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How Metascores Are Calculated
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Altered Beast
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games. |
With the exclusive video game license of the NFL and its players, and currently in its 17th installment, Madden NFL 07 puts you in control the running game like never before. For the first time ever, step up as the lead blocker to create a hole, and then take control of the tailback and smash through, overpower, or slash away from would-be tacklers as you fight for every yard. Innovative rushing controls give you a game-breaking ground attack featuring all-new jukes, cutbacks, and the distinct running styles of your favorite backs. [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
Detroit Free Press
A lineman-sized improvement over last season...The brisk, refined on-the-field play and assortment of playing modes overpower the somewhat choppy online play, the pesky kicking meter and the handful of other nits.
 100
GamePro
A visual masterpiece.
94
Gaming Illustrated
An absolute hit. The newly added defensive controls, offensive abilities (including the highlight stick which might just be the best new feature), and other features add up to a very impressive game and a highlight showcase title for the console.
90
Gamezilla!
Pretty much an unqualified success. It provides a strong primary gameplay mode, something that’s complex and yet easy to get into, while still rounding out the game with enjoyable minigames.
90
Cheat Code Central
Madden has graced us with the greatest update of the genre since ’04, and once you pick up this year’s version you can never go back.
90
PGNx Media
The game’s animations are incredibly fluid with new and realistic animations for the many catches, throws and tackles.
90
AceGamez
Single player has never been deeper and more varied, while the online and multiplayer play is just as wonderful as it has always been.
88
GameZone
The players do all look larger than life, but the nuances of the graphics really breathe life into this title and the control scheme – while taking a bit to get used to – works well.
87
GameTrailers
The most obvious addition to the gameplay is lead blocking control. This basically allows you to control another offensive player when the ball is snapped, make a block with that player, and then take control of the runningback. It takes a long time to get the hang of it, but once you do the results can be devastating.
86
Da Gameboyz
A significant leap from last years version.
86
Talk Xbox
Everything we hoped 06 to be and more.
85
eToychest
I think that even those that hate on Madden for being too mainstream would find a lot to like about the Superstar mode because of how similar it is to more traditional role-playing fare.
85
IGN
This is the year EA Sports finally shows 360 owners what the series is all about, the trash talking, the head-to-head competition, the ability to create yourself and become a bigger star than the Seahawk on the box.
85
Next Level Gaming
But at least gamers on the Xbox 360 get a couple of cool features that others don’t get this year like Live Opponent and Madden Gamer Level.
85
AtomicGamer
Overall, my recommendation of Madden 07 on the Xbox 360 is conditional – if the items I’ve presented in the above list aren’t game breakers for you, the 360 version is a very worthy heir to the Madden throne.
84
Game Over Online
Overall, this game is your standard Madden, with a standard amount of improvements and beefed up graphics and animations. It looks great, and the new gameplay features make this title well worth the purchase for Madden fans.
84
GamingTrend
While it’s a better game than it was last year for the 360, it really isn’t THE football video game that we hoped for.
84
Console Gameworld
Strides have been made as far as gameplay modes are concerned, but there is still plenty of room to improve the frame rate and online play.
83
Gaming Age
The new lead blocker control makes running easier, and the passing game and other controls have been tweaked tighter and are more responsive.
83
Gamer 2.0
The Xbox 360 version offers the best presentation out of all these games, quite simply because it probably has the best announcer of all—and his name isn’t John Madden or Al Michaels. He remains unnamed, but he’s one of those homer-types that we can all live to enjoy.
83
Team Xbox
With a bit more attention to in-game fluidity and detail, and the inclusion of core extras such as online leagues and co-op, Madden NFL 07 could have been stellar. It’s good for sure, but Madden NFL 07 isn’t a lock in this gamer’s Hall of Fame.
83
Games Master UK
Yards better than has faltering debut on 360, Johnny M is back. [Dec 2006, p.100]
82
Gamers' Temple
A big improvement over the 06 version, but next-gen Madden still has a little way to go.
81
GamerNode
In the end, Madden NFL 07 is an improvement on the series. With some new running features and an Xbox 360 version worth the price of admission, it seems EA is trying to prove that they still care about improving their game, even without competition.
80
Official Xbox Magazine UK
With Xbox Live play, leagues and mini-games you're never going to be bored - unless you just don't like American football. [Nov 2006, p.100]
80
VideoGamer
Far superior to its predecessor in just about every way, despite some glaring issues that prevent this year's gridiron game from being a true classic. The problem here is that Madden is still in desperate need of a makeover.
80
Xboxic
Animations and movements look awesome, gameplay is changed in a good way and the durability is improved by the Live franchise mode and by making your own superstar. If you’re a fan of Madden it’s a must-have, even though it’s not entirely perfect.
80
WHAM! Gaming
Even if you decide to skip all the ‘extra’ modes like Superstar and Minigames, you’ll still get a lot out of Franchise. It never becomes too overwhelming – a problem with many sports games in recent years.
80
Xbox Solution
There is no sugar coating it: Madden 07 is not the Madden die-hard fans expected. However, it shows big changes overall from last year’s version and for that I give the team credit.
80
Extreme Gamer
It's not flawless, but it's worth the purchase. Until next year, this is as good as its going to get.
80
DarkStation
There is plenty of depth in Madden 07 to make this game a good solid purchase.
80
Official Xbox Magazine
Madden 07 marks a turnaround for the franchise on the 360, and that's reason enough for football fans to rejoice. [Oct. 2006, p.77]
80
Yahoo! Games
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.
80
ZTGameDomain
The addition of Superstar mode alone makes Madden a worthy purchase for fans of the series and the online component really seals the deal. If EA can fix the lag and perhaps give next-gen gamers all the same features that their older console brethren have we will certainly be in for a treat.
80
GameSpy
The Superstar mode alone is almost worth the price of admission, although we wouldn't mind seeing it fleshed out just a bit more before next year's game.
80
Games Radar
The game looks the part, but pieces of it just aren't right. The presentation, for instance, is beautiful, but baffling (the play selection menus are downright terrible). It'll get the starting job eventually, but Madden next-gen, like Bills second-year QB J.P. Losman, still has to bow to the veterans.
80
GamerFeed
It's vicious, nutritious, and undeniably delicious, and you absolutely have to buy it immediately. Not only does it look gorgeous splayed across an HDTV, but it plays better than its predecessors.
79
GameSpot
Madden NFL 07 is a marked improvement over the previous 360 version, but some design quirks and missing features prevent it from being the system's first great football game.
78
GameBrink
Do you like football games? If the answer is yes, then purchase it, if the answer is no, then dont.
78
Game Informer
I feel what we have here is a lot of spectacle that doesn't stand up well to the scrutiny. [Oct. 2006, p.104]
78
Gaming Nexus
While the new lead blocker and Superstar modess aren’t going to light the world on fire the actual football in the game is excellent. It is hard not to feel that you’re playing an updated version up "NCAA07" though.
77
Electronic Gaming Monthly
As you'd expect, another year of learning the ins and outs of the 360 has translated into the developers producing a more polished brand of football. [Oct. 2006, p.107]
77
Kombo
We gave this title a high score the first run simply because of its presentation aspects, but hindering gameplay nuisances, bugs, and content absences will continue to keep the series from truly earning its famed status.
75
Deeko
It's not half bad. Not stellar, but not half bad.
72
Digital Entertainment News
Playing Madden NFL 07 on Xbox 360 is like playing "Madden NFL 2002" with next-gen graphics. The drive falls well short of a touchdown, even now!
70
Operation Sports
The major issue plaguing Madden 07 is this: at it's most basic, there is no fatigue whatsoever. After the excellent implementation of fatigue in "NCAA Football 07," it's a mystery why this fundamental aspect of football is absent from the pro version.
70
1UP
Taking manual control of the defensive secondary is a losing proposition. Neither the swat nor intercept moves respond intuitively to the buttons, and the new smoother animations seem to come with the penalty of making it harder to figure out what the right place is to make your move.
70
EuroGamer
As always, all you're paying for here are some minor updates, a couple of simplistic new modes, and that new season / franchise data. Unless you're an absolute addict, there's no need for this game. If you are an absolute addict, there are better games out there.
70
360 Gamer Magazine UK
There may not be a huge market for Madden over here, but when the sport is made this easy to pick up and play, just about anybody will be able to jump straight in and get their money’s worth.
70
DailyGame
It's still the same old Madden, emphasis on old. The mini-games are fun, but next time focus on fixing those bugs and giving us some more meat, OK guys?
67
Game Revolution
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.
67
The Onion (A.V. Club)
It's Matt Leinart pretty, but lacks the gameplay polish found on the PlayStation 2 and Xbox.
58
GameShark
As far as this game rates versus my expectations of a football game on the 360, it is a major disappointment. I expected more – online leagues, prior generation features brought to the 360 as well as the eye candy. I only got the eye candy.
50
Gamenikki
If the fatigue bug had been fixed the way EA promised it would be, and the game had the same options that other versions had, I’d give the game the same score I gave last year's version: a 7. As it stands, with the lack of features, the lack of innovation with the game play and the higher price tag; I don’t feel comfortable giving this game anything higher than a 5.
Matt Farrow gave it a7: Joe M. gave it a3: Drama Prarie Dog gave it a0: Doc B. gave it a0: Justin F. gave it a5: David L. gave it a6: Brandon G. gave it a1: |
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