This is what Gieson Cacho said about the new changes to John Madden NFL 11 & NBA Elite EA newest sports titles. (http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2010/07/01/changes-for-madden-nfl-11-and-nba-elite/)
Two of EA Sports biggest franchises are in for some major changes this year. Here’s an overview of what those new gameplay elements will be and whether they work.
Madden NFL 11 (the one with Drew Brees on the cover)
What’s New: The new Madden is focused on making the experience simpler, quicker and deeper. They’re dong this via the game flow system, where the computer picks the plays based on down and distance and radios it into the player at quarterback or linebacker. The actual plays are based off a gameplan that players can build themselves for a specific game. This addition helps make the games go by quicker. In previous titles, games went 60 to 40 minutes. Now, it’s down to 30 minutes and under. Lastly, the game will have three player co-operative squad-based play. Players pick a position — quarterback, wide receiver, running back — and they’ll stick with it the whole game. In addition, players earn perks by playing in this co-op mode and they get to take the upgrades with them.
Will it work: The new simpler and quicker sounds like a bit of marketing. It doesn’t do anything to improve how the game plays compared with the hitstick and QB vision, but it does help in the overall enjoyment of it. The more games, the less downtime you have waiting for someone to pick their play. I do like the concept of co-op Madden, but I’m not sold on it. It sounds good in theory, but I’m not sure how enthusiastic fans will be playing one position.
NBA Elite
What’s New: Basically, everything is new. This reworked game has so many new features that the higher-ups had to come up with another name. The biggest change is the controls. EA Canada revamped it in a potentially revolutionary way. Now players have total control of an NBA player’s moves. They control the feet with the left stick and the right sick manages the hands. How does this work? The left stick is pretty explanatory. It’s how you physically move your player. The only complication is when you add the Left Trigger do fancy moves like the Euro Step.
The right stick is more complicated. You have to do motions for special dribbles. A hadoken motion lets you dribble behind the back. A diagnoal motion lets you dribble between the legs. Layups are done similarly with quarter motions in one directions for left or right hand. Posting up is as simple as pressing the LB button. Lastly, shooting is based on tilting the right stick up, hitting that position perfectly and releasing.
Will it work: That’s a 50-50 proposition. Adjusting to the new control scheme won’t be easy. It’s going to be damn hard. Just shooting and aiming the right stick to 12 o’clock is hard enough. But it’s clear that it does have its advantages. You can be more strategic with their moves. When going up for a layup against a shot blocker, you can switch hands. On the fastbreak, you can execute a spin to avoid the charge and go for an easy layup.
Although it may be harder, the new scheme gives more control to players who have always wanted it.
Will these changes be enough to keep EA SPORTS at the top for this years releases. Only time will tell.
