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

# 81 LBzrule @ 11/17/13 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkrich83


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

Well understand, I'm a university professor. I don't cater to students or anyone's desire for immediate gratification. They work for whatever they are gonna get. That's my outlook. People need to understand processes, procedures and they cannot have what they want, just because they want it. I laugh at online for instance, where people just can't lose. Any sign of losing and there goes "your opponent has been kicked for excessive grieving" or "The game has disconnected" or what have you. I laugh but I refuse to feed that kind of energy. So yeah, telling someone that you cannot have it simply because you want it is very realistic to me.

# 82 bkrich83 @ 11/17/13 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LBzrule


	Well understand, I'm a university professor. I don't cater to students or anyone's desire for immediate gratification. They work for whatever they are gonna get. That's my outlook. People need to understand processes, procedures and they cannot have what they want, just because they want it. I laugh at online for instance, where people just can't lose. Any sign of losing and there goes "your opponent has been kicked for excessive grieving" or "The game has disconnected" or what have you. I laugh but I refuse to feed that kind of energy. So yeah, telling someone that you cannot have it simply because you want it is very realistic to me.

yeah I get your point, but as a company that is selling this product, I don't think that's a realistic outlook.

I am with you, but trying to keep perspective.

# 83 bumpyface @ 11/17/13 03:49 PM

I give it a 7/10.

# 84 LBzrule @ 11/17/13 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkrich83


	yeah I get your point, but as a company that is selling this product, I don't think that's a realistic outlook. I am with you, but trying to keep perspective.

Not disagreeing, but I would even within the context of game development have to ask:

1) Is this complaint because the new movement system we've implemented is just not that good? or

2) Is this person's complaint grounded in them simply not being able to do what they used to do in older Madden games?

If they have no measures and no argument for answering 1, and their answer is simply based on 2, then I'd just not be willing to cater to that. He admitted that it was more realistic and less fun for him. Fine. But if he cannot provide any justification as to why it is actually a bad system, then we just have to say he has a different preference. Everyone's preference is not going to be met. And if the goal is realism, you have a reviewer here saying you met your goal in one respect.

# 85 jmaj315 @ 11/17/13 11:45 PM

Not really impressed, about as good as i expected tho...not upset either...

my question is why it's only 16 mb data where 2k is 40gb :/

# 86 Only1LT @ 11/18/13 12:21 PM

I'll put a more detailed impression in the stickied impressions thread, but as far as first impressions go, I'd have to say that Madden has some serious issues in its art department.

The difference between how this game looks in lower lighting vs bright lighting, is so stark it's really unfathomable. Playing a game outdoors in the afternoon on a sunny day and then playing in a dome is almost comical. In lower lighting the game loses so much detail to the point that the player models look very 2 dimensional.

Textures are lost. Subtle shading is lost. Color gradations are lost. I want to say that polygons are lost even. It looks that bad when it isn't a bright sunny day.

I've never seen this happen on any other game, which is why I say that they have serious issues in their art department. As a for instance, Battlefield 4 looks no less impressive whether you are outdoors or inside a dark dingy building. The level of detail does not change and no subtleties are missing what so ever.

The pop in of textures and detail are also egregious, but that isn't a function of the art team, I don't believe.

It's very bizarre.

# 87 Only1LT @ 11/18/13 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ovie832


	ive noticed this in fifa as well. Game never looks as good in overcast or night as it does in the sun. Maybe just an EA graphics issue. All of their games seem to appear cartoon-like as opposed to photo realistic

It's not all of EA though, more of EA sports. Battlefield, as mentioned before, doesn't exhibit this, and has some of the best lighting techniques I've ever seen.

I just don't understand why details totally disappear in lower lighting and the game takes on such a flat and 2 dimensional look, with regards to Madden. Not just PS4 Madden, but all of them. PS4/ Next gen especially.

# 88 jukeum445 @ 11/18/13 04:24 PM

I think m25 is a 100 times better on ps4 than ps3. Im honestly disappointed that those who did preview the game gave it such a low score... I agree with articles bridge review..

# 89 BigDaddyHolmes @ 11/18/13 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Only1LT


	I'll put a more detailed impression in the stickied impressions thread, but as far as first impressions go, I'd have to say that Madden has some serious issues in its art department. The difference between how this game looks in lower lighting vs bright lighting, is so stark it's really unfathomable. Playing a game outdoors in the afternoon on a sunny day and then playing in a dome is almost comical. In lower lighting the game loses so much detail to the point that the player models look very 2 dimensional. Textures are lost. Subtle shading is lost. Color gradations are lost. I want to say that polygons are lost even. It looks that bad when it isn't a bright sunny day. I've never seen this happen on any other game, which is why I say that they have serious issues in their art department. As a for instance, Battlefield 4 looks no less impressive whether you are outdoors or inside a dark dingy building. The level of detail does not change and no subtleties are missing what so ever. The pop in of textures and detail are also egregious, but that isn't a function of the art team, I don't believe. It's very bizarre.

IMO Madden 13 was a huge downgrade in lighting from Madden 12. That is where te bad lighting all started. I was sad they announced the change with Madden 13, because I remember Madden 12 looked better then NCAA 12 when it got the lighting upgrade that year.

Madden 12 was a pretty fantastic looking game as far as art work. The only huge downside was the blotchy grass, the players, helmets, and lighting were pretty sweet for the Xbox 360

# 90 bkrich83 @ 11/18/13 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Only1LT


	I'll put a more detailed impression in the stickied impressions thread, but as far as first impressions go, I'd have to say that Madden has some serious issues in its art department. The difference between how this game looks in lower lighting vs bright lighting, is so stark it's really unfathomable. Playing a game outdoors in the afternoon on a sunny day and then playing in a dome is almost comical. In lower lighting the game loses so much detail to the point that the player models look very 2 dimensional. Textures are lost. Subtle shading is lost. Color gradations are lost. I want to say that polygons are lost even. It looks that bad when it isn't a bright sunny day. I've never seen this happen on any other game, which is why I say that they have serious issues in their art department. As a for instance, Battlefield 4 looks no less impressive whether you are outdoors or inside a dark dingy building. The level of detail does not change and no subtleties are missing what so ever. The pop in of textures and detail are also egregious, but that isn't a function of the art team, I don't believe. It's very bizarre.

You're on point with this. I played a game in the superdome and it looked awful. I think the lighting in the indoor games is awful.

# 91 TeeDogg @ 11/18/13 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkrich83


	You're on point with this. I played a game in the superdome and it looked awful. I think the lighting in the indoor games is awful.

This is one thing I really hope they address going forward. some stadiums/weather/time of day/domes makes a drastic difference in the graphics. I like that they try to make the atmosphere and lighting unique but it would be nice if all these scenarios looked great in their own right.

# 92 Exile04 @ 11/18/13 09:37 PM

i dont have next gen but how can i get the silver seahawks helmet?

# 93 tmac747 @ 11/19/13 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exile04


	i dont have next gen but how can i get the silver seahawks helmet?

Go to edit uniforms and change the default uniforms...or in the 'play now' you can edit uniforms and schemes.

# 94 tmac747 @ 11/19/13 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmac747


	Go to edit uniforms and change the default uniforms...or in the 'play now' you can edit uniforms and schemes.

Note: But if you are referring to the above pic with the 49ers, that color is off/wrong. I just did some checking and the color on the PS3 is more accurate.

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