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

[HB00]

I thought the game is well out together in many ways.
Some of the tackling animation are great but then some were stupid.
For instance there are times where I tackled Bradshaw and I had Pat Willis and he kinda knocked me like 5 feet away from the guy. Then their are time when the pile up happens whin is a good addition but its looks a bit stupid when you see 2 and 3 guys get up off the pile and trip over the same pile.

As I have said some animations look great but there are some that are stupid and can be cut out.

[inkcil]

Well, after several games the verdict is a thumbs down. I'll pin it down to my 3 biggest reasons - Gameplay, Presentation and Fun Factor.

Reason 1: I can't beleive a game this sloppy is being sold to the masses under the guise of "Infinity Engine." It may be the Infinity Engine, but it was not ready to be packaged and sold to the masses. Contact between players (which is the heart and soul of football) is just down right sloppy - whether it be how players tackle, react to being touched by either their own teamate or the opposition, or the after the play bumbling and stubling - it is just down right ridiculous. Very smart of EA to make sure a replay cam was not available. The players feel floaty and this is especially true on Defense, where I feel like my job is just to spam the "switch defender" button until I get close to making a play (compared to controlling one guy and feeling really in control of that player). What else can I say, the kick game is boring, the return game is one big pinball machine where you're still floating downhill, OL men still step "in sync" with one another compared to reacting to the defender engaging them, four or five players will get up the same way in the same motion at the same time after a tackle, etc. etc.

On a good note, there are some cool tackle moments, but in playing NCAA 13, I've seen many of those same kind of moments (i.e. a wide receiver getting flipped in the air after making a jumping catch).

Reason 2: The presentation is improved, but still subpar... camera angles on replays are terrible...no halftime or postgame show...no custom soundtracks,etc. Overall Presentation is much better in NCAA 13, they should just copy that where it shines. I don't get why they don't.

On a good note, I like the new inrtos, the commentary team is improved, the crowd audio is more dynamic (Redskins were practically booed off the field while losing at halftime) and the orchestal music selection is pretty good.

Reason 3: The fun factor is just not there. With all of the gameplay and presentation flaws, I just don't feel immersed. I'm torn between moments where it seems like they really tried, and other moments where they just said "We're Madden; take it or leave it."

Unless final product is drastically different, I will leave it.

[Rules]

Just played the demo on the Xbox 360 using All pro.

Thoughts: All pro is way too easy. Gained yards running and throwing at will. I spent most of my time using a different play each time just to see how the game plays.

Serious concerns starting with the CPU play calling. 1:31 left in the 4th quarter and I am winning 10-7 using the 49ers.

1) The CPU kept trying to run the ball from their own 36 yard line with no timeouts??? So it then punts on 4th down with 3 yards to go while sitting at the 50 yard line???

2) So I decided to give the ball back by punting just to see if the CPU is really that dumb. Short version: THE CPU IS DUMB AS A BOX OF ROCKS! Once again being down by 3 points with 46 seconds left in the game, it continues to try and run the ball in the 4th even though it had ZERO success all game long. It then completes a monster pass and stepping out on the sideline stopping the clock with 4 seconds left in the game at my own 27 yard line. Figuring the CPU would kick the field goal to tie? NOPE I FIGURED WRONG. The CPU runs the ball and getting stopped at the line of scrimmage losing the game to me 10-7.

Yep, I am thoroughly convinced that we are not going to see a solid football game this generation from EA SPORTS.

[jyoung]

Quote: Originally Posted by poopoop

Computers playcalling is terrible.

Quote: Originally Posted by Rules

Serious concerns starting with the CPU play calling.

I had a game where the CPU Redskins got the ball with no timeouts on their own 40-yard line down 4 points with 0:40 left.

The CPU then proceeded to call a draw play, a screen pass leading their WR into the middle of the field, and a HB swing pass as time expired.

[StrawHat Patriot]

Quote: Originally Posted by Franchise408

Yea it is ridiculous. I am -almost- to the point where my NFL fix is not enough to buy this garbage anymore.

Yeah, I mean if I could get the game under $15, then hell yeah why not, but the problem with M13 is that it is $60 a for a game that is not only an incomplete game of football, it could also be a potential bust or game in a forgotten three year plan.

[ruggedrum]

Madden is the **** this year, EA finally did it. now work on Live

[belucheez2]

Quote: Originally Posted by StrawHat Patriot

Yeah, I remember playing against the 49ers, and every 1st and 2nd down I'd stop them easily, whether it's a run or simple pass, then EVERY third down they'd get an easy pass to the flats to a guy whose WIDE OPEN, whether I was playing man for three straight plays or zone, it didn't make a difference.

Same, lol. Every single game I played I would destroy their run on 1st down for a 2 yard lost. 2nd down they would run up the middle and none of my guys would tackle him until he was an inch away from the first so they have 3rd and inches.
Every single 3rd down and inches they would throw in the middle to a wide open receiver that had nobody around him.

[otatop]

It seems like I'm playing on a different Infinity Engine than everyone else. I've played the demo for 3 or 4 hours, and really haven't seen any crazy physics fails. Sometimes tackles look a little goofy, but I think the Engine overall makes the game look miles more realistic, and I'm glad to see the same generic tackle animations that happened over and over gone.

I can agree with everyone else that passes are dropped too easily. I'll hit my open tight end down the middle who will completely reel in the pass, but even a minor lick from the safety seems to squirt the ball out of his hands.

The new lighting scheme feels like a hindrance in the game. At least in the Seahawks - Redskins matchup, I can hardly tell the players apart. They all look like dark figures. This may be my TV, but does anyone else feel this way?

On a side note - Are the refs silent? Maybe this is a demo glitch, but it's quite frustrating not really knowing what the penalty is or who it's against until the accept/deny screen appears. And sometimes it shows them from behind, which is stupid.

Overall, I think this is a great demo. Maybe I just haven't played enough, but the 3 or 4 hours have been almost always enjoyable.