Madden 09 Demo Released, Impressions Here

[Delray]

Quote: Originally Posted by DorneyDave

Oh my god, I'm dying. His UserName is the question he wants answered. lolol

OMG! I've never laughed so hard in my life! Ya'll need to stop! My wife is yelling at me to be quiet...she's watching "Big Brother" or something! LOL!

[maddenps2]

I think it's good that catching is more difficult, especially if there are defenders around your player.

[kerosene31]

To me, it feels just like last year. The demo is short, but still I couldn't really pick up much difference.

The passing still feels all wrong to me. Receivers never seem to get any separation. Timing an out pattern or a slant just seems weird. The IQ thing put me on a hard difficulty level in spite of the fact that I barely completed a pass. And why go through the defense IQ when you can't play D?

I never feel in control in Madden. It is like you just hit the controls and hope the right animation pops up. I can't describe it really.

I'm going to skip Madden and hope for a really good NHL 09.

[seven james]

is it just me or does it seem that the recievers drop a lot of passes? i'm not talking about getting jack-up after the catch kind of drops, i'm talking about wide open hit me in the face mask kind of drops. it seems the catching animations are a bit off...

otherwise i totally agree, this demo gives me a nice feeling about august 12

[xylocaine]

Found another glitch while playing the demo.

My player was running and fumbled the ball, Shockey picked it up and ran it for a TD. Exciting right?! Said I failed the madden Moment??


The game looks better and I do like the way they are implementing the different camera angles after the play and after breaking the huddle, but During the play I wish the camera would be more dynamic and not stay so zoomed out etc.
Isn't it ironic that every video that EA releases prior to release show upclose action of the game, but when you play the game it's far away? I understand you need some angle for viewing receivers.... but come on, seems EA is taking a easy way out or the engine doesn't allow this.
Anyone know if there will be other camera angles?


I also like the ability for the replay to run in the window on the right while you are selecting your next play but do you have to chose that manually each time? I thought that if I set it on instant replay it would stay on the instant replay tab but I have to set it ever time... LAME! My biggest complaint is the gameplay is really dull and NOT FUN once again. I really wish I could put my finger on it but I just can't figure out why it's not fun.


Like someone else pointed out, fatigue seems to be really over the top. I don't mind this that much and should make for interesting battles online (having to strategically use your bench) but just something to watch for. Guess EA didn't want to leave out fatigue like a couple of years ago LOL.
When subbing out players during the play calling screen it would be nice to have a more interactive feel like photos popping up on the right or the depth chart showing strengths or ratings etc. Also it would be a nice touch to have them jog onto the field or some way to make it feel like you subbed rather than just have the next screen your players breaking huddle with the new player magically there. Even the first Madden on the Genesis 1991 had this... I liked the way you could see your players jogging back to the huddle etc in All Pro 2K8 in the background while you called the play not just hiding the action on the field with playcalling screens etc like EA does. At least they don't do like last year and have a stupid pan of the stadiums during the playcalling screen.
I keep reminding myself when trying to have faith in EA BABY STEPS, BABY STEPS. This game is better than 08 but not revolutionary. If you liked 08 you will love 09. If you disliked 08 I think you will still be luke warm over 09.

I give the Demo a C+ and remain skeptical.


Biggest Positive: Graphics have a more 3-D look and shading is great.
Biggest Negative: Gameplay just seems stale and recycled from 07 and 08. I dare someone to say it's not the exact same gameplay.

[SeventhWard]

Okay, so I've now played both the 360 and PS3 version of the demo. Based on my initial impressions, the 360 version looked slightly sharper and loaded slightly faster. Listen to me when I say it - the differences are extremely miniscule.

During the Madden IQ test, 360's characters looked sharper. Controls, sound and responsiveness were equal. During the gameplay, though both are pretty bad - the individual members of the crowd were slightly smoother on 360....the PS3 guys looked slightly more jagged. Minor minor details.

That ball animation smoothness during the replays I got excited about in my first post? So far, I've only seen the ball "pop" out on PS3, as well as other framerate hiccups...again, only during REPLAYS. During gameplay, they're both just as smooth.

If I could mention one flaw I hope isn't present in the final game - the sidelines are reversed. It's kinda funny to see the New York Giants sideline standing on a big Pats logo, and vice versa. Kinda reminds me of the old mistake from Madden 07 and 08 where your coach would be pissed if you made a great play and disappointed when you did something awesome.

It's very geeky of me, but I know it's important to other guys just as much as it is to me - but from this one man's opinion, the 360 gets the slightest visual edge.

I'll be buying the PS3 version however - the elegance (and silence) of the machine make for much nicer gaming sessions, regardless of the EXTREMELY MINOR visual differences....that may or may not even exist when the game goes retail.

[arseniotall]

cmon are yall actually pointing out glitches in a demo????

[GQman2121]

This demo makes NCAA look a generation or two behind. It's beautiful. It's also kind of hard to believe that both games are published by the same company because the difference is night and day.

The game play is what it is. The pass blocking still has some issues with picking up players and preventing them from having direct shots at the QB. I've had plenty of passing plays where the G and T just drop back blocking no one, and watch as the LB or DE run right in between them.

Other than that though, this game is a god send when compared to the rubbish that is NCAA. The AI on D seems to be in check and the running is game enjoyable, while still being challenging.

For me personally, the only set back this game could have is if the controls are not FULLY customizable. None of this X is locked or R1 is locked stuff please! If I want to pass with D-pad I should be able too, though that might be pushing it; but if I can't pick and choose what buttons strafe or speed burst on defensive, then this game is going back.