely well balanced. But if you're a fan of NFL, this is no doubt the game to get.
80
Gamestyle
An improvement on last year’s game no doubt, Madden NFL 09 is as impenetrable for novices as ever, yet is still the best and most comprehensive American Football game we’ve played.
80
Totally360
If you are already a Madden fan you will enjoy this title. If not, rent before you buy.
80
Games Radar (in-house)
We’ll happily play all season long, during which we’ll invent a thousand more reasons to love and hate it all at the same time. No matter what, though, we’d be lying if we said we weren’t a tad disappointed that this year’s version didn’t make the same jump we’d gotten accustomed to the last two years.
80
GameDaily
Madden NFL 2009 stumbles, but manages to regain its composure long enough to stiff arm critics and dive into the endzone.
80
GameSpot
For every addition, like the backtrack feature, Collinsworth, or improved visuals, there's a problem that rears its ugly head, like the unchanged Superstar mode, poor pass coverage in the middle of the field, or underwhelming online leagues. Newcomers will still face a steep learning curve, but if you're a football fan or series veteran, you can't go wrong with Madden 09.
80
GameSpy
Online play is a very enticing part of what Madden brings to the table this year.
75
PALGN
On the whole there is not much new going on in the world of Madden NFL 09, but the implementation of features that make it more accessible to casual gamers is a step in the right direction if the franchise is to flourish outside of the United States.
70
Destructoid
I wanted this game to be exceedingly different, and I don’t believe I got that. It’s still much the same, even if the grass looks greener this time around.
70
Worth Playing
For every new mechanic implemented, there is something else botched just enough to render the neat new aspect moot.
70
X360 Magazine UK
In truth, we’re in distraction territory – beyond (admittedly quite a few) graphical changes, its only substantial addition will feel to football veterans like throw-in training might feel to, er, football veterans.
70
EuroGamer
Like most EA Sports releases, Madden 09 is a good re-entry point for anyone who's skipped a few years, but less than essential for anyone who picked up last year's edition. The changes may be numerous, but few feel essential and you're always aware that many of them will be back next year, in a further refined form.
70
Xbox World 360 Magazine UK
Individually this game should be superb and if you’ve never played a previous version this should be your first point of call. However, taken as part of a continuous series, this is a fairly pointless offering as it offers very little in terms of innovation.
67
GameShark
What you are left with is a great 2-player game, a lot of features that the well established fan base most likely won’t care about (even though Backtrack and Rewind are both pretty good ideas), a half-baked online league system, and gameplay that is at times highly polished and entertaining yet also plagued by AI issues.
58
Game Revolution
For years Madden has been improving visually and adding features, but to what end? What you're left with every year is a game with a split personality: An awesome football game that's great to play with your friends or even online, but makes you want to smash your machine if you ever play against the computer.
Moh S. gave it an8: Joe D. gave it a3: McBain17 gave it a3: Chris G. gave it a3: Jim gave it a4: Jason gave it a6: Mark V. gave it a9: |
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