Madden NFL 25 Demo Review Roundtable

[Gosens6]

Quote: Originally Posted by roadman

I don't think the round table reviewers messed around with sliders, speculating it was plug and play out of the box. On default sliders, this game isn't very good, but with good slider adjustments, my opinion, it plays a good game.

Very true, iv'e been using your sliders for the demo and iv'e been getting very good games.

But, at the same time i'm sure when they reviewed 07,08 and 09 they didn't do it with sliders either. I want to know how they can justify giving those abominations scores of 7 and 8.5, then trash this game? I mean hell, Madden 06 got a 5, and we got guys in here saying Madden 25 should get a 6. You're telling me that this game is one point better than Madden 06? I don't think so.

It just doesn't seem logical to me. Maybe i'm looking too much into it, but I can't wrap my brain around the facts.

[tril]

I was trying to force myself to like Madden25. These reviews of the demo reaffirms everything I was seeing and feeling about Madden.
Hopefully, I will not cave in and buy Madden25. I liked 12 and 13, but 25 is a step backwards. I will be waiting for the XBOX1 release date, so I can buy a discounted 360, so I can get my fix of a modded NFL football game.

[jwilphl]

The demo was very blah, as usual, honestly. I haven't bought a Madden game in five years and there is good reason why: this game is simply stagnant. I appreciate that they've introduced some new things over the years, but none of it equates to a spectacular game of football. Yes it is cliche, but I still have not been *impressed* by a football game since 2K5.

I am willing to try the PS4 version when it releases (as in rent/demo), but I am minimizing my expectations. If anything is to be expected, it will be very little (if any) innovation and a lot of weird gameplay issues. But I have a feeling a new generation of consoles is not what the series really needs to move forward.

[opd897]

I agree with most of the round table points.

Madden will most likely never improve as long as we, the consumers, continue to reward mediocrity by purchasing the procuct.

I will not purchase the current generation game and will take a wait and see approach to the next gen game. If it does not appear to be any better I'll just do without.

[Armor and Sword]

Quote: Originally Posted by Gosens6

Wow, i'm shocked. I'm actually enjoying the game more than ever this gen, and for the first time since Madden 06 on the PS2. Iv'e noticed a lot of the OS regulars here sharing the same sentiments I am. I just don't see how anyone, even the guys who regularly write reviews for OS can review past Madden games this gen, give them scores of 7 and above, and then crap all over this? It seems incredibly backwards to me, but hey, to each their own.

I was reading the posts....saw yours and had to quote it and write my thoughts (then go back and read some more posts) because I share your exact sentiment.


M13 was given a 8.5
M12 was given a 7.5


I know I am not on the same page OS some of the staff writers (who do a tremendous job and great write ups that I value and enjoy and of course this is all subjective) on this demo.


M12 I actually got plenty of enjoyment out of and lot's of game time with. It was the first Madden I have played this deep into multuple seasons with since Madden 05 and 07 last gen.


I won't berate M13 again as everyone knows my feelings on that game as it has been well documented.


M25's demo has me excited for a Madden game again. In fact I have not been this pumped since Madden 10's release (my first next gen Madden). I am having an absolute blast playing this demo. I feel based on the demo....it is by far my favorite Madden this gen gameplay wise.


Now......I am reserving judgement on the entire package because the bottom line is....I don't play this game to play exibition football. I play this game for franchise mode offline and this year.....online (taking the plunge and superbly excited about it).


So when the retail copy arrives on my doorstep Tuesday....you can bet your bottoms I will be digging deep into Connected Franchise gameplay, formation subs, sliders, auto-sub sliders, AI, Owner Mode....and online franchise play.


I have such a good vibe this years game is going to shine in so many area's.


If your a Madden fan....this package looks to be the best this gen.


Legacy issues are well documented.....I am really just wanting a playable game with the new passing system, IE2.0, Owner mode, Madden Share (huge).


So many positives potentially next week.


I disagree with the tone of the roundtable save for one staff writer who had fun with the game. I am way past this game being a true football simulation. And I emphathize with the guys who want a real true sim (I am one of those guys too believe me) but i know what Madden football has always been about....hybrid arcade/sim game, fun factor at a high level. As a offline solo game....you must live with certain short comings and make the best of it. Those who will try out my house rules and sliders are in for a treat this year IMO. It's all about how you approach this game.


And yes....it does stink you have to limit yourself in certain aspects playing the AI. But this is how it has been since Maddens inception. Even the great Madden 2005....I can truck the CPU if I want to. I had to install house rules to get a virtual franchise with sim like results.


Again...when you have games like The Show, NBA 2K, and the NHL series it's hard to believe Madden has not caught up to those wonderful offline experiences where house rules are not even really talked about on the court, diamond or ice (off the field yeah...of course if you don't want to exploit the AI's GM abilties).


But Madden is the only game in town.....so I choose to enjoy it to the fullest I possibly can. I could not do that with last years game nor Madden 11.


So M25 has me giddy again. I hope I am not let down....because I will be the first to give it an honest review if it does indeed blow it.


I was enthusiastic about M13 pre-release, I embraced the CCM stuff....but the game totally blew it on and off the field.


M25......to be continued next week.

[Methlab]

It's really nice to read this review. Honesty is key here if we are to ever have another run of great football games.

I am hoping the next gen of game systems shows us the true potential of sports games, because I believe that the current Gen systems have been maxed out in what the CPU can handle and what we are asking for.

[Big FN Deal]

Quote: Originally Posted by Gosens6

So, an OS review gave Madden 07 and 08 a score of 7, and then 09 a score of 8.5 Judged by this OS demo roundtable, they don't think very highly of Madden 25, so much so that a lot of people here think it will get a poor score when the retail version gets reviewed. Okay, so are you telling me that Madden 07, 08 and 09 for this current gen of consoles is better than Madden 25? Hell, i'd rather play the Madden 25 demo than to play any of those games, even if someone paid me. By this logic, Madden 25 will have to score below a 7. A 6 is very possible, but I doubt it. So will Madden 25 score a 6 or below? Because there is no way in hell that 07, 08 or 09 are even anywhere CLOSE to being as good as the reviewers at OS rated them.

What you seem to be overlooking is context, meaning M07-M09 where early on for next-gen consoles, whereas M25 is near the end of those same consoles. I was actually able to tolerate M06-M09 due to the hope that it was still early on these consoles and things could get much better. However here we are some 5 editions later since M09 at M25 and Madden is still inferior to football games from last gen in many areas, as well as to other current top YEARLY sports titles.

[GiantBlue76]

Quote: Originally Posted by ghettogeeksta

Great review guys. I must say that Ncaa football 14 pass defense is even worse than Madden's but overall Ncaa plays better, the game is alot smoother, running is more natural and IE tackling is way better. People keep complaining about the defense but the offense is just as bad in Madden and Ncaa with unnatural passing mechcanics, Tim Tebow can be just as good as Tom Brady in this game, the same old catch animations (receivers don't jump and turn their bodies towards balls thrown behind them and they don't even go low to the ground for balls, two types of catches that happen regular in every football game in real life.) At this point I'm just waiting on next gen and I'm not even confident they will deliver then.

LOL - Ghetto

I said this in the demo impressions thread and you jumped all over me saying that Madden 25 was a 1000x better game.