It’s sad, the whole NCAA/Madden thing I do. I remember when I was a kid, and I’d go up to Gamestop at midnight to purchase the new Madden (when I say kid, I mean when I was 16, 17, 18 years old), promising myself I wouldn’t do that when I was older. My girlfriend went once, and was upset that she had to stand in line with all those “geeks” (she’s not very fond of the whole video game thing; I’m working on it).

Last night, I stood in line again, waiting for the clock to turn Tuesday so all the video game nerds could feel like Christmas in July. And, in another month, Christmas in August.

I haven’t played the game much — I was very tired last night, but did get in one full season, less recruiting, on the dynasty with a buddy of mine. I played one game — he’s Arkansas and I’m Auburn (we’re both Georgia Tech fans, but felt it was cheap for one of us to get the rights to them) — and from what I saw, I was impressed but not impressed.

Leading up to the game, they promised it’d be the smoothest running football game that’s been made. That’s true, in part — while the gameplay is very smooth, there’s what seems like an eternity of a delay between each play, with the animations of players flexing their muscles, cheering, showboating, whatever. While these things are fun to watch on, say, a 40 yard play, it’s not fun to see a player getting up and running his mouth to the opposite sidelines everytime he gains positive yards.

My friend (losing to me last night, but what’s new?) said the delays, once the game gets really competitive, is going to cause an outburst. Granted, he’s got a bit of a temper, and has probably broken more controllers than he’s got fingers, but he has a point: They are annoying.

The passing game is tough, the running game a bit too easy. I’ve heard rumors that EA is working on finding some sliders to perfect it, but if they knew it was a problem, then why’d they release it? I was running with #44 HB for Auburn, who I believe is Brad Lester but thought he was a little older than a sophomore, and the first tackler never got him to the ground. Darren “All Everything” for Arkansas had the speed of a Percy Harvin and the break tackle of a Larry Johnson.

In our game, there were a total of eight incompletions, 4 of which were pickoffs. I always got mad in the old games that the cornerbacks didn’t intercept it enough, but I think EA took my complaints a little too seriously — when 50% of your incomplete passes are picked, it starts to get a bit ridiculous.

All in all, I’m complaining but it’s still a good game. The recruiting’s a bit too in depth to me, but most people like that (I like recruiting, but don’t feel simulating a season should take two hours).

On a five star scale, Rivals would probably have this game as a four-star recruit. It’s good, but it’s not great.

It will, however, hold me over until August. . . or next Christmas, whichever you prefer.