Madden NFL 13 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions Here (360, PS3)

[FT-Mac]

Played one game yesterday. Feels better that M12, I like the new engine, was imperessed all around. I was hoping I would get to try zoomed camera also. Does anyone know did they change zoomed camera view or is it the same as last year?

Demo look also somewhat dark?? Most dissapointing was that there's no half time show, just the same cutscenes. Overall much better than last year, commentary one major update. My major conserns are still CC, I like to make trades during season and control 32 teams.

[edjames01]

Quote: Originally Posted by FT-Mac

Played one game yesterday. Feels better that M12, I like the new engine, was imperessed all around. I was hoping I would get to try zoomed camera also. Does anyone know did they change zoomed camera view or is it the same as last year? Demo look also somewhat dark?? Most dissapointing was that there's no half time show, just the same cutscenes. Overall much better than last year, commentary one major update. My major conserns are still CC, I like to make trades during season and control 32 teams.

You can still make trades. Though, I believe CC will be way too complicated for anyone to control all the teams.

[edjames01]

Does it bother anyone else that you can't run a replay after a play has been completed?

[Armor and Sword]

Quote: Originally Posted by Nodima

Thoughts from a guy who hasn't played much since next gen jump: I vehemently dislike both next gen football offerings. I play the demos every year and they never get better (I bought Madden 08, and 10, returned both the same week). During the PS2 era I played 5-8 seasons deep on both NCAA and Madden, so when say vehemently dislike, I really, really mean it. For some reason (Infinity, influx of cash?), I've been really excited about this one. • The half-time highlight reel is horrible in the demo, all it shows is random scenes and QBs celebrating. What about the three touchdowns the teams scored? • Running game finally feels good again, although it still doesn't really feel like foot planting is going on. After so much NBA 2K you just expect momentum to have a little more impact on movement. • In general, this game animates pretty poorly. The videos of the Infinity Engine had me hyped up initially, but seeing it in motion it's a lot of the same old stuff it seems like. Almost half the tackles I saw looked like two players operating independent of each other, these guys just can't wrap their arms around the ball carrier. • The camera direction during cutscenes/replays is consistently terrible at worst, annoying at best. • With 58 seconds left the game upheld a game-tying touchdown by the 49ers during which you could clearly see both feet were out of bounds, but the player's hands caught the ball inbounds. Iffy spotting there. • Commentary isn't very contextual; Simms called me out for running a play on 1st & 10 a minute into the 2nd quarter that didn't get me a first down (it gained 9 yards). Later he said he wasn't sure I made the right decision to bring in my kicker to hit a 28 yard game-winning field goal with 11 seconds remaining and no timeouts. ...All that being said, I did have a lot of fun with the game. It's the first time in this generation that I can remember where it felt right playing FS the way I always used to on PS2. The crowd and annoucing team acted like nothing extraordinary was happening, but I ran an 81-yard drive with David Carr (Eli Manning's jaw had been broken on the drive just before the 49ers scored that non-TD) that included two 30 yard passes to Hakeem Nicks along the sidelines in just 58 seconds, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat (or overtime). It's the first time I can say I genuinely enjoyed playing a football game in a long while, but I'm still not sure I'd purchase it especially without draft classes this year.

Yeah this is just unreal. Tackling is a fundamental core of any football game and it has gone into the twilight zone with the IE. I am happy they are implementing RTP but the execution must be better than this for a major release of the only NFL video game in town. I expect a lot better. This is something that over the months I play the game will wear me out probably. It is exactly what wore me out with 12...the pinball tackle animation...now we have just mind bending physcially impossible tackles.

However the game is a lot of fun on offense.....and playing a few more games on defense I have figured out to not even bother being a DE/DT at the snap and I am starting to play FS/SS and switching to the closet man to the ball whether that is to make a sack, or tackle. It is the only way to enjoy defense. For 20 years I have played DE/DT and with this demo I can't...your sucked into blocks and can not shake free...I have tried the swim and club and it never works.

Overall.....graphically it is a nice upgrade, presentation in regards to audio and play by play a huge upgrade, gameplay.....same old Madden again save for the new outstanding passing system.

7/10 overall - and it would have been much higher if the IE had been executed better.

[shavane]

My impressions of the Demo are as follows....the improvements are significantly substantial. I am almost blown away by how much more smoother, robust, and organic this years Madden is. This is coming from someone who has completely flamed EAs efforts in the past, cried for the rebirth of 2k, gave Backbreaker a horrible game a serious shot, but this is far and away the best Madden ever.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but this is mine. I spent all day at work listening to mixed reviews on the demo and I'm not sure what I can really say bad about it.

Passing game is great I'm leading receivers and actually throwing them open. I'm not sure how people are struggling with this but I'm tearing it up. You can visualize passing lanes now and the alleys behind LBers and in front of the safeties is sick and most important realistic. Its adding a whole new demension to the passing game that has been lacking before. Thank you for fixing those super human LBers patrolling the middle of the field..now they actually have to read the play and react to it to make a play on the ball.

Running game is very organic and has a realistic flow to it. If you read the play right and hit the hole it has a very nice feel to it. The infinity engine has really improved this. There have been a few quirky moments but they are not nearly as many as everyone has been saying.

Catching receivers are running and catching in stride, over the shoulder, reaching with their hands instead of having the ball sucked into their body. I'm seeing some sick catches but I can't wait to get more into it.

OL play is improved there are some bone headed wtf moments where a defender isn't blocked or comes free but if you played football on any level this actually happens. Things you need to understand is every pass or running play will not develop just like its drawn up...its more of a rough guideline for where you should go or be there are people who do not realize that so it is unrealistic to them when it happens.

DL this is probably the weakest area but it is still a serious improvement. My Dlineman are able to disengage and put serious pressure on the QB. They are coming off blocks a lot more realistically as opposed to magically how they did on previous Maddens. Now instead of coming off a perfect block and making a tackle for a 2 yd loss they are coming off and grabbing and possibly getting dragged for 4 yds as it should be because they are grabbing at the back.

LBers this may be the most improved aspect of the game. I'm a diehard Eagles fan and well you know our LBer situation but...playing with P. Willis is crazy. The defensive movement is so much tighter and controlled it feels like they got rid of 90% of the running on skates feeling. When you play as a LB it feels like you are actually running down hill and attacking the play. When I played with the Redskins you could feel the difference right away from L. Fletcher to P. Willis. Two good LBers but you instantly know Willis has better ratings, agility, speed etc. The difference wasn't only confined to speed Willis feels more fluid in his hip movement and change of directino. This wasn't always apparent in previous Maddens These players feel different and that is a welcome addition.

CB/Safeties they all appear to cover better but there are some moments of super speed burst to break up passes that should have been completed. Also, you may have a DB on a island against a receiver but by the time the ball gets there every DB and two Lbers are there to make the tackle or break the play up.

Return game is sick you are going to have to focus on this it is now officially 1/3 of the game. If you are kicking to someone like Ginn don't put the controller down to take a quick drink, pay attention, stay in your lanes and make the tackle. Kick away if you need to hang the ball do whatever but special teams is a part of the game now.

This is far from a perfect game..make no mistakes it still looks and feels like Madden but it is better. The infinity engine makes for some great moments and some quirky ones as well. I haven't seen anything to off the wall yet other than players tripping over each other after the play but I kind of like that. Its worth having that so that I can have these great gang tackles.

The lighting is bad but I'm almost 100% sure that is only going to be that way on the demo.

The camera is pretty bad. It needs to be closer and needs to be able to capture the action and still see most of the field. I think the final game it will be a little closer but the demo is zoomed out a little far. I would like to see a slight zoom once someone has the ball or maybe a real small pan to capture the action and make you feel like your in the moment. Madden struggles to actually make you feel like your in the game.

The presentation, commentary, and on the field sound is much improved. It is not as good as 2k but I don't think any game ever will be face it they had Berman and Suzy and ESPN as soon as we heard they music it was on plus their half time show was phenomenal.

[STLRams]

After playing two games on the PS3, I love the CPU A.I. QB's, Manning was picking apart my defense, and RG3 was struggling against me at first, till I made the mistake and switch to bump and run coverage and he burned me deep a few times. The passing feels great, but I see it will take some time for me to get use to throwing the deep ball, got pick off a bunch of times. The running games feels nice!! My only beef is the instant replay system so far, this took a step back to me. I am impressed by the demo, I'm real curious now to see how the final version will look.

[wheelman990]

Quote: Originally Posted by Armor & Sword

Yeah this is just unreal. Tackling is a fundamental core of any football game and it has gone into the twilight zone with the IE. I am happy they are implementing RTP but the execution must be better than this for a major release of the only NFL video game in town. I expect a lot better. This is something that over the months I play the game will wear me out probably. It is exactly what wore me out with 12...the pinball tackle animation...now we have just mind bending physcially impossible tackles. However the game is a lot of fun on offense.....and playing a few more games on defense I have figured out to not even bother being a DE/DT at the snap and I am starting to play FS/SS and switching to the closet man to the ball whether that is to make a sack, or tackle. It is the only way to enjoy defense. For 20 years I have played DE/DT and with this demo I can't...your sucked into blocks and can not shake free...I have tried the swim and club and it never works. Overall.....graphically it is a nice upgrade, presentation in regards to audio and play by play a huge upgrade, gameplay.....same old Madden again save for the new outstanding passing system. 7/10 overall - and it would have been much higher if the IE had been executed better.

We really see eye to eye on our opinions. I also gave it a 7/10 for reasons you listed.

If they could get the physics engine right on tackles(what it's purpose is for), and get us a custom cam(default WAY to close) I would have possibly given it as high as a 8/10. Even with all the choppy walking & running animations during, before, and after plays.

And when are they going to stop making everyone walk like zombies the second the play is over? Horrible and embarrassing work by someone to let this go again. How many years does it take to fix this?

I'm probably skipping this year. Just don't feel the need to pick it up. Maybe next year is the smart play here.

[NDAlum]

A few positive things I've noticed:

#1- You can finally stuff runs up the middle
#2- The passing lanes have opened up a bit. I felt like I could make a few passes that would usually be caught/knocked down by the CPU
#3- You do get some really great animations with the new engine
#4- New catching animations are great

A few negative:

#1- Blocking is still whacky with the OL making some terrible decisions. WR screen: I have an OL set up perfectly to take out the defender coming to tackle me from the front and the OL goes behind the LOS to block somebody chasing me.

#2- Deep routes take too long and the DL gets on you so fast. It was hard to let a route fully develop before getting sacked.

#3- The crazy infinity animations (mainly post play)

#4- I don't like the kicking meter.

ONE non-demo related question:

Can we use sliders in user/user games this year?

I want to say I heard we can but would love confirmation.