Madden NFL 07

Just like you can count on the Colts choking in the playoffs, you can rely on EA's venerable football franchise to deliver the goods on an annual basis. [Oct. 2006, p.87]

It isn't revolutionary, but the game still delivers a mean game of football.

Considering that many of the gameplay features are extremely mild remixes of previously included gameplay options, this year's Madden comes across as a solid title, but one that's starting to show its age.

Despite the overall fun I had with Superstar mode, it's unfortunate other aspects of the game haven't been fixed. [Oct. 2006, p.92]

It's hard not to look at the current generation version of Madden as an aging veteran on its last legs, but that veteran still has a bit of game left in it.

One of the true joys of Madden is settling in for a run of minigames. But there's one factor that's a touch obnoxious: you can't choose what players you compete with.

While Madden 07 does have a couple of great changes to its basic gameplay, it's beginning to feel like the same old game. It's a strong fundamental football game and lead blocker is a cool new feature, but it's not reinventing the wheel, like the passing cone was last year.

EA's challenge is not to simplify their simulation or stop adding detail, but to integrate those features so well that players can simply marvel at how advanced the game has become. The Superstar revisions are a step in the right direction, since they allow players to focus on the entire game one player at a time, but otherwise that's just not the case.

Your standard Madden, with a standard amount of improvements. The graphics have reached a standstill, but the new gameplay features makes this title well worth the purchase for Madden fans.

It's mostly been done before and done well. 07 is really no different. You'll undoubtedly have a good time, and the game will entertain for a good while, but déjà vu will slowly permeate the whole experience. That's not necessarily a terrible thing though.

Simply put, it's everything you expect--another year of football with another year of Madden.

While the series is definitely far from its prime, it manages to prove once again that EA and Madden know a good game of football, just not a very new one.