06:17 AM - July 27, 2010 by buddy321813
The Madden NFL 11 demo is available now for 360 and later today for the PS3. Please post your impressions here.
Madden NFL 11 News Post
06:17 AM - July 27, 2010 by buddy321813The Madden NFL 11 demo is available now for 360 and later today for the PS3. Please post your impressions here.
Madden NFL 11 Videos
Member Comments
Ok I played about 4 single player games and 1 two player game on the demo.
Here are my reviews:
Pros:
Graphics look really good.
Lighting is great.
Gameflow is good. I felt that the OC's were calling a taylored gameplan for the team.
Although the Colts did run a lot of streak plays, they also ran a lot of dig routes. This is a favorite for the Colts in real life so that's cool. The Jets ran a lot and a lot of the pass plays were not complex.
Running game feels fluid enough. Although I have to get used to the auto-turbo. The O-line and FB actually lay good blocks on people.
The deep ball is nice. The catching animation look good. Receivers will turn back to catch balls on time. It's not like the rocket catch but it remains to be seen if this will be exploited.
Cons:
The Strategy Pad- I agree with everyone else. The strategy pad is a game killer. Playing against the CPU, I as able to get one to two adjustments. Usually just press coverage or moving my d-line. I think the pad doesn't give you the freedom to make your adjustments pre-snap. I felt like I was at the mercy of the offense when I couldn't make the proper adjustments. I don't think getting used to it will help. The main problem I saw is that you have to activate the strategy pad then select what you want to adjust. It stays activated after your initial adjustment but with the clock clicking down and the ball about to be snapped and if you are trying to make adjustments like you first tried to do, you wind up making two secondary adjustments. I don't have time to look and see exactly what are the options before snap. They need to patch the original adjustments. If it ain't broke don't fix it. I'm not sure how they thought this would speed up the game unless they were trying to cut down the # of adjustments a defensive player can make.
The S-Pad on offense is a little better but the audible is terrible on offense for a two player game. On the first audible screen, the user has to move to a highlighted option where it shows you run, quick pass, deep pass, etc. This is stupid. Your opponent can see exactly what type of play you are running. It's like Drew Brees changing the play at the line and yelling out, "Hey guys, I don't like this defense so we are going to run OK!" Going to the second screen does give you a button option but why isn't this on the first screen? Changing the audibles back to M'10 would be easier.
Gameflow is great for a 1P game. It absolutely sucks for 2P games. First you need a headset playing with a two player game. Understandable because you wouldn't want your opponent to hear your strategy coming from your external speakers. But now you don't see the play art at all. You just get the OC telling you who to look for. Same thing on defensive. You have no idea what play you are going to run without showing the play art.
Also in the two player game, if one player chooses gameflow and the other player doesn't, there was no indication if a play was selected at all. The other player literally has to bring up the call play screen to see the other teams formation. We also acidentally went to game flow trying to advance the game by pressing A. I can see how this will make a coupule of disgruntled because they were trying to advance the game and instead called a gameflow play.
Conclusion:
Not being able to play with the Saints on the demo sucked but the game is still good. The S-Pad needs to be taken out and replaced with the old method. I think this will work better and allow more pre-adjustments before snap
Here are my reviews:
Pros:
Graphics look really good.
Lighting is great.
Gameflow is good. I felt that the OC's were calling a taylored gameplan for the team.
Although the Colts did run a lot of streak plays, they also ran a lot of dig routes. This is a favorite for the Colts in real life so that's cool. The Jets ran a lot and a lot of the pass plays were not complex.
Running game feels fluid enough. Although I have to get used to the auto-turbo. The O-line and FB actually lay good blocks on people.
The deep ball is nice. The catching animation look good. Receivers will turn back to catch balls on time. It's not like the rocket catch but it remains to be seen if this will be exploited.
Cons:
The Strategy Pad- I agree with everyone else. The strategy pad is a game killer. Playing against the CPU, I as able to get one to two adjustments. Usually just press coverage or moving my d-line. I think the pad doesn't give you the freedom to make your adjustments pre-snap. I felt like I was at the mercy of the offense when I couldn't make the proper adjustments. I don't think getting used to it will help. The main problem I saw is that you have to activate the strategy pad then select what you want to adjust. It stays activated after your initial adjustment but with the clock clicking down and the ball about to be snapped and if you are trying to make adjustments like you first tried to do, you wind up making two secondary adjustments. I don't have time to look and see exactly what are the options before snap. They need to patch the original adjustments. If it ain't broke don't fix it. I'm not sure how they thought this would speed up the game unless they were trying to cut down the # of adjustments a defensive player can make.
The S-Pad on offense is a little better but the audible is terrible on offense for a two player game. On the first audible screen, the user has to move to a highlighted option where it shows you run, quick pass, deep pass, etc. This is stupid. Your opponent can see exactly what type of play you are running. It's like Drew Brees changing the play at the line and yelling out, "Hey guys, I don't like this defense so we are going to run OK!" Going to the second screen does give you a button option but why isn't this on the first screen? Changing the audibles back to M'10 would be easier.
Gameflow is great for a 1P game. It absolutely sucks for 2P games. First you need a headset playing with a two player game. Understandable because you wouldn't want your opponent to hear your strategy coming from your external speakers. But now you don't see the play art at all. You just get the OC telling you who to look for. Same thing on defensive. You have no idea what play you are going to run without showing the play art.
Also in the two player game, if one player chooses gameflow and the other player doesn't, there was no indication if a play was selected at all. The other player literally has to bring up the call play screen to see the other teams formation. We also acidentally went to game flow trying to advance the game by pressing A. I can see how this will make a coupule of disgruntled because they were trying to advance the game and instead called a gameflow play.
Conclusion:
Not being able to play with the Saints on the demo sucked but the game is still good. The S-Pad needs to be taken out and replaced with the old method. I think this will work better and allow more pre-adjustments before snap
# 642
KCsFinest5 @ 07/28/10 12:17 PM
This strat. pad is a big problem. I really enjoy being able to audible on the fly very quickly. This limits me. Also, I'm undecided on the GameFlow feature because I don't think I will ever use it.
Will someone answer me one question; Why did Madden go "simple" this year? Have there been issues with people not getting the hang of things?
Thanks in advance!
Will someone answer me one question; Why did Madden go "simple" this year? Have there been issues with people not getting the hang of things?
Thanks in advance!
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My thoughts are that EA seems to believe there are a lot of non-football fans that they can get to buy the game if the game is simplified. However, I believe it's just the opposite. I believe that by simplifying things as they are that they are actually leaving sales on the table due to actual football fans choosing to pass.
They should re-think their strategy and go after more of the hardcore football fans. I mean look at the NHL series, when they were going after the casual sales they were getting trounced by 2K sports. When they switched to go after the hockey fans then their NHL series began destroying 2K sports game and has every since.
If they did the same thing for Madden I think they'd see a huge sales increase.
They should re-think their strategy and go after more of the hardcore football fans. I mean look at the NHL series, when they were going after the casual sales they were getting trounced by 2K sports. When they switched to go after the hockey fans then their NHL series began destroying 2K sports game and has every since.
If they did the same thing for Madden I think they'd see a huge sales increase.
ryan36 - i'm lucky to get 1 adjustment in before the snap. Yes I know, I'll get more used to the strategy pad but it still won't help. Why? Well there are three reasons:
1. When I play other players they will snap the ball immediately most of the time, so saying the CPU in the retail version will delay the snap longer is a solution means nothing to me.
2. The actual interface of the strategy pad is slow and even after I memorize all of the options it is not responsive.
3. The Xbox d-pad is terribly unresponsive.
Combine #2 and #3 and I see a world of frustration ahead for a lot of us Xbox 360 players. And for #1 then it's frustration for online players and/or people who play head to head with other people. And lastly, if you're an online Xbox player then you get the best of both worlds of frustration!!!
1. When I play other players they will snap the ball immediately most of the time, so saying the CPU in the retail version will delay the snap longer is a solution means nothing to me.
2. The actual interface of the strategy pad is slow and even after I memorize all of the options it is not responsive.
3. The Xbox d-pad is terribly unresponsive.
Combine #2 and #3 and I see a world of frustration ahead for a lot of us Xbox 360 players. And for #1 then it's frustration for online players and/or people who play head to head with other people. And lastly, if you're an online Xbox player then you get the best of both worlds of frustration!!!
# 646
TLizChosen @ 07/28/10 12:34 PM
Everything has pretty much been said, so I will just say I can get used to the D-pad. I have already preordered and will play it, but I think NCAA is more fun at the moment.
# 647
ThisIsReality @ 07/28/10 12:36 PM
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All-Madden is a difficulty where the CPU does NOT play to their ratings at all.
I've heard All-Pro isn't either and Pro is the way to go with some adjusted sliders.
ODogg- I'm with you, I see what you're saying...but offensive players make those same adjustments to get the most out of their plays don't they? I always shift someone , flip a run, send a guy in motion , hot route, or slide protect. Usually 1 or sometimes 2 of those adjustments...I don't know about how horrible the 360 d-pad is, so I'll concede that point. I still think it'll be ok. I wish you didn't have to 'activate' it first...that extra step bugs me. If i could just hit down+down to adjust the line, that'd be easier. If they could remove that extra button map, I'd like it
# 649
proud2bawesome @ 07/28/10 12:40 PM
After playing the demo a few times, I am really disappointed. It feels like a huge step back from last year in most departments. Most grievances have already been aired here so I will resist the urge to completely bash it. But I have to say, even though I have bought Madden new every year, I will not this year. Why would I? It's just Madden 10 with crappy controls. I will try not to be too harsh, but in all reality if I were a higher up from EA auditing this team's development cycle, by the time I was done the entire staff would be fired. There is nothing in this game to justify the time and money that went into it for a full year.
# 650
adembroski @ 07/28/10 12:40 PM
I understand where people are coming from on this locomotion thing. I feel it more tightly in NCAA as well, but I wonder how much that has to do with there being a lot more open field running in NCAA. The NFL is effectively played on a "smaller field" due to the speed of the game, so there isn't as much cutting to be done.
I don't like the strat pad much either, I didn't like it at CD, though I'm growing accustom now. Still, I have a hard time seeing the benefit. Virtually every 2-button adjustment I made before is now a 3-button adjustment. Admittedly, there's one big benefit: It doesn't take up the entire damn screen anymore. Ian is insisting once people get used to it, they'll like it (and evidence thus far is proving him right... on twitter I constantly see converts who are liking it now after complaining a few hours ago.)
For the record, I heard from someone, and I think it was Ian, say that the QB doesn't quick snap so much in the retail game. That'll make a huge difference.
Everyone's raving about the sideline catches. Everyone I've seen has been executed 2 yards out of bounds, so I'm not seeing good things so far. I would assume this is actually a good sign, as the receivers don't automatically keep their feet in on every sideline catch. If I were going off of only what I've seen, however, I'd have an issue with it.
I concur with most people on the catch animations. I've seen some really good ones, especially on bad passes over the middle. Drops/incompletions always seem really realistic, and I've seen some great catches that didn't defy logic.
The blocking seems... inconsistent? Too many DLinemen getting off blocks too quickly for my taste.
Anyways, this is only 3 games, all on All-Pro... 1 as the Jets, 2 as the Colts. I'm 1-2, 1 close win, 1 close loss, and a blowout loss.
I don't like the strat pad much either, I didn't like it at CD, though I'm growing accustom now. Still, I have a hard time seeing the benefit. Virtually every 2-button adjustment I made before is now a 3-button adjustment. Admittedly, there's one big benefit: It doesn't take up the entire damn screen anymore. Ian is insisting once people get used to it, they'll like it (and evidence thus far is proving him right... on twitter I constantly see converts who are liking it now after complaining a few hours ago.)
For the record, I heard from someone, and I think it was Ian, say that the QB doesn't quick snap so much in the retail game. That'll make a huge difference.
Everyone's raving about the sideline catches. Everyone I've seen has been executed 2 yards out of bounds, so I'm not seeing good things so far. I would assume this is actually a good sign, as the receivers don't automatically keep their feet in on every sideline catch. If I were going off of only what I've seen, however, I'd have an issue with it.
I concur with most people on the catch animations. I've seen some really good ones, especially on bad passes over the middle. Drops/incompletions always seem really realistic, and I've seen some great catches that didn't defy logic.
The blocking seems... inconsistent? Too many DLinemen getting off blocks too quickly for my taste.
Anyways, this is only 3 games, all on All-Pro... 1 as the Jets, 2 as the Colts. I'm 1-2, 1 close win, 1 close loss, and a blowout loss.
Yeah, people who play serious usually do, the problem is a lot of more casual players don't do those things. So in effect the strategy pad is handicapping knowledgeable players and thus making the playing field more even. But now that I think about it, maybe that is the actual INTENT of EA by introducing the strategy pad.
OH and 100% agree about that nonsense of "activating" it. It's ridiculous and my fingers are trembling in anger as I type this just thinking about the entire thing.
OH and 100% agree about that nonsense of "activating" it. It's ridiculous and my fingers are trembling in anger as I type this just thinking about the entire thing.
# 652
DaCarver13 @ 07/28/10 12:44 PM
I have to say I would give this demo a 9 out of 10.
I know a lot of people are upset and do not appreciate the game but I see the game much improved.
I was really upset to not see the Online Franchise not get any upgrades as that is the only mode I play. I was also thinking that the gameply was going to be almost the same as last year from seeing all the videos... Boy was I wrong!
Some people either did not play Madden last year or are just blind to see the improvements that make this game really good.
I played all my demo games on All-Madden and All-Pro
Imrovements:
1. Much improved blocking. My running backs actually pick up the blitz. Pass blocking linemen actually do better in pass blocking than run blocking. Their attributes show. When I played with the Jets, pass blocking was not so good as Mathis and Freeney were getting in consistently, but as I ran the ball the Jets O-line shined. Opposite with the Colts, I barely got sacked with Peyton Manning and had way more time to throw.
2. No more HIT STICK from 5 feet away and cause a fumble. I noticed that the hit stick is far more realistic. You actually have to be in the right position and is not as easy as past years.
3. The days were 50+ yard field goals were automatic are over. Although the kicking is not super hard, I do see guys missing a lot more.
4. No more last second throwing incompletions. I remember last year when you barely got the ball off without a full throwing motion it was called an incomplete pass... not this year, if that arm is not in a full throwing motion its a fumble.
5. Sideline catching is on point. Curl routes actually work. Now when you run a curl and the receiver catches the ball he turns and goes upfield instead of losing yards!
6. Defense finesse moves on block shed are not automatic anymore. I had a guy last year in my Online Franchise that would use the same Finesse move with Michael Johnson every time and get in the backfield with ease! He had 26 sacks in one season! Those days are over...
7. Locomotion is sick! I had guys in Online Franchise that could cover almost the entire field with their free safety. Now swticthing directions takes away speed, momentum, agility, acceleration, etc. Every player feels different. You can really feel the difference.
8. Cornerbacks hit the ball out of your receivers hands when they catch it.
9. QB throwing motions are sick! I also noticed when you pump fake sometimes the defender on that side gets faked out and sometimes he doesn't. Play action is no longer as effective as last year. I remember last year you didn't even have to establish a run and you were able to play action with ease and the defense ALWAYS bit. Heck guys would even play action on 3rd and 20 and get a first down.
10. Way more animations! No more same ol' jump in the air and get flipped animation. I have seen several different animations.
11. Realism, man I feel like I am actually playing with the Colts or Jets. The player faces are ridiculously sick. The crowd is much improved.
12. Gus Johnson is an uprade from Hammond. Game feels more exciting.
Dislikes:
1. Althought I do like Gus, I think they should add commentary about the current season. I heard NCCA does this. This would be great for online franchise.
2. Fight for the fumble. Hate it.
3. Tackling is still horrible.
4. Although not all the time, CB's tend to know the route your WR is running and make their cuts sometimes before your WR does.
5. Presentation is a bit weak. Could be way better. Halftime show, between quarters, and player of the game.
6. Strategy pad. Not a fan but I am not throwing a fit about it like most people are. I adjust easily.
I know a lot of people are upset and do not appreciate the game but I see the game much improved.
I was really upset to not see the Online Franchise not get any upgrades as that is the only mode I play. I was also thinking that the gameply was going to be almost the same as last year from seeing all the videos... Boy was I wrong!
Some people either did not play Madden last year or are just blind to see the improvements that make this game really good.
I played all my demo games on All-Madden and All-Pro
Imrovements:
1. Much improved blocking. My running backs actually pick up the blitz. Pass blocking linemen actually do better in pass blocking than run blocking. Their attributes show. When I played with the Jets, pass blocking was not so good as Mathis and Freeney were getting in consistently, but as I ran the ball the Jets O-line shined. Opposite with the Colts, I barely got sacked with Peyton Manning and had way more time to throw.
2. No more HIT STICK from 5 feet away and cause a fumble. I noticed that the hit stick is far more realistic. You actually have to be in the right position and is not as easy as past years.
3. The days were 50+ yard field goals were automatic are over. Although the kicking is not super hard, I do see guys missing a lot more.
4. No more last second throwing incompletions. I remember last year when you barely got the ball off without a full throwing motion it was called an incomplete pass... not this year, if that arm is not in a full throwing motion its a fumble.
5. Sideline catching is on point. Curl routes actually work. Now when you run a curl and the receiver catches the ball he turns and goes upfield instead of losing yards!
6. Defense finesse moves on block shed are not automatic anymore. I had a guy last year in my Online Franchise that would use the same Finesse move with Michael Johnson every time and get in the backfield with ease! He had 26 sacks in one season! Those days are over...
7. Locomotion is sick! I had guys in Online Franchise that could cover almost the entire field with their free safety. Now swticthing directions takes away speed, momentum, agility, acceleration, etc. Every player feels different. You can really feel the difference.
8. Cornerbacks hit the ball out of your receivers hands when they catch it.
9. QB throwing motions are sick! I also noticed when you pump fake sometimes the defender on that side gets faked out and sometimes he doesn't. Play action is no longer as effective as last year. I remember last year you didn't even have to establish a run and you were able to play action with ease and the defense ALWAYS bit. Heck guys would even play action on 3rd and 20 and get a first down.
10. Way more animations! No more same ol' jump in the air and get flipped animation. I have seen several different animations.
11. Realism, man I feel like I am actually playing with the Colts or Jets. The player faces are ridiculously sick. The crowd is much improved.
12. Gus Johnson is an uprade from Hammond. Game feels more exciting.
Dislikes:
1. Althought I do like Gus, I think they should add commentary about the current season. I heard NCCA does this. This would be great for online franchise.
2. Fight for the fumble. Hate it.
3. Tackling is still horrible.
4. Although not all the time, CB's tend to know the route your WR is running and make their cuts sometimes before your WR does.
5. Presentation is a bit weak. Could be way better. Halftime show, between quarters, and player of the game.
6. Strategy pad. Not a fan but I am not throwing a fit about it like most people are. I adjust easily.
# 653
Ronnie brown23 @ 07/28/10 12:45 PM
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Would I be a bastard if I said I was just flat out un-impressed ?
I'll go into detail when I can get some time to type it out.
I'll go into detail when I can get some time to type it out.
I played 4 games last night and have a few things to say about this years Madden Demo. Keep in mind that I only played about 15 games of Madden last year and I didn't play NCAA 10 at all so I am anxious to play an HD NFL game. I have NCAA 11 and like it. I am a HUGE fan of the 2k series.
I am playing on a ps3 so yesterday while killing time at work I read alot of impressions on here and was pretty worried about the game. When I first started to play I thought "What is wrong with these people, this game plays great."
The graphics look good, I like the duel stick moves, passing is fun and can be a challenge, and wide receivers go up for the ball now instead of letting the cb knock it down. I had one catch where the wr dove (left to right on screen) and made the catch. It looked awesome. In short, I have never come away from playing a demo and been so impressed with a game. I can' t wait until Aug. 11 (taking family on vacation and won't be back until 11th) to sit down and play this game. Also, if you choose to spectate a game you can see the broadcast camera angle at work. This is going to be huge for me and a big reason why I play this more then NCAA. (1 camera angle? Really?)
Sure there are things wrong with the game, but I have come to terms with the fact that EA just doesn't know how to fix consecutive hits. I don't know why it is so hard or why 2k does this so well, but Ian and the gang just don't know how to do it or don't want to fix it. Also, I had trouble getting to the qb, but I had the same trouble with NCAA demo, but with sliders in the retail version it is not a problem at all. I am blindly going to tell myself that the same will happen here.
Real quick:
Gameflow is a horrible idea in my opinion, but I can turn it off so I really don't care either way about it.
Strategy pad seems to be getting alot of negative comments, but after 2 games I was making adjustments without even looking at which way to push the button. This is a non issue to me. It may take some people awhile to adjust, but it is not a game killer and anyone who doesn't buy this game because of it is crazy. It is EASY to use.
Kick meter is fine. I wish they would go to a "cross" kind of meter (like old ps1 live free throw.) + Get away from the arrow all together and make the up/down be the power and the left/right be accuracy. That would put a fun challenge into field goals.
Commentary is going to be okay in the long run. Gus is so excited sometimes that he can't even stand it. Really, I don't care that much about commentary and this, in general, is good. What I care more about is stat overlays and I saw a bunch pop up while playing. (something NCAA lacks, but hopefully will be fixed)
This is going to be the best year of football gaming for this gen, and I am on board and looking forward to it.
I am playing on a ps3 so yesterday while killing time at work I read alot of impressions on here and was pretty worried about the game. When I first started to play I thought "What is wrong with these people, this game plays great."
The graphics look good, I like the duel stick moves, passing is fun and can be a challenge, and wide receivers go up for the ball now instead of letting the cb knock it down. I had one catch where the wr dove (left to right on screen) and made the catch. It looked awesome. In short, I have never come away from playing a demo and been so impressed with a game. I can' t wait until Aug. 11 (taking family on vacation and won't be back until 11th) to sit down and play this game. Also, if you choose to spectate a game you can see the broadcast camera angle at work. This is going to be huge for me and a big reason why I play this more then NCAA. (1 camera angle? Really?)
Sure there are things wrong with the game, but I have come to terms with the fact that EA just doesn't know how to fix consecutive hits. I don't know why it is so hard or why 2k does this so well, but Ian and the gang just don't know how to do it or don't want to fix it. Also, I had trouble getting to the qb, but I had the same trouble with NCAA demo, but with sliders in the retail version it is not a problem at all. I am blindly going to tell myself that the same will happen here.
Real quick:
Gameflow is a horrible idea in my opinion, but I can turn it off so I really don't care either way about it.
Strategy pad seems to be getting alot of negative comments, but after 2 games I was making adjustments without even looking at which way to push the button. This is a non issue to me. It may take some people awhile to adjust, but it is not a game killer and anyone who doesn't buy this game because of it is crazy. It is EASY to use.
Kick meter is fine. I wish they would go to a "cross" kind of meter (like old ps1 live free throw.) + Get away from the arrow all together and make the up/down be the power and the left/right be accuracy. That would put a fun challenge into field goals.
Commentary is going to be okay in the long run. Gus is so excited sometimes that he can't even stand it. Really, I don't care that much about commentary and this, in general, is good. What I care more about is stat overlays and I saw a bunch pop up while playing. (something NCAA lacks, but hopefully will be fixed)
This is going to be the best year of football gaming for this gen, and I am on board and looking forward to it.
# 657
navygoat1998 @ 07/28/10 12:51 PM
Taste like chicken and plays like Madden. Another year of a good football, great no, good yes! 
Mike
Mike
Anyone that knows me knows I'm pretty EASY on EA's games. I'm usually able to overlook a lot of stuff. But due to the negatives I posted, especially this strategy pad thing, this is honestly the first year I've considered not buying Madden at all. If I can get a good deal on it and/or get it early then I probably still will just for the occasional time for when a buddy comes over but I really am not sure if I can get over the negatives I've seen from this demo.
I probably will end up wasting money on the game this year and not playing it much at all. I hope I'm wrong, maybe the retail will change my mind, but so far I'm very discouraged. At least I have a great NCAA 11 to enjoy though.
I probably will end up wasting money on the game this year and not playing it much at all. I hope I'm wrong, maybe the retail will change my mind, but so far I'm very discouraged. At least I have a great NCAA 11 to enjoy though.
tazdevil20 - very well said. Your post put into words what I was unable to do in my impressions. I 100% agree with everything you said.
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...with the new kick meter, I still haven't missed a FG!
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