Home
Feature Article
Staff Roundtable: Madden NFL 12 Demo Impressions

What do you guys think of the Madden 12 demo?

Jayson Young: Player acceleration still feels extremely arcade-like and zig-zaggy. The QB scramble animations look particularly off as Aaron Rodgers strafes and sprints around Soldier Field like he's the second coming of Michael Vick in Madden NFL 2004. Some psychic defenders and player warping make it feel like the CPU is at tims cheating you on defense instead of legitimately outsmarting you with superior tactics or skills. It also seems like Madden NFL 12 is still missing some key features from NCAA Football 12 like spotlighting receivers and the hurry-up playcalling screen. We'll have to wait a few more weeks to know what improvements were made to the retail version of Madden NFL 12, but I feel like I was bit more impressed by the NCAA 12 demo.


It only seems fitting to show Hillis here because Jayson is a non-believer.

Steve Bartlett: The Madden 12 demo is a step backwards for the franchise. The game plays as an arcade title with no time to read play development, passing windows or player animations. Quarterbacks and ball flight physics represent what we would find in more of an arcade title. The ball travels way too fast, and there is no sense of synchronization between quarterbacks and wide receivers on routes. Ball placement is irrelevant when it’s almost impossible to read how a given defender will react, even if there is a step or two of separation on a cornerback. The game lacks these details.

Last year’s title felt slower on the gameplay front, which I believe was a step in the right direction. This year is a complete 180. Madden still seems to be struggling to find its identity in sports gaming. The game of football here is too simplified, and it seems to neglect the simulation crowd too much. An authentic football title would feature more in-depth gameplay controls and strategy in all facets of the game. There is a lack of simulation football here, and this demo has me yearning to play dated football titles from the past.


Steve thinks Madden's offseason moves are comparable to what the Buccaneers did rather than what the Eagles did.

Dustin Toms: Like most of you here at OS should know by now, I'm not too picky with my games, and I can enjoy one even with a lot of bugs. The Madden 12 demo is no different. With Jayson and Steve talking about how the demo is taking a big step back, I see it as a huge step forward. The graphics look great, heck they made Soldier Field look respectable. The gameplay itself did feel too simple, but I highly doubt it will become an issue for many sim gamers. Player motion felt as fluid as ever, CPU AI seems solid so far, and the blockers actually held blocks. To be honest, I feel like the demo is more fun than NCAA 12's retail version, which I''m enjoying immensely at the moment. Before I was not even looking ahead to Madden, but now I can't wait to put the pads on and go win a Super Bowl with Jake Locker.


Go away Hasselbeck, Dustin is taking Locker to the top in Madden this year.

Christian McLeod: I've been extremely hard on the Madden franchise this console generation, so imagine my surprise when I played the game at E3 and was blown away. I was glued to the game during my time in LA, spending every free moment I had at EA's booth. Since then I have been eagerly anticipating additional hands-on time with the game, finding myself the most excited I have been for a Madden title since 2004.

After playing the demo for a few hours, I was a bit disappointed in that I felt what I played at E3 was a better overall experience than what I played in the demo. It's tough to put my finger on the differences between the two versions other than to say the overall flow of the game did not feel as smooth and organic as what I had played at E3. Animations seemed a bit jerky, there were some frame-rate dips, and most importantly the default speed seemed a bit higher than what I had previously played. Another interesting tidbit I noticed was that animation variety did not seem to be as great as the build I played before.

As I said on last night's Operation Sports Radio show, I've never been overly impressed with a demo of an EA football title, so I am not putting too much weight into this demo in regards to the final product. There are simply too many gameplay variables that can not be properly explored, and no one really knows how old the demo build is that we are playing. Even with the initial disappointment experienced in this demo, I'm still anxiously anticipating the release of Madden in the coming weeks. Here's hoping the final version measures up favorably to the build I so fondly remember --trust me, what I played at E3 was the best Madden I have played.


Like Kolb in Arizona, Christian feels like Madden is a bit of an unknown, but it's oozing potential.

Bob Kollars: I have to agree with Dustin on this one. I look for the good in a game first before I start to nitpick it. With the Madden 12 demo, I see an awful lot of good. The improved graphics, excellent presentation and improved/tweaked gameplay actually have exceeded my expectations for the demo. I still see cases of psychic linebackers and even cornerbacks, but not enough to make me throw up a red flag. I really like what I have seen on both sides of the ball, from both a CPU and human vantage point.

I played numerous games on All-Pro, and rarely did I feel cheated in any scenario. There were times where the Packers defense actually destroyed my front line, and then there were times where I could move the ball. I also enjoyed the fact that on occasion I was able to hold the Pack to a couple of three and outs in a row, and then there were times where the reigning Super Bowl champs (that hurts to say) looked like offensive juggernauts. I also enjoyed the fact that I could break free on defense and make tackles, as opposed to being "sucked" into a block and watching the opponent walk right on by. I was very pleased with what I saw from the running game on both sides. I witnessed some tackles for losses, and guys getting blown up at the line, but I also saw running backs breaking tackles and fighting for that extra yard. The initial game speed may be a bit too fast, but all of this can be adjusted in the settings.

I understand that a Madden community like the one found on our forums helps point out real issues, and those people have been very helpful. I also understand that this title is being put under a microscope, and every little flaw is going to be exposed. If you're looking for a perfect football game under the hood here, you might as well move along. If you're looking for what seems to be a fun title (with some flaws) that will offer a lot of what you see on Sunday, then I would highly suggest picking this year's iteration up. If you are on the fence this year, simply wait for the retail version to drop and then make your decision. This is just a demo, and I would hope people can keep an open mind until then.


Bob is ready to swat some passes and get down to business in Madden 12.

Caley Roark: All in all, this game still feels like EA football, which, despite the graphical upgrades, often shows little resemblance to what I see on Sundays. The play-action plays, as others have mentioned, seem to be ineffective again this year. Screens don't have the same fluidity that a real NFL play has; you have to drop back too far and wait too long for them to develop. There are still some strange things going on with wide receivers and defensive backs, too. However, I do like the new graphics, especially the introductions and flyovers. The halftime "show" is laughable, but I've all but given up hope that we will ever see anything like NFL 2K5's presentation again. On the franchise side of things, the teases for the upgrades in that department have me a little excited.

I am having fun with the demo, but, again, it doesn't feel like NFL football to me -- just an upgraded version of Madden that we have been playing for years. I know it's just a demo, but it really might be time for EA to blow the whole thing up and start from scratch.


Caley thinks the game is beautiful, but it doesn't feel quite like a football simulation.


So that's how the staff is feeling at this point. Keep hitting that impressions thread hard and talking about your own thoughts on the demo.

Madden NFL 12 Videos
Member Comments
# 1 DeuceDouglas @ 08/10/11 06:37 PM
2k5 needs to die. There was a reason it was 20 dollars. I would rather play Tecmo Super Bowl than that trash.
 
# 2 XtremeDunkz @ 08/10/11 06:43 PM
You can spotlight receivers in Madden, and you have been able to for years. You just have to hold RT instead of LT.
 
# 3 addybojangles @ 08/10/11 06:44 PM
Madden needs a new engine.

I came away totally unimpressed with the demo. It just felt off. I went into instant replay after a few plays and saw janky animations, "cheat" animations (like a ball's flight defying gravity to zig to a player's arms), clipping, and a ball's spiral actually stop and rotate the complete opposite direction.

Meh!
 
# 4 dannyr326 @ 08/10/11 06:55 PM
I absolutely love the new collision system. That's one aspect that just feels realistic and stands out as an amazing improvement from last year. Presentation is improved, graphics, etc, (but those aspects are pretty much expected at this point).

My main gripe is along the lines of what Jayson and Steve mentioned. The Psychic Cornerbacks are simply ruining the fun of "threading the needle" on higher difficulties and as Jayson said "player warping make it feel like the CPU is at tims cheating you on defense instead of legitimately outsmarting you with superior tactics or skills"

***I am shocked because the WR/CB interactions have been broken every year this generation.***

*Go ahead and try to fit the ball in those tight spots and the Corner will be facing in the complete opposite direction (running full speed), and still change direction in a split second to make the interception.

Fix those problems mentioned above, bring back the importance of controlling ball placement/ trajectory, and implement real-time physics (as the NHL series was able to accomplish) and I will be content with Madden football.

Does anyone out there agree?
 
# 5 therockstar2005 @ 08/10/11 07:05 PM
I think the best piece of news is what Christian was talking about - that the E3 build (hopefully a later one, not earlier) played better than the demo does. If so, while the demo might not be the best, I'd rather have a great final product with a ho-hum demo...Again, still some optimism for the game
 
# 6 TreFacTor @ 08/10/11 07:05 PM
I'm glad that I'm not the only one who saw the flaws in the demo. I really hope the final version is leaps and bounds better with whatever tweaks are made. I still have to wait for patch one and the list of what it fixes befor I can make a purchase decision. One thing I saw no one mention was DPP. Is it me or is it that 5 min qrts with acc clock don't allow this feature to be showcased or is it simply absent.

For instance knox was stated to drop open passes and he was actually my main target because hester seemed to draw dbl coverage on most pass plays. Grant was said to fight for extra yardage and should cover the ball more if he fumbled but after making him cough it up his running style didn't change.

One area I felt was a glaring issue was the repetitve and cloned animations. I juked 3 defenders coming at me and 2 did the same slip animation at the EXACT SAME TIME. Again I truely hope the most obvious "issues" are ironed out.

Good read.
 
# 7 DeuceDouglas @ 08/10/11 07:12 PM
I think that this demo is a huge step forward from Madden 11. I do agree with the fact that the speed does feel a bit faster than last years but I don't think it is to the point where you can say the game is arcade. NFL Blitz is arcade. I also absolutely love the new collision system. It makes everything seem so much smoother and the absence of seeing a receiver jet the last five yards of a route is wonderful.

I also think the zone defense have been done very well. I've been playing a lot of Madden 11 recently and on higher difficulty the defenders would literally run your receivers route before he did. With the new defensive approach I was able to complete routes that were an afterthought on M11.

Also, I think the graphics and presentation have been done very well. I love the way players look and I like all the post play cut scenes. I thought the halftime set up was good, the only addition I would have liked to see is a team stat comparison but that's no biggie. The colors and lighting are awesome. I'm not even a fan of the Bears or Packers and I've already played like 10 or so games and will continue playing it up until release.
 
# 8 Dashdagreat @ 08/10/11 07:24 PM
TOTALLY agree with Jayson and Steve! I couldnt have said it any better.... i dont see where the optimism is coming from from some people... I honestly thought it was just bad! NCAA is a GREAT game! I love that game and though it have flaws, THAT title is heading in the right direction. Madden is just not... to me problems and i dont want to hear the its just a demo. A demo is suppose to make u want to buy the game not say o thats ok its the demo. NCAA was rough but good and made you say "Hey that final build is going to be GREAT!".

Madden just made me say....hmmm.....well at least i got NCAA!
 
# 9 Dashdagreat @ 08/10/11 07:32 PM
Caley u summed it up for me..

"I am having fun with the demo, but, again, it doesn't feel like NFL football to me -- just an upgraded version of Madden that we have been playing for years. "
 
# 10 seasprite @ 08/10/11 07:33 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dashdagreat
TOTALLY agree with Jayson and Steve! I couldnt have said it any better.... i dont see where the optimism is coming from from some people... I honestly thought it was just bad! NCAA is a GREAT game! I love that game and though it have flaws, THAT title is heading in the right direction. Madden is just not... to me problems and i dont want to hear the its just a demo. A demo is suppose to make u want to buy the game not say o thats ok its the demo. NCAA was rough but good and made you say "Hey that final build is going to be GREAT!".

Madden just made me say....hmmm.....well at least i got NCAA!
I would rather play the demo of M12 all day than play another game of the retail NCAA. AA this year is so full of glitches and breakdowns its hardly playable. The player(especially DBs) warping through WRs and TEs is the most frustrating thing I have ever encountered with a football video game. Its a shame to, because I put AA above Madden for the last 4 years.
 
# 11 pittsburgher86 @ 08/10/11 07:33 PM
Aren't demo's not the final build of a game? And if not we will probably have a day patch and aren't there tuner sets this year as well? I personally am enjoying the demo and can't wait for August 30th.
 
# 12 blklightning @ 08/10/11 07:33 PM
no big loss for me. i'll just wait a few more weeks and pick up the hd splinter cell collection in late september. sorry ea; better luck next year.
 
# 13 blklightning @ 08/10/11 07:35 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dashdagreat
TOTALLY agree with Jayson and Steve! I couldnt have said it any better.... i dont see where the optimism is coming from from some people... I honestly thought it was just bad! NCAA is a GREAT game! I love that game and though it have flaws, THAT title is heading in the right direction. Madden is just not... to me problems and i dont want to hear the its just a demo. A demo is suppose to make u want to buy the game not say o thats ok its the demo. NCAA was rough but good and made you say "Hey that final build is going to be GREAT!".

Madden just made me say....hmmm.....well at least i got NCAA!
imo, ncaa is absolutely terrible. they have to resort to the biggest cheat tactics they can think of to give you a challenge. go try nba 2k11 to see how giving the user a challenge is supposed to be done.
 
# 14 NINJAK2 @ 08/10/11 07:49 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by DeuceDouglas
2k5 needs to die. There was a reason it was 20 dollars. I would rather play Tecmo Super Bowl than that trash.
It will die when a better NFL game is put out....I'm still waiting.......

I thought the demo was fun and I really liked the presentation, graphics and collision system. Didn't like it as much as the ncaa demo though..
 
# 15 Dashdagreat @ 08/10/11 07:53 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by dannyr326
I absolutely love the new collision system. That's one aspect that just feels realistic and stands out as an amazing improvement from last year. Presentation is improved, graphics, etc, (but those aspects are pretty much expected at this point).

My main gripe is along the lines of what Jayson and Steve mentioned. The Psychic Cornerbacks are simply ruining the fun of "threading the needle" on higher difficulties and as Jayson said "player warping make it feel like the CPU is at tims cheating you on defense instead of legitimately outsmarting you with superior tactics or skills"

***I am shocked because the WR/CB interactions have been broken every year this generation.***

*Go ahead and try to fit the ball in those tight spots and the Corner will be facing in the complete opposite direction (running full speed), and still change direction in a split second to make the interception.

Fix those problems mentioned above, bring back the importance of controlling ball placement/ trajectory, and implement real-time physics (as the NHL series was able to accomplish) and I will be content with Madden football.

Does anyone out there agree?
i do! My biggest problem with Madden is OL/DL play and ball trajectory! They just ruin the game for me... On NCAA im a little more ok with it cause its college, but in a Pro football game, its just inexcusable
 
# 16 Blitzburgh @ 08/10/11 07:54 PM
Here is a thought... How about someone ask the developers if this build is older than the E3 build! I don't understand why we have to debate such simple questions that are so easy to obtain.
 
# 17 Dashdagreat @ 08/10/11 07:55 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by blklightning
imo, ncaa is absolutely terrible. they have to resort to the biggest cheat tactics they can think of to give you a challenge. go try nba 2k11 to see how giving the user a challenge is supposed to be done.
O ima 2k11 BEAST!!! I would rather be playing a 2k football game, but since its not a option, i like the NCAA. Kinda lesser of 2 evil i guess. LIke i said its flawed ( hence why i wont play it online ), but fix a couple sliders n its enjoyable for me... I would MUCH MUCH rather be playing NFL2k12 but thats a whole different topic
 
# 18 SportsTop @ 08/10/11 07:56 PM
I'm not sure why the writers that thought the game play was too fast just didn't adjust it to slow in the options.

And yes, you can spotlight receivers, play up or back of individual receivers as well. The issue is the CPU QB hikes the ball too fast to make many of these adjustments.
 
# 19 mellamoaaron @ 08/10/11 08:03 PM
If you play the game on the default speed and complain about it without changing the game speed down to slow, then I don't have much to say to you. Put the game speed on slow and you can even turn the threshold down to 35, and it plays at a perfect speed (with or without the threshold being lowered).
 
# 20 The Bimmer @ 08/10/11 08:06 PM
Christian hits the nail right on the head. Lets face it demo impressions while they help the developers to some extent, are just forums for people to give opinions in a world full of opinions.

Lets say we are watching Iron Chef and the judges gave their impressions of the food before the Chef's completed their entree's. We would all be saying "What are they talking about, they arent even done yet".

One may think, well if they gave them the entree to try before it was complete then it would be ok to make redundant remarks, but you see they DONT do that. Thats my point.

Sorry about the rant, I just gotta quite reading DEMO impression threads.
 

« Previous123456789Next »

Post A Comment
Only OS members can post comments
Please login or register to post a comment.