Madden NFL 11 Demo Available Now, Please Post Impressions Here

[Vince]

Gameflow is terrific.

[wyrm187]

well I like it. It finally seems fluid, solid and well put together but the most important factor is that I had fun and played about 5 games in a row which I rarely do on a demo.

pros

I like locomotion - I really hated the old engine

I like the art too - player models look good to me this year - guys actually have different types of arms that is noticeable and it doesn't look over the
top cartoonish like it did in the past imo

the cut scenes are decent and the players don't look like aliens on the sidelines anymore. and there is actually a little suspense on the measurements for 1st downs unlike last year where you knew what was coming based on the scene shown

Fade routes are awesome

pro tak seems tweaked well

in the games I played - I had 2 high scoring games 1 middle of the road - and 2 def slug fests - each game felt different

ill admit - Im digging gameflow - i want to gameplan- I think it will be pretty cool

cons

the pad

the stadium being so quiet you can hear a pin drop

commentary is mediocre but still improved

this build should have been available a few years ago - imagine where madden could be now

thats about it - thanks

[BCJMU99]

Quote: Originally Posted by joejccva71

This is genius. Quick question jrivera34....what game were you expecting? Fred Flinstones Rocky Adventures? Of course it feels like Madden...it's a Madden game.

I saw this too...

[BCJMU99]

With Gameflow do you ever see the play before it's called? or not until you get on the field and see the playart?

I didn't even look at this when I was playing b/c I like calling my own plays so I turned it off...

[Nev]

Gotta admit, I didn't think I would like gameflow.

I thought it was gonna be a glorified 'Ask Madden', and thats what Gameflow basically is. But when you combine it with Gameplan then thats when it starts to get good.

Really liking it so far.

[Skyboxer]

Quote: Originally Posted by DickDalewood

I do agree with the strategy pad sentiments though. I think the idea was good in theory, but it sucks having to do so many steps just to shift my oline, for example. Regardless, I'm excited.

To move your line you do exactly 1 more step than old way. With it all being at same area that offsets the ONE extra step IMO.

Old way: Shoulder then up,down, left or right.
New way: Tap pad, then LPad and then either U,D,L or R...

Where's the "So many steps"???

[jhogan3132]

I know I will probably be stonned for saying this but I think the strategy pad is a good thing. The problem I think we all have with it is its new. OUr brains have been programmed on how to move corners up, shift our linebackers wide, and crash the D-Line, all before the quarterback is under center. There is an adjustment period, but I truly believe this is more fluid, and dare I say faster! It will take some time for the learning curve, but I think you critics may change your mind over time.

I think that the stadium atmosphere is terrible. I am optimistic that this is something in the demo only, but the complete silence, and then erruption of the crowd really takes away from the new stadium sounds, and field lighting. Im not expecting it to match the atmosphere of NCAA, but it is definetly sub par.

[DaveDQ]

There was a thread last week on Vision and Focus and how this game desperately needs that. I would say this demo makes that point. It's no as much as whether you like a newly implemented feature as much as was it necessary. And, while some features are beneficial, it's important to remain consistent with how they are implemented.

There are so many things you can do with a game that houses the NFL. You could have brainstorming sessions and come up with some great concepts. However, what this game so needs is to set boundaries as to what gets priority and that has to be honored throughout the titles multi-year development cycle. You just don't get the sense that this game is refining its necessary components and holding off on implementing newer peripherals until what is necessary is in its best form.

Things keep getting added to the pot when in reality what needs to happen is start over with your essential ingredients and make an NFL football game.