Madden 12 News Post

Madden NFL 12 Demo Available Now, Post Impressions Here (360, PS3)

06:06 AM - August 9, 2011 by Steve_OS

The Madden NFL 12 demo is available now. Please play a few games and post your impressions here. For now, just search under "M" in the demos section or games section. It weights in at 1.53 GB.

UPDATE: The PS3 demo is available now.

Game: Madden NFL 12Reader Score: 6.5/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / Wii / Xbox 360Votes for game: 44 - View All

Madden NFL 12 Videos

Member Comments

# 881 bakesalee @ 08/13/11 08:16 PM

OK I haven't had a truly fun, heart-racing experience with Madden since around 2003 on the PS2, so you can take my impressions with a grain of salt if you're a hardcore Madden fanatic that buys this every year.

Strengths:
-Graphics are nice

Weaknesses:
-Ball physics look so outdated. This is especially apparent during kickoffs.
-Player movement is archaic. Especially compared to other brand football titles released on Xbox 360.
-Players don't seem to have any momentum. This gives the overall experience a haphazard feel.
-No way to throw a lob vs. bullet pass?
-Receivers don't jump to catch passes? This adds to the "haphazard" experience. Is he going to get catch it? Who cares?

# 882 jayhawkblue @ 08/13/11 10:46 PM

Kind of a minor thing, but I really like that they have a variety in cleats this year. Looks like they even have cleats that some of the real life counterparts wear, like Aaron Rodgers.

# 883 babythug23 @ 08/14/11 12:33 AM

Had some time with the demo. When i 1st posted in this thread is didn't like the game to much after 1 game. Played bout 15 games or so put speed on VERY SLOW. Still seems a lil to fast even for very slow.Still has that madden feel to it some like it some don't. I want something all new but that being said

The game got better the more i played it! Its better then the other madden on this gen. Looks great,GAMEplay is getting better slowly. For a Madden game it is alright its something we should have got 3 or 4 years ago. Still don't know if i will buy it. I might if i get tired of 2k5 and want something differnet. For a madden game its better......

# 884 JaZart @ 08/14/11 12:57 AM

It's better than any other Madden this gen but still doesn't touch any last gen football title. Honestly I've given up hope of madden reaching the level of '05 this gen. Same problems that can't/won't be fixed until the game's engine is replaced completely. I wouldn't have a problem with the game having canned animations if they weren't so limited and robotic that it causes morphing/suction/warping etc. Probably wont be until the next gen of consoles until EA decides to use a new engine for their football games. Hopefully that'll be in the next 2-3 years. Until then I expect nothing but a new gameplay gimmick, couple new animations, and a few touch ups....

# 885 rich7sena @ 08/14/11 01:55 AM

I've been playing the demo quite a bit since it debuted Tuesday and I'm very impressed in the game on the field this year.

Positives:

-The lack of suction on tackles makes the game feel more fluid and makes finding the hole feel more authentic.

-Hits and tackles, though a bit too ferocious, look better and feel better this year.

-Dynamic Player performance is a great feature and it definitely adds to the chess match on the field.

-Punt, Kick blocks are more likely to happen this year.

-Gameflow is improved

-Graphics look phenomenal, noticeably better than last year.

-Presentation and attention to detail (camera work, player models, texures, etc.) is superb.

-Despite what people have been saying, quarterback speed is spot on.

-Kicking is much improved from a gauge and camera standpoint.

-All-Madden difficulty almost a perfect representation of simulation difficulty (CPU running back still breaks a bit too many tackles).

Negatives

-Sometimes punt coverage is good, sometimes it completely is off.

-User control is still a must to compete in All-Madden. Receivers don't go for the ball on fades, streaks, etc. Players run significantly faster on defense when controlled by user.

-Timing routes still hit or miss.

-Still some semblance of being able to cheese your way to victory if you choose to play that way.

-Players forced to be greeted by cover boy Peyton Hillis in the main menu. Favorite team feature probably will not have returned, would be awesome.

All in all, I can't wait to get this game.

# 886 theycallmeryan @ 08/14/11 03:30 AM

The demo is amazing, I think the full game could be 2K5 good.

# 887 MiNiDiTkA @ 08/14/11 05:02 AM

While I think the tackling is much improved I still think it needs a little work in better representing the fight/struggle between offensive/defensive player. Here's a vid of M12 and APF 2K8 to illustrate my point. IMHO 2K8 does a bit better job of showing the struggle, that fight for that extra inch that hopefully Ea can improve upon next yr. One things for sure though and that's how fantastic M12 looks this yr

# 888 KBLover @ 08/14/11 05:56 AM

Played a few demo games. Impressions so far (no settings changed other than speed threshold at 35 and speed to very slow, played as GB each time):

Scores have been pretty low. I like that. Lost first one 10-7 would have maybe gone into OT but I missed a FG in the 3rd quarter in absolutely comical fashion. I don't think it's even physically possible for the ball to travel like it did! Won second 10-7, just won one 13-10 on a last second 48yd FG. Granted, that's on 5 min quarters, and in the real game, I'll be trying to get 15 min quarters to work as I always do.

The in-game "manual"...sucks. I STILL don't know how to run a hurry-up and stumbled on the clock ball play by accident.

Passing seems...weird. Maybe I'm out of practice or something, but it seems like every ball goes up like a bomb, and then the bombs just seem to always come up short, and this with two strong-armed QBs. The WR is just stopped and waiting for the ball. Maybe my timing is off. I also use a light tap and push the stick up.

Running game still seems meh for my tastes. I'll have to up run blocking next time and see if that does anything to help.

Defense seems better/more aggressive. I don't see as much standing around and stuff.

Pass blocking seemed okay. Sometimes there's some serious pressure/sacks, but sometimes the pocket held up a long time.

Saw the AI overthrow WR - nice to see some "plain" incompletions instead of always "dropped INTs".

I hate the punt returning. In past versions, upping run blocking actually helped with this - so maybe it will here too.

Actually saw a blocked FG. Wasn't even close either - the end rusher nearly took it off the kicker's foot.

Receivers seem to do the top tapping at strange times sometimes. I don't know if that's AWR related or some other rating. Finley had a really bad case of alligator arms on one throw where he toe tapped...about 3 yards from the sideline.

Too early to tell if the good players truly stand out without being overpowered.

The Dynamic Player Performance seems interesting. I'm liking it so far. Changes up the game, tries to simulate mental changes (some good, some bad) by the players based on what's happened to them so far.

Did I mention I hate the running game once again? The "jump of the block" thing is still around. Might be a slider-solvable problem, or maybe the Bears have a high rated run defense, and the Packers certainly aren't known for their running game. Rodgers was their running game last year, basically.

QB scrambling against zone doesn't seem to work (it shouldn't, everyone is looking at the QB). Against man, it's a possible threat (as it should be to an extent, especially with a mobile QB).

Saw a few penalties. Again, not sure what the ratings are or if they are just super low out of the box again. AI Cutler did a delay of game once. That was interesting.

Is the suction gone this year? I can't say I saw/felt much.

Didn't see any LBs making super INTs. DBs might still be somewhat psychic - or maybe I was throwing at bad WR, like some guy named Cobb once, he just let the DB undercut him. I never threw it to him again.

FINALLY FIGURED OUT THE KICKING METER. Why wasn't this in the "manual"? I figured out I have to hit X more based on where I stop the power swing. Seems like once in the lower bracket, twice in the medium and thrice at the top power bracket (though I just spam it once it gets close to the accuracy window). I love the new kicking camera...for FGs and Punts. Wish the kickoff one used the same camera.

# 889 KBLover @ 08/14/11 06:01 AM

# 890 KBLover @ 08/14/11 06:02 AM

# 891 Runnin with Scissors @ 08/14/11 11:12 AM

I really liked the tackling and player movement improvements; overall I think this title will be enjoyable to play, however, the one area that I feel that has still gotten no attention and keeps this game from being a total Sunday experience is the lack of real penalties. No illegal contact or defensive holding, both penalties that are call with frequency in real games are absent. That's just the way it will always be so live with it I guess.

Not a first day purchase for me but will get it some time.

# 892 thor-17 @ 08/14/11 11:19 AM

I can see that alot of work was put into this year's game. It is miles ahead of last year's effort. If what is being said is true, that the demo is of a build before the E3 demos that had everyone captivated, then I think we will be more than satisfied. I was planning on passing on Madden this year after that crap that was last year, but this demo convinced me that they are listening/reading to the customers. So, I preordered it on the ToysRus website. It's $ 44.99 with free shipping. I couldn't pass that up.

# 893 TearsOfPurple @ 08/14/11 02:02 PM

Ok, got done playing a few games this weekend. 2 games with me, my cousin, and my brother playing (Me and my brother [Bears] vs my cousin [Packers]). It was extremely fun. Players move fluid. Graphics are stunning. Presentation is terrific (I actually like the halftime show stint, but to each their own). And this is just the demo. I turned in my Madden '11 as GameStop store credit and pre-ordered Madden '12. Can't wait to play with my Vikings and start up my franchise!!

Also been hearing rumors that this is an old build (and from what I've seen at E3, I think it's true). If true, Madden '12 is going to be glorious. And I'm not one to openly praise Madden (I know everyone says that, but I'm serious. The only reason I got Madden '11 and '10 is because they were gifts)

# 894 idobrl @ 08/14/11 02:34 PM

After playing several games, it's hard to make a judgment because this is not the same game I saw and analyzed in slo-mo from the E3 videos. Yes, it's Madden, but the E3 footage had less skating and shifting and better interaction between the players. I think to critique the demo would be a little premature and actually not accurate compared to the finished build, but I'm only assuming this based on what I saw in the E3 videos.

As for what I saw in the E3 footage, I believe that this will be the best Madden to date.

# 895 TheSportzGuru @ 08/14/11 06:10 PM

After playing a TON of games w/ the auto sprint [OFF], I think the difference between not sprinting and sprinting is minimal, if that...

Can someone confirm this? I need to know if I'm losing my mind or something.

What I do is on big plays I'll switch off (sprint, no sprint, sprint, no sprint etc)

# 896 dstyle @ 08/14/11 06:15 PM

First full game just whooped up in the bears 56-0. I had 100 yds rushing by the second quarter with grant. He finished with 5 tds and 172 yds rushing Rodgers was great to had like a 83% comp rate. Cutler threw two picks and I forced a fumble on forte. I guess its time to bump up the difficulty. Played everything default way too easy.

# 897 pmurray20 @ 08/14/11 07:39 PM

just swited the speed to slow and 35 threashold and well it just sealed me to buying this game, just beat the packers 7-6 in an amazing game, cutler threw 3 INT and i stopped them everytime for a FG in which they missed one. and Peppers dominated with 7 tackles 4 sacks All pro is a good challenge and i love it, other than the fact rodgers is faster than my entire defense?? no way!!

# 898 Johns Jets @ 08/14/11 08:11 PM

Not sure where to put this so I'll just ask in here - If you lower the speed threshold, does that help the defense more or the offense? I've always been hesitant to lower it as I thought it might make things more offense based due to the fact that WRs and RBs tend to be faster than most defensive players. I know there are exceptions to this but in general that's the case and I thought if I lowered this then that difference would be more exaggerated.

However, there are the times where you might have a speedy CB who should catch a RB or WR but doesn't. I just wondered what the people who lower the threshold tend to find, does it make for more offense or better defense?

# 899 Skyboxer @ 08/14/11 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johns Jets


	Not sure where to put this so I'll just ask in here - If you lower the speed threshold, does that help the defense more or the offense?

Depends on the players. The lower the number the more difference in the slowest to fastest players. So its about the players and not the sides of the ball.

# 900 canes21 @ 08/14/11 08:50 PM

The game felt and looked nice, but not really a huge improvement. I also have not noticed DPP. I know it's in the demo, but I saw nothing in my game that showed me it made a difference on the field. After a few fumbles Grant showed in the pause menu that he was going to cover up more and try not to break any tackles. He went on to fumble two more times.

Game is good, but not really good enough to make me want to go out and buy it.

« Previous 1 2…43 444546 47 48 49 50 51 Next »

More Links

Madden NFL 12 Demo Available Now, Post Impressions Here (360, PS3)