The delay of the PS3 meant that Madden Nfl07 was released in the UK in March this year. So six months later, or half a year if you like, we’ve got Madden Nfl08. This fact may put people off buying a new Madden game because it’s so soon. We can’t imagine that many people imported a PS3 and Madden 07 last year, just for the chance to play it earlier than the rest of us. So are there enough new things in 08 to warrant the purchase of this; the now twiceyearly update of the Madden series?

Well let’s have a look at the list of new features and find out. The big buzz word this year is ‘weapons’; unfortunately, that doesn’t mean pulling out handguns to score a winning touchdown à la The Last Boy Scout, instead some of the star players have access to special moves. Smart Quarterbacks, for instance, can read the play that the defence has chosen, which helps him to pick out the least covered receiver for a pass. On the flip side, Smart Linebackers and Smart Safeties can do the same on defence. And of course, the Spectacular Catch Receivers can jump a bit higher than all the rest of them. It’s an interesting angle to take, since Madden games have usually been about the simulation of the sport. However, this almost seems to be going down the NflStreet route, just without Xzibit busting rhymes in your face.

If you’re really into American football, then you might own NCAA Football 08, the college American football simulator, where you can create your own star and develop him in the game. You can do that here too, but you can also take your freshman from NCAA and dump him into the big leagues.

The Hit Stick has now levelled up to 2.0 and you can tackle high or low depending on which way you push it. And that’s really about it for the list of new features; it’s a tweak here and a tuck there, though the graphics haven’t really improved that much since last year. Sorry, six months ago.

As for the gameplay, it’s the same. All the quick-fire decisions you have to make when following the ball, making sure you pick the best play, and trying to gain enough ground to score a touchdown without fumbling the ball. And having the opposition score an easy one. That bit sucks.

Tim Empey