Madden NFL 12 Demo Available Now, Post Impressions Here (360, PS3)

[KBLover]

Played a few demo games. Impressions so far (no settings changed other than speed threshold at 35 and speed to very slow, played as GB each time):

Scores have been pretty low. I like that. Lost first one 10-7 would have maybe gone into OT but I missed a FG in the 3rd quarter in absolutely comical fashion. I don't think it's even physically possible for the ball to travel like it did! Won second 10-7, just won one 13-10 on a last second 48yd FG. Granted, that's on 5 min quarters, and in the real game, I'll be trying to get 15 min quarters to work as I always do.

The in-game "manual"...sucks. I STILL don't know how to run a hurry-up and stumbled on the clock ball play by accident.

Passing seems...weird. Maybe I'm out of practice or something, but it seems like every ball goes up like a bomb, and then the bombs just seem to always come up short, and this with two strong-armed QBs. The WR is just stopped and waiting for the ball. Maybe my timing is off. I also use a light tap and push the stick up.

Running game still seems meh for my tastes. I'll have to up run blocking next time and see if that does anything to help.

Defense seems better/more aggressive. I don't see as much standing around and stuff.

Pass blocking seemed okay. Sometimes there's some serious pressure/sacks, but sometimes the pocket held up a long time.

Saw the AI overthrow WR - nice to see some "plain" incompletions instead of always "dropped INTs".

I hate the punt returning. In past versions, upping run blocking actually helped with this - so maybe it will here too.

Actually saw a blocked FG. Wasn't even close either - the end rusher nearly took it off the kicker's foot.

Receivers seem to do the top tapping at strange times sometimes. I don't know if that's AWR related or some other rating. Finley had a really bad case of alligator arms on one throw where he toe tapped...about 3 yards from the sideline.

Too early to tell if the good players truly stand out without being overpowered.

The Dynamic Player Performance seems interesting. I'm liking it so far. Changes up the game, tries to simulate mental changes (some good, some bad) by the players based on what's happened to them so far.

Did I mention I hate the running game once again? The "jump of the block" thing is still around. Might be a slider-solvable problem, or maybe the Bears have a high rated run defense, and the Packers certainly aren't known for their running game. Rodgers was their running game last year, basically.

QB scrambling against zone doesn't seem to work (it shouldn't, everyone is looking at the QB). Against man, it's a possible threat (as it should be to an extent, especially with a mobile QB).

Saw a few penalties. Again, not sure what the ratings are or if they are just super low out of the box again. AI Cutler did a delay of game once. That was interesting.

Is the suction gone this year? I can't say I saw/felt much.

Didn't see any LBs making super INTs. DBs might still be somewhat psychic - or maybe I was throwing at bad WR, like some guy named Cobb once, he just let the DB undercut him. I never threw it to him again.

FINALLY FIGURED OUT THE KICKING METER. Why wasn't this in the "manual"? I figured out I have to hit X more based on where I stop the power swing. Seems like once in the lower bracket, twice in the medium and thrice at the top power bracket (though I just spam it once it gets close to the accuracy window). I love the new kicking camera...for FGs and Punts. Wish the kickoff one used the same camera.

[Runnin with Scissors]

I really liked the tackling and player movement improvements; overall I think this title will be enjoyable to play, however, the one area that I feel that has still gotten no attention and keeps this game from being a total Sunday experience is the lack of real penalties. No illegal contact or defensive holding, both penalties that are call with frequency in real games are absent. That's just the way it will always be so live with it I guess.

Not a first day purchase for me but will get it some time.

[thor-17]

I can see that alot of work was put into this year's game. It is miles ahead of last year's effort. If what is being said is true, that the demo is of a build before the E3 demos that had everyone captivated, then I think we will be more than satisfied. I was planning on passing on Madden this year after that crap that was last year, but this demo convinced me that they are listening/reading to the customers. So, I preordered it on the ToysRus website. It's $ 44.99 with free shipping. I couldn't pass that up.

[TearsOfPurple]

Ok, got done playing a few games this weekend. 2 games with me, my cousin, and my brother playing (Me and my brother [Bears] vs my cousin [Packers]). It was extremely fun. Players move fluid. Graphics are stunning. Presentation is terrific (I actually like the halftime show stint, but to each their own). And this is just the demo. I turned in my Madden '11 as GameStop store credit and pre-ordered Madden '12. Can't wait to play with my Vikings and start up my franchise!!

Also been hearing rumors that this is an old build (and from what I've seen at E3, I think it's true). If true, Madden '12 is going to be glorious. And I'm not one to openly praise Madden (I know everyone says that, but I'm serious. The only reason I got Madden '11 and '10 is because they were gifts)

[idobrl]

After playing several games, it's hard to make a judgment because this is not the same game I saw and analyzed in slo-mo from the E3 videos. Yes, it's Madden, but the E3 footage had less skating and shifting and better interaction between the players. I think to critique the demo would be a little premature and actually not accurate compared to the finished build, but I'm only assuming this based on what I saw in the E3 videos.

As for what I saw in the E3 footage, I believe that this will be the best Madden to date.

[TheSportzGuru]

After playing a TON of games w/ the auto sprint [OFF], I think the difference between not sprinting and sprinting is minimal, if that...

Can someone confirm this? I need to know if I'm losing my mind or something.

What I do is on big plays I'll switch off (sprint, no sprint, sprint, no sprint etc)

[dstyle]

First full game just whooped up in the bears 56-0. I had 100 yds rushing by the second quarter with grant. He finished with 5 tds and 172 yds rushing Rodgers was great to had like a 83% comp rate. Cutler threw two picks and I forced a fumble on forte. I guess its time to bump up the difficulty. Played everything default way too easy.

[pmurray20]

just swited the speed to slow and 35 threashold and well it just sealed me to buying this game, just beat the packers 7-6 in an amazing game, cutler threw 3 INT and i stopped them everytime for a FG in which they missed one. and Peppers dominated with 7 tackles 4 sacks All pro is a good challenge and i love it, other than the fact rodgers is faster than my entire defense?? no way!!