Madden NFL 11

Dancing on the fine line of making an eminently accessible game that's still deep enough for the hardcore fanbase is a tightrope-balancing act that often sinks lesser developers. But EA Tiburon has demonstrated that they're clearly up to the challenge.

This year's version of Madden isn't just good - it's legendary. Madden NFL 11 boasts a host of new features, but the most dramatically noticeable are the vastly improved running and receiving games.

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.

One of the true steps forward for the franchise. Some annoying issues have finally been rectified, the presentation has received an overhaul, and the brand new GameFlow play calling requires some work, but provides a worthy payoff. Couple all this with great running and tackling and you have a product that's worth full asking price.

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 11 is without a doubt the best American football game on the Xbox 360. [Issue#65, p.85]

As I said in my first field report, hardcore Madden players may not appreciate all the changes, but those of us who are more casual fans have a lot to like.

Simply put the best Madden ever. There I said it. The absolutely hardcore Madden players might not love the new Gameflow-system. But for everyone else it does what is says: it makes the game flow. Buy this if you have even the slightest interest in the sports. It is sharper, better and more fun than any other Madden game.

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.

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

Easier to pick up and play (and faster pace) than previous Maddens, without losing any strategic depth.

All and all the game has been updated for the better. It is the best Madden yet!

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.

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.

In many ways this could be the most robust Madden ever made. Despite it's graphical shortcomings, if you liked previous year's Madden game, this might be the year to take a break from the whole concert scene.

I can't say with certainty that it is a result of the patch, but I can say that I feel that this game plays on the field much better than last year's version.

The Locomotion engine allows players to move more realistic[ally] than the previous iterations of the Madden series. Players will now move in ways never seen before in an EA Sports football game.

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.

A beast of a game. There's no point owning any other American football sim. [Dec 2010, p.98]

This year's version of Madden doesn't take a huge stride forward, but it does take a few steps in the right direction. If Gameflow can be improved, and the defense is given the same level of attention offense received this year, Madden NFL 12 could be amazing.

Madden NFL 11 is easily one of the most solid efforts in recent years, and it's definitely the sort of game that nearly any football fan will be pleased with.

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 at least offers a refreshing change of pace, making it a fine point of entry for newcomers and allowing stat-obsessed veterans a chance to peel away some of the layers added over the last few years.

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.

As much as I want Team Madden to tighten the screws on its franchise modes and ship the game in a state that plays more like real football before altering in-game settings, it's impossible to deny that Madden NFL 11 simply plays a better game of football than its predecessor.

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.

Overall, Madden NFL 11 is a great game, but compared to last year's installment I fail to see any significant leaps.

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.

What I've taken away from my time with NFL 11 is a new appreciation for the sport itself. It's genuinely exhilarating stuff.

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.

Improved in a fashion that will delight gamers of all competence levels and experience. [Issue#63, p.90]

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

Overall, Madden NFL 11 is a really fun title. As I outlined above it does have its share of issues, however, when you look at the experience as a whole you should have a lot of fun here.

As complex, over-stuffed, top-heavy game of football that EA has been producing since this console generation gained its bearings. That is either a thing you want, or a thing you don't. Madden 11 won't change any minds yet, but at the very least, it's a big step in the right direction.

New season of Madden Football comes with many features focused to newcomers – it was never easier to start to understanding this weird game… Great visuals and catchy multi-player! [Issue#195]

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.

As ever the latest Madden offers the best NFL experiences available on consoles... but it did the same last year, and the year before that. So the actual progression seems minimal to be honest and the new features are probably not enough to lure in any new converts, or satisfy the old guard that played last year's title. It is good fun, but not really a must own.

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.

It's not a standout season, unlike some past hallmark Maddens that hold up well today. The guts are there for greatness, but there's still some work to be done until it reaches that high level.