Madden NFL 11

The additions of Game Planning and GameFlow provide a simple solution to a problem that no one realized was actually there. Madden NFL 11 is inventive, intuitive, competitive, collaborative, and, most importantly, a whole lot of fun.

There is so much to like and so little to dislike this year, that if given a chance, I can't see how any true football fan can't find a way to experience Madden football this year and have nothing but a good time.

It may sound like a broken record of past years, but the 2011 version of Madden truly is an improvement over its predecessor. Though it's not by a lot, it is absolutely enough to warrant a day-one purchase, especially if you're one of those who skipped last year's game.

This year's iteration in the more than a decade old series has brought me back into the "drinking the Madden Kool-Aid" fold, because it's improved the things that matter to me. That said, Madden NFL 11 still needs some improvement.

Madden NFL 11 is a great game of football, the best of the series so far, but its not without a few minor draw backs.

Madden NFL 11 is definitely the best game in the franchise and adds to the formula that only seems to improve every year. GameFlow is a fantastic feature and makes the game accessible for even those who aren't familiar with American Football.

This is without a shadow of a doubt the best Madden title we have seen in a long time. For those complaining that EA Sports attempted to make it too mainstream, every one of those settings can be turned off via the options. Give the game a shot, both long time Madden fans or football fans new to the series will not be disappointed.

Madden NFL 11 is a must own for all football fans, and now it is even more accessible to the masses.

Yes, there have been improvements to the mechanics and gameplay, but if you were to buy Madden 11 over any other, it should be for GameFlow.

The new features make the game playable by a much wider audience but all the tools are there for those of you who want to tune your experience and take minute control over your team.

Madden's back with the best football experience in years. Casual fans will love the simpler, quicker games, while hardcore fanatics will have plenty to sink their teeth into with Ultimate Team and Online Franchise.

Thanks to new features such as GameFlow and Game Planning, Madden NFL 11 proves to be a real must buy for any fan of the franchise. If you love football, this is surely the game for you.

Madden NFL 11 is a clear step forward for the franchise, but as fun as the additions are, the fact that some of its glaring mistakes remain is like getting a new stud quarterback even though the offensive line still needs an upgrade. You're going to score, but you're still a team with weaknesses.

The Madden franchise is in this part back on the top. The gameplay is great and more accessible than before. It has a few gameplay improvements and that also counts for the graphics and audio. Madden NFL 11 is since 2005 the best installment in the franchise!

With simpler play calling, more online options, plenty of in-game advertising and a ton of ways to spend your hard-earned cash, the game manages to make it easier for new players to get into, while still catering to its veteran fans.

Finally appeals to both novices and seasoned fans. [Oct 2010, p.97]

Madden NFL 11 continues the strong trend of the series over the past years. Though it does not introduce a ton of change or innovation, the improvements it makes in the running game, presentation, and flow of the game are plenty to warrant a purchase by any fan of the series, or of virtual pigskin.

Now more accessible to newcomers, Madden NFL 11 will quickly get you in-and-out of each game without loosing any of its classic simulation feel.

Once again then, Madden has produced a highlight reel of new features which, while including something for everyone, still probably won't make it anyone's perfect American Football experience.

Gameflow is an addition that should help demystify Madden for newcomers and also offer enjoyment for experienced players. [Issue#196, p.88]

As EA Sports said, it's "simpler, quicker, and deeper," but even with this more fast-paced action, it's still complex enough for Madden veterans to enjoy making this one the best football game this generation has to offer.

Madden 11 is beautiful to look at. The realistic physics add much to the gameplay, and destroying some 12-year old in Iowa by 50 points never get sold. But the trend of making Madden "simpler" is troubling.

If you're not a dedicated online player and own last year's game, the play value goes down substantially. But if you're big into playing online or have taken a break from the series, this is as good a version as any to jump into.

Aside from the new dpad mapping, gameflow and some new graphic elements, there aren't too many innovations in this last chapter. It seems that the best football simulator is getting hard to update.

But I do know that, unlike most years, I really feel the improvements instead of just reading about them in a press release or seeing them on the back of the box. And when it comes to Madden, that's as big a difference as I've felt in half a decade.

Luckily, Madden NFL 11, with Locomotion, the improved audible system and coordinators feeding me tips, has taken a considerable step forward in the accessibility and polish of its on-the-field action. Or to put it in the common tongue: Though it's in constant danger of going wide, Madden still gets it through the uprights.

I think it's clear that this year's Madden is geared toward the mainstream football fan; someone who just wants to come in after playing a game of catch outside and get their hands on some real NFL talent. For that audience Madden NFL 11 delivers. However, if you're the type of player who sits alone in your living room combing the free agent wire for a player to add to your beloved franchise, I think this year's Madden is going to leave something to be desired.

While much has been made of the improved graphics and gameplay--with good reason thanks to a whole new motion engine, more intuitive controls, the elimination of the exciting-but-not-very-realistic-turbo button, and the AFL and Super Bowl options--it's online where Madden 11 really shines. [Nov 2010, p.83]

Improvements such as revamped AI, more realistic animation, and a new play-calling system make this the best Madden yet.

EA Sports has done it again. They've found a way to improve their game in ways that you didn't think needed improving, and in the process got that $60 out of your pocket for another year.

Ultimately the decision to buy the game, will again boil down to whether or not you can live with old player rosters or simply must have the latest line-ups. If like me you find football play confusing then Madden 11 may well be worth a look, others though should probably hold on to their cash and see what next years instalment brings.

The lack of real competition for EA starts to show in the football genre. Madden NFL 11 plays nice and has tons of content, but there really should be more real news to this, other than a new roster to convince people to buy it every year.

Madden NFL 11 plays a good game of football. Unfortunately, about 80 per cent of the game has not been given any attention, and the question is whether or not this version is worth it for those who need their Madden fix - especially when it essentially amounts to paying a yearly subscription fee.

This does fix many of the flaws of the last game, but there are so few real advances that this is one yearly update you'll find easy to skip.