In an age of graphical wizardry, it's often difficult to distinguish between the annual updates of our favourite sports video games at a glance. 

Madden is no different. Gone are the days in the early 2000's where the annual graphical improvements were drastic to the point that we'd all sit there wide eyed in near disbelief at the difference between the game from one year to the next.

But, that doesn't mean the upgrades in other areas and the new features that are being introduced year-on-year today aren't significant in their own right. 

The more noticeable refinements in this years edition are seen in new game modes and alterations to existing modes, though there has been the introduction of EA Sports' new animation technology known as Real Player Motion (RPM) that gives a more authentic look to player movements which really adds to gameplay experience. 

With that, lets take a look at the good, the bad, and the areas that need improving of Madden 19. 

RPM

RPM is one of the flagship upgrades to this edition of Madden, and by all accounts it's fantastic.

Player movements look far more realistic and natural, particularly in the running game where there is now the option to perform two new moves, the "one-cut" and "The Hesi". Runners are now also more in touch with their blockers, shadowing their movements more closely to feed through the hole provided for them with a hand on their back. 

Basic spin moves, jukes and stiff arms look far more fluid with RPM, but there are some issues that have been spotted already. Ball carriers do not seem to follow their momentum in a natural way after contact, which is especially noticeable with big-bodied backs running downhill and coming up against much smaller DB's. 

Instead of falling forward in the tackle with their momentum on side, it's noticeable that ball carriers are often stood up in the collision which just isn't natural at all. Additionally, the post-play movements and response time of players is still slow and unresponsive particularly on plays that end up out of bounds. 

Defensive players have also received the ability to make mirroring movements that help them adequately respond to the new moves available to ball carriers. 

Player interactions have certainly received an upgrade too, but there's still much to work on in this regard. 

Game Mode Changes

The two most noteworthy game modes, Ultimate Team and Franchise, have both received welcome upgrades this year. 

In Ultimate Team, players can now compete in solo challenge tournaments against teams created by NFL players, celebrities and Madden developers. Much like FIFA, there is a global leaderboard for competitors in these tournaments which adds another solid competitive aspect to the game. 

There is also the chance to develop your own players as your team improves, and though it'll probably take a while to reach the kind of popularity of FIFA's Ultimate Team, it's a nice addition to the game mode. 

Franchise mode has retained the some fundamental principles that's made it the staple of Madden gameplay for the past few years, but there are some neat changes that certainly enhance the experience. 

Players can now create their own draft classes, making the mode far more personal and adding another unique feature. There is the opportunity to create any player and incorporate them into the draft class which is then downloaded after week three of the season, allowing players to use college athletes they may foresee entering the league or whoever they have chosen to create. 

This feature is a really cool one, and allows players to connect more and more with their team as they progress through the seasons. 

Player progression in Franchise mode has also received quite a big change, with players now improving with Skill Points that boost their rating by a whole point instead of it just pertaining to one particular attribute. 

There is also the introduction of Scheme Fits which rewards players that fit a certain scheme well with a ratings boost to incentivise bringing in certain players in free agency and the draft. 

The number of offensive and defensive schemes available has also dramatically increased which is a godsend to those who need the assistance when selecting players and style of play. Positional alterations are available to suit that now too; ie. in certain defensive schemes nickel corner will appear on the depth chart whilst slot receiver will be an option on offense. 

The opportunity to vary your team's scheme to suit a certain your personnel is a nice addition and makes the gameplay more realistic. 

The draft and free agency seem to be exactly the same though and that could be an area that needs improvement when the next edition comes out in 2019. 

'Longshot' Story Mode

This was one of the most polarising features that was introduced in Madden 18, with the mode adding a nice change and offering in-game drama. 

This year there are big changes and they haven't gone down well. 

The story mode focuses on Devin Wade and Colt Cruise as they navigate the NFL and their personal lives, and though the story continues on in familiar fashion, it doesn't seem to be any more captivating. The 'Homecoming' chapter seems to be rushed and has a few frustrating features. 

There is far less dialogue between the characters, and gone are the tutorial-type videos that were actually quite informative. One of the biggest issues with the mode last year was that the mode never actually led to playing in the NFL and the same stands with this years edition. 

It's a big area to improve upon for Madden developers, but there is so much scope to make it a resounding success. 

Verdict - 4/5

Overall, the changes made seem to have enhanced almost every aspect of the game. 

RPM is a huge upgrade and makes the in-game experience both more realistic and entertaining. Whilst the changes to Ultimate Team and Franchise mode certainly give the player a more personal and in depth experience, particularly with the new schemes available. 

There is much to improve upon, namely the story mode, but that area of the game has so much promise and it's more an opportunity to create something unique and special than a failed experiment.