Ever watch your favorite pro football team and think to yourself: "why in the world are they calling that play right now?" Video game players may discover those same reactions experimenting with Madden NFL 11, the latest iteration of Electronic Arts' signature sports franchise.  The title's key feature, GameFlow, offers an interesting approach to playcalling, allowing players to complete games quickly and focus strictly on the action. However, veterans should consider finely tweaking their game plans or expect calls that might leave them scratching their heads.  In previous Madden NFL installments, players would hop into the diverse team playbooks and choose their next move between plays on both offense and defense. As EA has previously pointed out, players would spent almost three-quarters of the time during a game just picking plays or navigating menus.  Enter GameFlow, which eliminates that need by delivering a computer-controlled coordinator to call the plays for you. Decisions on plays are based on down and distance (First-and-1o, third-and-long, first-and-goal). If players don't agree with the call, they can always audible or switch to the full playbook after any play.  Before each game, players can customize gameplans, creating strategies for most scenarios, including a 2-minute offense. They can even create multiple plans to use depending on their opponent.  For the most part, GameFlow works quite well. Players can speed through games, and the emphasis is placed more heavily on what happens on the field. Also, for Madden rookies not interested in playbooks, this serves as a decent alternative.  However, a warning to Madden veterans: avoid the default gameplans and create your own. If you have a handful of go-to plays that you use regularly, gameplans need to be overhauled to ensure GameFlow calls them consistently.  The default gameplans are solid, but GameFlow does make some odd decisions. For example, inside the 10-yard line on the verge of scoring, Gameflow calls a deep pass play. There's also a tendency to call the same play back-to-back on multiple occasions, even if it hasn't proven successful. And don't expect GameFlow to show mercy. Up by more than 30 points late in the second half of one game, GameFlow wanted to keep throwing the ball. It would be nice to implement strategies based on point margin.  The other notable feature in Madden NFL 11 is online team play, where three players can group together to battle another trio online. Players can control quarterbacks, running backs or wide receivers on offense, and control defensive linemen, linebackers or defensive backs on defense. Each player is responsible for pre-play adjustments as well such as hot routes. It's a clever idea, and voice chat is strongly encouraged.  On the field, the action is largely similar to last year's title. The most notable change is the locomotion animation system, which depicts players moving more naturally. Combined with this is the removal of the sprint button, requiring players to concentrate on finding holes, making the correct moves and using their momentum to speed down the field for a big gain.  Audible controls have been moved to the directional pad, now dubbed the Strategy Pad. From here, players pick hot routes and update offensive line assignments, or press their corners and move their linebackers on defense.  The presentation has received a big boost thanks to the vocal talents of announcer Gus Johnson, who provides a much-needed surge in energy the franchise has been lacking for the last couple seasons.  Madden NFL 11 delivers another solid season in the franchise's history, despite subtle changes to the action on the field. But longtime players should consider investing in those gameplans before they start questioning GameFlow's abilities as a play caller.  Publisher: Electronic ArtsDeveloper: EA SportsPlatform(s): Nintendo Wii, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Portable, Xbox 360Price: $59.99Rating: E for EveryoneRelease Date: August 10Score: 3 stars (out of 4)
Review: 'Madden NFL 11' picks up the pace with mixed results - Game Hunters: In search of video games and interactive awesomeness - USATODAY.com - Game Hunters: In search of video games and interactive awesomeness