Madden NFL 13 News Post

OS Roundtable: Madden NFL 13 Demo Impressions

02:08 PM - August 16, 2012 by RaychelSnr

The Madden NFL 13 demo is out and our staff has some impressions of this year's Madden to share in our traditional roundtable format. Is Madden going to be worth $60 this year on gameplay and presentation alone? Read on to find out our opinion on the matter.

Read More - OS Roundtable: Madden NFL 13 Demo Impressions

Game: Madden NFL 13Reader Score: 6/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / Wii U / Xbox 360Votes for game: 77 - View All

Madden NFL 13 Videos

Member Comments

# 21 xman2k @ 08/16/12 04:00 PM

The game felt very boring...

# 22 roadman @ 08/16/12 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigsmallwood


	Nice roundtable! I agree with Jayson Young in particular. "For every good change the Madden NFL 13 team has made, there are a dozen other generation-long issues or newly introduced quirks that ultimately sack Madden NFL 13's fun factor in the backfield for a loss." Exactly how I feel.

I agree with part of it, but not all of it. The part I agree with is some new quirks.

I don't grade things that aren't in the game and know that they aren't in the game.

Again, back to each their own.

# 23 bigsmallwood @ 08/16/12 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadman


	I agree with part of it, but not all of it. The part I agree with is some new quirks. I don't grade things that aren't in the game and know that they aren't in the game. Again, back to each their own.

Most definitely! BUT, These are things that should have been in the game or that were in the game that were removed. It still takes away from M13 immersion factor and the overall gameplay.

# 24 convince @ 08/16/12 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jet Sufferer


	I've now played TONS of games on both systems, and I'm flabbergasted. So you're telling me after YEARS that line play is still useless? Jason Pierre Paul and Justin Tuck are just scrubs who can never get pressure or sacks with me controlling them? Unbelievable and inexcusable. Pause for the inevitable reply - "I don't know what the problem is, I'm getting plenty of pressure with JPP and Tuck" .... OK. I guess the game needs to be played by totally ignoring line play on defense and just controlling linebackers or other non lineman, I don't want to play that way when I have the best D line in football to play with, I like playing with lineman. I could list another 100 inexcusable legacy issues that haven't been fixed for YEARS either, but let's just stick with line play, it's really inexcusable, I'm totally dumbfounded that they would let the game release like this YEAR AFTER YEAR.

This is what stopping me from getting the game. Sacks are apart of football. There is no excuse for the lack of attention paid to a very important aspect of football (lineplay).

# 25 rangerrick012 @ 08/16/12 04:20 PM

Maybe I'm just becoming too soft in my old age (lol) but I definitely had fun and enjoyed the demo. Yeah, it's still Madden, but it's an improvement from previous years to me. I've had fun, and the big thing that was holding this series back in my eyes - presentation - is vastly improved.

The "it's still Madden" thing I don't get - people coming in expecting vast gameplay changes to any yearly sports game are only going to be disappointed. But this is a solid step in the right direction for the Madden team.

# 26 BezO @ 08/16/12 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadman


	...I don't grade things that aren't in the game and know that they aren't in the game...

I'm curious what you mean by this. As long as you're pre-warned about what won't be fixed, you're OK with it? Or was o/d-line interaction, specifically, not a big deal to you?

When I heard o/d-line play wouldn't be addressed, my mind was 95% made up. It's the legacy issues that have kept me away. I'm not sure what they could add that could get me to look past the player interaction... and the footwork.

The paint is MUCH shinier this year (RTP), but it's still Madden with a fresh coat, with so many legacy issues inored. I can almost understand them focusing on the flashier aspects & ignoring the boring fundamental ones from a business standpoint. But to ignore the player interaction for the entire generation is inexcusable from a gameplay/sim POV. Even with the beefed up staff, they still chose flash over substance.

# 27 roadman @ 08/16/12 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigsmallwood


	Most definitely! BUT, These are things that should have been in the game or that were in the game that were removed. It still takes away from M13 immersion factor and the overall gameplay.

I didn't think "legacy issues" were part of the items missing from franchise mode, which hopefully that returns either via patches or next year.

I thought "legacy issues" were more along the lines of momentum, foot planting, OL/DL, etc... which is why I stated, we knew these weren't going to be in the game. We already eliminated the should have's, could have's by June 4th in both areas, actually.

Maybe it's just me, Big, but when I review a movie or music, I review what's in it, not what's not in it or would of's, could of's.

Again, that's me, though.

# 28 roadman @ 08/16/12 04:31 PM

[quote=BezO;2044015590]I'm curious what you mean by this. As long as you're pre-warned about what won't be fixed, you're OK with it? Or was o/d-line interaction, specifically, not a big deal to you?

/QUOTE]

What I mean, is that, as long as I'm pre-warned, I'm not surprised it's not in. Doesn't mean I don't think it's important to fix or needs a lot of improvement. It's very high on my list. And foot planting and momentum is next on my wishlist, but I knew it wasn't overhauled.

June 4th, we were told OL/DL was only tuned, not overhauled. Out of that statement, I wasn't expecting much improvement from 12 to 13.

# 29 jpdavis82 @ 08/16/12 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rangerrick012


	Maybe I'm just becoming too soft in my old age (lol) but I definitely had fun and enjoyed the demo. Yeah, it's still Madden, but it's an improvement from previous years to me. I've had fun, and the big thing that was holding this series back in my eyes - presentation - is vastly improved. The "it's still Madden" thing I don't get - people coming in expecting vast gameplay changes to any yearly sports game are only going to be disappointed. But this is a solid step in the right direction for the Madden team.

Yeah I don't expect too many earthshattering changes until the next gen consoles are released. Things like sideline models and challenge system being addressed are things they already have told us they aren't going to improve on this gen due to hardware limitations. The main things I would like to see in M14 though, if the new consoles aren't out yet, are a new player movement engine with footplanting,weight and momentum, improved blocking and o/d line interaction as well as a in-game ticker showing scores around the league in CCM and a studio halftime and weekly wrapup show, improved and more player specific commentary during play by play and replays, and have Jim and Phil come back on screen from time to time and at halftime to recap the first half and preview the 2nd.

# 30 bigsmallwood @ 08/16/12 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadman


	I didn't think "legacy issues" were part of the items missing from franchise mode, which hopefully that returns either via patches or next year. I thought "legacy issues" were more along the lines of momentum, foot planting, OL/DL, etc... which is why I stated, we knew these weren't going to be in the game. We already eliminated the should have's, could have's by June 4th in both areas, actually. Maybe it's just me, Big, but when I review a movie or music, I review what's in it, not what's not in it or would of's, could of's. Again, that's me, though.

True @Legacy issues. I'm only stating that they should be fixed by now. The real issue that keeps me from buying M13 is the lack of editing/customization that can be taken into CC/Franchise Mode. That includes roster changes, ratings, jersey #'s etc.

If they hand that control back over, it would be worth purchasing and tweaking some sliders to see how the game could play.....but without editing...I'm sitting out this year.

Legacy issues won't be fixed until next gen and I'm fine with that because next year we should see a real new next gen machine (sorry wii u)

# 31 RGiles36 @ 08/16/12 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rangerrick012


	I've had fun, and the big thing that was holding this series back in my eyes - presentation* - is vastly improved.*

**offers virtual handshake**

Not enough of us seem to care about presentation anymore. Glad some still do

# 32 TheBleedingRed21 @ 08/16/12 04:52 PM

Honestly, the reviews are way off from my perspective (which in no way is better than anyones or the right one) but to me, this feels like a whole new madden.

From the very first time loading it up to now, it just feels so refreshed. I do not remember a Madden game being this smooth, and when I say smooth I mean the fluid of the game not really so much as the animations being perfect.

The IE does have flaws but as I said before, it is first run with physics in EA football.

To me, this is a no brainer buy for any NFL fan. (If not a fan of NFL maybe not so much, but to me NFL fans have to have their real football and virtual football and this is the best madden this gen IMO)

# 33 nxt @ 08/16/12 04:56 PM

Played the game on Heisman, Slow Speed. It definitely "feels" better, but I'm still not totally sold. I just can't get over some of the tackling animations, and they funky stuff that goes on after the play. It totally disrupts the immersion factor. You really see how bad it is during the replays (which by the way are the worst ever - I hope these are fixed for retail). It doesn't even look like they are tackling/wrapping up; it looks more like they are falling on top of one another. And the ball carriers often get contorted in unrealistic ways with their arms knocked totally behind their backs, yet still holding on to the ball. They really need to tune the RTP and animations because as it stands, I'm seeing way to many weird/unrealistic things on the field.

From reading through this thread and others, it sounds like the RTP and animations have been cleaned up on retail version, but honestly, I haven't seen it yet. On the videos that I've seen of the retail version, the replays are always skipped or blocked by the play call screen.

# 34 TombSong @ 08/16/12 04:59 PM

I would have to agree with the reviews. IMO for the most part this game is NCAA 13 with a badly need of tuning physics engine, and LBs you can't set where you want because thats their band aid fix for stopping nano's.

# 35 roadman @ 08/16/12 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nxt


	Played the game on Heisman, Slow Speed. It definitely "feels" better, but I'm still not totally sold. I just can't get over some of the tackling animations, and they funky stuff that goes on after the play. It totally disrupts the immersion factor. You really see how bad it is during the replays (which by the way are the worst ever - I hope these are fixed for retail). It doesn't even look like they are tackling/wrapping up; it looks more like they are falling on top of one another. And the ball carriers often get contorted in unrealistic ways with their arms knocked totally behind their backs, yet still holding on to the ball. They really need to tune the RTP and animations because as it stands, I'm seeing way to many weird/unrealistic things on the field. From reading through this thread and others, it sounds like the RTP and animations have been cleaned up on retail version, but honestly, I haven't seen it yet. On the videos that I've seen of the retail version, the replays are always skipped or blocked by the play call screen.

I felt the same way you did about the tackling on the demo. I ripped it to shreds, yesterday. After seeing more tackles on the retail version, based on what I see, I feel it's much improved in the retail version.

# 36 Brandwin @ 08/16/12 05:09 PM

Demo exceeded my expectations and really has me excited for retail version. Yes, there are some weird animations with the infinity engine, but I felt like it played a solid game of football and the good from the infinity engine outweighs the bad for me.

I'm sure retail will be a bit more polished, plus I we haven't even been able to dive into CCM. I have high hopes for CCM, even though in the back of my mind I fear there will be some bugs that make it a little less enjoyable.

All in all I expect this to be the best Madden in a long time.

# 37 thagamev1 @ 08/16/12 05:12 PM

With all due respect IT'S A DEMO not the finished game and again it's a game people there is not a perfect GAME ON EARTH JMO I love it flaws and all

# 38 rangerrick012 @ 08/16/12 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrawHat Patriot


	I guess the reason why is that we've had some presentation in past games; more importantly, the halftime show and postgame show are a joke.

By past games I'm guessing you mean 2K5? I know what 2K5's presentation was, and I think we all can agree that it's been pretty much unmatched by any sports game, not just Madden, to have that level of immersion from the presentation side of things.

That being said, I do think that this year's effort is a huge step. I used to be like that - if it doesn't match/surpass 2K5, it isn't any good. But like I said maybe it's just me getting older and having lower expectations but I was pretty impressed by what is in Madden 13, enough to overlook the lack of a fully featured halftime show or postgame show. And the halftime stats overview is a nice touch.

I think saying presentation is a 'joke' is being harsh. In past years, it was a joke with the horrible commentary. This year is a good step in the right direction.

# 39 mrmass413 @ 08/16/12 06:02 PM

I buy madden every yr just to sell it back after a wk the demo was enjoyable but not mind blowing I just want a madden I can play and not feel cheated this so far is doing just that

# 40 Dogslax41 @ 08/16/12 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rangerrick012


	By past games I'm guessing you mean 2K5? I know what 2K5's presentation was, and I think we all can agree that it's been pretty much unmatched by any sports game, not just Madden, to have that level of immersion from the presentation side of things. That being said, I do think that this year's effort is a huge step. I used to be like that - if it doesn't match/surpass 2K5, it isn't any good. But like I said maybe it's just me getting older and having lower expectations but I was pretty impressed by what is in Madden 13, enough to overlook the lack of a fully featured halftime show or postgame show. And the halftime stats overview is a nice touch. I think saying presentation is a 'joke' is being harsh. In past years, it was a joke with the horrible commentary. This year is a good step in the right direction.

Honestly, and I say this as a 2k lunatic, 2k hasn't even done what they did since 05. Talking about the post game interview and weekly sportscenter. I don't care about a halftime show that's going to show me highlights of plays that I have already seen replays of that I just played less than 20 minutes prior. Now a sportscenter type show at the end of the week would fit like a glove with CCM and scripted story lines but as I said 2k hasn't even done this since 05.

« Previous 123 4 5 6 7 8 Next »

More Links

OS Roundtable: Madden NFL 13 Demo Impressions