Madden NFL 25 Next-Gen Review (PS4)

[FaceMask]

Quote: Originally Posted by bspang2

I believe they should have concentrated on the graphics and presentation this year. When EA creates a football that looks far behind what it should be all we have to lean on is the game play and they still cannot get that right. The movements of players are not natural/authentic... very robotic. Yes gameplay if improvements if existed would make for a better game, but when the looks amazing and feels amazing and its presented (commentary, game day presentation) great. That makes for a great game, then we can deal with the slight if any adjustments to game play.

I think I understand your point. You're saying that since the gameplay wasn't a big leap (and I agree having played the game), the part they could've targeted most with the path of least resistance to make an immediate impact would've been graphics and presentation. I agree with that and I think it was extremely lazy for Tiburon to do practically nothing to the presentation, I mean the presentation is the same poor package from last generation, even the overlays are exactly the same. No excuse for that.

The graphics are slightly better, but they went overboard with the grass blades (even to the point of promoting it hard in their marketing packages, smh). I would've rather they went overboard on player models and model detail. I feel the approach they took with grass was overkill this time around; the approach they used in 360/PS3 is a technically smarter approach and they should've continued with that.

Gameplay is the most important aspect, but at this point the game should be the total package. We shouldn't even have to discuss these things anymore, it should all be in Tiburon's rearview. Should've been years ago. Should've been in Madden 06 or at least 07 in all honesty since we had football games a generation prior to that which WERE the total package.

The game getting 8's in reviews certainly doesn't help matters either. What bothers me most is that it feels like people have been so conditioned for so long to accept a mediocre product, that they can praise a port with very minor upgrades so very highly. This should be a completely different game now for a number of reasons besides it just being a jump into a new generation (and needing to have been rebuilt from the ground-up), but it's not, and that to me should've drawn much more ire from some reviewers than it has.

One last thing: When you read reviews like the one GiantBomb did for this game, it's interesting to note how the last paragraph is exactly what was said about Madden 06 for XBOX 360 (which was obviously a far worse game, but still):

"On that note, you're probably just fine waiting for next year to make the generational leap with this franchise... Madden NFL 25 doesn't represent enough of a leap forward to make it either a technical showpiece for your new console, nor a more exciting football game than what EA already put out a few months ago."

Everybody expecting that one truly great Madden REALLY should be far beyond tired of waiting by now. Enough is enough.

GiantBomb score: 3 out of 5 (60%)

[roadman]

GiantBomb?

Never heard of before, and of course, someone else's subjective opinion.

Could be Bleacher Report or the NY Times to me, that's why it's best to trust the best reviewer, yourself. And my opinion below is subjective as well.

This NG game to me, is not a marginal upgrade from CG, but a good upgrade with a solid foundation for better upgrades.

The other games forum is a hornets nest with key missing features. This game feels good and plays defense much better than CG.

[FaceMask]

Quote: Originally Posted by roadman

GiantBomb? Never heard of before, and of course, someone else's subjective opinion. Could be Bleacher Report or the NY Times to me, that's why it's best to trust the best reviewer, yourself.

Even so, GiantBomb is well-known, happens to be owned by CBS, and has some very well-known reviewers on their staff like Alex Navarro, Brad Shoemaker and Vinny Caravella ho were all Gamespot Editors, as well as Patrick Klepek, formerly of G4, Drew Scanlon, and Ryan Davis until his death in 2013 (info from wiki), in fact this review was written by Alex Navarro. I have no opinion on their credibility individually or on Alex's specifically, but I agree with him on many points about this game, including the quote I posted.

Most intelligent people don't base their purchases of video games on what a review says unless it confirms certain things being missing that the gamer knows he/she won't enjoy not having, so everyone is pretty much aware that the best reviewers are themselves. It goes without saying. And that said, I have played the game, and I'm not impressed at all independent of any review, but if others are impressed I have no problem with that, they're entitled to their opinion.

[roadman]

Quote: Originally Posted by FaceMask

Even so, GiantBomb is well-known, happens to be owned by CBS, and has some very well-known reviewers on their staff like Alex Navarro, Brad Shoemaker and Vinny Caravella ho were all Gamespot Editors, as well as Patrick Klepek, formerly of G4, Drew Scanlon, and Ryan Davis until his death in 2013 (info from wiki), in fact this review was written by Alex Navarro. I have no opinion on their credibility individually or on Alex's specifically, but I agree with him on many points about this game, including the quote I posted. Most intelligent people don't base their purchases of video games on what a review says unless it confirms certain things being missing that the gamer knows he/she won't enjoy not having, so everyone is pretty much aware that the best reviewers are themselves. It goes without saying. And that said, I have played the game, and I'm not impressed at all independent of any review, but if others are impressed I have no problem with that, they're entitled to their opinion.

I get what you are saying and I don't disagree except for the GiantBomb reference. Owned by CBS carries no weight one way or the other with me and not trying to sound stand offish in that regard.

I've had a chance to look at the review and noticed he said some real good things about the game as well.

We just differ on impressions on the game which is fine.

[FaceMask]

Quote: Originally Posted by roadman

I get what you are saying and I don't disagree except for the GiantBomb reference. Owned by CBS carries no weight one way or the other with me and not trying to sound stand offish in that regard.

I only made reference to its CBS ownership to give an idea of the scope and backing of the site so it could be considered that it's not just an out-of-nowhere operation being run by some guy out of his garage. Of course, me personally, I'd still respect a garage business if it's done well. There are sites even bigger than GiantBomb that are beyond terrible.

[roadman]

Ok, understood.

I'm starting to go off topic, so, to stay with the thread topic, I do feel it's a fair review, based on what I've played so far.

[GAMEDAY08]

so is the comp vs comp during the franchise mode still a no go bc some of the regular season games r better on the video game then n real life