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

[FBeaule04]

I've played a game last night and I have to say that if the retail version is that good overall, there will be more football for me this year and less hockey.

The presentation, graphics, lighting and color work is pretty darn solid. It's to see guys like Jennings and Matthews face reaction that amazed me the most. EA did a great job in that matter.

As for the gameplay, well, I'm not a football game guru, so might not pick up all the little things that shouldn't be, but overall, I had a good time on pro, even if it was too easy (17-0).

Controls are easy to use, kicking is ok even if I'll have to get use to it, but I don't see it as a problem.

The only thing I saw that was odd, is some graphical miscues. Like a ball that moved on the ground back and forth from hand to shoulder of the player. Also, the ball standing on his nose while the other side is on the ground was special.

The funniest thing I saw was one of the Packers standing on the ground, hurt, and while Urlacher and Finley passed by, the guy slide 2 yards backward. When he got on the cart off the field, he had distorted elbows looking like claws.

Other than that, I'm really looking forward to this game.

[guaps]

Quote: Originally Posted by Giants4Natic

You must be new to madden. All my life there are barely ever if that pass into on either side.

Well, I am new to Madden in the sense that Madden 12 is supposedly a new game - or at least an upgrade of the previous versions

AI caused pass interference calls have been rare in previous Madden's and they apparently still are. I've seen many pass interference incidents in the Madden 12 demo that haven't been called, and I had hoped that Madden 12 would have been - how should I put it - more evolved than it's predecessors.

And while I still don't consider purchasing Madden 12, I like a lot better than the Madden 11 demo last year.

[mjhyankees]

At this point it's almost useless to post on this thread....728 replies? Good luck finding a reply to one's own thread....oh well.....I'll follow the rules here:

Here are my impressions of M12:

1. The game feels different....can't say good or bad yet but it has a different feel from M10 and M11 (my only next gen maddens).

2. Gamespeed on very slow didn't feel that different than normal. I'll have to play with this more but I kept trying to slow the game down as it seemed too fast and even on very slow I found it fast. Have to play more I guess.

3. Big problem with tackling. There is some crazy animation or reaction by the tackler, in that as he gets close the ball carrier, he suddenly accelerates to 100 mph to make the hit. It was weird. Many times I'm turning the corner (or the cpu is) and all of a sudden the tackler bursts into warp speed and makes the play. didn't like this at all. You see it in the videos too.

4. Also in the videos and a problem in my opinion is that there are way too many big hits. Every other tackle is a "knock the guy out of his shoes, launch him in the air" type hit. REally folks they happen 2-3 times per game at most.

5. Played on all madden and the human run game seemed easy. Passing was feeling good. Good coverage by the cpu.

6. Cutler (cpu) threw some lame duck passes even when untouched. There was one pass on an out pattern that just lollipopped about 20 yards out of bounds. When he threw it I thought he must have been clobbered but no.....

7. As expected I didn't notice DPP at all. Admittedly I'll have to play alot more. If I notice it over 100 games and it's subtle, then hats off to the devs. They did it right then. I did notice Cutler was really streaky. He either was threading the needle or missing the water when he fell out of the boat. Need different players to really know.

8. Many controls weren't available (demo I guess or they changed the buttons) ie: hot routes, oline blocking etc. camera angle and regarding the latter:

9. Camera angle of depression was very high compared to last year. I felt like I was above them looking down. Hope I can get back to the normal angle we all know and love....also I'd like the wide screen option...I have a big tv for this reason. Hate when I cant' see the WR.

10. Didn't notice the cpu back breaking too many tackles (as in unrealistic). this felt good.

there are some other things that I can't think of right now. Overall I give the game a modest improvement over M11. It plays different...can't say that much better. yes there was no noticeable suctioning on blocks and tackles but instead you got the hyperspace drive accelerating to the tackle so to me that's a wash. Need to play more to be fair but I can say the devs have made the game at least a little better. Not talking graphics here which were good but I'm a gameplay guy. I don't care if I can't see Rodgers face as long as he plays like Rodgers.
If M11 was a C+, I give this a B- so far. A really good franchise mode will make this a B+.

[guaps]

Quote: Originally Posted by mjhyankees

3. Big problem with tackling. There is some crazy animation or reaction by the tackler, in that as he gets close the ball carrier, he suddenly accelerates to 100 mph to make the hit. It was weird. Many times I'm turning the corner (or the cpu is) and all of a sudden the tackler bursts into warp speed and makes the play. didn't like this at all. You see it in the videos too. 4. Also in the videos and a problem in my opinion is that there are way too many big hits. Every other tackle is a "knock the guy out of his shoes, launch him in the air" type hit. REally folks they happen 2-3 times per game at most. 5. Played on all madden and the human run game seemed easy. Passing was feeling good. Good coverage by the cpu. 6. Cutler (cpu) threw some lame duck passes even when untouched. There was one pass on an out pattern that just lollipopped about 20 yards out of bounds. When he threw it I thought he must have been clobbered but no...

Just to remark on a few of your points.

Ad 3) I noticed the same - I don't think it was that apparent in tackles, but it is very apparent in OL/DL interaction. Most of the suction might be gone, but warping is still very present.

Ad 4) True, there are a lot of big tackles in the M12 demo, but try using the warp-tackle button when playing defense instead of the hit stick (X on 360 and Square on PS3). Nothing you can do about CPU controlled tackles though.

Ad 5) Run game is way too easy in the M12 demo. The lack of dynamic OL/DL interaction (The DL aren't aggressive enough at getting to the ballcarrier and the OL is too powerful), the removal of suction and improved run blocking AI really underlines the fact that Tiburon desperately needs to work on implementing defensive gap control ASAP.

Ad 6) As I mentioned in my now forgotten post 40-50 pages back, I though the passing in Madden 12 was inaccurate in an unrealistic manner. I don't mind QBs being inaccurate, but don't make Cutler throw lame passes when he's not pressure and only has to deliver the ball to a receiver 10-12 yards.

[ezio]

Quote: Originally Posted by UofO Ducks

Has anyone seen the CHAIN GANG come out to measure for a first down?

I saw it twice I think in the games I played.

[brza37]

Quote: Originally Posted by mjhyankees

8. Many controls weren't available (demo I guess or they changed the buttons) ie: hot routes, oline blocking etc. camera angle and regarding the latter:

They are there but the buttons are different for some. Just hit R3 and you'll see all the options on how to get to hot routes, oline blocking, coverage adjustments etc. For example Hot Route is D-Pad Up then pick the receiver button then the hot route adjustment.

I do agree though that this thread is waay too long and the mods should allow separate threads for individual issues. No way I'm going to read through 700 comments talking about all apsects of the demo. I would read through various threads that just dealt with specific issues though.

[bucky60]

Quote: Originally Posted by blklightning

the time is compressed since we call plays much faster in a game compared to real life. in a real game, they snap the ball with only a few seconds left on the play clock. in the game, we call plays in only a few seconds. therefore, we run more plays in a shorter amount of time and that is why we are able to get realistic numbers in a shorter amount of time. haven't you ever noticed how much dead time there is in an nfl game? iirc, they only play 11 minutes out of 60. edit: confirmed: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...055561406.html

You still should have on average 60-65 offensive plays a game. I never saw that in such diminished minutes and still get real yards per. I also don't see 6 ints and 5 fumbles in every NFL game. And in Madden that happens in far less than 60 offensive/defensive plays a game. Far to many big plays. It's unrealistic.

[bucky60]

Quote: Originally Posted by Wobberknockle

The game really does have an arcade feel to it. On the default settings I rushed for 78 yards with Grant on 11 carries and just obliterated Chicago through the air. I didn't bother to look at the stats (only know Grant's because they appeared on the screen) but Nelson, Finley, Jennings, and Cobb all had at least 80 yards and Rodgers threw for 5 scores and rushed for another. On the other side of the ball, I had 16 total tackles, 5 sacks, and 3 picks. Before I give any REAL feedback, let me up the sliders a bit and make this a little more challenging for me. Last year I had a very hard time compiling realistic defensive stats altogether. I would play 15 accelerated minutes, but I'd give up 10 huge plays a game and only record 4 or 5 tackles with my leading players. It really was a huge bummer for me. I hope that gets fixed this year.

This guy is spot on.