Madden 98 didn't impress me with its visuals when I first starting
playing (but the front end is world-beating, as usual).

The players look lower-res. than they did last year.  They're maybe
about the same res. as the NCAA Football 98 players.  But the tradeoff
is more animations and actual player numbers.

But the animations!!  Geez louise!  Tons of 'em.  Also, the player
bodies look cooler -- they have this 3D-looking thigh pads and very
accurate uniform designs and colors.

The swim move on defense is killer (R2).  And it works differentially.
Players like John Randle, who is renowned for his wicked swim move,
RIP THROUGH defenders in an utterly convincing fashion (this is the
best move animation by a defender in a game I've ever seen), while
lineman with less skill don't have anywhere the success with this
move.

A few little animation details which really thrill:  the chain gang,
yellow handkerchiefs thrown down on a penalty, the ambulance cart,
injured players' on-field spasms, sack celebrations, critical 1st down
catch celebrations, end zone celebrations (selectable), QB tosses to
HB's sweeping wide, QB-footstomping to tell a WR to go in motion, and
outstretched hands for fingertip catches.

The onscreen presentation of stats is incredible.  Pat and John make
some good comments, and Pat calls out player names very frequently.
It seems like John a bit quieter this year, actually;  that's probably
for the best, as he got pretty repetitive last year.

Clock management seems good (I had a team execute a long count on a
4th down punt with only 30 seconds to go in the half -- thereby
robbing me of critical time I could use to go downfield for a scoring
attempt).

Player of the Game is announced when the game is in hand (which means
that if the score is 17-3 with 40 seconds to go and no time outs left,
the Player of the Game is announced -- I had a guy with two sacks and
4 tackles given the honor in my last game).

Also, there is a Player of the Week category, MVP, and TONS of USER
RECORDS, including long TD completion, and so on.

Basically, if something can be configured, in Season Mode, it can be
saved -- best I can tell.  This means a more personalized experience.
Damn, EA Sports really nailed it on this one.  I still dunno about
audibles, but there is a deep audible set, in addition to the three
preset ones, which kinda depend on the formation you're in.  Isn't
that sweet?!

Pass coverage is much fairer than in NCAA Football 98, which really is
barely even comparable to Madden 98 (I swear to you).  QB's don't nail
the WR for big gains every time, and bad WR's even drop the ball once
in a while.

The running game is tough!  But it's also dynamic, in that you can use
EFFECTIVE stiff arms and spin moves!  Also, making hard stops and
reversing in one's tracks occasionally does the trick.  Basically,
alternate between your FB and HB, and hit holes quickly (unless you're
following a blocker or waiting for a trap to set in the line).  Sweeps
don't work very often, but sometimes they can net you BIG yardage.
Basically focus on hitting holes in the line (like the game is pretty
much played in the NFL), following lead blockers and making good cuts.
But trust me, you're going to have a tough time becoming good at
running.

Unfortunately, it seems as though the CPU rushing attack is no
different than in previous football games on the PS.  It's too weak.
Running back AI must be hard to do well or something, I dunno.  Barry
Sanders actually beat my butt on one play for twenty yards in my last
game, though.  :-)

Defense is really a proactive experience, and you needn't worry about
getting your goose cooked through the air like in NCAA Football 98.
But you'll also notice that defense doesn't use a speed burst -- I
don't mind this at all, but I think some will miss it.  You know, I
also like how one can move into bump coverage with the tap of the R1
shoulder button.  Getting burned on screen plays?  Hee-hee!  I
recommend you try using something that particularly kicks butt against
screen plays:  a 4-3 Double Zone.

I dunno, it seems like NCAA Football 98 is a bit faster in some
respects -- especially with regard to the time required to fend off a
pass while on defense ... it seems like the balls are usually in the
air a while longer.  I welcome this difference quite a lot, actually,
as I now feel as though I can actually react with some intelligence
and not just a split-second spasmodic flinch.

I have a feeling that many people are gonna be bad at running again
this year.  I think the key will be finding holes and not sweeping as
much ... and carefully trailing your blockers while actively using the
quite-effective stiff-arms, spins, speed bursts, and hurdles.

Oh well, enjoy!

P.S.  Have you guys tried the Any Player Control triangle button
option yet?  Kinda like Sega's NFL 95 game, I think it was.  It's very
cool to *be* the Wide Receiver and "call" the QB for the pass when you
get open ....


[A few minutes later...]
Running.

Okay, use the dang speed burst.

Hit the hole and speed burst.  Repeat.

Also, it's a good idea to select BIG or JUMBO, as you'd expect.

Like I said, use speed burst as soon as you hit the hole and good
things will happen ... like the 100 + yard running game I just had
with Robert Smith.

[A few more minutes...]
Okay, guys, I told you about hitting the holes quickly in tandem with
the speed burst.  Sure enough.

But here's a great way to gain some yardage on Toss plays ... set your
Tight End in motion and look for him to lay on a big block once you
hike the ball and he's past the line.  Then follow that tight end!

If you pick BIG or JUMBO plays you'll get the beefy T.E.'s in there to
help you out.  Same principle for when your HB is being led by the FB
up the gut:  follow him stride for stride and look for the big block!

Dives net you some good yardage as well.  I think running the ball
well in Madden 98 will require you to put together the whole package,
including mixing the run plays up with pass plays.  Yes, I know, it's
tempting to run the ball again right after you've picked up some good
yardage on the ground, but remember that the CPU also noticed your
success with the previous running play ....  :-)

Ricky Wayne Brown
brow0130@ix.netcom.com