Madden NFL 11

3 cert, EA, Playstation 3 (also Xbox 360, Wii) *****

GAME OF THE WEEK:On the rare occasions I've come across American football on TV, I'm likely to change the channel. But while the game itself has rarely piqued my interest, there is something different about playing Madden NFL.

The latest incarnation of the series has been tweaked and refined until, while not perfect, it's a much better game, with less frustration and fewer niggles. It's simpler to play for a start. The play calling system is a significant improvement; no more getting mired in menus and losing the pace of the game. Opting to play in Gameflow mode means your plays are picked automatically for a specific situation. If you're new to Madden, or just put off by overly complex games, this is a major improvement.

When your confidence is up, you can also customise your own game plans. Choose your top plays and rate them accordingly. The higher you rate the play, the more likely it is to be called in a particular game situation.

The PS3 version also improves the gameplay controls somewhat. The analogue sticks have been brought into the mix more this time around. The AI players have also been given a shot in the arm, which leads to smoother game play.

Madden11 also adds in an online co-operative mode that pits three players against an opposing team, and Ultimate Team, which allows you to build your dream team of players and compete with them. Playing games earns you coins, which in turn can be used to upgrade the team.

The game isn't perfect. Although the planning mode is helpful, it also results in some frankly weird decisions by the game on your behalf. And while the online mode is good, there are some inequalities, as always, that could put novice players off. But overall, Madden NFL11 is a strong addition to the franchise and could win a few new players.