If you had any doubts or questions about Madden 08 improving on almost every area that had issues in 2007, consider them answered. Madden 08 takes the ultra-precise game control that was first installed in NCAA 2008 and has improved on it. It showcases the new ?weapons? feature that takes utilizing the best players on your team to a new level. The presentation of it is vastly improved and it even offers a new ?championship ring? feature that will allow you to build your own ring through accomplishments in the game and will actually offer you the chance to buy the ring and wear it. So let?s get into breaking this beast of a game down.

Presentation. The outstanding presentation is one of the first things you?ll notice about the game. It doesn?t load slow like Madden 2007 did and it even shows your trophy case and championship ring on the main screen. In exhibition games against other users, you have the ability to wager various trophies (15 in all) that you can accumulate through game play. Your Madden gamer profile will log each trophy that you win against the specific opponent and, if you win the same trophy three consecutive times against the same person, you are dubbed the ?champion? of that trophy. For example, if I were to beat someone three times for the Coliseum Trophy, I would be considered the Coliseum Champion and it would be exclusive to the match up that I have against that person. This elevates smack talk to a whole new level. Like years previous, you are asked to pick your favorite team and on the main screen there are video panels that show highlights from your team. Unlike years past, however, you can turn those panels off and bask in the glory of your championship ring that sits in the middle of the screen.

In Franchise mode, you no longer have to put up with the random radio and newspaper stuff that would usually clutter the screen. Instead, it?s just a simple menu that has all the options including Front Office mode available to access. Like I mentioned earlier, EA isn?t throwing anything incredibly complicated at you as far as presentation goes. That goes a long way in making the game more enjoyable because it makes it easier to enjoy and there are fewer distractions.

Gameplay: Here?s the section that really matters. The game play in Madden 08 is far and away the best that I?ve played in years. Players don?t randomly slide around on the field and react to your stick movements better than they ever have. The juke stick has evolved into a full on weapon, going away from the standard left right juke and adding many different unique moves. Messing around with guys like Reggie Bush and LaDainian Tomlinson has never been so rewarding. The one thing that players will notice, however, is the improvement of defensive play. Last year it seemed like, no matter what defense you used, it was still difficult to stop teams. This year it is much easier to take advantage of defenses like the Ravens or Chargers and force turnovers. The pass rush is something that was simply non-existent last year. This year, with the addition of the weapon mode, getting pressure on the quarterback is a lot easier to do and you don?t have to put up with a quarterback sitting in the pocket for 6 to 8 seconds. That brings me to the previously mentioned ?weapon mode.?

Weapon mode is all about taking advantage of guys on your team who excel at certain things. The weapons range anywhere from guys who can make spectacular catches to run stuffing linebackers and shutdown corners. One of the neat things about this mode is the fact that the weapons can counter each other. For example, if you have a quick receiver, the counter to shut down that receiver is to put a shutdown corner on him. If you have a power running back, he can be countered with a big hitter who can take out the back?s legs. That?s not to discourage you from using your weapons, however, because guys like Randy Moss who are absolute freaks and can make spectacular catches can and will single handedly win you games.

Injuries and fatigue is another interesting dynamic of this year?s game. EA has done a hell of a job in making it much more realistic in terms of guys getting subbed out regularly and running back tandems actually operating like they should. Injuries that often take players out for only a few plays in real life happen much more often in this game, bringing the feel that stingers and minor sprains actually do occur and affect the outcome of the game. That?s not to say that everyone on the field is made of glass, but the element that guys get the regular bumps and bruises during the game makes the game play much more authentic.

Something that is a lot more difficult about this game is Superstar mode. In years past, your ?Superstar? would collect achievements based on randomized genes from parents. This year is much different. Instead of a randomization, you have to compete in several drills including the 40 yard dash, running back drills, catch and cover drills, and a bench press. If you don?t do well in the events, your ratings will take a definite hit. For example, I false started my 40 yard dash and, as a result, my speed was an 8 overall. No, that?s not a typo. This puts much more emphasis on Madden?s sister game, NCAA, where you can create a campus legend and transfer him over into Madden to become a superstar instead of simply building one from the ground up in Madden. You?re also able to simulate through the game if your player is not on the field, saving you time instead of having to sit and watch your team run the ball while you sit on the sideline.

Well, there you have it. If you had to ask me, I would say this is one of the best, if not the best Madden game that EA has ever produced. They?ve taken into account issues in the past and made tremendous improvements to ensure that your Madden experience is one of the best you?ve ever had. Sportable would personally like to thank EA Sports for their generosity once again in letting us come down and preview the game. Their accommodations and generosity have been second to none. I?m in love with the game, and I know that when you get a copy of your own, you will be too. If you have any further questions about the game, feel free to ask and I am more than willing to fire up the 360 and answer them for you.