see deal Madden NFL 17 - PlayStation 4 Standard Edition $19.99 on Best Buy

There isn’t much better than going head-to-head against my buddies in a good Madden game, talking trash, bragging about that big play, and flaunting my victories to the point of unsportsmanlike conduct. Madden NFL 17

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“ Seeing play styles come across so fluidly creates realism.

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“ I’m engaged on every single defensive play.

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Living The Dream

“ This new mode has me flying through each week of my franchise completing every single task.

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Madden 17’s gameplay has risen above the last decade’s worth of iterations, and it starts with the feel I get when I grab the sticks. Madden 15 and Madden 16 focused gameplay tuning on defense and receiving, respectfully, due to the NFL’s shift towards the two play styles. It was EA’s reaction to the shift in the NFL. I was surprised to see the limelight on the running game this year, mainly because it’s EA with a proactive approach, a refreshing turn of events for the studio.This year Madden continues to strengthen its gameplay by integrating the consistent button-pressing mini-game into the ground game. It gives you options to spin, juke, and stiff-arm, and it’s invigorating to scamper for a long gain thanks to a well-timed spin-break-spin combo. The new ground game is refreshing, keeping you honest on both offense and defense. It’s so easy to get caught up in pass after pass in today’s NFL, but with such a large emphasis in Madden NFL 17’s run game it encourages you to be patient and to run an offense the way it’s meant to be in the real sport.Part of the reason the run game works so well with the Vikings and Titans is because of the above-average offensive line each team rosters. I was easily able to gain downhill momentum to carry Murray to extra yardage, and it was awesome using Peterson’s strength to keep pushing defenders to the ground thanks the holes created.Meanwhile a team like the Seahawks, who have one of the highest team ratings, sports one of the lowest-rated lines around. Playing as them it’s tough to run between the tackles as the line gets pushed around. Even on pass plays, I found myself using Russell Wilson’s legs as an escape route to avoid pressure. Again, this tweak to the ground game balance makes a team play more like its real-life counterpart than ever before. In addition, broadcast camera angles during and between plays represent a lifelike television experience I’ve grown to love.At the same time there are a few new features that flounder. There was a lot of offseason jargon about letting special teams make an impact in Madden 17, and in the lead up to starting launching the game I enjoyed drills on how to block kicks, run trick plays, and strategically punt. They all worked surprisingly well in the training mode, and found myself smirking after a perfectly blocked field goal thinking about how I’d use these moves on the field. But once I entered real gameplay, special teams felt the same as it always has. After playing multiple games I didn’t once have a successful attempt at blocking a kick or punt. They should be few and far between to feel realistic – I get that – but after all of that training I expected to have at least one special teams play that truly shifted a game’s outcome. Their rarity is disappointing.Each of these new gameplay mechanics can seem daunting, especially for a Madden newcomer. I would recommend trying out the Skill Trainer, which will teach you how to read formations and play the right coverages. It’s beginner mode, but it’s where champions are made. The instructions make the basics of Madden 17 simple and easy to learn. I’ve been playing since Madden 01, and I still jump in for a refresher every season.The duo of Brandon Gaudin and Charles Davis taking over in the booth for commentary is a long overdue change, but despite EA’s promise that this would be a more conversational commentary team, I’m not convinced. The play-by-play from Gaudin sounds very similar to past versions. Davis’ commentary is okay, as he does have player-specific lines that tell stories of yesteryear, but that comes with the drawback that I was already hearing repeated lines in the second game I played. Where’s the banter? Where’s the chemistry? There is EA’s promise of updated and relevant commentary throughout the season, but as of now I’m unimpressed. This pair of wet blankets set the presentation back a few notches.As expected from an annual update, popular modes such as Madden Ultimate Team and Draft Champions have returned largely unchanged. Ultimate Team has added additional customization options as well as a new chemistry feature, while Draft Champions is identical. I’ll be the first to admit I’m not the biggest fan of the collectible trading card modes, but this year’s game has such a huge focus on gameplay and franchise that most everything else is secondary.I love being able to take control of a franchise; it’s my favorite mode in any sports game. It’s that gratifying feeling of drafting a super stud in the fifth round and seeing him develop into a top-tier talent. In Madden’s upgraded Franchise mode, that concept is kicked into overdrive and gives me everything I want at a more rapid pace.In another very smart tweak, upgrading players now happens immediately following a game, with practice second on the list. I used to skip all of these tasks to get to the next week as quickly as possible, but now it keeps a constant flow of progression. All of them are now pieces that are vital for success. It reminds me of how immersed I used to get with EA’s old NCAA Football franchise, which is a sports gaming compliment of the highest order.The already-awesome scouting system returns, but the biggest changes happen during the NFL Draft. The coolest part is how you will receive feedback immediately following your draft pick, showing the player’s overall True Talent ranking compared to his draft selection. Even better is the AI’s competency; teams actually draft based on need! My jaw dropped looking at the positional needs lining up with the teams in the draft. I was pumped to see the Bears take a quarterback at No. 1 overall; Seeing the 49ers trade up and reach for a quarterback at No. 6 was even better. Realism!At offseason’s end you can move onto preseason, or you can sim ahead a full decade – an option that simulation nuts like myself love. When I tried it, to my surprise each team was balanced with only a few superstars scattered throughout the league, including the aforementioned Bears draft pick sitting pretty at 95 overall. The majority of the league was filled with EA’s created draft classes, but it was properly balanced throughout each roster - proof that the progression system is working.Major community-requested features have been added as well. Full player editing and accurate equipment pieces add another level of customization that the franchise has been lacking for years. The score ticker has also been added, sharing scores and stats from across other games at the bottom of your screen. The ticker will highlight important updates, including divisional opponents. I found myself getting excited seeing my rivals fall as I was gaining them in the standings. My personal favorite, which had been absent from this series for far too long, is the return of formation subs. These seem like small details, but it’s all necessary to recreate a Sunday afternoon in loving detail.I’m already itching to restart my franchise when the season begins.