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I purchased Madden 09 All-Play yesterday during lunch, and when I got home was able to get a good two hours into the game. While I’m not far enough in to provide a full review, I figured I would share some impressions. When you first start up Madden 09 All-Play, it’s pretty obvious that this game is like no other Madden game out on the market. EA has definitely put the time and effort to try and bring football to everyone. They’ve succeeded to a point, but in the process have sacrificed a couple of elements that might detract veteran Madden gamers.
Unlike pessimists out there I like to start with the good news first. Probably the brightest and most impressive element of Madden 09 All-Play is the interface, and menu navigation. Play calling is best suited for the Nintendo Wii controls. Picking plays is a breeze, and navigation is so much more streamlined when using point and click controls. Call Your Shot is the best example of how the Wii excels at this. Call Your Shot is pretty much the option given to you, to create custom routes by pointing to certain parts of the field with your Wii Remote. Even though this takes away from the realism of professional football, it’s a blast to use.
Favre Always Looks Like He’s Having Fun…Too Bad It Will Be In A Jets Jersey This Year 
Another great feature that Madden 09 All-Play sports is what seems to be better gameplay balance than the Xbox 360 version which I also purchased. In my two exhibition games I played on the Wii my completion rating was at a decent, but realistic 60%. While on the Xbox 360 I was at about 85% after two games. Take into consideration that I didn’t tweak any gameplay sliders. Motion controls also add to the challenge of the game, and add to the fun of some of the more boring gameplay aspects. Particularly pass coverage which I hate doing playing with a standard control, but there’s something about swatting at the ball with my Wii Remote that makes it that much more fun. Of course like I mentioned in an update from my post yesterday, the double juke is still absent which I still fail to understand why.
Ok, let’s talk about some of the new features that I was able to get around to with my play through last night. First is the largest addition, All-Play. I played about a half of football only using the Wii Remote, and it was definitely easy for a vet like me. For someone that’s first getting into Madden it’s definitely a good starting point, or if you’re just too lazy to use your nunchuk to move the players around. I wasn’t able to play through all of the different game modes, but I did play a couple of 5 on 5 matches. One I played with someone else, and the other I played the computer. I found 5 on 5 to be strangely intriguing. It’s a very simple and dumbed down version of football, reminiscent of playing football in the backyard when you only had 10 people to play with. Through its simplicity though you’ll find that it can be even more challenging than a standard game. Especially covering the pass as you have to time a swat just about perfect when it gets lobbed into the air. I also found myself using Call Your Shot alot more in 5 on 5 than my standard games. If you play with someone else then you’ll have to make up a rule that they have to turn their head when you do Call Your Shot. 5 on 5 won’t be for everyone, but if your looking for a quick distraction with some friends then it serves its purpose.
5 on 5 Mode Is Much More Fun Than I thought It Would Be…But Still Dumbed Down
Where Madden 09 All-Play really fails is capturing the game of football through audio, and visuals. A lot of sites have been bragging about how improved the visuals of the game went through this year. This might be true on a SD television, but if you have a larger HD screen then look out. Without tweaking my view settings, the game looked like something I saw on the PS1 days of gaming. Once I used 4:3 ratio, and the SD settings, the game looked good. But to be honest I shouldn’t have to go through all of that to have the game look right, especially if I don’t have to do it on other titles. If you think the video is bad, just wait until you hear the game being played. I don’t know who did the audio capturing for Madden 09 All-Play but they need to be fired quickly. I don’t think any sound effect in the game sounds anything like the real life counterpart. There was one point during a group tackle, that it sounded like a gun being fired instead of a helmet hitting pads. Some of the sound effects have delays as well, so if I got a big hit sometimes the sound would be off by half a second. It’s not a huge concern but just one of the small glitches I noticed.
One area that veteran Madden players will be disappointed is with some of the presentation choices in-game. The first is the mandatory Mii’s masquerading as referees. While this is a cute addition, and might get a chuckle there isn’t an option to change it. The other gripe is how the game keeps you up to date on what down it is, and how many yards you gained or lost. The information pops up in huge text, which I’m pretty sure hasn’t happened since Madden on the Nintendo 64 era. Then finally the celebrations, which I must say is a guilty pleasure I had during my play throughs. When you score a touchdown, or get a huge sack the screen starts going crazy and colors start to twirl. Then you shake your nunchuk and Wii Remote to celebrate, and depending how well you do you get a ratings boost. Again, while this was amusing, and oddly fun it really takes away from the atmosphere of football. EA should really make the refer-miis and boost rating celebrations an option next year instead of making everyone use them.
So there you have it, my first impressions of Madden 09 All Play. The game is fun, and the motion controls are spot on which is the most important parts. Only a few technical, presentation complaints keep the game from reaching its full potential. So if you don’t mind some silly-ness then you really should give Madden 09 All Play a chance. But if you’re a hardcore football simulation fan then definitely steer clear. I’ll try to post a full review later this week, or early next week.
So have any of you all had a chance to give Madden 09 All Play a chance? If so what did you think, worth or not worthy?
August 13th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
I agree with most of this but I would like to add my own flavor to the mix. First of all I also have a big flat screen (50″) and it is a little on the fuzzy side but not too noticible. I have to agree that the whole refer-mii’s along with the mii Madden do get old pretty quickly. You are actually able to turn of the celebration if you want to.
But my biggest complaint is that I cannot seem to play with the advanced controls where I control my own players instead of the computer. Maybe I am doing something wrong but I am using the nunchuk and the wii-mote but I can only control my players in 5 on 5 mode. This is absolutely ruining the game for me and I am about ready to return it and never buy another EA sports game for Wii again. Can someone please help me?
August 13th, 2008 at 1:44 pm
if you’re talking about All-Play, you turn it off at the selecting sides menu…just push the 1 button. I haven’t heard about any problems with people not being able to control their players unless it’s because all-play mode is still turned on….good luck
August 13th, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Can this game for Wii be played with just one controller like Madden of the past? I had a ps2 and am used to those controls?
August 13th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
I believe that 09 is the best Madden experience I’ve had on my wii so far. The online play rivaled Mario Kart and I had very little lag. Most of the controls were fixed as well as many of the bugs that experienced in 08 I do become pretty annoyed by the little things such as being forced to celebrate over and over again, but this is a pretty solid game. I recommend it.
August 14th, 2008 at 7:35 am
@goofypook – no you have to use the Wii motion controls. It takes awhile to get used to, but they’re responsive and fun.
August 14th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
I am really upset with Madden 09 for the Wii. It seems that EA didn’t put in very much time on it. First, there’s not even a play clock. You could potentially get a lead and then just wait for the clock to run out. Furthermore, Nintendo has not made any improvement in calibrating the Wii remote since 07 (the last Madden I played). It’s still really hard to catch passes or make interceptions with the awkward catching motion. Also, the game is too easy. I have almost no experience with Madden for the Wii. I won the first game I played 80 to 0 without even trying. Mostly, I’m really upset that EA assumes that people who have the Wii want a corny, kids version or the game. I was hoping for something comparable to the Maddens for other systems. Madden All-play is absolutely not for serious Madden players.
August 15th, 2008 at 7:46 am
@ Nathan – I think you’re playing with the All-Play feature on. Which is why it’s so easy, atleast that’s what I gather from what you’ve said. If you play without All-Play then there is a play clock. To turn All-Play off just hit the ’1′ button at the controller select screen. This should heighten the difficulty for you. Or you could always play on All-Pro, or All Madden for an extra challenge
August 15th, 2008 at 8:04 am
I played my first Madden 09 online game last night and although got trounced 28 to 14 (I was SD and he was DAL) it was still a fun experience – thankfully the guy (or kid) I was playing didn’t go for it on wacky 4th down situations, punted when he should and overall didn’t try to run up the score on me – an amateur at this. I am horrid at the passing modes for the Wii 09 version – hitting the direction pad before I pass is like trying to chew gum and rub my stomach at the same time – by the time I see my open receiver and flick that remote (which doesn’t always respond in time) my ass is sacked on the ground – or I’m throwing interceptions left and right. Yes the Call your shots is a great feature – but doing it every play can get redundant. PS Where is the option to turn of celebrations – is it in gameplay settings – becuase the noises the damn think makes scares the hell out of me.
Other than a few minor quirks – I think the game does a good job, not stellar, but I will be playing it for this entire 09 season and thanfully Favre is on the JETS!!!
er
August 15th, 2008 at 9:31 am
@ERod – sweet man, I’ve yet to play an online game, as I’m just getting into franchise mode. I’m glad to hear of a good experience playing someone who likes to play football and not just go for broke every down. I can definitely see how Call Your Shots would get old if used all the time. That’s the reason why I only really use it if i see an open hole in the defense. The direction pad took me awhile to get used to as well. Once I did though I found I was more responsive with it than the standard button layout. I think you turn off celebrations in the menu outside of the game. I don’t think it’s something you can turn off while playing
August 15th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
I’ve been a Madden fan for years, from N64 (yes N64) to Xbox and now wii (along with playing on my friends’ ps2s, etc) and I’ve gotta say I like the wii versions the best so far.
Yup, wii version of Madden has very simple graphics but what sells it for me is the control scheme.
Biggest complaint about Madden 09 is the presentation. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not TERRIBLE but it is more of an old-school/arcade presentation than the realistic presentations of the PS3 and 360 and even them last gen systems. Someone else gave the details so I won’t repeat them, I’ll just say I agree.
all in all, a good game, I recommend it.
August 16th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Has anyone experienced the problem where the game takes over. It will work fine for a while. Then, it keeps scrolling through the plays. Players leave the field on their own. It’s like the system loses connection with the controllers. Any help you can give me will be appreciated. Thanks…..
August 22nd, 2008 at 2:58 pm
I’ve been trying to play a two player mode in madden now for a week. I can’t find any way to add the second controller. When im in party mode the controller screen comes up and i hit the “a” button on the second controller and nothing happens. Can find a screen to add the controller in settings or anything. Any ideas? Please!
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:46 pm
What I hate is being credited with a loss when someone on line quits or when someone disconnects I have finished playing against the cpu and quit with no mercy once credited with a loss and twice with disconnects. It sticks
August 23rd, 2008 at 6:50 pm
@ Josh – I just played the “Party Mode” and my controller connected fine at the screen where you choose your mii. I would say try re-synching your wii remote, which you can do here. I personally think, as a sort of newcomer to Madden games that the Madden 09 for the Wii is pretty cool. But from what I’ve read, it seems EA did not do much to change this this game for big time fans of Madden.
Oh well, I still think its a blast!!
August 23rd, 2008 at 6:50 pm
@ Josh – I just played the “Party Mode” and my controller connected fine at the screen where you choose your mii. I would say try re-synching your wii remote, which you can do here. I personally think, as a sort of newcomer to Madden games that the Madden 09 for the Wii is pretty cool. But from what I’ve read, it seems EA did not do much to change this this game for big time fans of Madden.
Oh well, I still think its a blast!!
September 16th, 2008 at 11:23 pm
to chris
i have the same problem. i can’t do crap with controlling the players. it’s like i’m watching a video and just calling the plays. if i play online i can control it. oh yeah, couldn’t get to the password field to create an EA account in online mode. so i had to sign on as a guest.
does any one have a fix
September 20th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
I am trying to add 2 players. But I can’t. What do I do?
September 26th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
I played online for the first time last night, it was great but unfortunately I didnt know how to take the allplay off. I dont know if its an option during login or what. any help would be great.
October 17th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
I can’t control any of the players, I can control the play calling while in ALL PLAY MODE. Do I have a setting that needs to be chaged? I’ve tried taking out of the Wii controler during set up and it’s the same thing the game is controling the player, I can’t get control from either Wii controler, PLEASE HELP!!!!
November 24th, 2008 at 10:18 am
Check this out. You could be in “Coach Mode”.
http://boards.ign.com/nintendo_wii_lobby/b8270/172449633/p1/
December 26th, 2008 at 2:37 am
im constantly tryin to break tackles but it never happens. my rb does the motion wen no one is around but wen theyre near he just stops. any help? and wat is the evade sign showing up around defenders?
December 26th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
The wide receivers are highlighted. If you want to pass to a certain person sometimes the right person isn’t highlighted so you have to wait and wait until that person is highlighted. Is there a way to change the settings so it is like the old madden games.
September 19th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Question, I can’t control who I throw it to most of the time. How do I control exactly who to throw it to? I’ll have a receiver open and I’ll press the direction on the D-pad to where he is, but it’ll go to a different receiver quite often.