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The Xbox is hooked up, all updated, and we loaded Madden 18 last night.
Great Halford, the graphics! I'm playing tutorials with the 49ers as my favorite team, naturally. You can see reflections of Levi's Stadium in the windows of the team's HQ and practice facility. Gorgeous! We turned the music volume down to near zero, as its aimed at a younger demographic. I wish EA would offer channels of different music types, like in Grand Theft Auto.
The thing I like most (so far): When passing, you can select one of three catch modes for the receiver while the ball is in the air.
Protect: Used when gaining yards isn't a concern and a big hit is coming. The receiver wraps up the ball and sets for the defender.
YAC: Yards after catch. Used when you hit an open man with room to run. The receiver will catch the ball in full stride and turn upfield automatically.
Aggressive: The receiver is going to leap, dive, and stretch to make a highlight catch over a defender. Used when throwing to a receiver who is in single coverage.
Training my thumb to hit the right button is going to take some time. Indeed, using a controller is a lot like the occupational therapy I went through after my stroke. Learning to make your fingers do precise work without being watched. Proprioception is a gamer's friend!
The thing I like least (so far): They got rid of superstar mode, where you create a player and run him through his career. In its place, we get a guided story about a kid QB from Texas working for a second chance.
But I don't want to be a QB. I wanted to play as a tight end. TE's are versatile players. They have to block, run routes ranging from quick passes over center to long fly routes, and they can be called on to line up as a fullback. Sometimes doing all three in a single play. A great tight end can disrupt a defense just by being on the field.
Part of this is my love of worldbuilding. In the last version of Madden I owned, I created a version of me that attended Harvard, emerged as a 1st round draft pick with a degree in History and Literature. This me embraced a Gothic look and an attitude. Annoying sports reporters had their questions answered in Latin or Kone Greek. Once drafted by the Raiders, I had an Oakland custom shop build be a customer hearse. In game days, I'd drive to the Coliseum from my Piedmont home with a casket in the back, draped in the opposing team's flag.
Can you imagine the Raiders Nation fans reacting to that? That's the kind of story creation I liked to do in my head when playing in superstar mode. Ah, well.
Maybe we'll get superstar mode back next year. I hope so. In the meantime, the franchise mode looks amazing. You are the owner, the head coach, and you play the games. You control everything from ticket prices to free agents and the draft. You have to worry about not only winning games but attracting new fans and getting butts in the seats.
There's going to be a lot of practice before I start attempting games. I'm just on the first level of drills and have a ton to learn. But the amazing thing is I'm looking forward to it. That wouldn't have been possible before I started getting help with my depression and PTSD.
Speaking of PTSD, I picked up a could of other games when we got the new system. Call of Duty - Advanced Warfare because I wanted a modern shooter and this one got good reviews. I also grabbed Assassin's Creed - Chronicles. Because killing things is fun. I also have a few games from the old, sadly deceased, Xbox 360 that Tod Glenn sent me. I plan on mastering the ones I have before building a library. I should also note that the Santa Clara Library lends games.
I do have a short wish list. A second controller so Kiri and I can play together. A racing game like Mario Kart that we'd both enjoy. A headset, both for gaming with others and schooling people on the fine art of trash talking. I'm a former Army infantryman and spent 20 years as a commercial driver. You want to talk trash? We'll start with your girlfriend!
One thing left to test is the Xbox's ability to play Blu-rays and DVDs. We'll do that soon enough. All in all, a purchase I'm happy with.
Great Halford, the graphics! I'm playing tutorials with the 49ers as my favorite team, naturally. You can see reflections of Levi's Stadium in the windows of the team's HQ and practice facility. Gorgeous! We turned the music volume down to near zero, as its aimed at a younger demographic. I wish EA would offer channels of different music types, like in Grand Theft Auto.
The thing I like most (so far): When passing, you can select one of three catch modes for the receiver while the ball is in the air.
Protect: Used when gaining yards isn't a concern and a big hit is coming. The receiver wraps up the ball and sets for the defender.
YAC: Yards after catch. Used when you hit an open man with room to run. The receiver will catch the ball in full stride and turn upfield automatically.
Aggressive: The receiver is going to leap, dive, and stretch to make a highlight catch over a defender. Used when throwing to a receiver who is in single coverage.
Training my thumb to hit the right button is going to take some time. Indeed, using a controller is a lot like the occupational therapy I went through after my stroke. Learning to make your fingers do precise work without being watched. Proprioception is a gamer's friend!
The thing I like least (so far): They got rid of superstar mode, where you create a player and run him through his career. In its place, we get a guided story about a kid QB from Texas working for a second chance.
But I don't want to be a QB. I wanted to play as a tight end. TE's are versatile players. They have to block, run routes ranging from quick passes over center to long fly routes, and they can be called on to line up as a fullback. Sometimes doing all three in a single play. A great tight end can disrupt a defense just by being on the field.
Part of this is my love of worldbuilding. In the last version of Madden I owned, I created a version of me that attended Harvard, emerged as a 1st round draft pick with a degree in History and Literature. This me embraced a Gothic look and an attitude. Annoying sports reporters had their questions answered in Latin or Kone Greek. Once drafted by the Raiders, I had an Oakland custom shop build be a customer hearse. In game days, I'd drive to the Coliseum from my Piedmont home with a casket in the back, draped in the opposing team's flag.
Can you imagine the Raiders Nation fans reacting to that? That's the kind of story creation I liked to do in my head when playing in superstar mode. Ah, well.
Maybe we'll get superstar mode back next year. I hope so. In the meantime, the franchise mode looks amazing. You are the owner, the head coach, and you play the games. You control everything from ticket prices to free agents and the draft. You have to worry about not only winning games but attracting new fans and getting butts in the seats.
There's going to be a lot of practice before I start attempting games. I'm just on the first level of drills and have a ton to learn. But the amazing thing is I'm looking forward to it. That wouldn't have been possible before I started getting help with my depression and PTSD.
Speaking of PTSD, I picked up a could of other games when we got the new system. Call of Duty - Advanced Warfare because I wanted a modern shooter and this one got good reviews. I also grabbed Assassin's Creed - Chronicles. Because killing things is fun. I also have a few games from the old, sadly deceased, Xbox 360 that Tod Glenn sent me. I plan on mastering the ones I have before building a library. I should also note that the Santa Clara Library lends games.
I do have a short wish list. A second controller so Kiri and I can play together. A racing game like Mario Kart that we'd both enjoy. A headset, both for gaming with others and schooling people on the fine art of trash talking. I'm a former Army infantryman and spent 20 years as a commercial driver. You want to talk trash? We'll start with your girlfriend!
One thing left to test is the Xbox's ability to play Blu-rays and DVDs. We'll do that soon enough. All in all, a purchase I'm happy with.
