Image via Wikipedia
Image via WikipediaIn Lincoln, Saturday is for football. Sunday is for yard work.
That trend continues in the buzz surrounding video games. The debut of "NCAA 12" was marked with gaming parties and races to check the skill ratings of Huskers. Madden's debut Tuesday is unlikely to provoke the same enthusiasm. And that's a shame.
While not drastically different from last year's installment, a number of minor adjustments make for smoother game play and a more comprehensive franchise mode.
The improved franchise mode -- with rookie scouting, preseason cuts and a new free agent signing system -- makes for an easier and more realistic experience.
Taking a cue from recruiting in EA's college game, teams can scout potential draft picks throughout the season. If done right, gamers go into the draft with an idea of which sixth-round gem to snap up and which highly rated talent to avoid.
Preseason cuts are another plus. Instead of a limited roster that stays the same from preseason to regular season, rosters expand to 75 players for the first preseason game with cuts to be made each week. The game also assigns undrafted rookie free agents to rosters, making it easier to fill that backup fullback spot.
The new free agent signing system -- in which players bid in a 90-second auction for the guys they want -- accelerates the offseason.
The gameplay itself remains strong, with only a few minor tweaks from "11."
With the league's offseason complicated by the NFL's labor spat, the game's default rosters are dated. Not to worry -- a quick online update jettisons departed free agents and adds new signees to the roster. Those without an online connection still can become a virtual Prince Amukamara, as 2011 draft picks do appear on the default rosters.
Speaking of ex-Huskers, EA Sports is kind to Detroit defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh with his 89 overall rating. His Lions teammates Dominic Raiola and Kyle Vanden Bosch also garnered respectable ratings at 80 each.
Washington's Niles Paul is buried on his team's depth chart, with his overall rating of 60 ranking sixth among Redskins wideouts. Washington teammates Adam Carriker (78), DeJon Gomes (68) and Roy Helu (65) also fare poorly.
Rookie kicker Alex Henery comes in with a 66 overall rating, and default rosters slot him behind highly rated veteran David Akers, who is no longer with Philadelphia. Fellow rookie Amukamara receives more respect from the Madden creators, with an 81 rating that is the third best among Giants cornerbacks.
Punter Sam Koch's 96 rating is among the game's highest.
Though never as exciting in Lincoln as its college counterpart, the revamped franchise mode makes "Madden 12" a worthy purchase.
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