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

[kej2u]

Maybe it's just me...

...but I still play Madden 08 on the PC because it is based off the supremely-polished ps2 game engine but with better graphics. I buy Madden every year for the PS3 and just played the demo last night and this morning.

Going from playing the PS2 engine to this one is like going from standing on ground to ice. The players are too loose in terms of control on the demo. I understand momentum but man when I push the stick the player should immediately start that way. Passing motions take wayyyyy too long to develop leading to sacks that wouldn't happen in real life. Clay Matthews plays like no mere human. My WR's drop wide open passes in order to keep the game close. Same with picks. The run game is decent but I always feel slightly out of control. Same with controlling a defender. Like there is a slight lag. This coming from a perennial die-hard Madden-head since the original Genesis game.

I had a lot of hope seeing gameplay vids. Graphics and intros and presentation are stellar but on the field just falls really flat for me. I'll probably buy it just to play with my Eagles. But, deep inside, I'm not very satisfied at all with gameplay. It's like walking up on a hot Ferrari and getting inside and realizing it's just a Ferrari body kit over a stretched Fiero.

[jmurphy31]

Just as other people have, I have expressed my gripes with the CPU's 2 Minute offense and clock management (it's not very good whether they are winning or losing). But I also, have noticed that Aaron Rogers just goes firectly into scramble mode once the ball is hiked (when they are losing). It has a happened in 3 games already all which the scenario was similar

The Packers are down late in the game, they call I pass and I get pressure on Rogers, so he takes off and starts running. They go no huddle, snap the ball and Rogers immediately takes off and doesn't even look for a WR, and so on until fourth down...

[bucky60]

Quote: Originally Posted by roadman

I'll just quote everything here. Never been a next gen sports game where I played with sliders out of the box. I'm testing for quite some time before I get comfortable with where I'm at. I'm a stickler for seasonal averages.

Me too. I sure hope someone can find some realistic slider settings. I get so tired and frustrated putting all that time into adjusting them. And then, still it's never really right. With GB being very good, and the new Franchise improvements, I'm desperate for slider settings that work for what I'm looking for, realism. Keeping fingers crossed.

[MrCheese]

The D seems a bit smarter this year, and the locomotion system seems to have been tweaked and thus improved.

It seemed really easy to break a 5 or 10 yard run with the QB on All Pro setting, I would hate to see what it's like playing Mike Vick lol.

But by far the big improvement is in the middle of the field. Those quick crossing routes don't seem as open as they were in the previous version, and the flats are guarded much better IMO. The Linebackers actually will make plays on the ball and turn around, where as in the previous years you could pass the ball over most linebackers without any worry.

I tried a few old nano blitz from last year and only about 25% worked, but overall it seemed easier to get sacks with regular blitz packages. And the D Ends actually got sacks in the demo, that never happened last year. So I have hope for this years Madden, but it still falls short to other sports titles such as NBA2k or MLB the show.

[spankdatazz22]

For what it's worth, playing All-Pro, w/auto-sprint off, slow speed - no other adjustments:

+ Nice, lengthy 4qtr/5min demo w/lots of base options including replay - kudos to EA
+ I prefer realtime presentation, but the cutscenes are a big plus and mostly well done. While it's cool they've added tons of camera angles, think the game would benefit from showing more tv style camera angles
+ Less suction; noticeably improved
+ Tackling is much improved. Was seeing too many blow-up-guys-flying-5yds-in-the-opposite-direction tackles with game speed on Normal. Things seem toned down on Slow speed so far. Nice variety on solo tackles, multiple player tackles still lacking but better than M11 w/less suction
+ Had a play where cpu Packers were in bump and run, Tramon Williams vs Devin Hester. With Williams being more physical he noticeably gave Hester lots of trouble at the LoS, where the other DB/WR interaction wasn't as pronounced. Nice seeing the variation
+ Really like the true-to-life field goal camera


- SKATING - ugh. They have to figure a way to tether ALL the players feet to the ground. WRs seem to plant well for the most part; DBs don't seem to need to adhere to the same principles and will twist/contort unrealistically to give a sense of movement
- Lack of momentum/momentum not really respected lots of the time. Examples: multiple hit tackles on Normal speed; also had a play where Jermichael Finley is running in the back of the endzone full speed - then stops on a dime a yard or so from the endzone line to make a toe-drag catch. Too often players are moving then inexplicably stop and move in the other direction (such as when plays end). A better system of momentum would really open up the game for lateral movement. Since last gen everything has been mostly north/south
- OL/DL interaction is mostly so-so to poor. No on the fly double teams by offensive linemen, and many times the OL whiff/seem clueless on picking up defenders. No drive blocking or bull rushing, doesn't seem guys can be driven more than a step or two forward or backwards. No speed rushing off the ends unless someone comes free, still. The interaction itself doesn't give much of a sense of physicality; seems like they're dancing
- Lack of variable running animations. I've seen WRs/DBs running with the exact same stride - arm swings, legs pumping, too often, for example. Players should have differing running styles, period. Too often multiple players are moving as if they're perfectly synched

[Ironic]

A player that I was not controlling blocked a field goal for me... I am sold!

[acreyman]

I just played the Demo, lost 9-7 to the Packs. I was trying out a bunch of different things to get a feel for the game and I really enjoyed the demo. I skipped Madden 11 so I was pretty pumped to see that it has been worth the wait.

I dont know what some of cry babies were expecting, but to me this game is gonna be great. I was more looking forward to the cool offline Franchise additions and I am pleased to see the gameplay is going to be great as well.

I liked the presentation alot, especially when a player got injured and they would show a replay of the collision, and multiple camera angles after certain plays adds alot. The graphics were much improved, the game seemed very smooth.

Couple things I was not too impressed with......the crowd is not that great. I usually play with the commentary off in NCAA but this year it seems like both games have problems with the stadium atmosphere. The Bears song needs to be blended in al little better. It sounded too studio-ish and not like it was part of the crowd. and I know Aaron Rogers scrambles from time to time, but man he looked kinda like MV on a few plays. Now I didnt see the same mobility as MV with him as far as agility and spin and juke but he was able to get some good runs in. It looks like stopping a Vick scamble is gonna be scary.

But overall I loved the demo and I will definatly be picking this up. This just absolutely cemented my decision.

[acreyman]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ironic

A player that I was not controlling blocked a field goal for me... I am sold!

Yeah I forgot to mention it looked like field goals might actually be blockable from time to time. This is a great improvement!

OHHH and I noticed, unlike NCAA, there are NO super-linebackers.