Madden 12 News Post

Madden NFL 12 Review (360/PS3)

03:56 PM - August 29, 2011 by RaychelSnr

In many ways, Madden NFL Football is the most anticipated, discussed and debated game in our genre each and every year.

The lead up to Madden NFL 12 has brought a new wave of optimism for the series, as many issues fans have had with the series were promised to be fixed, tuned or tweaked. In many ways, the Madden team has accomplished their goals of moving the series forward. Unfortunately, those expecting a return to greatness for the series are going to be disappointed.

Read More - Madden NFL 12 Review (360/PS3)

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

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Member Comments

# 121 wallrose @ 08/31/11 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGMRock


	I really think people take the simulation thing too far with Madden. Madden is really an inbetween sim/arcade game. If you like flight sims and you have played say IL2 or MS Flight Sim with all the hard stuff turned on and then you go and play that same game with the casual player settings. Madden is that casual player setting. It gives you the feeling of football and the fun of it without having to deal with all the exact stuff you see on the field every Sunday. Like you don't have to go sit at the bench and study overhead shots of how the defense is lined up after you just got picked off on a play that should have worked! It is what it is. You can have fun with it or not buy it. On that note it would be nice if the NFL let others use the license so they could make that Sim game or NFL Blitz game if they want. Or even make it for the PC!!! I mean in 2005 I owned both Madden 05 and 2K5 its not like there isn't room for people that love football to buy more than one game. I mean how many of us buy NCAA and Madden in the same year. (me for one)

@SMGRock thank you thats all i want open fair comeptition and that proves that EA is medicore

# 122 titans321 @ 08/31/11 10:02 AM

I think gameplay-wise, it's fine. I don't know what else they could do but fix a few bugs.

What it's lacking is game modes. When I get bored, I don't know what to do. Franchise isn't my thing, and Superstar isn't very enticing either. You are left with practically 2 game modes besides just regular games.

Also, has anyone else noticed that they removed the 40 yard dash and weight lifting mini-games? Why would they do that? It's not a big deal or anything, but what's the point in removing them? Some people enjoyed them.

# 123 Blazzen @ 08/31/11 10:26 AM

Thanks for the review Chris.

This is the feeling I had from the demo. The game has improved in some areas, taken steps back in others and some things (bugs/problems) have remained the same.

I'm not buying it this year after getting it for the past 4 years. The demo just felt very lack luster and it just didn't do anything for me. This felt like a roster update more than any other year.

The sim vs. arcade argument isn't valid. Madden is touted by EA to be a simulation - EVERYTHING you see on Sunday. I understand why they cater to the casual fan: wider audience = more sales. It's not everything I see on Sunday though nor is it for a lot of knowledgeable football fans.

They should change their marketing plan to "Everything the average fan sees on Sunday." That would be more accurate. The hardcore football fans know better than to think this is a sim.

EDIT: I will admit the fact that Star Wars: The Old Republic and Battlefield 3 are launching soon is a large factor. If there wasn't anything else better to play I would probably get Madden. The fact is there are better choices. I won't miss a REAL Panthers game this season but I won't be playing as them in Madden this season.

# 124 paptester @ 08/31/11 11:12 AM

Ever since the Next Gen Consoles Madden has been below average. they stripped the game of alot of features and in game features from the ps2 days and starting to add some of them back now and calling them new like we are stupid. i was an ea fanatic back in the day and used to argue with 2k fans over who was better. i guess i was wrong

# 125 swaldo @ 08/31/11 02:33 PM

I used to have fire breathing out of my nose during a Madden release. This year I didn't even download the demo which is pretty sad. I guess I should because it's free right? But the motivation wasn't there at all. I read a couple pages of impressions and this review confirms it, I'll just be frustrated so why even bother? I'll just wait until all the patches are out and maybe buy it for $20 used. Until then, it's another year of text based football and APF.

# 126 ukslamjam @ 08/31/11 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swaldo


	I used to have fire breathing out of my nose during a Madden release. This year I didn't even download the demo which is pretty sad. I guess I should because it's free right? But the motivation wasn't there at all. I read a couple pages of impressions and this review confirms it, I'll just be frustrated so why even bother? I'll just wait until all the patches are out and maybe buy it for $20 used. Until then, it's another year of text based football and APF.

I completely agree with you word for word! To be honest I feel the same about NCAA, I suppose that's why I'm sticking with NCAA Football 11/APF this year and continue to play my text based sports games.

I've started to get a little tired of the year on year release of slightly rehashed games.

# 127 TalenT @ 08/31/11 03:26 PM

I love OS! I almost got this game too. Every year I try to give Madden the benefit of the doubt. They talk a good game, but always seem to let you down when the product comes out. I DO agree it has improved. I'm just not convinced that it's enough to warrant a purchase. I'll wait for 2K12.

# 128 $NevaBroke$ @ 08/31/11 08:37 PM

Is anyone on here really surprised with this review for madden? I mean really? Chris thanks for helping me save my $65 that I work soo hard to make. Waiting for "band-aids" for ncaa and madden to look, play, sound, and feel is just out of control. We do this to ourselves by continuing to buy ea's half finished football games. The vicious circle continues boys and girls.

# 129 jackw @ 08/31/11 08:47 PM

It's crazy, when the game really sucks, OS gives it a 9.0, when it's actually pretty good, you give it a 7.5? Make up your mind bro.

# 130 Ducereus @ 08/31/11 10:20 PM

Does anyone know why I can't heal any of my legendary cards in Madden 12???

# 131 jamie1981 @ 08/31/11 10:32 PM

Okay so this is the first time in about 10 years that I didn't buy this game on the release date. I am so confused on whether to buy this or not.

# 132 PVarck31 @ 08/31/11 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackw


	It's crazy, when the game really sucks, OS gives it a 9.0, when it's actually pretty good, you give it a 7.5? Make up your mind bro.

New scoring system. Read it at the top of the review.

# 133 Vechi8 @ 08/31/11 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackw


	It's crazy, when the game really sucks, OS gives it a 9.0, when it's actually pretty good, you give it a 7.5? Make up your mind bro.

I agree Jackw. This thread is all over the place. You have the reviewer justifying how a 7.5 is a nice score and that things are gonna change. Ironic that it would start with the game that is absolutely punished year after year and I admit in some cases warranted for sure. I think that the game is by far the best brand of football that I have played out of the box period. IMO it feels much better than NCAA but somehow gets a score well below. Do yourselves a favor and at least rent it, you could be in for a nice surprise

# 134 ty5oke @ 08/31/11 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vechi8


	I agree Jackw. This thread is all over the place. You have the reviewer justifying how a 7.5 is a nice score and that things are gonna change. Ironic that it would start with the game that is absolutely punished year after year and I admit in some cases warranted for sure. I think that the game is by far the best brand of football that I have played out of the box period. IMO it feels much better than NCAA but somehow gets a score well below. Do yourselves a favor and at least rent it, you could be in for a nice surprise

The scoring system was changed before this review.

# 135 Vechi8 @ 08/31/11 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ty5oke


	The scoring system was changed before this review.

Ahh. There goes my conspiracy theory against EA and Madden!

# 136 sheredia @ 08/31/11 11:36 PM

i just think it's interesting where madden has come since 2005 without any competition......just imagine how good it would be if there was another game to compete with. you would think by now they would have fully intregated the espn presentation along with a halftime show, etc. also, commentary by al michaels and collinsworth would be nice. the lighting/weather needs to change during the course of the game as well as uniforms getting dirty.

# 137 sheredia @ 08/31/11 11:39 PM

and by the way, there is not NEARLY the buzz on a madden release day/midnight release like there used to be.......

# 138 papasmurf @ 09/01/11 12:38 AM

i downloaded the demo, i like it alot better than 11 thats for sure. i rented 11 and every game was a 55-45 shootout. ncaa 11 was a pretty good game and i thought madden 11 would be too, but the two played nothing alike. i bought ncaa12 and it seems for the first time they played quite similiar. ill have to rent it and i'll probably buy it by christmas or better yet let someone else pay for it.
ncaa 12 gets a solid 8-8.5 from me. just based on the demo i would give madden 12 a similiar score.

# 139 roadman @ 09/01/11 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sheredia


	and by the way, there is not NEARLY the buzz on a madden release day/midnight release like there used to be.......

Eh, depends. Our GS had 440 on reserve. They expected about half of that at midnight.

The line was much longer than last year. Took me 10 minutes last year, this year took me 20 minutes to go through the line.

# 140 JohnDoe8865 @ 09/01/11 01:21 AM

I'm interested in the business of gaming as well, because in so many ways it determines what we will get a chance to play 2-3 years down the road. I'll be very interested to get some sales numbers for Madden 12 with the mixed reviews. I have to agree about the buzz being less this year. Of the people I talk to that play games (not online), most of them are either not interested or are down on Madden this year b/c of reviews and bad word of mouth.

Small sample size I know..

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