Madden NFL 25 Next-Gen First Impressions

Feature Article

Submitted on: 11/16/2013 by Robert Kollars

With the launch of the Playstation 4 now behind us, we have officially entered into the next generation of gaming. While some felt it was too early to do so, most have been ready for some time, and now it’s time to find out if the developers were ready also. The launch line-ups for both Sony’s Playstation 4 and Microsoft’s Xbox One seem impressive on paper, but will that translate into must-have titles for each system? – we are about to find out.

We wanted to take a quick look at Madden 25 for the Playstation 4, and see if all the talk from EA Sports/Tiburon will translate into a better product on the field. Here are some quick impressions from our limited time with Madden 25 on the PS4 so far.

What we like

Offensive and defensive line interaction – You can see the improvements almost instantly when you fire up the game, as pockets form for your QB, defensive lines apply true pressure, and ratings seems to matter.

True Step technology – The running game does feel better on the PS4, as you can feel each step as it’s being taken. It would have been nice to see your AI counterparts also have access to this technology, but this is true step in the right direction(pun intended)

Secondary play – It would have been hard not to improve the play of the secondary from Madden 25 on the PS3 and Xbox 360, and thankfully it has improved. While there are still some instances of missed coverage and odd pursuit angles, the overall play is solid.

Impact movement – While it may be small, users can actually feel the impacts in the trenches and during tackles with true helmet movement. It is quick and subtle, but noticeable – and a welcomed addition.

What we didn’t like

Animations – This is nothing new to the Madden franchise, but awkward movements and animations still plagues the series. We know they are working on these types of issues, but for now they are still issues.

Player models – While some look good, others look comical at times. EA really needs to work on the player models for upcoming titles, and hopefully they will.

Lack of penalties – Once again we know they addressed this, but is a football game a true representation of the sport when penalties are almost non-existent?

Living Worlds - While the crowds are better and so are the sidelines to a small degree, the "living world" in Madden 25 on the PS4 feels similar to the dead world on the PS3 and Xbox 360.

That is quick look at what we are seeing so far in the new release of Madden 25 on the PS4, and will have a more detailed look on Monday, and final review on Wednesday this upcoming week.

Madden NFL 25 Videos

Member Comments

# 61 truesimgamer @ 11/17/13 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moegames


	Because "Mr.Ryan Moody" is a loooong time known Madden troll ever since NFL2k bit the dust..that is why. Maybe some of you guys do not know Mr.Moody very well (I do, look at my join date to the left under my nic) but he is one of the best madden trolls around..trust me! Not saying people should'nt criticize madden..i have and will when i see lackluster improvements,etc but there is a big difference from those of us that are honest and unbiased trying to help give input to improve the game vs those that are just out to make madden look as bad as possible because of personal bitterness...A stealth troll, Ryan Moody is! There was a legitimate reason why he was banned from OS Forums many moons ago.. Not sure if he made a new account here to troll some more but i could careless. I just wanted to warn some of you greener fellow OSers that he was once and still is from what i can see ..a notorious madden troll but he has crafted his expertise to a more elegant type of troller that make it seem he is legit, which he is not. Take what Moody says as a grain of salt. That said...Madden on next gen IS INDEED A BETTER PLAYING GAME OF FOOTBALL. Is it "THAT" great NFL football game we all have been longing for? Far from it..but it is still better than any current gen madden imho and has made some decent improvements. I personally did not have to pay for Madden on PS4. I bought it at Target with their Buy 2 PS4 Games, Get 1 Free...so i bought Killzone, NBA2k14 and picked Madden as my free game of choice. I feel its a fun game of football thus far. The AI logic is noticeably smarter and the running game is a blast now with true step...it still needs a lot of work but it is FINALLY a decent game of football to play. Honestly! PS: This is coming from a long time NFL2k fan...while i still wish that game was still being developed..i have moved on and accepted the fact it is no more. I really did not enjoy previous maddens much but this new Madden on next gen consoles is a much more solid game...again i am not 100% satisified but i will be honest..it is an improvement for sure. Is it worth 60 dollars? Hard to say but it is worth owning if you want a decent game of football that looks a lot better than current gen...to me that makes it worth owning because its a smarter playing game and looks noticeably better than the washed out dated current gen madden...Oh yeah the lighting is remarkable imho and the graphics are super clean compared to current gen. It's a decent game..it is what it is...lets hope Tiburon will make Madden 26 even better..they now have a very solid foundation for a great game.

It truly doesn't matter how long any of us have been around on OS, youtube, facebook, twitter, etc. What Moody pointed out was clear evidence that there are some major, unforgivable flaws within Madden 25 on PS4. That is no different than last generation consoles.

People are entitled to their opinions. No need to be immature and call dude a troll. I was a major NFL 2k5 fan back in the day; still played the game last year on XBox 360. However, it is time to move on from that game, but to what can we move on to? Let's face it, the game is still broken and the evidence is out for the us "the jury" to see.

Please do OperationSports and do try to snuff out constructive criticism. This is not to get in a battle with you, but everyone here has an opinion and they should all be respected if they are not foul, crude, lude, and dirty.

Game on!

# 62 Smoke6 @ 11/17/13 11:41 AM

Game is fun, if anyone is actually harping on some legacy issues that really are not relevant to this game, then go and try the game out for yourselves.

Im not worried about colors, jersey's, warping (very little if it is some), players face mask and all that materialistic stuff. The devs have damn near nailed what madden should have been and it shows greatly.

I am very positive they can iron out the kinks as far as whats left of legacy issues and there isnt many.

Game is fun, this is what we have all wanted to see and hear for over a decade and its finally happening and maybe some are to jaded to even realize it or just dont trust EA. Trust the positive feedback, its contagious right now and its warranted!

# 63 bkrich83 @ 11/17/13 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by truesimgamer


	It truly doesn't matter how long any of us have been around on OS, youtube, facebook, twitter, etc. What Moody pointed out was clear evidence that there are some major, unforgivable flaws within Madden 25 on PS4. That is no different than last generation consoles. People are entitled to their opinions. No need to be immature and call dude a troll. I was a major NFL 2k5 fan back in the day; still played the game last year on XBox 360. However, it is time to move on from that game, but to what can we move on to? Let's face it, the game is still broken and the evidence is out for the us "the jury" to see. Please do OperationSports and do try to snuff out constructive criticism. This is not to get in a battle with you, but everyone here has an opinion and they should all be respected if they are not foul, crude, lude, and dirty. Game on!

So how much time have you spent with this version? Enough to call it broken?

# 64 Smoke6 @ 11/17/13 11:46 AM

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v...type=2&theater

Can anyone view this, I was trying to upload it elsewhere but it does it to facebook on its own for now.

# 65 Old Mr T @ 11/17/13 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GiantBlue76


	Some people have different expectations of what is realistic and what isn't I guess. It is what it is.

Very true, we all have different gameplay preferences and what's sim to some is arcade to others.

Be great if EA fully utilised their NFL license with two NFL games catering to each group; sim and arcade.

# 66 bkrich83 @ 11/17/13 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bucky60


	I have not seen the moody clip, so I won't comment on it specifically. But to address the point in your post. If someone who has the game shows visual evidence of something that is wrong, I don't personally need to spend time with the game to know that certain thing is wrong. For me, I don't have the game. Wasn't even considering it because I can't get the $10 upgrade. But if I keep seeing positive reviews here on OS, I might just buy a PS4 and spend $60 on the new M25.

There's a world of difference between claiming something is wrong and the game is "broken" especially if you've spent no time with the game.

As for the Moody clip, it does show an issue, and the other issue is really a non-issue that in what is typical for him, he overstates for effect.

# 67 LBzrule @ 11/17/13 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GiantBlue76


	He's on the opposite side, not looking at first then manages to magically slide over. It's not crazy that he made that decision, it's just silly looking that he covered enough ground that fast to be in perfect position to make the block. Had he lunged at him or dove even to attempt to slow him down or knock him off balance it would have been much more realistic. That is not realistic player movement that many of us would like to see on these consoles. That's not to say it won't ever happen, I'm just saying it has yet to happen. These are the types of things that hold madden back. Some people have different expectations of what is realistic and what isn't I guess. It is what it is.

When I looked at it, to be honest, I thought more outcomes than what happened should have been possible given the positioning of the players and the speed of the DB. I don't see how CJ stands him up perfectly at all. Let me give one alternative: what I could see is CJ realizing that he's not going to be able to stand him up and therefore diving at the DB's legs to take him off of that angle and make him go past Locker.

I really just don't see how he gets square with the DB. All one would need to do is think about if they were controlling the DB. You have the lane, you mean to tell me you are going to turn in and run to CJ? I don't think so. CJ is either going to have to dive and try to knock me off course; or I might even go around his dived attempt and still hit the QB; or maybe he dives at my legs and I leap over his dived attempt (successfully or unsuccessfully) to get after the QB. I know exactly what Moody is talking about. Rather than seeming like the defender wants to get after the QB, the defender seems to be more worried about finding the person who is supposed to block him.

Honest question for anyone who looked at the vid. If you were controlling the DB would CJ have blocked you? Even with the CG game, I can say, unless suction blocking happened, he would not have gotten me. I would have sacked the QB. I'm not going to call it a huge flaw, I do see it though as something that needs to be fleshed out where more possible block/missed block; sack/pressure failure/success outcomes need to play out.

# 68 bkrich83 @ 11/17/13 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bucky60


	Like I said, I haven't seen the video, so I'm not and can't comment on it. But as far as Moody overstating for effect being typical for him, that's really opinion. I find many of the things Moody points out to be very instructive and if taken seriously by EA/Tib devs, would make the game much better. We just have differing opinions.

He does have some valid points, which EA should take seriously. Problem is it's tough to wade through all the nonsense, hubris and hyperbole with him. He's more about youtube hits than anything constructive. Although he does or did a pretty good job at hiding behind the "It's for the gamers" mantra.

He's just another youtuber looking for hits at this point.

As far as my other point, the difference between something is wrong and the game is broken, I see you skipped it.

# 69 bkrich83 @ 11/17/13 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LBzrule


	When I looked at it, to be honest, I thought more outcomes than what happened should have been possible given the positioning of the players and the speed of the DB. I don't see how CJ stands him up perfectly at all. Let me give one alternative: what I could see is CJ realizing that he's not going to be able to stand him up and therefore diving at the DB's legs to take him off of that angle and make him go past Locker. I really just don't see how he gets square with the DB. All one would need to do is think about if they were controlling the DB. You have the lane, you mean to tell me you are going to turn in and run to CJ? I don't think so. CJ is either going to have to dive and try to knock me off course; or I might even go around his dived attempt and still hit the QB; or maybe he dives at my legs and I leap over his dived attempt (successfully or unsuccessfully) to get after the QB. I know exactly what Moody is talking about. Rather than seeming like the defender wants to get after the QB, the defender seems to be more worried about finding the person who is supposed to block him. Honest question for anyone who looked at the vid. If you were controlling the DB would CJ have blocked you? Even with the CG game, I can say, unless suction blocking happened, he would not have gotten me. I would have sacked the QB. I'm not going to call it a huge flaw, I do see it though as something that needs to be fleshed out where more possible block/missed block; sack/pressure failure/success outcomes need to play out.

That close to the QB and that deep in the pocket, IRL would he have attempted to cut the blitzer?

# 70 LBzrule @ 11/17/13 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkrich83


	That close to the QB and that deep in the pocket, IRL would he have attempted to cut the blitzer?

I'm responding to CJ's initial movement to the outside of the LT. Once he made that move, to me if he's going to get the DB he would need to haul tale back to the right side and have to dive at his legs to knock him off the angle. Locker has plenty of room. No?

# 71 LBzrule @ 11/17/13 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkrich83


	That close to the QB and that deep in the pocket, IRL would he have attempted to cut the blitzer?

Also, tbh, I think this should have been very close to a sack. The back on the blitz side should have been in protection anyways and if they are going to slide protect they should have been sliding to the numbers, which is where the CB was coming from.

# 72 bkrich83 @ 11/17/13 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LBzrule


	Also, tbh, I think this should have been very close to a sack. The back on the blitz side should have been in protection anyways and if they are going to slide protect they should have been sliding to the numbers, which is where the CB was coming from.

Fair enough.

# 73 LBzrule @ 11/17/13 01:19 PM

I'm not going to call it broken but what EA has to stop doing is coding the game to successfully compensate for things the user overlooks and the A.I if it is not smart enough to protect to the numbers then it should not have miraculous animations to help it out either.

# 74 bkrich83 @ 11/17/13 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LBzrule


	I'm responding to CJ's initial movement to the outside of the LT. Once he made that move, to me if he's going to get the DB he would need to haul tale back to the right side and have to dive at his legs to knock him off the angle. Locker has plenty of room. No?

Does he? Maybe I need to look at it again, but that deep in the pocket that close? I don't see a cut attempt. Although maybe a late one from an angle in an attempt to re-direct or at least get the defenders hands down as opposed to getting the defender on the ground?

# 75 bkrich83 @ 11/17/13 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LBzrule


	I'm not going to call it broken but what EA has to stop doing is coding the game to successfully compensate for things the user overlooks and the A.I if it is not smart enough to protect to the numbers then it should not have miraculous animations to help it out either.

Don't really disagree. However the users will need some help. If you don't let it compensate for some user overlooks, let's face it, you're going to alienate 90% of the audience. Let's also face it, a large majority of people who scream for realism, don't really understand the concepts you're talking about and would also get frustrated.

We've seen it in a similar vein with injuries. They put a realistic number of injuries in the game, and people scream that there are too many injuries. Realism is great for most, until it becomes inconvenient.

# 76 LBzrule @ 11/17/13 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkrich83


	Does he? Maybe I need to look at it again, but that deep in the pocket that close? I don't see a cut attempt. Although maybe a late one from an angle in an attempt to re-direct or at least get the defenders hands down as opposed to getting the defender on the ground?

Yes. This is what I was trying to describe.

# 77 bkrich83 @ 11/17/13 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LBzrule


	Yes. This is what I was trying to describe.

Yeah i got you. I watched it again, it's still tough for me to say, but I think you are right.

# 78 joec63 @ 11/17/13 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkrich83


	Don't really disagree. However the users will need some help. If you don't let it compensate for some user overlooks, let's face it, you're going to alienate 90% of the audience. Let's also face it, a large majority of people who scream for realism, don't really understand the concepts you're talking about and would also get frustrated. We've seen it in a similar vein with injuries. They put a realistic number of injuries in the game, and people scream that there are too many injuries. Realism is great for most, until it becomes inconvenient.

Agree on the audience and realism. Was watching Bobby and Greg (IGN) play a game on the PS4...I was bored : )

Anyway, Bobby states that he prefers the current gen version because the controlled player with True step is TOO realistic versus the CG version. Now I shake my head at his statement but it's an undeniable fact a considerable portion of Madden's audience would agree with him. They like being able to pull off unrealistic moves.

A quote from his IGN review. This flies in the face of what everyone on this site is advocating.

"However, on Xbox One and PS4, far too many times I’ve had my runner slow down, shuffle his feet, and lose momentum while trying get around the defender. Yeah, that’s how they do it in real life, but I didn’t feel like I was in control of the player. At times it felt like Madden might be getting too realistic for it’s own good. It may be a better simulation, but it also makes playing less fun."
http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/11/...ation-4-review

# 79 LBzrule @ 11/17/13 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joec63


	Agree on the audience and realism. Was watching Bobby and Greg (IGN) play a game on the PS4...I was bored : ) Anyway, Bobby states that he prefers the current gen version because the controlled player with True step is TOO realistic versus the CG version. Now I shake my head at his statement but it's an undeniable fact a considerable portion of Madden's audience would agree with him. They like being able to pull off unrealistic moves. A quote from his IGN review. This flies in the face of what everyone on this site is advocating. "However, on Xbox One and PS4, far too many times I’ve had my runner slow down, shuffle his feet, and lose momentum while trying get around the defender. Yeah, that’s how they do it in real life, but I didn’t feel like I was in control of the player. At times it felt like Madden might be getting too realistic for it’s own good. It may be a better simulation, but it also makes playing less fun." http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/11/...ation-4-review

Well look. It's time for them to be uncomfortable and adapt to the game for a change. We've had to deal with that unrealistic movement for 8 + years. Besides a lot about games is muscle memory in the hands/fingers. They haven't even played it enough to say whether it is actually fun or not. They are simply responding to immediate impression. Yeah the immediate impression might be I'm not having fun. But if I keep at it, I might start to have a lot of fun once the muscle memory in my hands/fingers takes over.

# 80 bkrich83 @ 11/17/13 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LBzrule


	Well look. It's time for them to be uncomfortable and adapt to the game for a change. We've had to deal with that unrealistic movement for 8 + years. Besides a lot about games is muscle memory in the hands/fingers. They haven't even played it enough to say whether it is actually fun or not. They are simply responding to immediate impression. Yeah the immediate impression might be I'm not having fun. But if I keep at it, I might start to have a lot of fun once the muscle memory in my hands/fingers takes over.

In todays ADD, instant gratification world, keeping at it and sticking with it, if it's not fun at first, is realistic to you?

« Previous 1 2 345 Next »

More Links