Madden NFL 11 Review

[xylocaine]

Operation Sports really gave EA a very soft review of Madden this year. The review is like a democrat interviewing Obama, and only giving him under hand pitched balls to hit. O.S. used to be counted on for the details about the game that we couldn't get from IGN, Gamespot, and G.I. etc but this guys review of probably the biggest sports release year after year just didn't cut it.

I Love Game Informers summary of their review, I couldn't have said it better myself (except I would have scored it about 8 points less than they did) and SHAME ON YOU EA for making the same mistakes year after year. And shame on you O.S. for praising EA year after year just to get in good with them. When you lose your objectivity then you will soon lose what made this site great.

"Game Informer
88
Madden NFL 11 is a clear step forward for the franchise, but as fun as the additions are, the fact that some of its glaring mistakes remain is like getting a new stud quarterback even though the offensive line still needs an upgrade. You're going to score, but you're still a team with weaknesses."

[scoobydoo]

IT's not like the game is bad. I agree with the consensus that this is the best Madden yet for the most part and am enjoying it. I wouldn't be here if I wasn't. There are a lot of positives. It's more the sugarcoating that bothers me while overlooking flaws that exist. In some form a lot of people rely on the hype and reviews and you give a game a 9 and then you wonder why you have people disapointed. It's not just OS. Every major reviewer sugarcoats their reviews and promotes the game in some fashion. They review a game but don't delve into all facets of it. IGN, Gamespot these mags i wonder if they even understand what they are playing. They basically give the game the same review every year almost word for word. At least they are consistant? I wouldn't mind a more critical review every once in a while though. I guess I can go listen to apex but he's just as bad on the other side of the fence.

[scoobydoo]

MAdden is not a true sim. EA uses smoke and mirrors to create an illusion in ways, but they did create a very addictive fun game this year. I agree with OS there. This game has a certain fun factor to it i that madden has lacked since the ps2 days. But it's still not where it should be. I'm also not saying Madden has to be a pure sim. I think a lot of peoples frustration is that Madden is the only option there is. Even for what Madden is there are still issues with it. They have created a fun and addictive experience. the lighting and fun factor seems to be much improved this year. The more I play this game the more the game pops. It recaptures a lot of that. They simplified the slider adjustments which i like. I actually like the way the strategy pad is incorporated. I think it fits well with what EA is trying to do. Bringing back the old method may be a mistake imo and open up all sorts of cheese again. Still too many dumb dbs with stone hands and suction blocking, etc though. Lack of modes and a really gamebreaking experience. Playbooks are basically cut in half this year. The momentum and blocking is better, but it still lacks realistic physics and player interaction in ways. It's not where it should be. Certain things in this game are still downright just not where it could be. All Madden difficulty, this games flaws really show, when that should be a great difficulty. But it's just awful. All Pro the game plays a good game of football but it's too cheesy the other way around at times. For what Madden is it may be deserving of a 9 I guess. But that review is also misleading and is going to leave a lot of people disapointed is my point. Madden has basically gone one direction with this game and has actually taken out a lot of what was in Madden 10 and refined this game for what it is at this point. Even that has problems.

[EQuipT]

Quote: Originally Posted by stateprop

Im sorry how is game a 9 when franchise mode and superstar mode haven't really been touch. Dont get me wrong the gameplay and graphics are 8.5 in my book. But Franchise and Superstar is a 7.5 at best. They havent improve franchise which by the way I play alot in sports games. So im scratching my head at this 9 score when one of the most important core of the game is untouch.

franchise is a negetive 3. make something at least look diff. i should still be playing ncaa

[spankdatazz22]

It still trips me out that IGN - #@!%# IGN - was harder on the title than OS was. Now in true IGN-like fashion watch every other game reviewed for the year receive ridiculous scrutiny, while Madden fluffs it's way through another year. I do agree w/the reviewer that this is likely the best next gen Madden to date, it needs to be placed in context. He should realize that's not saying much given their next gen history.

[xylocaine]

Quote: Originally Posted by spankdatazz22

I do agree w/the reviewer that this is likely the best next gen Madden to date, it needs to be placed in context. He should realize that's not saying much given their next gen history.

Amen brother!!

[Themarkedone]

How does this game score higher then The show or NHL? Both are so much more deeper, and represent their sport so much better then madden

The show got marked down as it was Similar to 9, yet franchise mode and superstar modes in MADDEN and the worst of ALL major sports titles and have basicially been left untouched for 4 years. Explain this?

Defense in 11 is broken, just look up you tube videos of defenders standing still, constantly allowing receivers ru past them and not even reacting, allowing them to get wide open by 15 yards. They also often dont even react to the ball, and just stand still while a receiver catches the ball right next to them

Broken tackles - need I say more? I have never played a so called SIm game that plays more arcadey then this. often no name RB's break 5 + tackles on a run, sometimes with 2-3 LB's on their back.

Play Action is broken, a major part of offense in the NFl is playaction, yet its broken and this game gets a 9? LMAO. The Lineman literally wont even try to block on PA plays, most of the time its a sack before the Qb even is ready.

It is obvious OS has some kind of affiliation with EA, IGN was harder on the game then a SO CALLED hardcore sports site.

This madden is more like arena football then madden, how can this game score a 9 with such stale modes and broken gameplay, when there is not one thing NHL or The Show does for their sports gets lower.

Online is a mess, with no penalties for quitters, cant invite friends to ranked matches, and its a shootout of **** proportions.

Strategy pad was a useless addition, as is gameflow, although Gameplanning IS a good concept, too bad the Ai still doesnt work properly with it right now.

KICK RETURNS, they dont BLOCK, LMAO. Again, why did OS not mention any of this barely at all in the reviews, this game is clearly designed at the casual COD gamer who wants to score TDs every drive.

No one can convince me OS has not lost a lot of credibility with their madden review this year.

[ddIvan]

Honestly,
I do not see how this game can get more then a 6/10 review.
It really is pretty awfull. Plenty of reasons are given in this thread as to what is broken/missing/bugged/removed/deleted/added etc So i dont think i need to list the same things over and over again.

It is really a shame that the monolopy of NFL football that EA holds just produces worse and worse releases every year.
And Yes I am a huge madden fan from SNES days And it really is just sad to see so many things removed/broken/missing/bugged/deleted/added that didnt need to be.

I'd love to see some competition again in NFL video games.
Because we the fans,players,supporterss for NFL football are loosing out in the end.