by Clarence Bell

Created on: August 27, 2010   Last Updated: August 28, 2010

In 2004, ESPN NFL 2k5 was released for only $19.99. It gained a huge audience and was dubbed "The greatest football game ever made." Ever since, EA's Madden series has been trying to reach the status of "greatest football game", and this year's Madden NFL 11 may be their best attempt yet. 

QUICK ANALYSIS: PROS AND CONS:

PROS:

• Improved graphics and locomotion

• Detailed player statistics and models

• Multiple game modes (Exhibition, AFL, Franchise, Be An NFL Superstar, Virtual Trainer, Mini-Games)

• Online game modes (Ultimate Team, Online Franchise, Online Team Play)

• GameFlow (a system that automatically selects plays based on the situation) helps aid casual players

• Removal of the "sprint" button forces a player to focus more on power and finesse moves to move the ball

• Rosters updated weekly

CONS:

• Many game modes were changed very little from last year

• Commentator's lines are frequently recycled, and phrases are obviously copied and pasted

• Madden "coins" can be used to purchase "boosts", but it'll cost you Microsoft Points

• Teams are not very open to trades, even if their "interest rating" is listed as high

• Achievements lack depth

• Occasional awkward camera angles

• Good offenses can dissect defenses with their passing game

• Shameless advertising

DETAILED ANALYSIS: GAMEPLAY 8.5/10

The gameplay  is very refined and polished. Players react appropriately based on the situations they find themselves in. If a defender tries to strip the ball from a ball carrier, you can see him grab the ball and try to yank it loose. When running a counter, the ball carrier will juke in the backfield, and the linebackers will take the bait and shift to the appropriate side. The removal of the sprint button also made running the ball more fun. One must work on timing jukes and spins to bypass defenders. They can't rely on just blowing past a slow lineman with a fast back. (On a side note, the computer will automatically adjust a runner's speed. If in the open field, the runner will sprint for all he's worth. When running behind a line of blockers, he'll slow to their speed.)

The new feature, GameFlow, helps to keep the game moving. After every play, the player can hit "A" to have his next play auto-selected by GameFlow, or hit "X" to open the full play book and find the right play. Now, one doesn't

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