The single best addition to the series is the full utilization of the Pro-Tak system, which procedurally animates tackling. Up to nine players can gang tackle the ball carrier, while offensive players can add to the chaos by pushing the ball carrier to gain an extra inch up field. Nimble players can spin or juke their way out of a tackle and continue toward the end zone. This increases the relevance of the running game and provides greater balance.

The graphics are astounding. Stadiums come alive with location-unique cut scenes outside the stadium. Nearly 1,000 animations were removed and replaced while quarterbacks now have personalized stances and throwing styles. Referees measure first downs and debate touchdowns and coaches chew ass on the sidelines. Together it all adds up to one of the most realistic football experiences to date.EA Tiburon implemented a new philosophy when rating the players in a whopping 50 categories to determine their effectiveness of the field. Where in the past Joe Average MLB might have been given an overall rating of 80, now he gets a 70. This allows for more subtle differences between players and a more realistic experience.

Quarterbacks are also rated in several new categories regarding their ability to throw short/medium/deep, throw on the run and sell the play action.

Many tiny tweaks add up to a mountain of additional detail. Loose balls can sometimes trigger a minigame where you mash the buttons to try to fight for the fumble. Wide receivers and defensive backs have better interactions, hand checking and jostling for position. Quarterbacks can get rid of the ball during a sack, although it often ends up as a wounded duck throw. Defensive backs take better pursuit angles on ball carriers. CPU opponents use adaptive artificial intelligence to adapt to your playing style.

The pace of the game is slower, which serves to allow you time to make better decisions passing and hitting holes in the defense. Experienced players can still set the game speed higher for additional challenge.

One place where the game really falls flat is in the voice work. Tom Hammond and Chris Collinsworth attempt to bring a broadcast-style presentation but come across ridiculously stale. They are repetitive, and sometimes irrelevant to the action on the field. I was amazed by how their robotic voices could suck the excitement out of a tight game. This is especially surprising upon hearing that the duo recorded a combined 3,000 lines of new dialogue.

Most of the focus this year went to improve the on-the-field action, but franchise mode also saw improvements. A weekly broadcast-style recap show hosted by Alex Flanagan and Fran Charles presents the major developments after each week of play. CPU logic is improved during the draft, in accepting trade proposals and in signing free agents.

Online franchises allow up to 32 players to develop their own league and compete against friends for Super Bowls and draft picks. You can manage your team on the Internet or through an iPhone application so you are always connected to the action.

Nevertheless, here is the decisive moment: If I had to choose one football game this year, it would be NCAA 10, not Madden, despite all the improvements to the core game. While that is partially because of my bias in favor of collegiate athletics, it is also because NCAA 10 does a better job of capturing the essence of the college football experience. The Pro-Tak system is more fully realized in Madden, but for the most part both games share the same technical improvements. However, NCAA trumps Madden in the strategy department in the fact that you can adjust the aggressiveness of your players and setup play action passes by running linked plays.

But your choice should be based on whether you prefer professional or collegiate athletics. You really cannot go wrong either way. Both Madden and NCAA provide a grand gridiron experience for armchair quarterbacks.

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