Madden NFL 11 Demo Roundtable

[PGaither84]

Quote:

Christian: Right now, based on the demo, I'm calling it a push, teetering on the brink of going down. I'm really not liking Gameflow but thankfully that option can be turned off. Outside of that personal preference, there really are no glaring issues that would make me believe the retail version of the game will not be a solid NFL experience, I'm just not sure what was added to the game is enough to really differentiate it from Madden 10. I was really hoping for the NCAA10-NCAA11 type of leap for Madden this season, and based on the demo I'm not sure that's what we will be getting in a couple weeks.

To me, the funny thing about this quote is that the improvements from NCAA10-NCAA11 are so drastic because NCAA10 was much like Madden 09/NCAA09. The big "feature" for NCAA10 was the marching band. NCAA11 garnered a lot of the improvements from Madden 10 such as variable speed settings and presentation along with the Madden 11 improvements all rolled into one package that drops before Madden 11 mixed in with some NCAA specific improvements as well.

I wish NCAA copied more things from Madden. Things like the additional QB ratings or having non-hurry up offenses use accelerated clock. I also want Madden to take some things from NCAA, most note worthy is how hurry up/spread offenses are run. I like how in NCAA when you call the hurry up it brings up the play call screne for both offense and defense, but forces you to stick with one formation. You can still audible into another formation from your audibles, but this better represents the Hurry up imo. I don't like how in Madden 11, if you try to run the no-hudle with the Colts, they get dog tired after like 3 plays.

I think that this year, with the vast improvements from NCAA10-NCAA11, Madden's "thunder" was stolen. NCAA's "franchise" appears to be deeper than Madden's and I prefer the 120 "ways to win" over Madden's Gameflow so far. On the other hand, I think Gus Johnson will be better than NCAA's lack of Lee Corso, I prefer the NFL over the BS that is college football, and hopefully things like the run game/run defense will be better tuned than it's NCAA counterpart.

[Dawsons_Creek]

NCAA 11 is great and plus with games like Fallout and Fable coming out in October I don't even care about Madden as much I need a few months ago. If its a bust so be it, I won't lose any sleep over it.

[The Bimmer]

Thanks for this roundtable. I wont even waste my time downloading this demo. Sticking with Ncaa11 this year.

[TombSong]

Quote: Originally Posted by BezO

From CD, I had a good idea what I would think about the game. This sounds like what I would've said, minus specifics that I look for. And I haven't played NCAA to compare. Chris, care to expound on some things? Passing game & separation: Was the separation explained by the animations? Were DBs still consistently breaking before WRs? Did better WRs seem to get more separation? Has the footwork in & out of breaks addressed at all? Fix or band-aid? You covered fans & haters. What about those simply disappointed in Madden's lack of simulation of the sport? Anything crucial to fundamentals of the sport added? You seem as unsatisfied playing defense as I have been. Christian mentioned somethings I've had a problem with... playing d-line. I always felt there weren't enough animations, and the AI was lacking. Anything new here at all? Any edge rushing animations added? Any new blocking interaction animations at all? Any engaged player mobility?

These are the types of questions that need to be asked that Bezo asked and talked about in reviews. The details of the gameplay.

Its good to see things like the sideline catches fixed and they have improved some presentation elements, and the run blocking. Big kudos.

Then you look at passes thrown right to WR's where the WR's dont even attempt to catch the ball. They just keep running like they are oblivious the ball is flying right over their head. Tackle animations you have no influence over because you can't add on. You can only watch as a small HB with NO momentum falls forward for 5 yards even though 3 defenders are in front of them pumping their legs to push him back. DB's that mirror WRs routes and break on the routes before the WR's . DB's going into catch animations BEHIND the WR they are checking, thus allowing the WR to catch the ball in front of them. Warping on both sides of the ball by WR's and DB/LB's. Super Leaps by LB's. Oline just leeting DE's run right by them untouched. ETC, ETC

You know, you try and deal with these same issues and new ones year after year and wonder WHY does it never get fixed. Then you read reviews and see praise heaped on the game with no mention of any of the past issues being addressed, THEN get labled as a "*****" for pointing this crap out or having a "agenda" I think its a "agenda" to NOT point this stuff out in the reviews.

If I had a big mega site with access to these guys, question one would be:

"When will your game exceed the levels of playability of those that obviously do better in regards to:

1. Run Blocking/Pass blocking
2. Player interaction
3. Tackling
4. Animations
5. Commentary/Presentation

I as a game reviewer ask this question because there are those who have supported your game for years and would like to move beyond 2005-2008 game play and move on into some ground breaking areas like other sports titles have done.

That ain't having a agenda, or being a "*****" that's simple journalism.

[seriousluboy83]

Quote:

Christian: Playing as a D-Lineman is an exercise in frustration. If you thought it was tough to get to the QB in NCAA11, you haven't seen anything yet. The rewritten line AI works great by eliminating suction blocks, but it is down right impossible to sack the QB. If you manage to get past your offensive line assignment, be ready for the opposing QB to magically ditch the ball as your defender is draped all over him -- every single time.

So "robo-QB" is still alive...SMH!!!

[CubFan23]

Yikes! Ditched Madden 10 last year after a week, pre-ordered 11 from EA for $39.00, might wait to crack it open, might have to put it on ebay. Hope not, I miss a good football game!

[MastaJedi1]

I liked M10, I'm know I'm gonna like M11. My only problem, the $60 price tag. Let's be real, there's not enough changes to justify paying full price, $30 tops! Was NCAA worth $60? No doubt, I passed on last years NCAA because I thought 09 was better, and M10 was a shoe in. This year my focus was on M11, until I played NCAA11's demo. No matter what happens with M11's demo, I'm still getting it, now after release if it doesn't live up...well NCAA take 1st place on my console. The way I read Chris & Christian is that they feel as I do, M11 is good but not worth $60.

[mestevo]

Quote: Originally Posted by MastaJedi1

I liked M10, I'm know I'm gonna like M11. My only problem, the $60 price tag. Let's be real, there's not enough changes to justify paying full price, $30 tops! Was NCAA worth $60? No doubt, I passed on last years NCAA because I thought 09 was better, and M10 was a shoe in. This year my focus was on M11, until I played NCAA11's demo. No matter what happens with M11's demo, I'm still getting it, now after release if it doesn't live up...well NCAA take 1st place on my console. The way I read Chris & Christian is that they feel as I do, M11 is good but not worth $60.

I spent $30 at the movies today and that was just for my wife and I, over less than 3 hours (Inception)... I have no problems paying double that for a game that I'll probably play in binges off and on for the next year. Price is fine, especially if you get in on some of the trade in or preorder deals.

I don't care so much about what they put into it and trying to derive a value from that, I take value from what I am going to get out of it. If there isn't enough for someone to enjoy it at $60 then why buy it?