Madden is Definitely on the Right Track - RaychelSnr's Blog

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Madden is Definitely on the Right Track Stuck

Posted on August 29, 2012 at 03:06 PM.

(42)

Madden has arrived as a great sports gaming title...finally.

It's finally happened.

I am totally enjoying a Madden NFL game again. It has to be said, because I fear some will take the words that follow overboard and think I'm shilling for EA: the game is not perfect.But no other game in our genre is near perfect. We have hailed sports games as great when they were anything but if held to the same standard as Madden, remember all the quirky bugs MLB: The Show each and every year? What about the fact online never works in NBA 2K?

Every game has it's own set of bugs, quirks, and attempts to bend realism for the sake of fun. But what Madden has done is that it has finally lifted the rest of it's game to the level of it's peers.

Most who have read my material for the past several years know I'm one of the most vocal critics of EA football in the gaming media, and I must give credit where credit is due: Madden NFL 13 is darned good.

The Infinity Engine's importance cannot be understated. It's again, not perfect, but the ground floor has been laid on what is soon to be a series that will be competing for Sports Game of the Year awards. We can nitpick Madden to death, because the series tends to attract that type of attention here, but no game in our genre would hold up too well to that type of scrutiny.

Hard truth of the matter there.

What Madden is finally doing right is going somewhere. There are specific areas where the series needs to improve, most notably commentary, figure out how to make defense interesting, and several of the legacy issues that irk many longtime series vets (this one included) -- as well as bringing back features lost in the transition to connected careers.

It just feels different

The introduction of the Infinity Engine has finally introduced a bit of openness and randomness into the game which was sorely needed. Only the most crusty and jaded NFL gamers won't admit that the series has taken a big step forward this year -- and with good reason.

The run game especially has taken on a new life with the infinity engine, with the need to actually look for holes and not run into the backs of your linemen being a huge component on the strategy. Personally, I feel getting stuck behind your linemen is an incredibly frustrating experience as it's tough to get out of that type of predicament when you find yourself in it.

However, the run game is different and that's a good thing.

With the additions to the passing game, it too feels much improved. I noted this in my NCAA review as I longed for more to be done with the stale series this past season. The additional animations and the interaction between receivers and DBs has been worked on and it's very noticeable. I would, however, like to see even more done and for actual pass interference calls to be brought into the fold.

But small steps here.

Madden isn't perfect, but what game in our genre is even close, really?

The War in the Trenches

There was some work done with the line interaction with the infinity engine, but as Andrew Mackenzie has pointed out with his "Breaking Down Madden" series here on OS, the line play has traditionally suffered from a simplistic approach.

While the physics are better, you can definitely tell the same basic approach is intact. I'd really like to see this improved for next year as I think that type of interaction between blockers would add a lot to the defensive experience as well, as you'd be forced to play a sort of mini-game on defense each play.

But for now, the line play definitely is average/adequate, which with so many wholesale changes is understandable.

Why not NCAA?

All this leaves me to conclude one other thing. The NCAA Football series is so far behind Madden at this point -- it's kind of laughable. I am a bigger fan of the college game in real terms, but I can't even bring myself to play NCAA Football 13 anymore.

You name it and Madden outclasses NCAA.

Gameplay? Madden. Presentation? Madden. Graphics? Madden. Audio? Madden. Career mode? Madden.

There's no doubt about it, the NCAA Football series could be in trouble if it doesn't catch fire next season in terms of quality. With lawsuits hanging over it, there's serious doubts in my head about whether NCAA is a long-term type of investment EA will want to keep making even with pretty strong sales.

But Madden? Madden is on the right track and heading for better days ahead.

Madden NFL 13 is a great title, but it still has work to do.

Where to from here?

The final thought is, where does Madden go from here? What is Madden NFL 14 going to look like?

I'm willing to bet better commentary, line play, and continued presentational improvements as well as a boosted Connected Careers mode is in the offing.

Madden has finally arrived as a true next-gen title and is, in fact, technically the greatest playing football game of all time. You can make arguments that other games were greater for their time or ahead of the curve, but with real-time physics and continued improvements across the board: Madden has gone into must-play territory for NFL fans once again.

And it's about time I can say this: Madden is back...at least for one year.

Comments

# 31 So Cal @ Aug 30

I agree that M13 is on the right path, and I'm enjoying it way more than past editions. I'm hoping EA takes the feed back from the fans and continue to add to the foundation that they have laid down this yr, not try to add another gimmick or change directions...add on to it. Everytime we think EA is going one way next yr brings something new. Here's hoping they stay this course.

# 32 zanner @ Aug 30

I am/was? and EA Sports Fan since the late 80's onward; however, even I the past two seasons couldn't fall for Madden or NCAA the past two seasons... Ya, it hurt not having them and took discipline however reading forums and the same complaints I am very glad I've held out and not bought in the hype.

Not having is definitely not dissapointing I can just wait calmly for Fifa. And, I'll continue to read everyone's perspective and "reviews" of the game until there's no doubt it's made it. I don't spend 20+ years to be on the "right track" at this point - Right track to me isn't a positive especially describing the Madden or NCAA series.

# 33 malky @ Aug 30

No editing no control of more than one team. NCAA football is far better even with all the freezing

# 34 jus chillin24 @ Aug 31

the game is incomplete!!! no coop franchise mode!!! are you kidding me. All you madden fan boys are overlooking that EA left half the gamers that enjoyed playing coop franchise out in the cold. For what????????????

# 35 Jimbo614 @ Aug 31

We have hailed sports games as great when they were anything but if held to the same standard as Madden, remember all the quirky bugs MLB: The Show each and every year?

Actually....no

# 36 d0ugan3 @ Aug 31

I've always been an NCAA guy, but for the year '13 Madden is a lot more fun. I'm glad I hung out on the fence this year 'cos I'll be picking up Madden instead of NCAA.

# 37 cmidd @ Sep 2

Too bad current gen is almost outta track

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