Madden NFL 25 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions (360, PS3)

[ghettogeeksta]

Quote: Originally Posted by BrianU

I threw in the towel last year with Madden 13 but I learned at the end that to make the USER vs CPU challenging it takes more than just sliders. You really have to limit yourself with house rules. I refuse to use the touch passing (where you lead the receivers inside/outside/low) that becomes too easy even on All-Madden with sliders. Jarrod has the hardest sliders but it doesnt feel like playing football it feels too much like a videogame just button mashing not using strategy as it should be. To bring the strategy aspect back to the game I only use 1 player the entire play on defense (no switch), and on offense I limit my playcalling to not repeat a single play more than once ever 3 drives. I also limit my audibles and never hot route. It's really sad you have to put all the limits on yourself to make the game any fun. But i'm not sure why people are saying the AI is better this year, I just played with roadman's sliders on All-Pro and picking my own defensive plays and using no switch the CPU Ravens had 10 yards at half time..

This is sad, that's when you know a game is horrible when the human has to limit themselves just to get a challenging game.

This is exactly why their needs to be more than one NFL game, we need a more sim title. I really hope the NFL does not re-up with EA exclusively, I would love for 2K to get back into making NFL games.

[TallyBoi7]

I'm not terribly impressed with this demo...with the NCAA 14 demo, the game felt pretty good off the bat(considering I skipped NCAA 13)...I also skipped (Madden 13 after getting Madden 12) and Madden 25 just doesn't feel right.

And I just had an offensive lineman chase a DB down after an interception...I mean the DB had hit top speed...and here comes my Lineman...it's stuff like that that just frustrates me

[Armor and Sword]

Quote: Originally Posted by wadcakes

amen brother

I pray that is not the case. I am staying positive until I have concrete reason not to be.

All of that from M13 was absolutely true and why it was IMO one of the very worst Maddens I have ever purchased.

I have to believe most if not all of those bugs were ironed out for M25.

[DJ]

Quote: Originally Posted by SageInfinite

After playing the Madden demo, I couldn't enjoy NCAA as much for some reason. IDK what it is.

No problems there. Played a game today and got my *** handed to me by the Gators in the Swamp (I was FSU). Playing with a freshman QB on the road was no easy feat, and I appreciated that.

Played some more of the M25 Demo and overall, I really like how this game plays on the field. I know people complain about pass percentages, rushing yards (I do agree run blocking is a little over-powered) and points being scored, but to me, that's what the NFL of today is.

QB's, at least the good ones, routinely complete 65% of their passes. Teams score over 28 points and rack up a lot of yards. You don't see nearly as many defensive battles as you did 20-30 years ago.

The clincher for me will be Connected Franchise. The CPU AI has to be better in that mode. If I see runs on 1st and 2nd down all the time, I will flp and send the game back to GS for something else. I like the idea behind CF and last year's CCM, but when the CPU puts up no challenge (even with slider tweaks) than there's no point in playing for an offline-only guy like me.

I wish M25 copied NCAA 14 with separate difficulties for offense and defense. I'm hoping that I won't have to change the sliders too drastically. I've had no success on default All-Madden, so I'll see how All-Pro goes.

[Armor and Sword]

Quote: Originally Posted by ghettogeeksta

This is sad, that's when you know a game is horrible when the human has to limit themselves just to get a challenging game. This is exactly why their needs to be more than one NFL game, we need a more sim title. I really hope the NFL does not re-up with EA exclusively, I would love for 2K to get back into making NFL games.

I have had to do this will all Madden games. Every single one since 1991.

It's nothing new. It's Madden.....love it or hate it.

I choose to make the best of it and have fun.....and having some house rules and playing sim ball makes the game very playable and a way to have a virtual franchise. It's not that bad.

Do I want it on the same level as my beloved The Show or NBA 2K11?

Heck yes.

But until then if I want to play NFL console football......this is it.


So I played 4 games today. With my house rules and slider adjustments....this game has been a pure blast......I can't wait for 8-27.

I will say this.....playing defense is very stale. If you want a pass rush.......don't try to control a de. Let the CPU and the player ratings take care of it. It is a legacy issue this gen. I just play as a LB pretty much most of the time I choose a de/dt when I think a running play is coming. By employing the no switch rule on defense you will get simulation like results...and Great play results from the CPU.

If I wanted to I could crush the CPU....we all can. I choose to find ways to enjoy the game. It's a choice you make. I choose enjoyment, fun, and creating my own virtual NFL Universe.

It is what it is....so I make the best of it and enjoy the game. I have been doing workarounds for all kinds of sports games for decades....this is nothing new. Only a few sports games have truly been special....I am talking the cream of the crop. I can count them on 6-7 fingers. I am talking simulation like controls, player movement, AI, deep interface and modes.

It's not easy to achieve greatness. Very few sports games can truly claim that title.

Madden has done it once. My hope is M25 replaces Madden 2005 as the pinnacle....I think it has a shot if all the bugs were ironed out in Connected Franchise mentioned above. And for Madden fans I think most of us are digging this demo....I am talking pre PS2 Madden fans. Maybe I am getting old....but I appreciate how advanced sports games have become since my 2600 days....and keeping notebooks upon notebooks of stats for Bases Loaded 2 on NES.

[friscob]

Quote: Originally Posted by TallyBoi7

I'm not terribly impressed with this demo...with the NCAA 14 demo, the game felt pretty good off the bat(considering I skipped NCAA 13)...I also skipped (Madden 13 after getting Madden 12) and Madden 25 just doesn't feel right. And I just had an offensive lineman chase a DB down after an interception...I mean the DB had hit top speed...and here comes my Lineman...it's stuff like that that just frustrates me

Yea in NCAA 14 and Madden 25 there really isn't any top-end breakaway speed.

[TeeDogg]

Quote: Originally Posted by Armor & Sword

I have had to do this will all Madden games. Every single one since 1991. It's nothing new. It's Madden.....love it or hate it. I choose to make the best of it and have fun.....and having some house rules and playing sim ball makes the game very playable and a way to have a virtual franchise. It's not that bad. Do I want it on the same level as my beloved The Show or NBA 2K11? Heck yes. But until then if I want to play NFL console football......this is it. So I played 4 games today. With my house rules and slider adjustments....this game has been a pure blast......I can't wait for 8-27. I will say this.....playing defense is very stale. If you want a pass rush.......don't try to control a de. Let the CPU and the player ratings take care of it. It is a legacy issue this gen. I just play as a LB pretty much most of the time I choose a de/dt when I think a running play is coming. By employing the no switch rule on defense you will get simulation like results...and Great play results from the CPU. If I wanted to I could crush the CPU....we all can. I choose to find ways to enjoy the game. It's a choice you make. I choose enjoyment, fun, and creating my own virtual NFL Universe. It is what it is....so I make the best of it and enjoy the game. I have been doing workarounds for all kinds of sports games for decades....this is nothing new. Only a few sports games have truly been special....I am talking the cream of the crop. I can count them on 6-7 fingers. I am talking simulation like controls, player movement, AI, deep interface and modes. It's not easy to achieve greatness. Very few sports games can truly claim that title. Madden has done it once. My hope is M25 replaces Madden 2005 as the pinnacle....I think it has a shot if all the bugs were ironed out in Connected Franchise mentioned above. And for Madden fans I think most of us are digging this demo....I am talking pre PS2 Madden fans. Maybe I am getting old....but I appreciate how advanced sports games have become since my 2600 days....and keeping notebooks upon notebooks of stats for Bases Loaded 2 on NES.

Nice post, I agree whole heartedly....well.....with the exception of M'05.... ; )

[Armor and Sword]

Quote: Originally Posted by friscob

Yea in NCAA 14 and Madden 25 there really isn't any top-end breakaway speed.

Try turning down the speed threshold slider down to at least 25 or lower. It will give guys with more speed an advantage.