It may sound strange, but I really enjoy in-game tutorials. I suppose a lot of is the immediate gratification of completing a list of tasks. Beyond that, though, I like seeing how a game teaches me to play. What do the developers feel is important to know how to do? Approaching a title with no assumptions or expectations can give you insight into the key components of the game--and hopefully, lead to greater success.

Skills Trainer

Madden 15’s Skills Trainer incorporates all of the basics, most of which you probably already know how to do. But again, it doesn’t hurt to feel what speed bursts or bullet passes feel like outside the context and chaos of a regular game. I appreciate that most users probably prefer to jump right in, but the “refresher course” helps me get readjusted to the “feel” of Madden.

More importantly, the Skills Trainer includes all of the new defensive techniques that really change that side of the game. A video tutorial (as publishers are sometimes fond of) wouldn’t have cut it--the changes are too great to learn by watching.

Beyond the basic skills though, I love that EA is teaching us about the game itself. Learning to read defenses--and how to exploit them--is a valuable strategic concept. As I said in the Roundtable, I watch football devoutly, but I’m not what I would consider a tactical expert. Playing through the strategy part of the trainer will give you a greater understanding of the sport, which will be useful when playing Madden, watching on Sunday, or talking smack with your buddies.

If there’s one issue I have with this mode is that the menus and transition from drill to drill take a little too long. In fact, I find the menus in the game too cumbersome as a whole. But it’s worse in the Skills Trainer, a mode that you probably want to get in and out of quickly.

When I first saw the trailers for The Gauntlet, I was a little skeptical; it looked too much like another Madden gimmick. But having played it, my opinion was immediately swayed.

First, it’s a lot of fun. It’s quick, addictive, and relatively light-hearted--especially the boss levels. In regards to the humor, it reminds me of the Fantasy Challenge mode that was included on the “last-last gen” version of Madden 08. Yes, graphically, it could have been more creative--as Chris stated in his review, I wish the “hurricane” was an actual storm.

But what really makes the Gauntlet valuable is its use as a training tool. If the Skills Trainer is the course, the Gauntlet is the final exam. In it, you’ll be tested on your ability to do everything from the trainer. Boss levels are like extra credit questions--stuff you should be able to do, but weren’t necessarily taught directly. Viewed this way, the Gauntlet is like the ultimate assessment of your skills.

My experience with this mode has been a little offensive heavy--I wish I was asked to do more defensively, but I gather the mode is pretty random. And, depending on how you look at the boss levels, they could be perceived as being cheesy--especially with the over the top commentary.

Final Thoughts

All in all, I love the Skills Trainer this year, especially with the addition of the Gauntlet. As Madden inches closer to a more realistic football simulation, these modes will be crucial to teaching player how to play the right way--to relearn what it means to play football, and not simply Madden.