Madden NFL 12 Demo Available Now, Post Impressions Here (360, PS3)

[EccentricMeat]

After playing a few games in the demo, I can safely say that this is BY FAR the best Madden I've ever played.

There are, of course, a few things I think need to be changed. However, most of these are completely aesthetic changes, which is the first time I can ever say that about a Madden game.

Basically the changes I see that should be made are as follows:

The camera angle on kickoffs - even though you can hit RT to get rid of it.

The camera angle after a play is chosen - it should cut straight to the classic view like NCAA 12.

The kick meter - I honestly hate both the look and functionality of this new (recycled) feature. I think they should put in the kick meter used in NCAA 12, and possibly alter the left-right sensitivity to increase the possibility of missed kicks.

Spin on the football - This one baffles me. The ball will spin one way, then the other, then stop spinning, or just not spin at all. How hard can this one be to fix? Make the ball spin to the right for right-handed throws, and left for left-handed throws.

The controls - Change the controls to be the same as NCAA 12, or at least make them customizable. I want to be able to use the RS to pump fake, RB to throw the ball away, and the ability to use RT/R2 passing again.

Finally, and the biggest one in my opinion, is the defensive/offensive playmaker controls. NCAA 12 has these PERFECT, and if Madden were to just copy those controls over, it would be perfect. One thing I would add though is that using the left or right analog to playmaker a defender would NOT make them move or try to jump the snap like it does in NCAA 12.

[Ankido]

Look close at the lines both offense and defense when a play is chosen. The defense line hunch their backs and walk all funny to the line and the center actually does the correct animation. Why is that? It looks so 1990's.

[bep713]

First Impression:
WOW. The very first stadium shot looked amazing. I'm hoping they put in variety in these so they don't become stale. (I did see different shots in different games). I also really liked that the camera angles in the pre-game were different in one of my games. Good to see variety. I played Madden 10 to death and skipped Madden 11 cause of franchise mode. I'm also a pretty big 2k5 fan, but I have to admit that Madden 10 did beat out 2k5 in some aspects (not franchise). Back on subject, I really hope this Madden will be the one that will make people stop comparing to 2k5. This demo further proved that this year will be a good one. Anyway, here's my impressions from 4 games:
Pros:
-Amazing graphics
-Crowd seems to be in the game
-Running game is pretty good (feels like NCAA 11 when running)
-Helmet degradation was a nice surprise for me.
-First game I played, pro was pretty difficult but as I got used to it I got better. All-Pro is still pretty challenging.
-3D grass looks nice
-New tackle animations are refreshing.
-I LOVE the scoreboard. Looks great.
-Little thing I found to be really cool: I scored a pick 6 with Woodson, and he did the Heisman pose. Not sure if this was included in previous games, but for me it was cool to see.
-It looks like they tried hard to remove the suction/warping. I replayed a corner TD and as Jennings went up to grab the TD there was no warping and player force fields were respected. As he came down though, Jennings hands went through the bears helmet.

Cons:
-I clearly got a 1st down but the game did not acknowledge it.
-Not sure if this is really a con, maybe intentionally put in, but as Jennings went to grab a sideline grab it looked like a force field prevented him from stepping out (good gain for me but it felt forced)
-Tackle intensity is a TAD too high. I can't say enough how refreshing the animations looked (Again, haven't really played 11). However, there is a tad too many big hits, which really isn't a big deal for me at all. Personally it makes the game less boring.
-Game speed is a tad high for my taste, but again no big deal at all with the online communities (great idea BTW)
-DPP didn't affect players that much other than making Cutler run more. However, this could be a good thing. I'd rather the effects be subtle than overdone.
-Punt returns, same problem for awhile
-CPU playcalling needs a bit of adjusting but they couldn't include everything! Hopefully next year they can really focus on that and commentary.

This Madden could be the one for me that finally overtakes Madden 2005 for the best Madden. Will be spending hours upon hours in franchise. Overall, a fantastic demo.

[inkcil]

Game feels completely fresh to me...players have weight, momentum and you actually FEEL like you are controlling a CPU-character in football pads.

[cavsfan2]

*sigh* Why does Matt Forte break every tackle like hes marshawn lynch in beast mode?
Why does Brian Urlacher catch Greg Jennings in the open field when Jennings had a ten yard head start?

[jtdribbles25]

Quote: Originally Posted by cavsfan2

*sigh* Why does Matt Forte break every tackle like hes marshawn lynch in beast mode? Why does Brian Urlacher catch Greg Jennings in the open field when Jennings had a ten yard head start?

not seeing this at all....sigh

[jpdavis82]

For those of you who still have a copy of the NFC championship game go back and watch it now. You will have flashbacks of Madden 12 almost constantly with all these camera angles. This is crazy how much Madden 12 and the NFC championship look a like. THAT is the sign of a good sports game.

I have a feeling this is going to happen to people all year as they watch football it will remind them of something in Madden 12.

[Broncos86]

Quote: Originally Posted by cavsfan2

*sigh* Why does Matt Forte break every tackle like hes marshawn lynch in beast mode? Why does Brian Urlacher catch Greg Jennings in the open field when Jennings had a ten yard head start?

Sliders and difficulty? I always turn the speed differential to zero.