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

[jayhawkblue]

Kind of a minor thing, but I really like that they have a variety in cleats this year. Looks like they even have cleats that some of the real life counterparts wear, like Aaron Rodgers.

[babythug23]

Had some time with the demo. When i 1st posted in this thread is didn't like the game to much after 1 game. Played bout 15 games or so put speed on VERY SLOW. Still seems a lil to fast even for very slow.Still has that madden feel to it some like it some don't. I want something all new but that being said

The game got better the more i played it! Its better then the other madden on this gen. Looks great,GAMEplay is getting better slowly. For a Madden game it is alright its something we should have got 3 or 4 years ago. Still don't know if i will buy it. I might if i get tired of 2k5 and want something differnet. For a madden game its better......

[JaZart]

It's better than any other Madden this gen but still doesn't touch any last gen football title. Honestly I've given up hope of madden reaching the level of '05 this gen. Same problems that can't/won't be fixed until the game's engine is replaced completely. I wouldn't have a problem with the game having canned animations if they weren't so limited and robotic that it causes morphing/suction/warping etc. Probably wont be until the next gen of consoles until EA decides to use a new engine for their football games. Hopefully that'll be in the next 2-3 years. Until then I expect nothing but a new gameplay gimmick, couple new animations, and a few touch ups....

[rich7sena]

I've been playing the demo quite a bit since it debuted Tuesday and I'm very impressed in the game on the field this year.

Positives:

-The lack of suction on tackles makes the game feel more fluid and makes finding the hole feel more authentic.

-Hits and tackles, though a bit too ferocious, look better and feel better this year.

-Dynamic Player performance is a great feature and it definitely adds to the chess match on the field.

-Punt, Kick blocks are more likely to happen this year.

-Gameflow is improved

-Graphics look phenomenal, noticeably better than last year.

-Presentation and attention to detail (camera work, player models, texures, etc.) is superb.

-Despite what people have been saying, quarterback speed is spot on.

-Kicking is much improved from a gauge and camera standpoint.

-All-Madden difficulty almost a perfect representation of simulation difficulty (CPU running back still breaks a bit too many tackles).


Negatives

-Sometimes punt coverage is good, sometimes it completely is off.

-User control is still a must to compete in All-Madden. Receivers don't go for the ball on fades, streaks, etc. Players run significantly faster on defense when controlled by user.

-Timing routes still hit or miss.

-Still some semblance of being able to cheese your way to victory if you choose to play that way.

-Players forced to be greeted by cover boy Peyton Hillis in the main menu. Favorite team feature probably will not have returned, would be awesome.


All in all, I can't wait to get this game.

[theycallmeryan]

The demo is amazing, I think the full game could be 2K5 good.

[MiNiDiTkA]

While I think the tackling is much improved I still think it needs a little work in better representing the fight/struggle between offensive/defensive player. Here's a vid of M12 and APF 2K8 to illustrate my point. IMHO 2K8 does a bit better job of showing the struggle, that fight for that extra inch that hopefully Ea can improve upon next yr. One things for sure though and that's how fantastic M12 looks this yr

[KBLover]

Played a few demo games. Impressions so far (no settings changed other than speed threshold at 35 and speed to very slow, played as GB each time):

Scores have been pretty low. I like that. Lost first one 10-7 would have maybe gone into OT but I missed a FG in the 3rd quarter in absolutely comical fashion. I don't think it's even physically possible for the ball to travel like it did! Won second 10-7, just won one 13-10 on a last second 48yd FG. Granted, that's on 5 min quarters, and in the real game, I'll be trying to get 15 min quarters to work as I always do.

The in-game "manual"...sucks. I STILL don't know how to run a hurry-up and stumbled on the clock ball play by accident.

Passing seems...weird. Maybe I'm out of practice or something, but it seems like every ball goes up like a bomb, and then the bombs just seem to always come up short, and this with two strong-armed QBs. The WR is just stopped and waiting for the ball. Maybe my timing is off. I also use a light tap and push the stick up.

Running game still seems meh for my tastes. I'll have to up run blocking next time and see if that does anything to help.

Defense seems better/more aggressive. I don't see as much standing around and stuff.

Pass blocking seemed okay. Sometimes there's some serious pressure/sacks, but sometimes the pocket held up a long time.

Saw the AI overthrow WR - nice to see some "plain" incompletions instead of always "dropped INTs".

I hate the punt returning. In past versions, upping run blocking actually helped with this - so maybe it will here too.

Actually saw a blocked FG. Wasn't even close either - the end rusher nearly took it off the kicker's foot.

Receivers seem to do the top tapping at strange times sometimes. I don't know if that's AWR related or some other rating. Finley had a really bad case of alligator arms on one throw where he toe tapped...about 3 yards from the sideline.

Too early to tell if the good players truly stand out without being overpowered.

The Dynamic Player Performance seems interesting. I'm liking it so far. Changes up the game, tries to simulate mental changes (some good, some bad) by the players based on what's happened to them so far.

Did I mention I hate the running game once again? The "jump of the block" thing is still around. Might be a slider-solvable problem, or maybe the Bears have a high rated run defense, and the Packers certainly aren't known for their running game. Rodgers was their running game last year, basically.

QB scrambling against zone doesn't seem to work (it shouldn't, everyone is looking at the QB). Against man, it's a possible threat (as it should be to an extent, especially with a mobile QB).

Saw a few penalties. Again, not sure what the ratings are or if they are just super low out of the box again. AI Cutler did a delay of game once. That was interesting.

Is the suction gone this year? I can't say I saw/felt much.

Didn't see any LBs making super INTs. DBs might still be somewhat psychic - or maybe I was throwing at bad WR, like some guy named Cobb once, he just let the DB undercut him. I never threw it to him again.

FINALLY FIGURED OUT THE KICKING METER. Why wasn't this in the "manual"? I figured out I have to hit X more based on where I stop the power swing. Seems like once in the lower bracket, twice in the medium and thrice at the top power bracket (though I just spam it once it gets close to the accuracy window). I love the new kicking camera...for FGs and Punts. Wish the kickoff one used the same camera.

[KBLover]

Played a few demo games. Impressions so far (no settings changed other than speed threshold at 35 and speed to very slow, played as GB each time):

Scores have been pretty low. I like that. Lost first one 10-7 would have maybe gone into OT but I missed a FG in the 3rd quarter in absolutely comical fashion. I don't think it's even physically possible for the ball to travel like it did! Won second 10-7, just won one 13-10 on a last second 48yd FG. Granted, that's on 5 min quarters, and in the real game, I'll be trying to get 15 min quarters to work as I always do.

The in-game "manual"...sucks. I STILL don't know how to run a hurry-up and stumbled on the clock ball play by accident.

Passing seems...weird. Maybe I'm out of practice or something, but it seems like every ball goes up like a bomb, and then the bombs just seem to always come up short, and this with two strong-armed QBs. The WR is just stopped and waiting for the ball. Maybe my timing is off. I also use a light tap and push the stick up.

Running game still seems meh for my tastes. I'll have to up run blocking next time and see if that does anything to help.

Defense seems better/more aggressive. I don't see as much standing around and stuff.

Pass blocking seemed okay. Sometimes there's some serious pressure/sacks, but sometimes the pocket held up a long time.

Saw the AI overthrow WR - nice to see some "plain" incompletions instead of always "dropped INTs".

I hate the punt returning. In past versions, upping run blocking actually helped with this - so maybe it will here too.

Actually saw a blocked FG. Wasn't even close either - the end rusher nearly took it off the kicker's foot.

Receivers seem to do the top tapping at strange times sometimes. I don't know if that's AWR related or some other rating. Finley had a really bad case of alligator arms on one throw where he toe tapped...about 3 yards from the sideline.

Too early to tell if the good players truly stand out without being overpowered.

The Dynamic Player Performance seems interesting. I'm liking it so far. Changes up the game, tries to simulate mental changes (some good, some bad) by the players based on what's happened to them so far.

Did I mention I hate the running game once again? The "jump of the block" thing is still around. Might be a slider-solvable problem, or maybe the Bears have a high rated run defense, and the Packers certainly aren't known for their running game. Rodgers was their running game last year, basically.

QB scrambling against zone doesn't seem to work (it shouldn't, everyone is looking at the QB). Against man, it's a possible threat (as it should be to an extent, especially with a mobile QB).

Saw a few penalties. Again, not sure what the ratings are or if they are just super low out of the box again. AI Cutler did a delay of game once. That was interesting.

Is the suction gone this year? I can't say I saw/felt much.

Didn't see any LBs making super INTs. DBs might still be somewhat psychic - or maybe I was throwing at bad WR, like some guy named Cobb once, he just let the DB undercut him. I never threw it to him again.

FINALLY FIGURED OUT THE KICKING METER. Why wasn't this in the "manual"? I figured out I have to hit X more based on where I stop the power swing. Seems like once in the lower bracket, twice in the medium and thrice at the top power bracket (though I just spam it once it gets close to the accuracy window). I love the new kicking camera...for FGs and Punts. Wish the kickoff one used the same camera.