'Madden NFL 18' is the most accessible, ambitious 'Madden' game years

You don't expect to see your dad die in a game of "Madden."

Not your dad, of course. But with the addition of a full-on story mode, "Madden NFL 18" wades into the waters of scripted drama - a first in the popular football game series' 29-year history.

Like recent "NBA 2K" and "FIFA" games, "Madden NFL 18" is a more accessible and ambitious game because of it. For the first time in years, there is a genuine nudge for people to jump in who don't buy every annual "Madden" game like clockwork in.

Beyond those narrative aspirations, though, "Madden NFL 18" is still "Madden." That's still good and bad. Let's take a closer look: