Madden NFL 13 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360, PS3)

[jwilphl]

Seeing as how I've played probably two hours of Madden since the last one I purchased in 2010, I was looking forward to this demo to see how the game has progressed. Unfortunately, I have to say I was fairly disappointed.

I honestly should not be surprised--the game feels and plays like Madden, there is no other way to describe it. It has a very strong unrealistic, arcade presence that hasn't changed in a decade really. Some of the "physics" were noticeable, but being the first generation, there were also problems. I didn't see anything tremendously NEW that really stuck out to me.

The immersion factor is completely lost in how everything feels and runs. The animations are mostly jagged, sharp, and completely unnatural to both the hands and the eyes. There is a new coat of paint here to try and mask the problems that exist in the details, and I actually do like the strides they are making with presentation, but problems continue to crop up in that department as well. There is a lot of dead air in the commentary along with weirdly generic analysis that doesn't pertain to any one particular game.

The graphics remain one of the strong points, but the jerseys look a bit less detailed to me than in the past and a bit more muddled. Realizing console limitations, everything else in the graphical department gets a strong grade from me.

The nitty-gritty:

• Wonky glitches with the infinity system, particularly during pile-ups. Players just jutter and bounce all around--an unsurprising problem given FIFA's similar situation last year.
• Overall animations are odd and do not look or feel natural, as I already stated. There is little momentum feel, players still run and turn on conveyor belts, and more or less, the game lacks realism.
• AI has little brain, including non-human controlled players on my team. On a screen play, the RB ran towards the QB to catch the ball thus destroying his forward momentum and colliding into a DL in the process, losing about 5 yards. Also the AI QB runs up the gut every other pass play.
• Perhaps my biggest criticism is just that the game plays and feels like "Madden," and to me that is not necessarily a good thing. This is not realistic football, in my opinion. There has been very little gameplay innovation in many, many years.
• Other small glitches that ruin innovation, such as the way that players literally "float" above the field of play rather than make contact with it (look at replays from certain angles). And why do coaches look super jacked and neckless? Shanahan and Carroll are skinny old guys, not bodybuilders.

I do understand this is a demo, but with years of these games under my belt (including playing demos and then final versions), I understand there is not going to be a gigantic difference between this and the final version. I'm still waiting for that Madden game I just can't resist, but in the end at least I get to save $60.

[StrawHat Patriot]

Oh yeah I forgot to mention.

They NEED TO FIX ZONE DEFENSE. There are times where the CPU QB throws a pass in stride and the defender only reacts way after the catch (that's when the CPU wants to cheat though), and the worst which probably hasn't been fixed, is when you or the CPU QB is trying to scramble out of the pocket and they just stand there. GOSH I HATE THAT.

[brahmagoul]

I was surprised with the gameplay. Funny, considering I broke off an 80-yard TD run with Frank Gore on the first play. I thought, here we go, same old Madden. The game tightened up and I won, 21-0, on all-pro difficulty.

I just got mad while playing it, though. If Connected Careers allowed 32-team offline user control, I would purchase this. So, I'd recommend it for anyone who likes doing their thing as a one-team dynasty or superstar.

[jeremym480]

The more that I play the more I like it. Sure there are problems with IE, but that's too be expected in it's first year. I haven't seen anything too crazy during a play and the post play stuff doesn't bother me too much. Passing seems on par with NCAA and I like Madden's running game much better. Defense is close to a wash, but if I had to choose I'd probably go with Madden (the OL/DL interaction is less "sticky"). The thing that really gives Madden the edge over NCAA is that the dreaded "ghosting" seems to be gone.

All and all I feel like this is a great year for football for me. Between NCAA and Madden I don't think that I'll have time for anymore games anytime soon.

[jbasi73]

the demo is soooo sick

[mwjr]

Holy crap, running the ball is hard!

Anyone having any luck?

[FinnZzgo]

Quote: Originally Posted by FT-Mac

I've posted my demo impressions already but wanted to continue. I was excited after playing the demo. Best madden of this gen consoles but seems like EA has f***ed zoom camera view. I used that view with M12 and now it is just horrible. The demo is great but with CC and new zoom camera, I won't buy this. I would've liked to test zoom camera with this demo also!! Did anyone else use zoom camera with M12, seems stupid to remove views, why not make an extra one if you want something different.

You cant use the new zoom view in the madden 13 demo.

[StrawHat Patriot]

Quote: Originally Posted by mwjr

Holy crap, running the ball is hard! Anyone having any luck?

Sometimes it's easy, other times the Blocking/Blocking A.I shows it's putrid state that makes wanna scream.