Madden NFL 11 Demo Available Now, Please Post Impressions Here

[Cyclonus]

Ill admit im digging the demo...but then again i would consider myself a casual madden gamer....even though i buy the game every year!

The things that bothered me in the past was the running game and presentation and those seemed to be addressed.

[jeebs9]

Quote: Originally Posted by STLRams

Well I finally played the demo last night on PS3. I will say the graphics looked improved over madden10, the animations looked smoother also. After messing around with Gameflow, it is a neat feature, especially in two player vs games if you have a headset and hear the plays being called to you through your headset and your buddy sitting next to you has no idea what your about to do. This would be greatbut the game shows the play art after you select gameflow, and you have to hurry and press the button to remove the play art so your buddy won't know if its run or pass. If there is a option to not have the play art come up automatically every time, that would be great. Maybe there is I just didn't see the option. The instant replays are beautiful to me, love the NFL2K5 feel of them, but there needs to be a better variety of them and a tv style replays added. The passing seems better than Madden10, I was making some corner route passing, and deep routes that surprised me that I couldn't make in Madden10, but still the passing felt like I didn't have control like I would like to. The touch passing in APF2K8 is still alot better and feel like I have more control, Madden needs to improve on this. The running game felt great and fun, it was neat watching holes open up and able to hit them well with improved blocking. On defense the game seemed ok, I didn't notice a couple of times the super LB's would come out of nowhere and knock the ball down, moving like the Flash. The CB's defense seemed more realistic than madden10. I know the audio is messed up because of a demo, but I can tell that it will be better than Madden10. The game had nice cutscenes, very 2K5 style but what Madden has to learn from NBA2K10 and MLB10 that this stuff needs to be realtime to look better and when showing cutscenes and instant replays is not have the playbook not come up so quick, but this works out perfect if you use gameflow. The game seems like it will be better than Madden10, but I im still up in the air if I will buy this or rent it first. Im sure the final version will be better, but what still is driving me mad is the passing game still not upto NFL2K5 and APF2K8 standards. And oh yes the presentation - The halftime show, or lack of halftime show and end of game show. EA cannot continue to be oblivious to this issue. I just don't get why they are not even trying to surpass the presentation in NFL2K5 and APF2K8, or current games like NBA2K10 or MLB10. Ian mentioned that this would be improved last year, and I do feel like me and others where lied to. How are you letting games that or 7 years, and 3 years old still out do you in this aspect. My main gripe is, with the lack of presention and little things in gameplay, I don't feel like im watching a real sports game, like I do when I play NBA2K10, APF2K8,NFL2K5, and MLB10 the show. I will say I am definately atleast renting this game to see if I will like it, but I may need to play more of the demo to convince me to buy it. The game looks better, but still EA college football maybe the better game this year, it looks more realistic than Madden to me, and it seems the EA wants to make things alot easier for kids and non football folks and take away some of the skill aspects of the game, which I don't like if they are doing that.

Nice review....I need to check it out tonight.

[xylocaine]

Love the replays too in M11 but I wish they would get rid of the view of the slow motion ball in the air on long passes, why do I want to watch a ball rising and coming down for like 3 secs before seeing the catch?

[woody2goody]

I've played 3 games so far, 2 with the Colts and 1 with the Jets, and generally my attitude is positive.

Things I like:

• The passing is nice, as usual. Not too difficult and not too easy.
• The new commentary is better - some decent interaction between the two, and a few very nice observations on previous drives.
• I've seen many new animations in running, catching and tackling
• The gameflow is great on offense, the playcalling is realistic, and the ability to tailor your gameplan is brilliant, and will hopefully save a lot of time in franchise mode.
• The running game is really fun when the blocking works. Playing with the Jets, you can really see the differences between Greene and Tomlinson, and what they are both good at.
• Pass blocking is decent, giving you a reasonable time to throw the ball
• Screens work nicely for the first time in a long time.
• The new dual stick controls are really good, and I reckon they will be very useful once I get to learn them a bit more.
• The new audible system rocks - it is easy to use and is quicker than the previous system
• The new replays are really good, however I hope they are longer in the full version, because I broke off an 80 yard run after breaking two tackles, and when I went back to watch the replay, it started after the last tackle was avoided

I Don't Like:

• The O Line cannot run block on All-Pro. In my last game with the Colts, I had just two runs of more than 3 yards, and EVERY running play I called, a man made it into the backfield almost immediately after the handoff. I only had time to beat him once with Addai, and managed to pick up a gain of 12. This is the biggest issue for me so far.
• The defence does kick pursuits far too well. I haven't made it anywhere near the 30 on any kickoff return, as they all seem to just bear down on the ballcarrier. Punt returns are almost as bad - the D seems to react instantly when I make a cut. I'm amazed that no-one seems to have realised that in real life, the D reacts to the ballcarrier with varying degrees of success - they don't mirror them exactly.
• Still don't like Fight for the Fumble too much - it isn't intuitive and I'd rather just have normal fumble recoveries. It's an option isn't it, so I'll be turning that off. Nice idea though.
• The Strategy Pad is frustrating. Over the years, Madden (and NCAA) players have been used to instinctively pressing whatever buttons they need to make defensive adjustments. Now all that is gone, and it will need to be relearned from scratch. When the NCAA 11 demo came out, I hadn't played an EA football game since last September, but I could still remember 90% of my defensive adjustments despite a long break. Now, we have less time to make adjustments because they aren't as quick to make, and also, the chances of making the wrong adjustments have exponetially increased. It's not terrible, but once you mastered the old system, you could make two or three changes before every snap if you wanted, and that is impossible now.
• The graphics didn't seem great, don't know if that was just a demo thing or not?
• It still feels like the CPU has an advantage in basic things like blocking, which shouldn't be the case, as the CPU is controlling my blockers as well. It needs to be fairer. I have no problem with not being able to run the ball, and having a bad game on the ground. But when I can barely take the handoff without being tackled, and it's on nearly every play, there's something wrong.

OVERALL

Overall I think the demo is a nice step forward, and I'm sure some of these issues will have been fixed for the final build. Improvements made on both sides of the ball are noticeable, and in general it's a very good game of football. My only problem is deciding if it's worth getting over NCAA, which I enjoyed a bit more when I played the demo. I'll play it soem more and try to figure it out, but I'm leaning towards Madden because they don't sell NCAA in the UK.

[PAPERNUT]

Quote: Originally Posted by rckabillyRaider

just tried the ps3 demo. I liked it but something is just not right. I can't really figure it out. What I did notice right away is the beginning cut scene where Manning is getting off the bus and his head is abnormaly too small for his body. lol.

I thought the same thing. Looked like Frankenstein to me. I agree with most that something is off with the looks of the players and movement. It is like they tried to implement what NCAA has, but did not have time to fit it all in. It is a demo, so that may be it as well, but I hope most of this does not find its way into NCAA next year (strat pad, kick meter, etc).

Doubt this will be a buy for me as NCAA is solid and with no improvements to the franchise mode ( presentation, highlights, throw me a bone please) as I am primarily an offline gamer, I will wait till next year.

[stealthieOne]

Quote: Originally Posted by woody2goody

I've played 3 games so far, 2 with the Colts and 1 with the Jets, and generally my attitude is positive. Things I like: The passing is nice, as usual. Not too difficult and not too easy. The new commentary is better - some decent interaction between the two, and a few very nice observations on previous drives. I've seen many new animations in running, catching and tackling The gameflow is great on offense, the playcalling is realistic, and the ability to tailor your gameplan is brilliant, and will hopefully save a lot of time in franchise mode. The running game is really fun when the blocking works. Playing with the Jets, you can really see the differences between Greene and Tomlinson, and what they are both good at. Pass blocking is decent, giving you a reasonable time to throw the ball Screens work nicely for the first time in a long time. The new dual stick controls are really good, and I reckon they will be very useful once I get to learn them a bit more. The new audible system rocks - it is easy to use and is quicker than the previous system The new replays are really good, however I hope they are longer in the full version, because I broke off an 80 yard run after breaking two tackles, and when I went back to watch the replay, it started after the last tackle was avoided I Don't Like: The O Line cannot run block on All-Pro. In my last game with the Colts, I had just two runs of more than 3 yards, and EVERY running play I called, a man made it into the backfield almost immediately after the handoff. I only had time to beat him once with Addai, and managed to pick up a gain of 12. This is the biggest issue for me so far. The defence does kick pursuits far too well. I haven't made it anywhere near the 30 on any kickoff return, as they all seem to just bear down on the ballcarrier. Punt returns are almost as bad - the D seems to react instantly when I make a cut. I'm amazed that no-one seems to have realised that in real life, the D reacts to the ballcarrier with varying degrees of success - they don't mirror them exactly. Still don't like Fight for the Fumble too much - it isn't intuitive and I'd rather just have normal fumble recoveries. It's an option isn't it, so I'll be turning that off. Nice idea though. The Strategy Pad is frustrating. Over the years, Madden (and NCAA) players have been used to instinctively pressing whatever buttons they need to make defensive adjustments. Now all that is gone, and it will need to be relearned from scratch. When the NCAA 11 demo came out, I hadn't played an EA football game since last September, but I could still remember 90% of my defensive adjustments despite a long break. Now, we have less time to make adjustments because they aren't as quick to make, and also, the chances of making the wrong adjustments have exponetially increased. It's not terrible, but once you mastered the old system, you could make two or three changes before every snap if you wanted, and that is impossible now. The graphics didn't seem great, don't know if that was just a demo thing or not? It still feels like the CPU has an advantage in basic things like blocking, which shouldn't be the case, as the CPU is controlling my blockers as well. It needs to be fairer. I have no problem with not being able to run the ball, and having a bad game on the ground. But when I can barely take the handoff without being tackled, and it's on nearly every play, there's something wrong. OVERALL Overall I think the demo is a nice step forward, and I'm sure some of these issues will have been fixed for the final build. Improvements made on both sides of the ball are noticeable, and in general it's a very good game of football. My only problem is deciding if it's worth getting over NCAA, which I enjoyed a bit more when I played the demo. I'll play it soem more and try to figure it out, but I'm leaning towards Madden because they don't sell NCAA in the UK.

Just wanted to comment on the running. I'm not sure if switching from gameflow to conventional made a difference but I was pretty successful running the ball last night where on previous tries it was exactly how you said above. I then proceded to switch the difficulty every quarter.. i had success running until i got to all madden which then turned into what you said above.

[Gary Armida]

Here's my two cents:

I like the idea of gameplanning. It does allow for quicker games and the option to prepare for a team each week. If you set the audibles right, you can have your own play. I also like the option of opening the playbook classic style.

The strategy pad is an improvement...I really didn't have a problem with the pace after a series. I think Madden gets stuck between two camps...the ones that want improvement and the ones that say they want improvement. Pad seems to ignite the latter.

Gameplay wise, I felt as if I was playing Madden. Running felt better, but nothing overly stood out other than I was on a 360 for the first time in two years and realize how much better it looked.

Not sure if it's a purchase on day one. Unless I hear some franchise mode improvements, I'm not sure it's a go for me this year. I may just get NCAA instead. Still into Baseball...

Overall, I don't see so many negatives or too many leaps forward, as is always the case. Still, after a couple of games, I thought it improved over 10.

Like I said--grain of salt.

[woody2goody]

Quote: Originally Posted by stealthieOne

Just wanted to comment on the running. I'm not sure if switching from gameflow to conventional made a difference but I was pretty successful running the ball last night where on previous tries it was exactly how you said above. I then proceded to switch the difficulty every quarter.. i had success running until i got to all madden which then turned into what you said above.

The problems I'm having are on All-Pro, which is annoying. I played on Pro for one game and got some great blocking, but then I played with the Colts earlier and couldn't run at all, despite establishing the pass.

Contrasting that with the NCAA 11 demo, I was playing that on the same difficulty (All-American?), and the running was really nice. There was a great balance there, which at the moment isn't in M11. On Pro it was slightly (not too) easy to run, but then on All-Pro it was impossible.

That's not me being dramatic, because I was doing HB Dives up the middle and getting stopped almost before I even got to the trenches. On only one occasion did I have the time to even try to break a tackle and get a decent gain.

I'm not wanting to get 200 yards rushing every game, just a decent balance, and more consistent blocking (as opposed to consistently bad) would be good.

The same applies to kick and punt returns as well.