Madden NFL 12 Season in Review

Feature Article

Submitted on: 02/08/2012 by Mike Kilroy

Another year, another Madden.

With the NFL season winding down, many sports gamers already have begun removing Madden from their gaming consoles and replacing it with offerings from other sports. However, as Lee Corso would say: “not so fast my friends.”

Let’s take a look back at Madden 12 and what the latest offering from the boys at EA Sports and Tiburon gave us — and didn’t give us.

Like the Patriots, Madden has a dynasty of sorts and few people can stand the sight of them.

The Good

As is the case with all Madden titles, there was a great sense of excitement and hope when the details of Madden 12 were released.

Gridiron gaming enthusiasts were overjoyed with the news that the franchise mode would be (finally) overhauled. Rosters were expanded and general managers had to make difficult decisions during the preseason about who to cut and who to keep. Injured reserve was finally fixed, opening up a valuable roster spot when your starting quarterback inevitably busted his collar bone. Trade and draft logic was improved and were very noticeable from the start.
These additions and tweaks were welcome and well done for the most part.

Sure, there were some lingering problems — teams were still suckered into trades too easily and CPU general managers still had momentary brain cramps while drafting. Overall, though, franchise mode was a step in the right direction in Madden 12.

The 49ers season was a great one, Madden's? Not as great.

The Bad

Madden 12 also boasted more organic tackles. No more suction blocking and more momentum-based action of the virtual field. The game also set out to improve the immersion factor with TV-style camera angles and cut-aways. These, though, were very hit and miss — and mostly miss. There was something just “off” about the momentum of the players and their interaction with each other. While not as scripted, the feel was less organic than it could have been. Plus suction blocking was still there.

While better than previous offerings, the new camera angles and cut-aways were very bland. Many Madden fans were unimpressed once again by the presentation. The default camera was too far away from the action while the zoom camera was too close. Many longed for the camera angles from previous Madden games.

We're discussing ugly and it's a screen of the Rams and Seahawks, get it? GET IT?!

The Ugly

Ugh. 3D grass. Everything about it was flawed.

On replays, the up-close action displayed the 3D grass, but the field in the background was the old flat texture. The grass itself was poorly done; it was ankle high. No wonder speedy running backs looked like they were running in place, the grass tripped them up.

Play about a decade into franchise mode and the NFL is unrecognizable because of the graphical glitches caused by imported rookie draft classes. It was as if Hulk Hogan had 5,000 kids and sent them all to play in the NFL. The player models and equipment were hideous.

Where were the patches? There were only two. Where were the tuner sets like NCAA? Where was the return game? As we saw all season in the NFL, special teams can win or lose a game. This was not even close to being the case in Madden 12.

Overall, the latest Madden offering was a slight improvement over previous versions. And just like those previous versions, it could have been much better.

As Cubs fans famously proclaim, there's always next year. Maybe.

What are some of the good, bad and ugly things you experienced in Madden 12?

Madden NFL 12 Videos

Member Comments

# 1 Hooe @ 02/08/12 01:15 PM

I don't understand how the additional camera angles could be pointed to as "bad". The camera work in the game is actually one of Madden 12's strong points, IMO (a few small targeting glitches notwithstanding). Each stadium feels a bit different, and the game is closer to matching a television broadcast from a visual standpoint than it has been at any previous point in the series. Critical feedback obviously is welcome, but IMO this should be praised.

Rather, any argument critical of the presentation needs to start and end with the commentary, which was historically bad in this entry of Madden and personally was my one glaring issue with the game. Players called by the wrong names, exactly one pre-game storyline for non-divisional and non-playoff games ("home field advantage"), awkward exchanges between Gus Johnson and Cris Collinsworth, and so on.

Parting note, I've had no issues with the return game in Madden. In my experience, return touchdowns are rare, but possible, as they should be.

# 2 maltliquor23 @ 02/08/12 02:30 PM

Biggest issue that I personally had was hot and cold players. One big run should not make a player hot for the game, nor should a dropped Interception make a DB cold for a game. These go both ways for the CPU and Human players. If a DB drops a pass it seems as though you could pick on them all gameand put up huge numbers. In the same vein, You could get one big run and consistantly rattle off 10 yard runs the rest of the game. I think Hot and Cold was way over done. Yet when I loaded up PSN last nite and saw it for 30 bucks, I couldn't resist. Had to get it again.

The camera cuts were something I was glad to see. Furthermore, the dirty uniforms finally looked right. Playing on grass gave us green grass stains instead of the "doo doo brown" we have seen from Madden and NCAA in the past. Players even picked up black ground rubber stains playing on field turf which was great to see.

The commentary does need a total overhall. It isn't fluid. There is no flow. Johnson's lines and coding have him as excited about a 7 yard out route as he is about an 80 yard touchdown run. EA needs to look at games with dynamic commentary like 2k and and the show to see how it can put you in the action.

# 3 RGiles36 @ 02/08/12 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maafla1


	I'm not a hardcore Madden player. Personally, I stink at Madden. I can't read defenses for anything among other things. So given that, I thought gameplay was fine. Hardcore Madden-ites feel free to disagree with me all you want. I'm not saying there probably weren't flaws just that I didn't really notice them because I wasn't looking for them.

It's a shame that users feel compelled to have to explain why they enjoyed the gameplay just so the hounds don't pounce.

Madden 12 for me provided a similar experience as M11 & M10: they have obvious flaws, but not to the extent that I can't play the game and have fun til the next one comes out.

I think M12 overall, outside of commentary, was a step forward -- it's just that some longstanding issues still went unaddressed and some new issues cropped up with little-to-no comment from EA.

# 4 Armor and Sword @ 02/08/12 02:50 PM

I am still playing Madden 12. That says a lot for me. The last time I played Madden more than 2 seasons in franchise was back on the PS2 and Madden 2007 (I think I must have played 6-7 franchise years on that one and did not get a new madden till Madden 10 for PS3).

The Good:

1) Franchise mode - was greatly improved from Madden 10/11. I enjoy being a GM again. I love the expanded rosters, I love the UDFA feature despite some issues with it. If anything it is a great start that should be fined tuned for Madden 13. I am in the minority on this but I loved the new FA bidding system. It is fast, and to the point. You can prep for it by going through each roster and notating in your sprial notebook who will be available and make a priority/target list. Then it is on.

2) DPP/hot & cold streaks - This is an awesome feature and truly changed franchise mode for me. I loved tracking this during games and adjusting personnel as needed to help offset guys in a funk. And also knowing my CPU counterparts hot players and exploiting their cold ones.

3) Defensive AI - IMO improved greatly from Madden 10/11

4) Overall AI - with the right slider set was much improved.

5) Madden Draft Classes and scouting system - I like it. Please build on it.

6) new cuts and camera angles - I loved them. they added a lot. Don't "x" through all the cut aways and you will see more immersion in your playing experience.

The bad:

Penalties - a legacy issue. I have seen PI but I can count on my one hand how many times in 3 plus seasons. Variety please! I would like to see for offline vs the cpu a system where we see illegal hands to the face, unsportsmanlike conduct for a late hit out of bounds, illegal contact, defensive holding. And you can incorporate your coaching staffs ratings and create a player discipline rating that can guide how much or how less your team get's hit with the laundry.

DE - sucked into blocks every single time. You can't control them on defense if you want any shot at your DE getting sacks. What you end up having to do is let the cpu control the DE and switch to them if you see them break free....or just let the cpu control them throughout. They are useless in Madden.

Tackling - although improved....it is still not where it needs to be. No wrap up tackles. It just does not feel organic. I felt like when I hit a guy they went flying every single time. Not enough true to life feel in tackling.

Defense overall - It's not really that much fun to play defense on Madden. I can't put my finger on it but it just feels boring. What i end up doing is the no switch rule and letting the player ratings play itself out. I stick with a MLB or DT and if I get blocked out of the play...it is up to my AI teammates to make the play. It does get boring.

Lack of halftime/weekly franchise show - Huge for offline players like myself. I still love the presentation I get from the 2 other games in my signature. Even after playing multiple seasons I love the immersion. Madden needs this polish in a bad way for it's improving franchise mode. USE THE ESPN/NFL NETWORK LICENSE TO THE MAX GUYS!!!!

The Ugly

Sound/play by play - yep stated it a million times. beating a dead horse...get a new team in there and it must....I mean must be dynamic play by play and color. I want to feel like my franchise is a living breathing mode...with comments on streaks, key games, big match-ups, playoff races, NFL season or lifetime records being broken. This takes effort and more importantly resources to get it done.

Lack of NFL Films music - this was a major bummer. I love that soundtrack and it would have been nice in franchise mode this year since I spend a lot of time doing roster managment, trades, resigning etc. What the heck happened to that!

So overall this was the best Madden since 2007 (PS2/XBOX) for me. It is a fun game overall. I enjoy playing it and will continue to play it till Madden 13 (if 13 is a nice upgrade).

Area's of opportunity:

Presentation - overall play by play/color. Add true halftime show and franchise mode weekly show with rumors, key injuries, key resignings, hold outs, and weekly highlights of games around the league. Also during games flashing scores on a scroll like they do IRL with scores, stats from around the league.

On the field - continue to improve tackling, player movements, passing trajectory, defensive AI and CPU play calling. Focus on WR/DB interaction as well as OL/DL interaction.

Madden made decent strides. I hope to see Madden 13 take a bold step because it will need to in order to get my dollars. Otherwise Madden 12 will do for another year.

# 5 nortran11 @ 02/08/12 03:00 PM

As much as I hate to admit, I've given up hope for this franchise to be turned around. The exclusive license was the worst thing to ever happen to Madden. It allowed the programmers to get lazy and it shows in the stupid things that crop up every year in this game. I love Madden...it's more a religion at my house. Been playing it since the early days on Sega Genesis (Yes....I know it was a PC game before that), and every year release day is like a holiday here. But I think I am going to sit 2013 out until the programmers up the ante and clear up some of these issues. One huge issue I have with this franchise is the kicking game. Agree on a control method and stick with it. Every year they change the way you kick. One year you may use the right stick, then the next you hit a button and use a meter, then the next you might flick a booger on the screen while rubbing your feet together. They don't ever change the way you pass or run, so why mess with such an integral part of the game so much?

# 6 bigdnlaca @ 02/08/12 03:15 PM

Franchise Mode still sucks and I have seen better from previous Madden games from last gen.

What ticked me off about Madden 12 was that the computer controlled teams would cut players that are well known and won't get picked up when the season started.

In my one franchise after yr 4, I had Mark Sanchez as an 80 in FA in his 5th yr. I can see the Jets releasing him for whatever reason but for him not to get picked up by another team is just crazy. I thought that was just Mark not living up to the QB of the future role but as I went thru the FA I saw names like Darren Sproles, Tolbert, Suggs, Mathis and others.

The reason for this maybe is that the draft class is rated too high or progressed too quickly. Other than that and audio, the game was a good challenge with All Madden sliders.

# 7 RGiles36 @ 02/08/12 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Armor & Sword


	2) DPP/hot & cold streaks - This is an awesome feature and truly changed franchise mode for me. I loved tracking this during games and adjusting personnel as needed to help offset guys in a funk. And also knowing my CPU counterparts hot players and exploiting their cold ones.

Agreed, but they gotta sell this better going from game to game. With DPP, they've captured an intangible (hot/cold streaks). Now they have to focus on communicating this information in a realistic and seamless way.

If the DE is coming into the game on a streak, I'd like to hear Collinsworth tell me why the player is on a streak and there needs to be a graphic overlay at some point telling me how the player performed the weeks before to influence that streak. The commentary for DPP now is too generic.

# 8 BezO @ 02/08/12 04:01 PM

My bad & ugly lists would've been much longer, but no gameplay mentioned in the good is about where I stand.

It would take one HELL of an effort, but yeah, maybe next year.

# 9 RogueHominid @ 02/08/12 04:17 PM

I'm with Armor & Sword here. I'm still playing this game and having fun, and I can't remember the last time I could say that this late in the year.

I want to see deeper defensive playbooks, and I want the pass rush fixed. 43 DE and 34 OLB need to take the angles they take and get reailstic results. DT need to primarily push the pocket but not dominate in the rush.

Then there's the issue of the hulk figures. I need to see that eliminated.

# 10 bigsmallwood @ 02/08/12 04:41 PM

Commentary was horrendous....Presentation was underwhelming once again, and...thats enough...bring on M13

# 11 ebugaloo @ 02/08/12 05:22 PM

Lack of any improvement in Online Franchise made Madden 12 a no-go for me. It looked like a good game otherwise, but that was a no-no in my book and I have bought every Madden since it debuted on Genesis.

# 12 DeuceDouglas @ 02/08/12 05:24 PM

To call this a "Season In Review" is a bit misleading. It seems more of a first impressions more than anything. Good, Bad, and Ugly and the only thing to do with gameplay is about suction blocking. The bad for me is basically the entire passing game. From pass rush, to play action, to wr/db interaction, to pass trajectory it really needs a total revamp. It's really the only thing I would like to see changed from an on the field standpoint. The Ugly, like someone else said, had to be the commentary. It somehow took a step backwards and was absolutely terrible.

# 13 StL_RamZ @ 02/08/12 05:26 PM

i do not feel the DDP...i never noticed cold streaks or even hot streaks...to me DDP means nothing...they show whos cold but i can still have great games...i find it to be pointless and just another gimmick from ea sports...

i still have high hope for madden 13 =)

# 14 mirrored32 @ 02/08/12 05:35 PM

Good article and I think it summarizes the Madden 12 experience. I wonder if the issues we as fan experience from year to year is due to the obviously lack of competition due to an exclusive contract and the fact that they try to reinvent the game every year. The game is made within 365 days technically. Today most high level games requires 2 to 3 years of development.

I think Madden 12 is on the right direction, play roles, DDP, traits, future draft picks, cut days, scouting. I think they simply ran out of time before the release date. To me this was one of the biggest upgrades to Madden in years.

Madden 13 will be good as long as they don't' walk backward. If they keep pulling things out of madden every year to remake them it will again anger me. removing extra point. why? space? what got it pulled? I don't understand that kind of reason.

Communication from EA on why things are added AND REMOVED i think provides a more respectful understanding of why they do what they do.

the HD lighting was cool and the grass was nice (kick ups and what not). dirty jersey's, scratches on the helmets. Details. Though I agree it wasn't polished, it is cool to see that kind of tech being put in the game. I expect Madden 13 to build on that.

In fact, It is my wish (fear though it won't happen) that build on a good thing. Stop hacking it apart every year. Take what is in this game and polish it, fix the problems, and add a new piece. Perhaps a more immersive draft. whatever that case, reinventing the game each year leads to not enough to time to put out a fully polished product and it causes me frustration and I am sure many others.

EA give the developers the time and the resources to do the job that makes the fans want more!

# 15 wat3 @ 02/08/12 05:58 PM

The reason they keep putting out a mediocre game every year is because we keep buying it. Not only buying it but buying "into" it. The game somehow is a top selling franchise year after year. Yet year after year i hear and read the same complaints over and over. A new Madden, or football game for that matter would mean sales would have to drop ridiculously low and I dont see that happening anytime soon.

# 16 wat3 @ 02/08/12 06:36 PM

The good - Graphics, Improved Franchise Mode, Lighting, Fully Edit Any Player Addition, Jersey Degradation and Helmet Scuffs, Improved Pump Faking, Stadium Details, Improved Zone Plays, Nice Entrance Cut Scenes, Real Photos for Rookie Players in Franchise.

The bad - No 3d Grass on Field, Lack of Annimations, Lack of Halftime Show and Post Game Show, No Tuner Updates, Ratings Mean Everything, Player Models, Ball Physics, Punt Return Blocking, Celebrations, Trade Logic, Menu Setup, No Player Tatoos.

The Ugly - Play Actions Broke, Momentum Means Nothing, Robotic Players, No Player Physics, A.I. Intelligence, No Player Interactions, Blocking Logic, Ball Terjectory, Player Movements Being to Robotic, Lack of Emotion, Commentating, Playbook Creator, Lack of Realistic Football Plays, Draft Class Importing, No Real Gang Tackling, No Sideline Interaction. I'll stop there.

# 17 Bulls321974 @ 02/08/12 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wat3


	The reason they keep putting out a mediocre game every year is because we keep buying it. Not only buying it but buying "into" it. The game somehow is a top selling franchise year after year. Yet year after year i hear and read the same complaints over and over. A new Madden, or football game for that matter would mean sales would have to drop ridiculously low and I dont see that happening anytime soon.

You've hit the nail on the head. There's nothing to add to your comment. You said everything there's to say about that issue! I wouldn't even enjoy the game if it was a gift...

# 18 havokeff @ 02/08/12 06:59 PM

"Where is the return game?"
Uh... right where all the complainers wanted it, patched out of the game. It was there before the first patch and then it was gone.

# 19 jyoung @ 02/08/12 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StL_RamZ


	i do not feel the DDP...i never noticed cold streaks or even hot streaks...to me DDP means nothing...they show whos cold but i can still have great games...i find it to be pointless and just another gimmick from ea sports...

That's because with DDP, you never see it coming.

# 20 WipeOut464 @ 02/08/12 08:36 PM

"Where were the tuner sets like NCAA?"

What tuner sets? All we got were a couple broken patches.

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