![]() ![]() Like last year's game, Madden uses 2D player sprites in 3D stadium environments. Suspense is felt as the "chain gang" measures for a first down (Summerall: "It's gonna be close"), sometimes followed by relief as former NFL referee Red Cashan points and proclaims "First down!" in his southern drawl. For example, each stadium is identical to its real-life counterpart, right down to the sandy remnants of baseball diamonds found during early season NFL games. Pat Summerall's signature play-by-play and Madden's blustery comments are a given, but it's the extra things that set it apart from the rest of the field. Madden 98's NFL atmosphere is outstanding. Beginners need not be scared by this realism, as Madden offers plenty of difficulty levels to ease any player into the game. Although the offensive AI could use mo re work, Madden 98 best represents the chess game behind the high-paid muscle on the field. If you pick the correct defense, you'll be in a position to make the play (assuming your players are not outclassed). The days of running up the score with your eyes closed are now over, as the computer defense now accurately reacts to offensive plays. The results are obvious: This Madden is by far the smartest of the series - and of any football game ever made. EA spent more of Madden's development cycle than ever on its AI. The biggest improvements in Madden 98 are its gameplay and AI. ![]() Football fans will be happy to know that Madden NFL 98 has finally broken the trend by containing nothing but improvements across the board. But so what! Read full reviewįor the last few years, each new edition of the Madden franchise has stepped forward in some areas, but stepped back in others. After playing several different games I only noticed one error: they made Boomer Esiason, who was a backup for the Bengals that year, a right hand quarterback when he is left handed. ![]() The stadiums, grass, and crowd noises are all very realistic and add greatly to the enjoyment. And Denver's play scheme features lots of passes. My favorite NFL team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had trouble scoring and let the poor quarterback, Trent Dilfer, get sacked too much. Great care was made in correctly programming the teams and players, as the teams' strengths and weaknesses showed through. The realistic coin toss is a great touch, along w ith the NFL Today style commentary at the beginning of each game. You always have a choice of calling the play and watching the players do their thing, or taking control of the quarterback, halfbacks or defensive players and sending them into the fight. After that prerequisite, it is easy to learn. To play this game, a knowledge of football helps greatly. Yet, Madden 1998 rocks for several reasons. The game play is mostly viewed from an end zone zoom camera, with boxy graphics from the period. Compared to what is available today it seems fairly quaint. Madden 1998 is one of the best original Playstation titles from that era. ![]() Remember the 1990's? Gasoline hovered around a dollar a gallon, the country was just beginning its love affair with high tech, and on Sundays in the fall, we loved our football! ![]()
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