Madden NFL 13 Review (PS3/360)

[daniel77733]

Quote: Originally Posted by Bgamer90

Comparing metacritic ratings like that is very flawed. A game from 8 years ago wouldn't get the same review scores if it released today. People have said that Madden 13 is better than 2005 (calling Madden 13 the "best Madden ever") yet Madden 2005 has a better metacritic rating (Madden 2005 has a 91% while Madden 13 currently has an 82%). Heck, I guess there's no better game than Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 3 then. The game has a metacritic rating of a 97. Why can't devs make a game that's better than a skateboarding game that came out in 2001?

2005 is better than 13 for so many reasons. Hell, im playing Madden NFL 12 instead of 13 because with 13, there's just way too many limitations and restrictions to where it just becomes frustrating as hell and while the gameplay is probably the best its ever been, its not that huge of a difference between last year and this year and when you add in all the other stuff that can be done last year, 12 is even better.

2K5's franchise mode wasnt great but better than this year's Madden for a lot of reasons. I disagree with you saying a game released eight years ago wouldnt get the same ratings because the only reason would be graphics and visuals. 2K5 STILL plays a better game of football and its a lot more fun to play. I love 2K5 and while it wasnt perfect, it had far less problems than what M13 has. And the three main problems the game had gameplay wise, you could get around yourself.

Madden 13 is NOT the best Madden ever. Reviewers are just saying that because EA advertises on the respective site or pays them off plain and simple. Every review I have read about M13 mentions NOTHING about the flaws and problems or even the lack of editing and other features that existed just a year ago.

The reason im comparing the metacritic scores is for a few reasons. First, this site and the review for M13 said that its the best Madden ever despite the fact that its not even the best Madden ever. I should have added in Madden NFL 2005's metacritic rating in my previous post to show that but because I was responding to the other guy, I only added 2K5.

What people are failing to realize is that eight years later and on far superior console, EA/Tiburon cant even surpass their OWN game released eight years ago so how the hell would they ever be able to surpass a game thats considered by the majority to be the greatest football game of all time? The sad part is that 2K was going to get even better but obviously, seeing that become a reality was taken away.

Second, you would think that no matter what game it is, it would receive at least ONE negative or ONE mixed review but 2K5 didnt. Despite the technology, games are worse now then they were eight years ago because its all focused on everything but what it should be - and thats "how does the game play"? Are there any problems that prevent the gameplay from being as good as it should be? Even Madden NFL 2005 only received one mixed review and no negatives for both Xbox and PS2. To me, Madden NFL 2005 was the second best football game of all-time.

Third, eight years later, 2K5 has stood against the test of time and has kicked its ***. Still, far better presentation. Far better commentary. Better gameplay. A LOT more FUN to play. Far less problems, bugs, glitches than today's Madden. The reason why everyone (including me) compares Madden to 2K5 every year is because 2K5 was the game that forced EA to not only cut its price from $50 to $30 THREE MONTHS LATER, but it also forced them to buyout the NFL license. EA knew that there was no way that Tiburon could surpass Visual Concepts. Half the people at Tiburon dont even know anything about football or what the hell they're doing. Anyone who's not blinded can see that from a mile away.

Eight years later, 2K5 shouldnt even be discussed but the reason it is, is because it still hasnt been surpassed. And dont know about Tony Hawk but I'll use a different example. Dont know what the metacritic rating for it is but the original Metal Gear Solid on PSone is STILL the best in the series and that will never change. Why? Because everything about it played great, story, characters, bosses, etc. ...everything was as close to perfection as you're going to get.

Now, eight years later, its all about online, DLC, how can we make MORE money while giving consumers LESS? Thats all it is. The core basics and fundamentals of gaming is pretty much dead and buried. Companies dont care half as much as they did just eight years ago. And you can see that yourself in 2K5 and Madden NFL 2005. Compared to then, every year's Madden is a disappointment.

They fixed the gameplay and made it arguably the best its ever been this year but then, screwed up EVERYTHING else. It doesnt make any sense. If you already have an awesome franchise mode, just add to it. Dont shoot and chop its head off. Just add to it.

If EA/Tiburon would have added to franchise mode from last year, solve the problems overall and the gameplay, presentation, commentary was the same or better than what M13 is, they would have been far closer to being the best football game of all-time and ending the 2K5 comparision but that didnt happen so here we are.

Everyone has their own opinion as do I. I just think that EA/Tiburon should have simply added the Infinity Engine to last year's franchise mode, cut out the garbage, test it fully, add mini-camp, add in the ESPN license and even if they have to copy 2K5, who cares? They should copy 2K5 in that regard. And you would probably have the greatest football simulation of all-time.

If that was the case and the game stayed the same every year but everything in the game was perfected or at least near perfect, hell, I would give EA my $60 every year guaranteed but thats never going to happen.

EA/Tiburon thinks doing all this stupid crap will make the series better. In the long run, it wont because it will **** off too many football simulations like myself. EA/Tiburon should just stick to the core basics and fundamentals. If they were to do that just ONE YEAR, we would have the best playing, user friendly and most fun football simulation video game of all-time.

It's just a shame that eight years later, as a consumer, as a fan. I'm not seeing or playing that yet when I should be. And there will be a lot of people who disagree with me and thats fine but when you seriously think about it, 2K5 and Madden NFL 2005 should have been crushed already yet neither have been and are still the best two football games of all time.

[Bgamer90]

Quote: Originally Posted by daniel77733

Madden 13 is NOT the best Madden ever. Reviewers are just saying that because EA advertises on the respective site or pays them off plain and simple. Every review I have read about M13 mentions NOTHING about the flaws and problems or even the lack of editing and other features that existed just a year ago.

In terms of gameplay, I don't see how someone couldn't say Madden 13 isn't the best Madden ever.

People have complained about issues like suction in the past when yet Madden 2005 had TONS of it. It's nothing but nostalgia for the most part.

Quote:

The reason im comparing the metacritic scores is for a few reasons. First, this site and the review for M13 said that its the best Madden ever despite the fact that its not even the best Madden ever.

It's not a "fact". It's a opinion. If you don't agree, then that's fine.

Quote:

What people are failing to realize is that eight years later and on far superior console, EA/Tiburon cant even surpass their OWN game released eight years ago so how the hell would they ever be able to surpass a game thats considered by the majority to be the greatest football game of all time? The sad part is that 2K was going to get even better but obviously, seeing that become a reality was taken away.

Many people feel that Madden 13 has surpassed Madden 2005 in gameplay so I don't know what you are trying to say.

Review scores are just numbers.

Quote:

Second, you would think that no matter what game it is, it would receive at least ONE negative or ONE mixed review but 2K5 didnt. Despite the technology, games are worse now then they were eight years ago because its all focused on everything but what it should be - and thats "how does the game play"? Are there any problems that prevent the gameplay from being as good as it should be? Even Madden NFL 2005 only received one mixed review and no negatives for both Xbox and PS2. To me, Madden NFL 2005 was the second best football game of all-time.

Heh, you are comparing reviews from completely different people with different opinions. You honestly think the same people who reviewed Madden back in 2004 are reviewing this year's Madden?

Quote:

Third, eight years later, 2K5 has stood against the test of time and has kicked its ***. Still, far better presentation. Far better commentary. Better gameplay. A LOT more FUN to play. Far less problems, bugs, glitches than today's Madden.

I agree that 2K5 has better presentation but in terms of gameplay, I feel Madden 13 is better. I can't go back to canned animations. I know other people feel the same.

If you don't, then that's fine.

Quote:

The reason why everyone (including me) compares Madden to 2K5 every year is because 2K5 was the game that forced EA to not only cut its price from $50 to $30 THREE MONTHS LATER, but it also forced them to buyout the NFL license.

No, the NFL wanted the exclusive license at the time. The NFL went to 2K as well. 2K could have had the exclusive license if they put up more money than EA.

Quote:

Eight years later, 2K5 shouldnt even be discussed but the reason it is, is because it still hasnt been surpassed.

Or maybe people who were big 2K fans can't move on until another 2K NFL game is made?

If people feel it's better than that's fine but it's REALLY obvious that there will still be people bringing up 2K5 until a new 2K NFL game gets made.

Quote:

And dont know about Tony Hawk but I'll use a different example. Dont know what the metacritic rating for it is but the original Metal Gear Solid on PSone is STILL the best in the series and that will never change. Why? Because everything about it played great, story, characters, bosses, etc. ...everything was as close to perfection as you're going to get.

No, it got its high ratings during the time because the game was impressive DURING ITS TIME. The game wouldn't be thought of in the same way today.

That's why comparing reviews from 8+ years ago to now is flawed. What was impressive back then isn't really that impressive now.

Quote:

They fixed the gameplay and made it arguably the best its ever been this year but then, screwed up EVERYTHING else. It doesnt make any sense. If you already have an awesome franchise mode, just add to it. Dont shoot and chop its head off. Just add to it.

You thought the franchise mode in previous maddens this gen were awesome? I disagree.

Quote:

It's just a shame that eight years later, as a consumer, as a fan. I'm not seeing or playing that yet when I should be. And there will be a lot of people who disagree with me and thats fine but when you seriously think about it, 2K5 and Madden NFL 2005 should have been crushed already yet neither have been and are still the best two football games of all time.

Again, that's your opinion.

Madden 13 easily crushes Madden 2005 in my opinion.

The majority of issues people are saying about Madden 13's gameplay were 10 times greater in Madden 2005.

[daniel77733]

Quote: Originally Posted by CRMosier_LM

Are you high? 2k couldn't sell its way out of a shoe box and franchise mode was laughable. Congrats to the 3000 people that enjoyed it but they have had a chance to make a good complete game since then and have failed miserably.

2K had a chance to make an NFL game since 2K5? Huh, where the hell was I? Oh wait, you mean 2K8? Please, how the hell could any football game succeed without the license of the most popular sport in the world??? It cant.

As for 2K5...let's see...as of 1/18/05 -

http://www.1up.com/news/videogame-sa...tal-99-billion

3. Madden NFL 2005 - 3.2m (PS2)
4. ESPN NFL 2K5 - 1.5m (PS2)
10. ESPN NFL 2K5 - 1.0m (Xbox)

Considering what 2K3 and 2K4 sold, 2K5 did awesome. Yeah, the $20 price tag and early release date helped a lot but guess what...thats the point...unlike EA/Tiburon, 2K sports was willing to take a huge loss in order to build a larger fan base and build for Xbox 360 and PS3.

Add to that was the FACT that EA despite never ever lowering the price of Madden until the next fiscal year, lowered the price of Madden NFL 2005 from $50 to $30 just THREE MONTHS LATER. Why? Because as one EA sports developer said at the time -"it scared the hell out of us" (wikipedia 2K5 page). Of course, it did, $30 cheaper and a better game of football. Hell, eight years later, 2K5 for $20 is STILL the better game of football.

And yeah, the $20 price tag helped get those sales but thats the point. 2K sports sacrificed profits (unlike EA) in order to build for the future. In order to build a better football game. Unlike EA/Tiburon, I have no doubt in my mind that if 2K6 existed, it would have surpassed 2K5 in EVERY way.

Shortly after lowering the price of Madden, EA purchased the exclusive NFL license because the NFL was pissed off at 2K sports for releasing 2K5 at $20 and saying that "the $20 price tag cheapened the NFL brand". Amazingly, 2K3 and 2K4 doesnt even come close to matching what 2K5 did but because both games released at $50, it didnt cheapen the NFL brand? To me, it should be the opposite. Its the price tag that matters, its the quality of the product. And 2K5's quality far surpassed 2K3 and 2K4. And in many ways, Madden as well.

2K5's franchise mode wasnt perfect and I'll even say that Madden NFL 2005's was deeper and better. Both had glitches but then again, eight years later, both are BETTER than Madden NFL 13. Sorry, but thats just beyond unacceptable. Thats just sad and pathetic.

Quite simply, 2K sports releasing 2K5 at $20 and a month earlier than Madden set off a domino effect that us as consumers, are still feeling eight years later. And until the license can be rented by other companies on a yearly basis, that domino effect will continue.

[daniel77733]

Quote: Originally Posted by Bgamer90

In terms of gameplay, I don't see how someone couldn't say Madden 13 isn't the best Madden ever. People have complained about issues like suction in the past when yet Madden 2005 had TONS of it. It's nothing but nostalgia for the most part. It's not a "fact". It's a opinion. If you don't agree, then that's fine. Many people feel that Madden 13 has surpassed Madden 2005 in gameplay so I don't know what you are trying to say. Review scores are just numbers. Heh, you are comparing reviews from completely different people with different opinions. You honestly think the same people who reviewed Madden back in 2004 are reviewing this year's Madden? I agree that 2K5 has better presentation but in terms of gameplay, I feel Madden 13 is better. I can't go back to canned animations. I know other people feel the same. If you don't, then that's fine. No, the NFL wanted the exclusive license at the time. The NFL went to 2K as well. 2K could have had the exclusive license if they put up more money than EA. Or maybe people who were big 2K fans can't move on until another 2K NFL game is made? If people feel it's better than that's fine but it's REALLY obvious that there will still be people bringing up 2K5 until a new 2K NFL game gets made. No, it got its high ratings during the time because the game was impressive DURING ITS TIME. The game wouldn't be thought of in the same way today. That's why comparing reviews from 8+ years ago to now is flawed. What was impressive back then isn't really that impressive now. You thought the franchise mode in previous maddens this gen were awesome? I disagree. Again, that's your opinion. Madden 13 easily crushes Madden 2005 in my opinion. The majority of issues people are saying about Madden 13's gameplay were 10 times greater in Madden 2005.

Madden NFL 13's gameplay is better but it still has problems. It's everything else that makes 2K5 and 2005 better overall. Of course, I played M12 yesterday and enjoyed that just as much gameplay wise as I did with M13. There's too many animations that are wrong. When tackling, the defenders arm is always on the back of the ball carrier instead of wrapped around his waist. The passing is better but everything else to me is debateable compared to 12. As for Madden NFL 2005, its been a long time since I played it and while there were a lot of problems gameplay wise, I still had fun and enjoyed the game. Its all the non-gameplay stuff in M13 thats so damn disappointing to where I dont even want to play M13.

My opinion and the majority of reviews and when other people say that Madden 13 ISNT the best Madden ever so when that happens, it becomes fact by default.

Madden 13's gameplay probably has surpassed 2005 but at the same time, thats not saying much because look how long it took them to do so. 13 still has problems gameplay wise and its not even me saying it...its everyone else here who lists all the problems. Majority of M13's gameplay problems I dont even know about because I dont care and not going to even play it unless they fix the off-line CCM which isnt going to happen.

Now, im not expecting the reviewers to be the same but what I am expecting are the reviews to be fair and impartial. And most importantly, detail the problems in the game. Reviews for 2K5 and 2005 did just that where as I havent seen one review mention the problems for M13. Thats just unacceptable because its false advertising and leading people who purchase the game to believe that it plays perfect on and off the field but thats not the case. There in itself is the problem.

2K5's gameplay is STILL better to me. The tackling alone is far better. And I have seen A LOT of the same animations in M13. The one that repeats every time is the tackle from behind where the defender's arm is on the ball carrier's back. Happens a LOT. But fair enough, to each his/her own.

2K was in on the bidding but were never going to win the exclusive license. It was already a foregone conclusion of what was happening. EA tried to purchase the exclusive NFL license in 2002 and the NFL refused. They did so because all the other games were charging the same price. When 2K5 released at $20, the NFL "suits" were ****** off for various reasons. Of course, the bidding was a sham anyway. Sony didnt know about it until after the deal was done as did Microsoft. Both of them would have easily outbid EA and what better way to get an advantage over your main competition by having the NFL exclusive to one console? The bidding was just going through the motions. Even if 2K had bid higher, they still wouldnt have won it because the NFL was determined to make sure EA got the license. Its basically all bullcrap. The day 2K5 released at $20 was the end for 2K and football gaming in general.

If I wasnt ready to move on, I wouldnt havent purchased Madden 13, or 12, or 11 or 10. I'm more than ready, willing and able to move on. The problem is that thus far, Madden 13 isnt worth moving on to.

I understand your point in regards to comparing games from years ago but the difference between other games is that 2K5 was the last football game to go head to head with madden which is why its always compared. If EA loses the license to say 2K, then every 2K game will forever be compared to the last Madden game that was released. To me, its a fair comparison because the game thats being compared to Madden is the game that forced all of this to begin with and was the last football game out there going head to head with Madden.

I definitely think that franchise mode from last year is better than this year. BY FAR. However, I know that there's problems with M12 but the majority of them can be worked around. M13's CCM cant be worked around and im not paying for Gold just to play a one player online CCM. Thats bullcrap. Instead of giving you options on how you want to play, M13 is basically forcing you how to play and sorry, I dont play that.

In some ways, 13 is better than 2005 but when you go by the overall package, 2005 is better for so many reasons. But like you said, to each his/her own.

[BWHORN]

<<<<<<< Points to the top of the screen and tells Bgamer90 to look at the user score. Argument over.

[Profit89]

Quote: Originally Posted by bigsmallwood

Wow. This is a nice review, but not nearly as thorough as it should be. And I cannot say that I agree with the 8.5 score. Like one reader said, if it's out of 10 as far as the best Madden then sure...but as a sports title on its own merit...absolutely not. There are too many things missing, and plenty of hiccups that keep Madden 13 from being an elite sports title. And I agree with Wheelman990...no more talk of 3 year plans or dev cycles....#JustBringit I truly believe that Madden 13 is worthy of a 7 or 7.5 out of 10. Nothing more. We are 8 years in...the game should be more complete at this point. We keep scoring Madden like this because there is no alternative to keep it honest.

"No alternative to keep it honest"

Could not have said it better. So true.

[Bgamer90]

Quote: Originally Posted by BWHORN

<<<<<<< Points to the top of the screen and tells Bgamer90 to look at the user score. Argument over.

User scores don't mean anything either. Especially when you have trolls that will give the game a "0" and people on the other side of the spectrum that will give the game a "10".

[Profit89]

I'm indifferent and can honestly say not a fanboy in this area of sports, and even I have to admit that NFL 2K5 plays the better, more realistic game of football imho. The animations, the physics are just better.

The only area where innovation appears is soccer (and to some extent basketball up until 2011). And I think for two reasons: (1) A healthy competition exists - See Fifa vs Pro Evolution. Both great in their own right and getting significantly better each year; and (2) related to the first, both are available on the PC. There simply is no room for mediocrity on the PC. That's why PC gaming has to be supported even if you hate the PC or PC elitists etc. It brings out the best.

Look, it's easy to purchase an exclusive deal and make a game that sells well. You're the only guy in town, and your on a platform that no one can edit/change/copy.

"Your going to like this game and you're going to like it the way we give it to you" -EA

Not a healthy situation. Stalinistic in many ways.