Madden NFL Arcade Review
by admin on Feb.02, 2010, under Review
November 30, 2009 –
EA Sports has long been the defining studio when it comes to football games. Whether spurring on college rivalries with their NCAA franchise or capturing the hard fought games of the NFL season with Madden, EA Sports has a long history of delivering simulation style football experiences. However, they’re also known for their arcade takes on the sport, with the now defunct NFL Street giving a taste of acrobatic plays, game changing power-ups and artistic renderings of professional players. The differences between the two game styles make the latest football release, Madden NFL Arcade, an interesting decision for EA Sports. The gameplay doesn’t have the same energy or attitude of the NFL Street franchise, nor does it have the depth of the perennial Madden titles. However, as a diversionary football game, it’s somewhat fun despite its limitations.
The concept behind Madden NFL Arcade is a fast paced five on five football game set on a shortened sixty yard field with the best players from the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. You’re given only four downs to reach the end zone and score by either a run or a passing play; no kickers, special teams, coin tosses or penalties are included in the game. At the start of each down, you select from a running play or a short, medium or long passing play, with pass coverage for those three plays or a blitz designed to sack the quarterback or stuff the run in the backfield. The first team to thirty points wins, although this and other options can be adjusted. To a degree, this helps to foster a faster style of play than your typical Madden match, as you’ll constantly attempt to exploit holes in your opponent’s defense to score and try to shut down receivers before they can get big yardage gains. However, the downside comes in the fact that there isn’t a lot of depth as far as the plays are concerned