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

[Armor and Sword]

Kicking is a major surprise. It looks and feels awesome. And i have not even fiddled with the sliders at all. Once I get a great set in place it will be even more of a challenge.


As far as the default camera angle. You will have the zoomed camera option, the broadcast option or the classic option (demo). I am going to give the zoomed camera a run this year as I have heard it adds so much in the way of sim elements, and the game looks gorgerous as your much closer to the field.

If your a long time Madden fan....IMO this is the Madden we have been waiting for on next gen.

I can see myself diving into gameplanning big time with the improved gameflow system. I have been using it for 70% of my play calls and I can't wait to customize it and challenge myself to execute the plays as if I am the player and the coach is calling them in. It adds a major element of sim and challenge. Plus when you customize your audibles you can change the play if warrented.

I have seen DPP at work. Finely got rocked a few times going across the middle for some catches. He dropped both after getting blown up. He then had DPP take effect in dropping wide open passes (he was now hearing footsteps).

Dude!!!! Are your friggin joking me?

THIS GAME IS GOING TO ROCK!!!!

[Super Glock]

Quote: Originally Posted by Armor & Sword

As a 20 year veteran of the series I keep leaping for joy about this years game. It feels brand new. I can't put my finger on it, but it finally feels next gen.

My thoughts exactly.

[Mike Smoove]

What I like to see improved

-Foot planting
-WR/DB attacking the ball when its in the air, they seem to just play a animation and hope the ball falls in their hands
-More catching animations
-blocking is better but could still be improved
-Ball trajectory is better but could still be improved
-The ball needs to naturally come out of the QBs hand when he throws it, it kinda morphs around and just leaves his arm
-Obviously more physics where more than 3 players can interact on a tackle. NOT PROTAK
-Dynamic line interactions
-Dynamic injuries
-animations have improved greatly but still need work, still a little robotic and twitchy

overall im loving this demo but these are just some things that hopefully can get touched for next years game. keep up the good work EA hope a dev sees this.
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[PAPERNUT]

Quote: Originally Posted by Armor & Sword

As a 20 year veteran of the series I keep leaping for joy about this years game. It feels brand new. I can't put my finger on it, but it finally feels next gen.

Same here. Think it is the new camera angles and presentation that is doing it for me. If they could just add Dan Keiff or whatever his name was from the 2K announcing team and a halftime show, the presentation debate cab be ended. The on field stuff is the main thing I prefer the most though. Glad to see the kicking meter make a return again as it will finally result in missed FGs (for me at least). Removal of suction blocking has opened both games up for better running and tackling now.

Still want more as we all have noted time and time again, but the fact is we will never see a complete game with everything we want. Much like batteries, if they never failed, we would not have to buy more. The EA brass would never allow that. What is here now is a good start and after sitting the last few years out, I may buy this year and have some fun at least.

[SIR924]

After not buying madden for years, I must say this demo feels nice. Its not a perfect game, but it's much better than years past. I think if EA focused on the running animations more, the game would really get more props! No game is perfect, not even the Lovely 2K5. And yes, EA should be far more ahead in making a good game or a great game, but it's not easy trying to please every one. But I think this year's madden is a pretty decent game IMO!!!!

[Aggies7]

Quote: Originally Posted by jpdavis82

Let's compare the two, recent build vs. demo

I know I'm late to the party but I prefer the camera angle further away. Allows me to see more of the field and watch the play develop.

[2krunk4u]

Quote: Originally Posted by jeremym480

Exactly. I guess it cheating if I play on default AA across the board with the exception of bumping the CPU Running Ability and Run Blocking +15 too, right? Especially, since in most football games I've played the CPU running isn't that great out of the box. Sliders are as important to sports games as picking the minute per quarter that you play. They've done nothing but, make the user experience better. Personally, I wouldn't play a football, baseball or basketball game that didn't have them. The only game that I play that doesn't is UFC and I'd love to see THQ add them *crosses fingers

Quote: Originally Posted by weeeeeeez

Is there anyway to turn off that annoying cutscene every time after you pick a play ? I just want to get my defense set up. I know you can press A to hurry it up but it is still pretty annoying.

Press O and it'll go away.

[guaps]

Quote: Originally Posted by unBEARable

Average for me, it was nice to play some football though as i've not bothered with madden since 09 and I didn't like that version. Still lacking PI calls even when set to 100 as well as other penalties. Also still lacking challenge options. Also experienced some dodgy OL blocking when my center ignored the NT in a 3 front so my QB just got sacked. It's not as bad as previous years but it was a reminder of things that annoy me about Madden. The new camera angles are nice though. The franchise additions have got me tempted BUT I'm going to continue on with the demo for a week or so to see if i'm going to pick it up. Been burnt by Madden to many times in the past.

I've had the NT unblocked on a few plays too, but they were all run plays. Even plays where up to three guys (C, RG and FB) all missed the NT. I mean, come on, he's 6'2" 340 lbs and not the kind of guy you easily overlook. I haven't seen it on any pass plays yet, but I did notice that's he's incredibly fast once he's off his blocker.

Regarding the dodgy blocking, the OL/DL interaction still seem very scripted to me, as it's been in the past. I especially don't like the fact that DL don't have a drive to get to the ball carrier. They run about and interact with the OL, but they're not really trying to get to the ball carrier.

One of the worst examples of this so far was a play, where one of my DTs was assigned to spy the QB (to counter the mad QB runs) and my other DT was doing a stunt. I had to record a video of it, because it looked so wrong. I'm user controlling Peppers and do get to the QB albeit too late (he threw a TD on that pass), but my DT just runs straight past a WIDE open hole in the offensive line without noticing it. Also the LG seems aware of the play, so he moves into position to block before the DT is even half way there.


On a side note, does anyone, who's tried a more recent build, know if they've fixed zone coverage in regards to the running game? I've seen instances where a CB in zone coverage doesn't recognize a scrambling QB until he's over the line of scrimmage - even if he's running straight at the CB and there's no receiver in his zone.

Also, if your LBs are in zone coverage on a run play, they have to wait until the ball is handed off to the RB before they can react. It appears that play recognition doesn't have any effect until the handoff has taken place - even for players like Urlacher. This is very disappointing, but would explain (along with overpowered OLs) why running is so easy in Madden 12.