Madden 12 News Post

Staff Roundtable: Madden NFL 12 Demo Impressions

07:16 PM - August 10, 2011 by ChaseB

Contentious, heated, excitable. Whatever buzzword I use, it probably can't properly sum up the way things get around here once the Madden demo hits each year. It truly is exciting and terrifying all at once. The staff has been playing the demo like all you folks out there, and they have a wide range of views on the game.

So read on to find out what some of our writers think about the Madden 12 demo at this point.

Read More - Staff Roundtable: Madden NFL 12 Demo Impressions

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

# 141 Lange248 @ 08/13/11 09:30 PM

I think this years Madden is going to be awesome; I'm enjoying the demo a lot. It has the feel of an older Madden game to me. The game-plan reminds me of Tecmo Ball as far the pace of the game. I will be playing the retail game with no commentary however, I think that's what has been bugging me about the current Madden.

# 142 bichettehappens @ 08/13/11 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IntellectualAssassin


	That's exactly the problem with the game. All of these things are realistic, and how good your players are should determine what happens. But they don't, what level you play on and your sliders determine how the game turns out the majority of the time. That's not realistic.

?????

Having to use sliders or change difficulty level makes the game unrealistic??

# 143 bichettehappens @ 08/13/11 10:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IntellectualAssassin


	I think so. I think the players should perform based on how good they are. Period. I hate having to tweak the entire game with a universal slider that adjusts how well all WR's catch the ball. Shouldn't their rating and how the play plays out be the only things that determine that?

If someone sucks at the game and doesn't feel like losing every time, but changing the sliders gives them a more realistic gameplay experience for their skill set, how does that make the game unrealistic? Same goes for people who are very skilled at the game and need more of a challenge. Same goes for every single sports video game on the market. People play at different skill levels, Madden's default settings may appeal to the people who want to pick up the controller and have a competitive experience from day one but I don't see how having to make slider changes once they improve makes the game inherently unrealistic.

It seems like you're just grasping at anything to fuel your anti-Madden argument at this point.

# 144 Playmakers @ 08/13/11 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkrich83


	As compared to 2k5? Again purely subjective. Realism in a football game is different for everyone.. I believe we would still be talking about 2k5 no matter how great it was. I believe there are people here, who even if EA made the greatest football game ever made would still criticize it and compare it to 2k5 simply because of the license.

Couldn't have said it better myself.....i don't think it's about Madden 12 to some people.

I think they just really despise or hate EA....i feel bad for the guys who enjoyed 2K's Football games...but at what point do people just move on and either play Madden or just not play it without all these Madden vs 2K5 debates each and every year

Not to mention none of those debates have ever led to anything different 2K hasn't comeback and EA hasn't changed their style so what's the point of spending time debating this every single year

# 145 TheSportzGuru @ 08/13/11 10:31 PM

I love how all you guys say 'Not tryin to start a flame war here' then post an essay about Madden vs. 2k..

Not really taking a side, I've played APF 2k8 and I did like it, but I didn't have the NFL rosters in it.

Besides, I thought this was an 'Impressions' thread, not a 'Discuss Madden vs. 2k' thread.

Any way, if the mods are locking all the other demo threads, then re-directing those OP's to this thread, they'll see those 'Madden v 2k' posts and chime in their .02...

Which I kinda thought wasn't exactly their intent...

# 146 jpdavis82 @ 08/13/11 10:37 PM

Enough with the 2k talk, it's easily the most overrated game of all time. MOVE ON and enjoy what's going to be a great season of Madden 12 football.

# 147 spankdatazz22 @ 08/13/11 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpdavis82


	Enough with the 2k talk, it's easily the most overrated game of all time. MOVE ON and enjoy what's going to be a great season of Madden 12 football.

There's a reason why this continually happens. And it's not because of "hate" lol. Everytime people bring up issues where Madden is lacking to older NFL games (NOT JUST 2K5) the response isn't "This is why you're wrong...", the response is "You're just hating". You can't fault people for not wanting to bury their heads in the sand and act as if the issues don't exist. There's a reason videos of other football games are banned in this forum.

But I do agree w/you on the point that this is a discussion of the staff's demo impressions.

# 148 The 24th Letter @ 08/13/11 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spankdatazz22


	It's really not just about 2K5; there are many times people bring up last gen Madden/NCAA, Backbreaker, or APF as examples also. That's why I used Inside Drive as an example. If The Show and MLB2K hadn't evolved beyond what MVP was doing, people would still be posting movies and wishing the game were still around. People actually do wish MVP was around, it's just that there are options that evolved beyond what MVP was. Madden really hasn't evolved beyond those games. People can make the case the OL/DL play was much better in 2K5 or APF. Or that the passing game/movement/sense of momentum better in last gen Madden/NCAA. Or that tackling better in Backbreaker. I'm not even sure tackling in Madden this year is beyond than what was being done in 2K5. From what I understand Frachise was much deeper in last gen Madden/NCAA. Madden/NCAA had far more extras like create-a-play, deep practice modes, etc. 2K5 and APF have far deeper penalty/challenge systems. While Presentation is much improved in M12, sadly we're still hearing excuses about the play-by-play. And halftime/postgame may as well be non-existent. EA gets blame for the exclusive deal because most of the evidence points to their putting enough money on the table to make the deals difficult/impossible to refuse. By their own admission they were seeking exclusivity years before it happened. In order to believe EA doesn't foster most of the blame, you have to be willing to accept them signing the NCAA to an exclusive contract within a month (?) of the NFL exclusivity as simply being a coincidence. Most of us that around back then knew everything was in play; they were in active talks going after NBA exclusivity during that same period also. That said I don't think people would care as much about exclusivity if they were producing a great game. It's not like Madden's retained the standing it had last gen - many people that dislike what the game became are Madden fans themselves.

Great post.

Me personally I dont care about exclusivity, I really dont. Im not mad at EA for obtaining the liscense either. I just want a great game.

Im BEGGING Madden to make me forget about the games of the past.

Im a pretty casual gamer, I dont overanalyze these games man, I know how to just have fun....but Madden continues to dissapoint me with the things they havent improved on....I cant just except that the interaction between lines is trash when ive played a game just 3 years ago where it was flat out awesome...just makes you wonder.

Seems like Madden keeps changing the bread on the sandwich but refuses to work on the meat, I can understand how that could be frustrating.

# 149 PVarck31 @ 08/13/11 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spankdatazz22


	There's a reason why this continually happens. And it's not because of "hate" lol. Everytime people bring up issues where Madden is lacking to older NFL games (NOT JUST 2K5) the response isn't "This is why you're wrong...", the response is "You're just hating". You can't fault people for not wanting to bury their heads in the sand and act as if the issues don't exist. There's a reason videos of other football games are banned in this forum. But I do agree w/you on the point that this is a discussion of the staff's demo impressions.

Really? We ban videos of other football games in this forum because they make Madden look bad? You don't think it could possibly be because this is the Madden forum? You have been here long enough to know we don't allow comparison videos in the Madden forum or the 2k forum when it was here.

This forum would be absolutely unreadable if we opened up that can of worms.

It has nothing to do with protecting Madden. Whether you believe that or not is on you.

# 150 spankdatazz22 @ 08/14/11 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 31


	This forum would be absolutely unreadable if we opened up that can of worms. It has nothing to do with protecting Madden. Whether you believe that or not is on you.

I didn't say anything about you guys protecting Madden. While I don't agree that the forum would be unreadable, it would upset those that prefer to remain oblivious to the game's issues. If you re-read my post you'll see I was referring to those people. When someone brings up a legitimate issue, it's rarely shot down or discussed. It's usually passed off as "hate".

# 151 roadman @ 08/14/11 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spankdatazz22


	I didn't say anything about you guys protecting Madden. While I don't agree that the forum would be unreadable, it would upset those that prefer to remain oblivious to the game's issues. If you re-read my post you'll see I was referring to those people. When someone brings up a legitimate issue, it's rarely shot down or discussed. It's usually passed off as "hate".

There are people that that enjoy the game for what it is and acknowledge there are still issues with the game.

Not everyone is oblivious to the games issues and buries their hand in the sand.

There are also people who "hate" EA for having the license and want to stick it to EA by not buying the game or buy the game used.

It slices both ways. And to that, I say, to each their own.

# 152 PVarck31 @ 08/14/11 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spankdatazz22


	I didn't say anything about you guys protecting Madden. While I don't agree that the forum would be unreadable, it would upset those that prefer to remain oblivious to the game's issues. If you re-read my post you'll see I was referring to those people. When someone brings up a legitimate issue, it's rarely shot down or discussed. It's usually passed off as "hate".

Some people just want to visit the Madden forum to get info and talk about Madden. Some people don't want NFL 2k5 thrown in their face in every thread.

And why do you care if someone prefers to remain oblivious to the games flaws? Is there a crusade needed to spread the word of Maddens flaws? If someone can play the game and enjoy it, is that not ok, or should they be made aware of all the games flaws?

As for legitimate issues being passed off as hate, aren't you doing the same thing to people who prefer to remain "oblivious" to the games flaws?

# 153 spankdatazz22 @ 08/14/11 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 31


	Some people just want to visit the Madden forum to get info and talk about Madden. Some people don't want NFL 2k5 thrown in their face in every thread.

And I can understand that. Not sure why all of a sudden this is focused on 2K5, when I brought up a bunch of older games. And I'm sure I'm not the one that introduced it into this thread in the first place. And who said I cared about someone's enjoyment of the game? There are many people on this board that have commented incessantly on anything negative that's been said about the demo, the game, etc. And for the most part those persons' views aren't being challenged or curbed - at least I know I haven't set out to purposely curb someone's enthusiasm.

The point I've tried to make is while people get angry at other people for bringing up older games, those older games are only relevant because Madden has allowed them to remain so.

# 154 bkrich83 @ 08/14/11 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IntellectualAssassin


	Again, I'm more anti-Madden then I am pro-2K5.

Ok. You're one of those types of posters. To ignore you go.

Quote:

Originally Posted by IntellectualAssassin


	Well then you couldn't be further off base. You think people actually come here to criticize Madden just for **s and giggles?

I know they do.

# 155 KBLover @ 08/14/11 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadman


	Not everyone is oblivious to the games issues and buries their hand in the sand.

Exactly, and sometimes, you just want to talk about the game or try to find solutions to the issues via sliders or something instead of yet another list of things someone doesn't like with a "why isn't it fixed yet?"

I read enough QQ on the SC2 forums LOL :P

I mean, I saw the flaws in M10, tried my best to fix them, at least to my satisfaction with sliders. Just because I didn't make, or want to read, a detailed list of "everything that sucks compared to (insert old game here)" doesn't mean I want to be (or am) oblivious.

# 156 KBLover @ 08/14/11 03:52 AM

Anyway, just got the demo, playing out first game (man I'm rusty, first pass...with AARON RODGERS...is picked off LOL).

I LIKE the no commentary. Love it, love it, love it. Sad that it's only because it was done on purpose for the demo. Then again, "analysts" in booths drive me up a wall a lot of times irl.

I haven't screwed around with many settings (except to put the speed threshold a little lower to 35). I saw many people playing on very slow, so I'm going to put it on that for now. Wonder if it impacts things in terms of on the field play (i.e. players play differently, not just slower animating)

Haven't seen a penalty yet.

So far, I'm still on the fence, I saw the new features for franchise and that might make me want to do it if I can at least tolerate the game play.

# 157 TombSong @ 08/14/11 06:39 AM

I made a post pointing to game features that I feel are needed in any football game because they are features that are apart of real football. I point out how older football games had those features and madden does not. I also pointed out thingsm that need to be addressed in madden. No one speaks to those issues. Instead they want to argue about why madden is compared to older games instead of the talking points. Like some of you did not like things in older games, there are some of us that dont like what we are seeing in this new game. Why cant we say that without being targeted for having agendas or hating ?

This is a forum. If you dont like what someone is saying you can choose to post why you disagree or you can ignore it. Why do we have people policing other peoples views of the game ? Then you got the dr. Phils who think they can tell you why you post what you post as if they are mind readers and are wrong as wrong can be and are they themselves the main reason why a lot of threads end up off topic.

That said, this madden 12 demo has shown the game has improved in some areas and is still lagging behind the times in others. Thats how i feel about it.

# 158 spankdatazz22 @ 08/14/11 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CRMosier_LM


	I understand you folks are bitter about not having the game you love anymore but put the blame where It Is due... And that is on 2K and the NFL. It's not EA's fault that 2k cheapened the NFL brand by dropping the price because they couldnt compete in sales.

*sigh*

Again, suspend belief/common sense and don't factor in NCAA exclusivity either. Or the documented evidence of what really occurred between summer '04 and spring '05. Nobody's saying "I'll only be happy if 2K comes back!". The criticisms, which you so conveniently duck and hide behind with the bitterness view, are the issues people have with Madden itself.

# 159 bichettehappens @ 08/14/11 12:40 PM

That poor dead horse...

# 160 Yeah...THAT Guy @ 08/14/11 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adfletch71


	Im a 2k5 football game fan. I have been on this forum for 6 years debating, pleading and hoping that EA get it right. Madden has made positive changes over the 6 years on next-gen, put they have been stagnate in others. I listen to some guys and wonder, do they actually care about quality or just that is the NFL and they need there fix. For some that have played 2k5 and know about the immersion of the game, presentation and overall gameplay, all we want is the same for MADDEN. Even though Madden is the only game on the NFL market, that doesn't mean I have to settle for whatever they give and just say" OHH it's the only NFL game or Just use sliders to help fix the skating and other things that stick there ugly head up. When Ian made that statement that" He was going to make us forget about NFL2k5, I was hopefully because he said he played it a lot and understood what people was talking about. Well it's Madden12 and from the demo, they have improved, just are missing a lot of fundamentals as well. I think is because a lot of people on this forum have been playing Madden exclusively on consoles and never got outside of the gameplay and presentation it offers. If u played NFL2k5 and ALLPRO2k8 and they where flawed in areas too, but the overall experience they bring too football fundamentals are unparalleled on current-gen consoles. The gameplay aspect of ALLPRO2k8 is tremendous with there OL/DL interactions, WR/CB interactions, foot planting, animations, difference between players, sideline interactions..etc. NFL2k5 presentation is still unmatched even with NBA2k11 and THE SHOW at the helm. All I want is MADDEN to get too that level where I can say 2k5 your irreverent, ALLPRO2k8 your on the shelf. There nothing wrong with debate and constructive criticism, so that will continue until MADDEN get it right, because we can't compare other MADDENS to current, because they have been so fundamentally bad. So until madden gets " True too the GAME", I'll keep debating. SHOOT, I can't get a pass interference call to save my life....lol

I own just about every football game that has come out on the Xbox 360, from Backbreaker, to Blitz the League 1 and 2, to NFL 2k5, APF 2k8, and all the Maddens and NCAAs.

Really, there's aspects from each game that are significantly better than the rest of the competition. NFL 2k5, the halftime show was a breakthrough in sports gaming, and I think two of the other things that they nailed that people don't really remember was the depth chart (pretty sure if you ran a 3-4 defense it changed the depth chart to picking which spot each ILB would play, which side each corner would play, etc. They also had some great replay angles, like the one that was basically a camera suspended above the field (just like they had in real life at the time). However, there were some major flaws, mainly being the corner routes (they got open on those just about every single time), and some of the animations were just too long (I remember trying to roll out or throw on the run took an eternity if I recall correctly), not to mention that I personally hated having to mash the A button to run.

With APF, that last issue was still there, but the way the pocket formed was the best of any football game I've played. The commentary in both 2k games were pretty bad, and I remember being able to basically run the same few plays over and over and they'd work every time. A couple other issues was that the game was just painfully slow, and having to charge up to make accurate throws or juke moves and stuff was just dumb. If I remember correctly though, the gang tackling was pretty great in this version of the game.

With Backbreaker, obviously the tackles are unparralleled in any game. Backbreaker offers so many moments that just make you "Wow" because you'll get a play that you never would get in any other football game, but unfortunately, the physics are overdone, the passing system needs a lot of work, and the defense seems to be overpowered.

With Blitz the League, I loved the immersion of the campaign mode, but obviously, it's nowhere near sim.

NCAA does a nice job with the ESPN Headlines and things like that that keep you immersed in the game, but I'll leave it at that since it isn't an NFL game.

And then you have Madden, which from the looks of it, seems to the best total package. Pockets don't form as well as they did in APF, but in Madden 12, they seem to form pretty well; I've found myself stepping up into the pocket to make throws a lot. The tackling isn't near the level of Backbreaker, and the gang tackles aren't as good as APF was, but the overall tackle animations and their ability to chain off of each other is better than APF (still not on Backbreaker's level obviously). The game speed (if you set it on slow) is much better than the 2k games were, and it seems to be the most realistic of any of the games personally. The defensive line play seems to be better in Madden 12 than any of the previous Maddens, and better than 2k in my opinion as well (although 2k did a much better job implementing things like DL Stunts, and the ability to call for a certain coverage and a certain DL play at the same time.) 2k did a better job with the animations where the ball would be tipped and the WR would adjust and make the catch (whereas it still looks extremely awkward in Madden), but the other catch animations are much better in Madden than they were in APF in my opinion. Screen passes (both slip screens and WR screens) worked much better in Madden than they did in APF, although 2k also had shovel passes which was something Madden hasn't done). 2k also seemed to do a better job of having players react in a realistic manner to pump fakes or actual passes and stuff (no super LBs). But all in all, if Madden's franchise additions work the way they did in HC09, I think their franchise mode blows all of the other football games out of the water, and their gameplay does too. Madden 12 also has a better overall presentation than 2k did in my opinion. While 2k's replay angle that I referred to before was great, and the halftime show was great, Madden's cut scenes, various replay angles, and the different ambiences (the player intro's and blimp view, etc, are significantly better than every other football game on the market.

« Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 789 Next »

More Links

Staff Roundtable: Madden NFL 12 Demo Impressions