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

[captaink]

I've played several games now on All Pro and slow speed, no other adjustments, to me it doesn't feel much different than any of the other Madden games this generation, which is a bad thing, I used to like Madden on the PS2, but this generation seems to have gone backwards. I know this is no major thing for most players on here but what the heck ever happened to the great user profile system that was in the PS2 versions of Madden, in a sports game you would think the developers might think maybe users might want the win loss record kept against certain opponents off line and on line, just seems like the tech should be moving these types of games forwards not backwards. The greatly talked about infinity engine is certainly in the game, unfortunately, seems everyone gets thrown around like weightless ragdolls, absolutlely unreal. I was really excited for this game this year but nevermind. I don't have much more to say other than I have not enjoyed a Madden game this generation of systems and this one has not changed that. Lucky that that other football game from years ago is backwards compatable and still in my collection.

[Kanobi]

Quote: Originally Posted by The ArkanSaw

This game should make NFL 2K5 look like Tecmo Bowl in another year or two.

But think about that for a second.....NFL2k5 is 8/9 years old...madden should be making it look like Tecmo Bowl two years AGO. In fact, Madden is just NOW - with a supposed real-time physics engine - displaying tackling like NFL2k5 had...again...8/9 years ago.....without RTP....and Madden STILL doesn't play as good. APK2k8( or NFL2k13 with the awesome RateSports.net Mod) is even better. I mean....that is just INSANE when you think about it. Absolutely INSANE. But I give credit to Tiburon, they're trying and I applaud the effort. I just don't see enough to warrant my $60.

[BenGerman]

I wanted to play five or six games before I gave impressions, and I'm glad I did. I feel way differently about the game now then I did when I first played it. So anywhere, here it goes.

The Ugly:

• CPU playcalling and time management. There were multiple instances at the end of the game where the CPU was in dire need of a few passes to get themselves back in the game, so what do they do? They run the ball, and waste the clock. I'm aware this happens every once in a while, but it has happened way to often in this demo.
• Post-play activity. I have a love/hate thing going on with the post-play physics, because I find them hilarious and its nice to see how sensitive the engine really is. But I image this will totally suck the immersion out of a regular game.

The Bad:

• The RTP engine was not quite as polished as I hoped it would be. But more on this later.
• Commentary is still a little whacky. For instance, the CPU spiked the ball and Simms went on to complain about how the defense should have taken advantage of the bad throw and made an interception.

The Good:

• The physics engine adds a certain unpredictability to the game, which is much appreciated. I like NCAA this year, but the gameplay is still a little stale and predictable. This is definitely not the case with Madden.
• The game looks beautiful. I swear, the field in which they play on makes all the difference. Where Madden looks bright (and admittedly, a little arcadish) and beautiful, NCAA looks dull and washed out.
• The commentary. Holy crap, I was expecting an upgrade, but not this kind of jump. This along with the pre-game stuff was awesome.
• Madden '13 finally feels like EA made a decision to go ahead and push the game out of its comfort zone. Sure, its not perfect, but I love that its different from the same game we've all been playing for years now.

[Franchise408]

Quote: Originally Posted by slick589

Theres is where objectivity comes in....what do you think about maddens physics? Do they respect gravity weight and momentum?

No

Quote: Originally Posted by TreFacTor

One of my favorite games of all time is Virtua Fighter 5. In that game, they have an arcade mode that lets you play from real people some of the best in the world (recorded from actual arcade cabinets and pro competitions), and they recorded their play styles so you were getting a better challenge than playing the cpu which was admittedly cheap on higher difficulties (Dural the end boss has everyone's moves) and it saves the offline player from having to deal with cheap online tactics. Madden should implement something like this for each team that way each team doesn't seem like it plays the same. That's really the problem with Madden in a nutshell. It can look pretty from sun up till sun down, but the AI in all facets acts like a dumb blond. Thats the real reason Madden doesn't ever feel different to the offline player. Or am I the only player that plays with house rules in order to get any enjoyment out of the game?

Yet another feature that the game that shall not be mentioned was doing 7 years ago.

[Franchise408]

Quote: Originally Posted by Bgamer90

I still don't really like all-madden. All-pro is a bit on the easy side for me but I prefer playing on all-pro than all-madden. The perfect thing for me would be a difficulty setting that's in between all-pro and all-madden.

Yes, this in between setting is completely needed.

[pinksheets]

I'll remain hopeful that some of my problems with the game are fixed in the retail version.

The "physics" were more annoying than anything else. I definitely saw the bumper car thing a lot have already mentioned early and often. Marshawn Lynch was constantly bouncing off defender like a pinball as opposed to looking anything like a tackle. Also caused for any post-play scene to look ridiculous as the players struggled, jerked, and bent unrealistically after getting tangled up in odd ways with other players.

Didn't really feel at any point that I was playing something notably improved from last season. More plays might help that, I'll keep more of an eye out for better DB play, etc.

I'm sure the commentary was limited for the demo, but it was still odd to start Russel Wilson and have the commentators mention how much experience he has under his belt.

So I'm still in the air about this thing, if CC is a nice step up from last year's disaster of a franchise mode, I'll be won over, if not, it'll be another pre-Christmas trade in.

[bukktown]

Quote: Originally Posted by Broncos86

I'm tired of the sliders altering the difficulty setting. It makes ZERO sense for the AI difficulty to change if I move a slider. Why does the AI suddenly have to become blithering morons just because I want to give my offensive line a bump? Sliders should be 100% independent of AI intelligence.

What did the AI do specifically that was moronic when you bumped your OLine sliders?

[pinksheets]

Do you guys feel that the pass rush has been improved from last year's "DTs only" thing?

I'd like a more researched opinion from someone who paid more attention, but it seemed like DEs were more involved. Definitely had a few plays where Bruce Irvin was right in RG3's face before a pass when I plugged him in on Nickel packages.