Madden NFL 11 Demo Available Now, Please Post Impressions Here

[ab2c4]

I don't know if this has been asked before but has anybody played both the ps3 and 360 versions of the demo? Are there any differences for or against either version?

I am undecided on which console to buy it for. I like both controllers and have been playing NCAA 11 on the 360 and love it, but my ps3 has been collecting dust the last several months and I am trying to find some game to get some use out of it.

[GivenWings]

I don't know if it's just me, but this is the second demo (TW11) in the last while that's had horrible sound quality. Other than that, I really enjoy the demo, but like TW11, the sound quality really surprised me. I definitely expected better from EA Sports.

[pietasterp]

Downloaded the demo, played about 4-5 games...I just see absolutely no difference between this version and last year's version (which I liked for the most part). Honestly, if someone put both games in and didn't tell you which one you were playing, I don't think you'd be able to tell the difference. If there are improvements, they are very small and incremental.

I admit that the coordinators telling you about the plays in your headset is pretty cool, but by the 2nd game I went right back to calling all my own plays...I mean, 90% of the fun for me in playing a football game is the strategy (or strategery) of playcalling. Take that away, and it's basically NFL Blitz...

Gonna have to say "pass" this year...

[staffan]

Feels really sad!

For the first time since Madden 92 (I think) i will not buy this years game.

Mostly due to horrendous collision detection.
It really takes away everything for me.
And a load of other things that EA don´t have the will to fix.

Really sad not to have a football game!

Good luck to all of you that have the ability to enjoy the game.

[mmarino]

Longtime reader of the board, second time (I think) poster....

I may be in the minority here, I like a lot of things about this game in particular, even relative to NCAA 2011 (which is great, btw).

First, I like how the pass routes time up with the QB's drop (which isn't the case in NCAA). I can now throw the corner or the curl or even the fade "on time," i.e., on my QB's last step or after one hitch, and hit my receiver breaking at the right moment. I have noticed this most on curls and post-corner routes, where I can hit my last step of my drop and deliver the ball before the WR breaks and have the pass arrive on time and out of reach of the defender. I have also noticed that if my receiver is running a streak and is outside the DB, I can put a ball on his outside shoulder and improve the chance of a completion.

Playing off that, I have noticed that if the defense presses my receiver, the timing must be adjusted on all routes, which I like.

Second, I like how receivers adjust to and run around zone defenders and throttle down in open zones. That is "new" to Madden, where, before, receivers would just fly into and out of zones and into and out of defenders. This is a huge improvement in my book.

While I don't think the running game animations are perfect, they are heading the right direction - if I hit the hole with some speed, I will get at least a few yards and not get caught in an animation where I get dropped behind the line with an arm tackle (as in past versions). Furthermore, the line blocking rules create much more "natural" looking holes. And the DB/WR blocking feels right - the WRs get in front of the DBs and slow them down but don't suck onto them in unnatural ways.

In short, I think the passing game timing and route running has improved drastically. I also think the running game is heading in a much much better direction than in any iteration of Madden in the past.

Going forward and building off this version, I would suggest the developers of Madden do more to the WR/DB or defensive interaction. What I mean by that is that while the leverage the WR has on the DB matters somewhat in this version, it is not to the level it needs to be. Leverage matters a lot in "real football." In other words, depending on the defense, the DBs should line up on the inside or outside of a WR (or disguise it) and try to keep the WR from getting outside or inside. For example, if the defense is Cover 0 (all man, no safety help), most corners will play inside the WR (inside leverage) and try to take away crossing routes (which are dangerous and hard to cover in 1-on-1 situations). Or, if the corner has safety help to the inside (as in Cover 1 with 1 safety), the corner may play outside leverage to take away the fade, but give the receiver an easier time running to the middle of the field where the corner has help. Sorry if this is long, but APF 2k8 and 2k5 did a great job of reflecting the right leverages for pass coverage (and letting the user alter it) so I know Madden could do it eventually. With what they have now, this would be a great addition to Madden 2012. I know I personally would rather have DB leverage choices than all the defensive hot routes in the world.

Bottom line, I think Madden is approaching real football while keeping things fun, but it could do a few small things better. I am going to get the game this year and I think I will really enjoy it.

P.S. This is a great board and I really enjoy reading what all you guys think.

[Todem]

Things I like

1) The deep ball is back. On my very first play of my very first game on All-Pro with default sliders I hit Reggie Wayne in stride for a 79 yard steak down the sideline. I was fist pumping and hooting it up. Yes! The deep ball is back.

2) Running game - feels silky smooth and I did not mind the auto sprint at all. It feels right. I also love the right stick and how a slight push here or there moves your players hips etc. The running game feels more natural than ever.

3) Gameflow - I think this can be a very useful feature for those that can utilize it in combination with the full playbook. I very much look forward to creating my own gameplan and seeing how it plays out. I can see myself calling a lot of my own defensive plays though. So I think for the offense this can be a great tool to give you the feeling of being a QB and not worrying about fumbling through so many plays when you know you have 20 core plays you love to use. Just rank them for your favorite siutations and give it a go. You can always audible out as well. I think you can't really judge this till you truly use it in franchise mode on the official release.

4) Sideline physics - Big time improvement. Nuff said

What I don't like

1) Strat Pad - I know I know, but when you have the old way built into your thunmbs it's tough. I like the idea but not the execution. I also hope they slow down the snap speed for the AI otherwise this would be a train wreck. But they are patching it so no reason to complain. And I am not. The option will be there for classic controls. Thank goodness they listened.

2) Pro Tak - WTF happened? I have seen one gang tackle in 7 games. Not good.

3) Franchise Mode - I have read nothing is being upgraded or changed, huge letdown. I mean monster letdown.

4) Presentation - A train wreck.


Overall - NCAA 2011 seems to have Madden pawned this year. NCAA 2011 feels amazing, plays like a tight well executed game. Madden feels like others have said "a polished up 2010" Which is not a bad thing at all. I thought Madden 2010 was the best Madden on the next gen hands down and best since 2005. The game looked great. They just need to really step up the presentation and Franchise mode to make it the complete package. But it seems they don't care about that. Which is odd because NCAA 2011 is amazing. The presentation is fantastic, and the dynasty gameplay is deep and immersive. I love my online dynasty and my offline dynasty.

Here is hoping Madden (with some competition soon) will step up for the Sim player. Just look at what NFL 2K5 did on last gen and learn a thing or 2 about franchise and ESPN presentation. That is all that is truly lacking for Madden.

Gameplay wise and the fun factor...they have that down. I love playing Madden....always have.

[Quintin]

The strategy pad is clumsy and takes too long to make selections with. The computer assisted picks don't occur as often, atleast in the games I've played. Darrell Revis is a beast getting pass deflections and blanketing anyone he is covering man to man. I've been playing on all-pro and I must say the Jets defense is very dominant.

[goh]

+ Great presentation aspects. I like Gus' over the topness.
+ Like NCAA the locomotion does a good job at making things feel better that just another Madden.

- That kicking meter is awful.

I used the gameplan thing. Wasn't awful. I even listened directly to the coach a few times without looking for myself. Ex. He said 3 step drop and fire it to your #1. I did and it worked.

I didn't mind the strategy pad for hot routes as much as some do either but the old way was better.