MADDEN NFL 25
EA SPORTS (XBOX 360, PS3)
You’d think EA Sports would be running on empty when it comes to refining fresh ideas for the 25th installment of its powerhouse pigskin series, but “running” is actually the most apt term for the latest improvements. The running game has been vastly enhanced, with faster and more natural player-direction changes and carriers smart enough to sidestep blockers. Ball haulers can now combine up to 30 new running moves—stiff arms, juke spins, truck spins—while sprinting through defenders. Returning after a long absence is the owner’s mode, which lets you run every aspect of the franchise, from hiring coaches to managing your stadium’s bathroom cleanliness. Maybe that’s not the “running” game you had in mind, but you can’t fault Madden for trying.