RaychelSnr's Blog
Pros
Running Game - EA once again nailed the running game in Madden like they did with NCAA. The blocking is much improved and the action in the trenches is just so much better than it has been.
The Feel - Madden feels as if it's big time again, which is always a good thing. I can't put my finger on exactly why this is, but the game has a different feel this year which I think helps the overall quality.
Atmosphere - I think the addition of stadium sounds, the authentic music and crowd chants, they're all moving in the right direction. While indeed, it could be said there is room for improvement here, I could say the same thing about every sports game.
Passing is tighter - The route running is much better this year, the animations are solid. I'm a believer in the passing game this year, although like I said on the Radio Show last night -- I have a slight fear the quarterbacks and passing game might be too tight over time resulting in an overpowering offense.
Dual Stick Controls - Madden's control scheme has gone from an abomination of button mashing to something more like NHL, with dual analog controls. There's A LOT more that can be done with these (see: Backbreaker), but the new controls are a big step forward for the franchise.
Pro-tak/Locomotion - I can't separate the two because they make so much of a difference with the game. I think this might be the big reason for the different feel of the game. I might add I really want to get some dual hit tackles and whatnot back in the game, we need more of a free form animation system still -- but don't kid yourself, Pro-Tak is the best system for tackling outside of Backbreaker ever, in some ways it could be comparable.
Purgatory
Animations - There's stuff that can be liked and disliked here. The skating is definitely toned down but not quite out this year. But the new additions are substantial -- but oftentimes not quite implemented in the most effective way. My emotions are mixed here.
Commentary - Lock Gus Johnson and Chris Collingsworth in the booth next year for a week, have them deliver thousands upon thousands of lines. Kudos to EA for the choice, these guys are perfect for Madden. But the repetitive lines and out of place over the top excitement needs to be tweaked.
Cons
Play Action Passing - This is a patchable offense I think, but the Play-Action passes are just off this year. Definitely a downer.
Special Teams - I think EA misdefined what the word special in special teams mean. Any good football coach will tell you special teams are a huge part of the game, they determine 'little' things like field position and whatnot. This aspect of the game, while not completely broken, is very close to that.
Defense - Whereas NCAA's defensive game was quite solid, Madden's has a bunch of issues from defensive behavior, to secondary play, really just a bunch of little issues that add up substantially. Let's not forget that defense is still a bore to play.
Franchise Mode - Let's just put it this way, both Dynasty and Franchise are abominations, they are boring, stale, and they have few redeeming qualities to make you want to play them if you've ever experienced them in the past. This hurts the game's replayability...a lot.
Superstar Mode - If the competition in this arena weren't so weak, I'd say Superstar mode was one of the worst of it's kind. Instead, I'll simply say it's a bore to play, there's no realism involved, and I see no reason you'd even want to touch this mode if you've played it any of the last couple of years. Bore of the same. (not a typo)
The Verdict
How the success from NCAA to Madden got lost in translation I don't know. But we now know NCAA is the best playing football game ever with Madden trailing it in just about every category on the gameplay front, albeit slightly. Madden is still fun to play on the field, and if you don't own Madden NFL 10 and if you are an NFL fan, this is a no brainer of a purchase. Madden NFL 11 is the best Madden yet on next-gen consoles, which is how it should be. However, if you are a casual football fan then NCAA is the best option for you -- unless you hate the college game. Madden is solid, above average, and definitely not a bad game. It's just not great, and people expect nothing less.
Chris' Madden NFL 11 Score:
My ratings explained.
Chris is the Executive Editor of Operation Sports and maintains this blog on the site. He is also a native Oklahoman and avid storm chaser. You can follow him on Twitter @ChrisSnr.
# 16
RaychelSnr @ Aug 9
@BigSmallWood -- Actually they're not even close. From tackling, to blocking, to AI, to animations to overall detail -- the current crop of games is (and as they should be) far better playing and much more immersive. If you wanted to compare games for their time, then you could start making arguments. But it's like trying to say a Pentium IV can outrun a Quad core processor. Sure the P4s were good in their time, but technology and the game have advanced a lot in the past half decade.
# 20
Crimsontide27 @ Aug 9
@MMChris While I enjoy NCAA this year, and Madden to a lesser degree..I dont see how you can say that the animations, blocking , or AI are better than what he saw over half a decade ago. The graphics have most certainly come a long way and look very well done, but thats about where the current Maddens superior qualities end. The copy / paste audio commentary is amaturish compared to all the other sports titles and the presentation IS the worst of all major current gen sports titles.
# 21
RaychelSnr @ Aug 9
@Crimsontide - I don't recall presentation and commentary being a part of gameplay?
Line blocking - Current crop of games.
Passing game - at best a push, but really thanks to additional animations/ratings this crop.
Running game - This year's, not even close.
Defense - This year's games thanks to improved line play, although not very different.
AI - Much better today than it used to be, it's more dynamic.
Special teams - Hit or miss, new kicking system still better than old ones.
Controls - Much better now compared to then.
Tackling - Pro-Tak is better than any other system in the previous gen, really by quite a bit in techincal terms. It's not Backbreaker-esque, but it's not far off.
Ratings - They're much better and much more descriptive now.
The technology/time has allowed the next-gen games to go well beyond the previous gen games on the field. Anyone saying the old games are better are simply living in a fantasy land at this point. You can make the argument that progress hasn't been as much as it should be, but to say Madden 11/NCAA 11 isn't much better than 05 or 2K5 is simply ridiculous at this point.
Line blocking - Current crop of games.
Passing game - at best a push, but really thanks to additional animations/ratings this crop.
Running game - This year's, not even close.
Defense - This year's games thanks to improved line play, although not very different.
AI - Much better today than it used to be, it's more dynamic.
Special teams - Hit or miss, new kicking system still better than old ones.
Controls - Much better now compared to then.
Tackling - Pro-Tak is better than any other system in the previous gen, really by quite a bit in techincal terms. It's not Backbreaker-esque, but it's not far off.
Ratings - They're much better and much more descriptive now.
The technology/time has allowed the next-gen games to go well beyond the previous gen games on the field. Anyone saying the old games are better are simply living in a fantasy land at this point. You can make the argument that progress hasn't been as much as it should be, but to say Madden 11/NCAA 11 isn't much better than 05 or 2K5 is simply ridiculous at this point.
# 22
GaryT531 @ Aug 9
perfect review. I don't have the attention span or patience to read anything longer than that. I will get this game, but I will not pay $60 for it.
# 23
mike24forever @ Aug 9
Good Review. MMChrisS don't feed the trolls by arguing about which game is better (current NCAA/Madden vs. NFL 2K5).
Here's a suggestion, (since you are retooling the way OS does reviews) DO NOT LET NEW USERS MAKE TOPICS FOR 1 YEAR, and limit them to 1 post a day for a month. Put limits on these guys and you will remove the trolling.
Back on topic.
Here's a suggestion, (since you are retooling the way OS does reviews) DO NOT LET NEW USERS MAKE TOPICS FOR 1 YEAR, and limit them to 1 post a day for a month. Put limits on these guys and you will remove the trolling.
Back on topic.
# 24
Crimsontide27 @ Aug 9
Line Blocking - Pretty good this year, wont argue that one
Passing Game - Recievers wide open on every slant route, curl or fade
Running Game - Much improved this year, compared to previous years
Defense - Zero pass defense on a majority of the routes. Rush defense depends on if a defender jumped the snap or not.
AI - Has not evolved at all, computer still runs dives on 3rd and 20
brings out 8 man rushes every 3rd down allowing 3rd down allowing third down conversions at an alarming rate.
Special teams - Kickoffs seem to be down well, punts however have your 2 blockers standing right in front of you and allowing the kicking team to run right by them without any attempt to block.
Controls - Much more control now, I still cant get a stiff arm to work, nor when I switch to a defender and hit the jump button, does the defender jump until after the ball has passed them, regardless if when you press the button.
Tackling - Protak doesnt even work, I dont know what game you are playing. This year the defenders bounce of the ball carriers after the initial animation has triggered. A player controlled defensive player also has no impact on protak as 99% of the time, you wont be able to trigger an animiation if you come up to make a stop, if the player is already engaged with someone else. Look at your stats and watch you lead the league in tackles, yet because the player isnt allowed to get assisted tackles, you will never be ranked up there with the best defensive players etc
Ratings - With the expection to awareness and speed, the majority of ratings have never mattered in any football game, 2k included. Its a placebo effect.
Thats the great thing about this place though, is that we all have our opinions and neither is right or wrong. I see things you obviously dont see, and you see things that I dont. To each their own.
Passing Game - Recievers wide open on every slant route, curl or fade
Running Game - Much improved this year, compared to previous years
Defense - Zero pass defense on a majority of the routes. Rush defense depends on if a defender jumped the snap or not.
AI - Has not evolved at all, computer still runs dives on 3rd and 20
brings out 8 man rushes every 3rd down allowing 3rd down allowing third down conversions at an alarming rate.
Special teams - Kickoffs seem to be down well, punts however have your 2 blockers standing right in front of you and allowing the kicking team to run right by them without any attempt to block.
Controls - Much more control now, I still cant get a stiff arm to work, nor when I switch to a defender and hit the jump button, does the defender jump until after the ball has passed them, regardless if when you press the button.
Tackling - Protak doesnt even work, I dont know what game you are playing. This year the defenders bounce of the ball carriers after the initial animation has triggered. A player controlled defensive player also has no impact on protak as 99% of the time, you wont be able to trigger an animiation if you come up to make a stop, if the player is already engaged with someone else. Look at your stats and watch you lead the league in tackles, yet because the player isnt allowed to get assisted tackles, you will never be ranked up there with the best defensive players etc
Ratings - With the expection to awareness and speed, the majority of ratings have never mattered in any football game, 2k included. Its a placebo effect.
Thats the great thing about this place though, is that we all have our opinions and neither is right or wrong. I see things you obviously dont see, and you see things that I dont. To each their own.
# 25
khaliib @ Aug 9
Good Review!!!!
This game reminds me of how NBA Live series went from the top to struggling just to get by. This is what happens when a company gets too big, administration side starts to make all the decisions instead of the front line workers (Dev's/Programmers).
Somebody, eventually will make a "WOW" typed of football game.
The other negative side is that Pro Football has become somewhat stale also. Couple this with a stale video game, the whole package is just plain "Old"!!!
This game reminds me of how NBA Live series went from the top to struggling just to get by. This is what happens when a company gets too big, administration side starts to make all the decisions instead of the front line workers (Dev's/Programmers).
Somebody, eventually will make a "WOW" typed of football game.
The other negative side is that Pro Football has become somewhat stale also. Couple this with a stale video game, the whole package is just plain "Old"!!!
# 26
MCNABB51BOI @ Aug 9
ok im sorry madden 10 is better than NCAA gameplay wise . I guess me and friends are the only one who saw the glaring problems in the game . there are some good parts of the game but as far as playing with friends head to head the game just wasnt there. theres plenty of threads to read up on the problems i wont go into but you know what i mean. if they fix a few things on the game i think could be the best game ever but right now no way. madden 10 still beats it in my opinion .
# 27
videlsports @ Aug 9
wow with midnight release tonight I want to see the people who bought it supporting opinion too
# 28
MCNABB51BOI @ Aug 9
1 more thing madden 11 i agree with crimson on PASSING GAME ,DEFENSE,AI , and SP TEAMS . Madden 11 is gonna have to grow on me defense seems like theres gonna be a problem. I see where they tried to fix some problems in last years game but they kinda made it worst . il still be there buying the game at midnight but i hope maybe a patch can tighten up the defense and atleast fix the tackling . man madden on PS2 gave you so much all i ask is bring all that back shading CBs , VISION CONE , DEFENSIVE AI was better . combined with some of the things of nex gen i would be in haven.
# 30
AlphaTrojan @ Aug 9
Now this is a review I can get behind. No disrespect to the other reviewer but this one was written better. Positives and negatives were written and key aspects were critiqued. The review was to the point and felt like a review rather than a "hype" article. Great work.
RaychelSnr
57
4,846 Forum Posts
490 Blog Entries
1 News/Blog Comments
10 Reader Score Votes
154 Friends
66 Chalkboard Messages
6 Screenshots
3 Videos
2,540,533 Arena Visits
RaychelSnr's Blog Categories
RaychelSnr's Xbox 360 Gamercard
RaychelSnr's PSN Gamercard
' +
More
RaychelSnr's Friends
Recent Visitors
The last 10 visitor(s) to this Arena were:
RaychelSnr's Arena has had 2,540,533 visits
- Albrillo
- beedubyuh
- Icetime2121
- kon56la
- Lewisf33
- OldHossRadbourn
- Ralnakor
- ryderino
- sl4yer94
- studbucket
RaychelSnr's Arena has had 2,540,533 visits
Working...