Madden 97 reviewed

Madden 97
PlayStation Review from the Net


To get the secret teams in Madden 97, goto User Records and enter TIBURON
as the user. Then retreat back to the team selection screen and the teams
(AFC,NFC,50-60,70,80,EA,Madden All Time, & Tiburon --Others?) should be
available. Or you can just use the random selection until they pop up 8D

Mitch Walker
[email protected]

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To view all the cinematics in Madden 97 press L1 and R1 together at the
begining when you first turn it on. At the sony symbol. Hold L1 and R1
untilo the cinematics screen pops up. Instead of going
to the intro it will go to a screen that says cinematics. To view them
just click on to them at the bottom.

Brad

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Madden after 15 games

When I first received Madden I was a little frustrated with
the difficult passing and impossible running game.   Well after
reading  tips from several guys (ie Rick Brown) on this
newsgroup, I have really started to appreciate the gameplay
of Madden.   The learning curve in this football game is 
very steep at first and then everything seems to fall in place.
I started a season with the Denver Broncos and I'm now 3-0
with Elway, Davis and Miller leading the league in passing,
running and receiving.  The ability to pick apart the opposition's
pass defense and hitting the blocking holes for a big running gain
has given Madden a new light.  My advice to most players is to 
practice, practice, practice.  You will get your butt whipped 
by the computer at first but then the pieces will slowly fall in place.
The computer AI is really good but once you start to develop a 
few techniques the game is a snap. 

Here are a few techniques I have found to work really well for me..  

PASSING-  The best advice is to stay in the pocket as much as
possible.  I found the QB throws more accurately and tends to 
lead the receiver if he is not scrambling.    Quick passes also 
seem to work really well but make sure the receiver is not
being covered really tightly.   If you like to throw huge bombs 
but the QB is continualy under throwing the ball, try throwing
the ball earlier  and barely tap the receiver button.  You will
be amazed how far the QB will lead the receiver and he will
catch the ball in full stride.   EA has really focused on real football
tactics to influence the passing.    Other advice that I have 
followed with quite of bit of success is to have your QB face away 
from your receiver until he is ready to throw (Look off the D).  
This sometimes forces the DB to move away from your receiver.  
Screen passes are a really great weapon but you need to use
the proper mechanics to really fool the D.  First move your receiver
away from the direction of the screen.  Next have your QB roll
hard towards the opposite direction of your back-  you will see
the Linebackers roll with you.  Then hit the running back away from
the play.  You will be surprised how well this works.  Finally I 
have found that a consistent running game will open up the passing
defense considerably.  Be sure to use your tight ends as much as 
possible because they are usually covered by slow linebackers.
 
RUNNING-  Best Advice is to use your receiver in motion to help
control the defense.   Before a running play try running the receiver  
in motion and see if the DB follows him.  If he does NOT, move him
in the path of the runner and hike the ball.  You would be surprised
how much one extra running back helps with blocking.  If the DB
FOLLOWS the receiver,  move him as far away from the play as 
possible.  One less DB  on a running play can affect long run.  
Cutting back against the Defense,  waiting for your blockers to 
create a hole and not using the Turbo until you are about to run
past a defender will help you make good yardage on most plays.
Here a couple plays that always rack up at least 10 yards.
NEAR-NORMAL- HB DELAY-  This play works great because the
ball snaps and the Defense clogs up the middle and then your
QB will give you the ball with the whole right side open.  If there
is a Linebacker floating in the area just use your turbo to turn the
corner and your gone (Big yardage).     PRO FORM- NORMAL-
HB TOSS works really well especially if you move your receiver
in motion to block at the corner of the offensive line.   I can always 
turn the corner and dash for a first down.   You must remember that
I'm not using the fastest running back (Terrel Davis) so most teams
can run these plays with success.

Defense-  I am having no problem stopping the defense so I don't have 
too much to say here.   I mostly control my Linebackers to stop the 
run and then switch to my DB to block passes.    The complaints 
I have been having  about bad tackling control can be prevented if
you dive your players in front of the runner.   In real football you
never run directly at the ball carrier to make a tackle but rather
try to dive in the running path. The same thing goes for Madden.
When I do miss a tackle I usually just blow it off because it's not
realistic to make every play.  I think the criticism in this area
is a little harsh.

Hope these tips helped you as much as they helped me.   Madden is
a really good game if you learn to play it by their rules.    Yesterday
I was playing the computer and they started doing onside kicks at 
the end of the 3rd quarter because they were down by three TDs.   I 
have never seen a computer AI perform this well.   Fake punts by the
computer is a feature that makes me smile everytime.

Graphics and speed of this game are great.  If you haven't noticed,  put
in Gameday and watch how slow the players move.    Madden is King
of Football and I don't think Gameday has a chance this year.  The
field goal kicking in Madden 97 is really precise.    The
field goal kicking in Madden 97 is really precise.  

Have you ever noticed the dual shadows caused by the lights in Dome
stadiums.   Great realism.

Back to the game.   

Keep up the great hints on this newsgroup.

Kurt Stremel