Another year and like clockwork EA's all conquering sports game arrives. Boasting 'more than 85 new features', it’s the most feature-heavy Madden yet.

If you've played a Madden game before you'll know what to expect. Excellent presentation, all updated team rosters, jerseys and player stats. Along with more features than you can shake a stick at. EA's big new feature for this year’s sports games is the 'My Skill' feature, a constantly updating difficulty that adapts to your abilities in different aspects of the game. When you first boot up Madden 09 our good friend Mr John Madden will explain to you about the 'My Skill' feature. You'll then have the chance (if you choose) to take a few tests. Rush Offense, Pass Offense, Rush Defense and Pass Defense. The tests are comprised of simple 4-5 man plays. After you've completed the tests you'll be scored on each section by difficulty, so if you're particularly good at Rush Offence that part of your game would be on 'All Pro' or 'All Madden' difficulty. If you can't defend a pass then you could be given the 'Rookie' rating. It's definitely a good feature and I expect it to grow and evolve over the next few years. But if this sounds a bit too hi-tech for your liking, you can always just choose a regular difficulty like past games.

Once you start playing the game you notice how it has evolved over the years. You have a baffling array of options, with literally hundreds of plays to choose from. You can sort them from play type, formation, player or you can ask Madden for recommended plays. Once you've chosen your play and are all set up for the snap you have tons more options. You can switch your plays and move individual players. The menus that these options are accessed from could be a bit off putting for new players with so many arrows and button icons but these don’t have to be used and can be turned off.

Visually Madden has always been in the upper levels, and this year is no exception. There’s detail packed in everywhere and the weather effects are great. Animations are superb, you can feel every hit. The commentary is very good, EA seem to have knack with getting it right.

Overall it’s the Madden you know and love, if you haven’t got into previous games the new My Skill feature might help ease you in. Casual players will be fine but hardcore fans will find plenty of depth and tons to do.