Madden NFL 15 Gameplay Video - Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers (Smitty)

[KBLover]

Looks like M13 almost - just with shinier/more detailed graphics.

What was #27 doing on that Gore TD? He was just turning around doing nothing despite being right in the hole where Gore was running. Is the game still incapable of making players make realistic mistakes? Why didn't he see Gore coming RIGHT AT HIM and at least look like he was trying to do something "football-ish"?

They still have that catch-and-hit thing in where it looks simultaneous and like one big collision between the WR, the DB, and the ball and just ends with the WR on the ground with the ball. (The skinny post to set up 1st and Goal for the 49ers). If that's going to be a contested catch, I wish it would play out like one, not just like a crushed together collision and then you see what happens.

I agree with those that said it's crazy you have to see a replay to see why the DB didn't get the ball on the curl.

On that Kaepernick run, why the heck was #41 running towards the sideline? He took himself out of the play for no reason. There was nothing going on over there, no reason for him to shed outside, and it was an outside run to his side, so he should have been trying to set the edge, even if engaged (make the block engage so that the play is either forced back inside or strings out east-and-west and hopefully your LBs and S's rally to the ball).

Still no pockets - that looks like the same sort of line play I can get on M13.

On the Lynch run @ around 2:00 - Bowman had a clean shot to come around and fill for a tackle, but his "pathing" couldn't even get him around so he stumbled instead of filling like Bowman would in real life.

LBs in general seemed to like...not be there. That drives me up a wall as a LB lover. Of course, that's not unusual for Madden...

In regards to pursuit angles, do players take various angles based on their SPD, ACC, PUR, and AWR ratings? Do slower defenders know they need to take a different angle? Do players have good judgment on where they can "meet" the ball carrier and take an appropriate angle? Or do players take good angles because "psychic play" is still in or take bad ones not because they misread the play but because of stuff like what #41 was doing or #27 on the Gore TD? Or Bowman tripping instead of going to the hole?

[KBLover]

Quote: Originally Posted by dghustla

I guess it starts with the players appearing to be fighting hard to get off their blocks or trying to steer their lineman and close gaps.

Which would mean players are actually aware of gaps and their gap responsibilities on a play - is that there?

That would indeed be a good start, defense actually playing actual defense. Imagine that, trying to close gaps and big NTs and DTs fighting to dominate their gaps and force double teams and speed rushers trying to run their arcs and dip aggressively and use leverage and bull rushers pounding hard, fighting to get the OL's hands off them and disrupt the O-lineman's foundation.

Meanwhile HB reacting to the changing landscape of the point of attack, making hard, sharp cuts that let them get into space while the LBs respond and run support tries to re-contain. QBs climb the pocket and shift around to buy more time for their blockers, OL pass off threats to stop a hard-charging blitz and keep their QB clean. High RTE wide outs make sharp routes with quickness that the DB can't keep up with.

Yes, that would show much more "effort" on the field for sure - and be more like what we actually see on Sunday.

[SageInfinite]

Quote: Originally Posted by MajorSupreme

But we're here to talk about Madden. When are we gonna be able to to say the same about it like we can with The Show?

Never. It will never get there. Not saying Madden won't improve, but it will never be THAT game.

[Only1LT]

Quote: Originally Posted by SmittyD81

The issue here is that, what we as a community on all different websites and forums across the web aren't really demanding for anything that has "pop" or is "sexy" or contains a "WOW" factor. The only aspect in my opinion that has had any kind of "WOW" factor was the introduction of the Infinity Engine. Of the following, what screams out "WOW" that we've demanded for: -DB/WR Interactions -Pass Trajectories -respective footplanting -OLine/DLine interactions/logic/animations -legitimate accurate/inaccurate throws by qbs -Variety in WR/DB/LB catch animations -Unique Running styles -Variety in CPU Playbook/Coaching Style and Strategies -Improvements on Progressive seasonal/in-game fatigue -Better player injury system -Revamp the penalty/on-field challenge system There's much, much more that can be listed here, but from this list alone, there's NOTHING that screams OMG!!! Over the years, we've made huge demands for small changes that'll go a long way, but it fell on deaf ears. Now this team is working to restore what wasn't being done before by adding those "small changes", but they're not all gonna leap out at you because they're the "little things". At the end of the day, if the game doesn't do it for you, leave it on the shelf until they deliver what you truly desire.

Not to get hung up on "wow", because I think that aside from it being a very personal thing, I think that you are taking it a little out of context from what the poster meant. For me though, everything on that list you just typed could potentially be a "wow." It all depends on the implementation. I think that's where the lack of "wow" comes into being for many people.

There have also been requests for realistic animations forever, from all over the net. I think that would be very much a "wow" for just about anybody.

Example. The long run by Kap. There was a replay in the vid. When you look at the run you see how bad the animation is when he is running up the sideline. He looks like he is coasting as easily as he would if he were jogging in the March of Dimes. There is not the slightest indication that he is Sprinting, let alone even running hard enough to break a sweat. If that run looked realistic and looked like he was actually hauling ***, and he looked back at the pursuing defenders or at the jumbotron or something, that would be a pretty "wow" moment to me. I would imagine it would be to you too. It isn't like the run animation is completely missing, so it isn't adding anything. It's just the implementation that determines the "wow."

Again, I don't want to get hung up on that. Just saying don't take someone saying that they aren't wowed to mean that they want something that is fluff or that it needs to be some truly mind blowing innovation. It can be as big or as small as any of the things on your list or any others that aren't on it. It's all in the implementation.

[LingeringRegime]

My head dropped to sleep mode for a split second while watching this footage.

Those tackles animations have been around since Vince Young was on the cover.

Only impressive thing was the sound guy on the sideline moving his dish, never saw that before in a football game.

[m1ke_nyc]

The more vids I see, the more I see " The same ol Madden". Im beyond the you gotta feel it with the sticks in your hand excuse. Outside of the graphics and post and pre play stuff the gameplay looks the same. Its frustrating. The more frustrating part is come August 26 im gonna pick up the game with this tiny false sense of hope that its gonna play good only to be let down. Im gonna point out one thing. Pockets still pretty much dont form. Its very inconsistent. It was introduced last year, supposedly improved this year, but honestly it looks no better than last year.

[Segagendude]

Quote: Originally Posted by LingeringRegime

My head dropped to sleep mode for a split second while watching this footage.

Mine too. Just doesn't grab me and suck me in. I feel after 8 games into a franchise, it may not hold my interest to continue.

[dghustla]

Quote: Originally Posted by testudoaubreii

I think that the graphics look pretty nice, but to me it is still the same Madden, not the next generation Madden. Perhaps, my expectations were entirely too high. I thought with all of the "room", for lack of a better term, that these new generation of consoles have, that we would see something that looks and feels different from the last generation. Don't get me wrong, the graphics, as I stated before, look great, but by watching this video it still feels like I am watching the PS3/Xbox 360 version of the game with new gen graphics...if that makes sense. It has to be the animations and player interactions with other characters (players and refs) and the field itself. It feels clunky. For example, I don't know what time in the video it occurs, but a defensive player for the 49ers gets up after the play and begins to start a running type of animation, but then immediately stops and starts walking. It wasn't smooth and that made it not look natural. It was almost like it skipped a few frames or something. The scene transitions still have the last gen feel, as well. When it goes from after the play, to the sideline and the back to the field (just for one example), it seemed laggy or something. It does not feel smooth, natural or organic to me. I know that it is just a video game, but I thought much of this legacy stuff left over from last gen would be ironed out this year. Seriously, it just looks like a PS3/360 version with better graphics...at least in this video and the videos since E3.

I don't think expectations were too high. expectations have been high for every next gen game. I'm glad they addressed gameplay first (if it truly is "either or" i.e. we can fix gameplay or animations this cycle.) and i'm excited to play a game where Qb accuracy matters again. But these animations are what's killing that "new" feeling. Because the games looks identical to what you've seen/played over the last half decade. Even with the new graphics you can't hide those awkward stiff motions. Also factor in that these are old animations built for a system that didn't include physics and things are just off right now. Its almost like the animations are holding back some aspects of gameplay. I just wish they could have somehow found resources to address , graphics, gameplay and animation. over the last 2 next gen games.