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

[IGetBiddies]

Pros - nice graphical improvements as far as colors and scratches on helmets, the offensive line can now run block

Cons - halftime show is terrible, DB's still drop easy INTs, SUPER JUMPING LBs!!!, Can't really feel the Dynamic Player Performance, I did see Cutlers change in the pause menu because I was getting alot of pressure but couldnt notice the difference between scrambling often and him being trigger happy making it a failed and pointless addition, IMHO.

Obviously, this is a demo and not the most recent build. I hope they have cleaned up most of these issues by release.

[Black59Razr]

Pros: After two games, I can't really see many specific pros as far as gameplay. It just all seems a notch up overall. It is much easier to make defensive hot routes and the defense plays much smarter.

Cons: The only serious problem I see is that the receivers still have clairvoyant powers (All-Madden). I had my TE on a streak with a linebacker strafing over the top. I threw the ball to the TE and pressed hard left, away from the linebacker. Hoping I threw an INT or incomplete pass, the linebacker did nothing about it, even though he was watching the QB the entire time. The TE summoned his powers and made the proper cut a fraction of a second after the ball left the QBs hand, without even looking back. The TE made the catch and the defender, who saw the whole thing, followed up with a tackle. The game still has intentionally messed up AI. Not sure why EA chooses not to take this next step. All I do know is we, the consumer, loose when there is no competition in the marketplace.

Still though, can't wait to play a few hundreds online games!!!

[marc68]

I wish we knew if this was apre E3 build. I think the demo is solid, but imagine if it IS an early build....the finished product will be better!
Can't get a definite answer.

[SDOTizBak23]

From reading alot of these posts... I think the main thing we need is COMPETITON in the NFL video game industry. Bottom line is... Madden is good... It's ok in many areas and terrible in some as well. Will we ever get a perfect football game?!? I dunno... But will we ever get another company to join the market 2K, Sony, Etc. I think it's really possible. I read someone posts before and I fully agreed with what he said. EA will milk the time in between upgrades/improvements as long as they hold the NFL gaming rights. Madden is all we have as football fans and as sport gamers, and really it's up to us to prove opinions can matter is sales. MLB the show vs mlb2k? The show right!!! NBA 2k vs Live/elite? 2k right!!! I mean it's obvious EA has a strangle hold on us for now. I don't expect serious super great improvements but I do expect slightly better products every year and with EA and Madden they are in no rush to make this improvements. We deal with it or just flat out stop buying Madden games. Tough to do right? I bet atleast half te guys in here who say I air buying this blah blah blah will end up getting it because well... It's all we have. Options are better when you have them... Rolls Royce or Mclaren??? Now that's tough!!!!

[guaps]

Quote: Originally Posted by roadman

Actually, I'm finding Cullen Jenkins(Packers RE) getting plenty of sacks. This is the first time in Madden I've noticed that. One play I was controlling Mathews and I blew by Cutler and Pickett was there to finish him off.

True, it appears to be possible to get sacks from your REs. Haven't seen any from a ROLB yet though.

When playing 3-4, the linebackers are the ones making the most fuzz in the backfield. I've had plenty of sacks with both OLB Matthews, but also MLBs Hawk and Barnett depending on my strategy. Jenkins also gets sacks, but mostly from the QB holding on to the ball too long. When I'm blitzing the OLB I try if I can occupy two offensive linemen with Raji or Jenkins by doing a swim move and get around the defender. If I'm blitzing the MLBs I try and bull rush the center, which has proven to be very successful. I often leaves just enough room for the MLBs to get though into the backfield without nano blitzing or any other cheating.

In a 4-3 both your DEs are finally worth their money, they get sacks either by themselves or when blitzing - I often try to overload the left side of the OL, which usually gets Peppers in the backfield in a flash.

[spit_bubble]

Genius...

I manage to bum rush Cutler with a blitz and force a fumble on their own 20 or so...

Big Ryan Pickett picks up the ball and starts rumbling towards the goal line...

It looks like he's going to make it even though the pursuit is hot on his tail...

I press the dive button in celebration and he jumps in the air and does a full spread eagle dive...

Arms and legs spread out wide, before all 310 pounds of him comes crashing down in the end zone...

[The 24th Letter]

I swear running the ball just isnt rewarding in Madden....theres no rhyme or reason to it...all you can do is approach a hole and hope the DLs dont all the sudden fly off of their blocks and hit you...

Running the ball is probably my favorite thing to do in regards to video game football...finding that hole, knowing your oline is going to make a effort to hit their assignment, making plays...I love it.

This is more like a game of chance though...they need to take a hard look at the trenches man...its been meh for a while now...

[nxt]

Quote: Originally Posted by The 24th Letter

I swear running the ball just isnt rewarding in Madden....theres no rhyme or reason to it...all you can do is approach a hole and hope the DLs dont all the sudden fly off of their blocks and hit you... Running the ball is probably my favorite thing to do in regards to video game football...finding that hole, knowing your oline is going to make a effort to hit their assignment, making plays...I love it. This is more like a game of chance though...they need to take a hard look at the trenches man...its been meh for a while now...

Did you turn off auto sprint in the options? I was having problems running because the DL was coming off blocks too quick. I really think pressing the sprint button too soon triggers the DL to shed blocks. Try following your blocks and then sprinting when in the hole or when in the open field.