I didn't see this posted yet...
It looks like Madden 07 is focusing highly on the Running Game.
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Ground warfare
With McNabb on the cover of Madden 06, you can best believe that the emphasis of this title was on passing. We have Mr. Alexander this year, so logic would tell us that this year’s emphasis is (all together now) on the running game.
The new running dynamic starts with the Lead Blocker Control feature. This takes the guesswork out of juking a running or fullback, as you’ll be the one throwing the block. Basically, Lead Blocker allows you to take the reins of a blocker first; similar to a teammate blocking for a back in a friendly co-op match. This is a godsend for those teams that really need 100+ yards per game to be successful (the Steelers, Ravens, and Seahawks of the league). With Lead Blocker Control, you’ll have much better Y.P.C., plus the ability to break a long one almost any time.
Another key feature to Madden NFL 07’s running-centric style is the individual analog control sets programmed for each back. The core controls stay the same for each back, but the analog stick is now matched to the ball carrier. Take Warrick Dunn for example. He’s one of the tiniest guys in the league, which is why the Truck Stick never ever worked with this guy. On the other hand, Warrick is one of the best slashers since Sanders, and can juke any defender out of his shoes. In Madden NFL 07, the right analog is now the Highlight Stick, and allows each running back to perform moves from their real repertoire. Our example Mr. Dunn gets agile jukes, step backs, and ducks mapped to the right stick. Mr. Dunn’s replacement in Tampa- Cadillac Williams- is just a brute. He can bowl you over no problem; so naturally, punishing type moves are his specialty. The Highlight Stick for the Cadillac of running backs is filled with Truck-type power moves and grinding-style maneuvers that have “Goal Line Formation” written all over them.
Even many of the back animations have been modified to match specific player personas. The best example of this is the upright, yet effective running style of Tiki Barber. Tiki is as straight as a n arrow in Madden NFL 07, and has even been given that signature high-n-tight ball carrying style. There are a ton of player-specific running styles in Madden NFL 07, but Tiki is the one that sticks out from our sessions.
http://previews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1439/Madden-NFL-07/p2/
It looks like Madden 07 is focusing highly on the Running Game.
::::
::::
Ground warfare
With McNabb on the cover of Madden 06, you can best believe that the emphasis of this title was on passing. We have Mr. Alexander this year, so logic would tell us that this year’s emphasis is (all together now) on the running game.
The new running dynamic starts with the Lead Blocker Control feature. This takes the guesswork out of juking a running or fullback, as you’ll be the one throwing the block. Basically, Lead Blocker allows you to take the reins of a blocker first; similar to a teammate blocking for a back in a friendly co-op match. This is a godsend for those teams that really need 100+ yards per game to be successful (the Steelers, Ravens, and Seahawks of the league). With Lead Blocker Control, you’ll have much better Y.P.C., plus the ability to break a long one almost any time.
Another key feature to Madden NFL 07’s running-centric style is the individual analog control sets programmed for each back. The core controls stay the same for each back, but the analog stick is now matched to the ball carrier. Take Warrick Dunn for example. He’s one of the tiniest guys in the league, which is why the Truck Stick never ever worked with this guy. On the other hand, Warrick is one of the best slashers since Sanders, and can juke any defender out of his shoes. In Madden NFL 07, the right analog is now the Highlight Stick, and allows each running back to perform moves from their real repertoire. Our example Mr. Dunn gets agile jukes, step backs, and ducks mapped to the right stick. Mr. Dunn’s replacement in Tampa- Cadillac Williams- is just a brute. He can bowl you over no problem; so naturally, punishing type moves are his specialty. The Highlight Stick for the Cadillac of running backs is filled with Truck-type power moves and grinding-style maneuvers that have “Goal Line Formation” written all over them.
Even many of the back animations have been modified to match specific player personas. The best example of this is the upright, yet effective running style of Tiki Barber. Tiki is as straight as a n arrow in Madden NFL 07, and has even been given that signature high-n-tight ball carrying style. There are a ton of player-specific running styles in Madden NFL 07, but Tiki is the one that sticks out from our sessions.
http://previews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1439/Madden-NFL-07/p2/
