Madden NFL 25 News Post

Madden NFL 25 Demo Review Roundtable

12:05 PM - August 22, 2013 by RaychelSnr

The dust has settled and several of our staff members have some well formed opinions on the Madden NFL 25 demo, and what you should be thinking about before making a purchasing decision on this year's game.

Read More - Madden NFL 25 Demo Review Roundtable

Game: Madden NFL 25Reader Score: 5/10 - Vote Now
Platform: PS3 / PS4 / Xbox 360 / Xbox OneVotes for game: 54 - View All

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Member Comments

# 21 jwilphl @ 08/22/13 03:44 PM

The demo was very blah, as usual, honestly. I haven't bought a Madden game in five years and there is good reason why: this game is simply stagnant. I appreciate that they've introduced some new things over the years, but none of it equates to a spectacular game of football. Yes it is cliche, but I still have not been *impressed* by a football game since 2K5.

I am willing to try the PS4 version when it releases (as in rent/demo), but I am minimizing my expectations. If anything is to be expected, it will be very little (if any) innovation and a lot of weird gameplay issues. But I have a feeling a new generation of consoles is not what the series really needs to move forward.

# 22 opd897 @ 08/22/13 04:03 PM

I agree with most of the round table points.

Madden will most likely never improve as long as we, the consumers, continue to reward mediocrity by purchasing the procuct.

I will not purchase the current generation game and will take a wait and see approach to the next gen game. If it does not appear to be any better I'll just do without.

# 23 Armor and Sword @ 08/22/13 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gosens6


	Wow, i'm shocked. I'm actually enjoying the game more than ever this gen, and for the first time since Madden 06 on the PS2. Iv'e noticed a lot of the OS regulars here sharing the same sentiments I am. I just don't see how anyone, even the guys who regularly write reviews for OS can review past Madden games this gen, give them scores of 7 and above, and then crap all over this? It seems incredibly backwards to me, but hey, to each their own.

I was reading the posts....saw yours and had to quote it and write my thoughts (then go back and read some more posts) because I share your exact sentiment.

M13 was given a 8.5
M12 was given a 7.5

I know I am not on the same page OS some of the staff writers (who do a tremendous job and great write ups that I value and enjoy and of course this is all subjective) on this demo.

M12 I actually got plenty of enjoyment out of and lot's of game time with. It was the first Madden I have played this deep into multuple seasons with since Madden 05 and 07 last gen.

I won't berate M13 again as everyone knows my feelings on that game as it has been well documented.

M25's demo has me excited for a Madden game again. In fact I have not been this pumped since Madden 10's release (my first next gen Madden). I am having an absolute blast playing this demo. I feel based on the demo....it is by far my favorite Madden this gen gameplay wise.

Now......I am reserving judgement on the entire package because the bottom line is....I don't play this game to play exibition football. I play this game for franchise mode offline and this year.....online (taking the plunge and superbly excited about it).

So when the retail copy arrives on my doorstep Tuesday....you can bet your bottoms I will be digging deep into Connected Franchise gameplay, formation subs, sliders, auto-sub sliders, AI, Owner Mode....and online franchise play.

I have such a good vibe this years game is going to shine in so many area's.

If your a Madden fan....this package looks to be the best this gen.

Legacy issues are well documented.....I am really just wanting a playable game with the new passing system, IE2.0, Owner mode, Madden Share (huge).

So many positives potentially next week.

I disagree with the tone of the roundtable save for one staff writer who had fun with the game. I am way past this game being a true football simulation. And I emphathize with the guys who want a real true sim (I am one of those guys too believe me) but i know what Madden football has always been about....hybrid arcade/sim game, fun factor at a high level. As a offline solo game....you must live with certain short comings and make the best of it. Those who will try out my house rules and sliders are in for a treat this year IMO. It's all about how you approach this game.

And yes....it does stink you have to limit yourself in certain aspects playing the AI. But this is how it has been since Maddens inception. Even the great Madden 2005....I can truck the CPU if I want to. I had to install house rules to get a virtual franchise with sim like results.

Again...when you have games like The Show, NBA 2K, and the NHL series it's hard to believe Madden has not caught up to those wonderful offline experiences where house rules are not even really talked about on the court, diamond or ice (off the field yeah...of course if you don't want to exploit the AI's GM abilties).

But Madden is the only game in town.....so I choose to enjoy it to the fullest I possibly can. I could not do that with last years game nor Madden 11.

So M25 has me giddy again. I hope I am not let down....because I will be the first to give it an honest review if it does indeed blow it.

I was enthusiastic about M13 pre-release, I embraced the CCM stuff....but the game totally blew it on and off the field.

M25......to be continued next week.

# 24 Methlab @ 08/22/13 04:24 PM

It's really nice to read this review. Honesty is key here if we are to ever have another run of great football games.

I am hoping the next gen of game systems shows us the true potential of sports games, because I believe that the current Gen systems have been maxed out in what the CPU can handle and what we are asking for.

# 25 kstar12 @ 08/22/13 05:58 PM

This game is awful. Sure, there are things there, but as long as the passing game is unstoppable, whats the point? Someone playing this game for two weeks could literally tackle All Madden and win with limited football knowledge because of the ridiculous ease of passing.

I don't know how EA scored that Sunday Ticket Deal, but it pains me to know I am actually purchasing it because of that.

# 26 Dolphins88 @ 08/22/13 07:23 PM

I agree this generation of football games has been utter disappointment which is why exclusive licenses should never even be an option. Blame the nfl for that. I've played the nfl and NHL demo and I'm disappointed in both titles.. They both look like minor improvements from 2013 and slap a 60 price tag on it. Can u imagine if 2k had a nfl game coming to ps4 nfl 2k14.. I get depressed thinking of that and what could have been.. I hope 2k makes a NHL game for 2015 because I'm getting tired of EAs efforts.

# 27 Dolphins88 @ 08/22/13 07:26 PM

If they r going to give out exclusivity give it to the right people.. 2k makes nfl, nba , EA make baseball.. Triple play series.

# 28 seanmac @ 08/22/13 07:27 PM

Interesting, as I immediately felt that the demo was worlds better than the mess that was Madden 13. The physics engine was such a disaster that the game was inevitably frustrating to play. While there are clearly defensive deficiencies in the demo, the smoothness of the control is much better, and the pulled back camera is an improvement to play.

I've been lukewarm at best about EA's football product post Madden 10, but this demo is easily the most fun to play of the Maddens since then.

# 29 TeeDogg @ 08/22/13 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RateSports


	I completely disagree about the camera. I think it's horrific.

Ya know, it seems like after all these years camera angles would be the easiest thing to get feedback on and put some nice angles in the game. Ones that cover a range of tastes easily. But I swear they bumble and stumble endlessly with them Lol. I don't get it. The coordinator can in NCAA is a great cam and was received well so they'll probably not use it anymore lol. I'm hoping next gen they have loads of camera options and maybe custom cams.........

# 30 jarvis1104 @ 08/22/13 08:44 PM

I know ppl say this a lot but, how can Madden 25(14) still not offer presentation that matches Nfl 2k5?

# 31 TeeDogg @ 08/22/13 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big FN Deal


	Why do so many people say "is it perfect?....etc", as if the only two choices are perfect or Madden, lol. Madden doesn't need to be "perfect" to be better than what it is. It's fine if people are able to tolerate or even enjoy this game but please stop acting as if that equates to it being as good a football game as it reasonably could be. Madden is great as a party favor, something you bring out to commune with family and friends but it's extremely lacking in representing NFL football. I admire the slider gurus and roster creators out there but that stuff can't help completely ridiculous things like limited animations, an archaic injury system, broken penalties, missing player management aspects, tethered passing, artistic presentation, on and on. I wish more people would say "is it a good representation of NFL football? no but I don't care...." instead of implying a better Madden equates to perfect. For Pete's sake, the game just added foot planting this year, effing foot planting for a football game gets added in the 9th edition but "it's fun" so who cares. Super Mario Cart is fun too but that doesn't make it a good representation of racing, smh. Sorry for being a broken record Mods, just hate seeing NFL gaming get pissed on like this while others act like it's rain from the gods. I'm trying my best to transition to playing other sports games, it's just taking awhile after mainly NFL gaming for so long.

I feel you. Football has always been my sport with BBall a close second. But for this entire generation NBA2K has been my goto game for sports gaming. Id play a little madden here and there with my younger family members. But have to admit the M25 demo feels like it could change that. On the surface its what i expected from M06-07 ill see whats under the hood next week.

# 32 Armor and Sword @ 08/22/13 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big FN Deal


	Why do so many people say "is it perfect?....etc", as if the only two choices are perfect or Madden, lol. Madden doesn't need to be "perfect" to be better than what it is. It's fine if people are able to tolerate or even enjoy this game but please stop acting as if that equates to it being as good a football game as it reasonably could be. Madden is great as a party favor, something you bring out to commune with family and friends but it's extremely lacking in representing NFL football. I admire the slider gurus and roster creators out there but that stuff can't help completely ridiculous things like limited animations, an archaic injury system, broken penalties, missing player management aspects, tethered passing, artistic presentation, on and on. I wish more people would say "is it a good representation of NFL football?* no but I don't care...."* instead of implying a better Madden equates to perfect. For Pete's sake, the game just added foot planting this year, effing foot planting for a football game gets added in the 9th edition but "it's fun" so who cares. Super Mario Cart is fun too but that doesn't make it a good representation of racing, smh.

It never has been.....even last gen.

Its Madden. That has always been my point. And unfortunately it is the only NFL game in town.

For Madden...this game may end up being the best this gen. I guess that's why I don't get that frustrated. Madden 13 was one of the worst I have ever played.

So in the annals of Madden football.....that is how I talk about Madden.

# 33 Jarbeez @ 08/25/13 12:45 PM

My 8 year old son thinks it is hilarious on this demo when one team's players go invisible. You can see the shadows on the field, but the players are gone. Especially if the ball carrier is one of those players and the ball is just moving around by itself since you can't see the player...

If this glitch isn't fixed I will be supremely disappointed. It happens in about half the games on the demo that I have played, mostly between the Seahawks and Packers when playing in Seattle, and usually in the red zone.

Aside from that, I've seen horse collar tackles and several other take downs that would likely be penalized in the NFL, I don't mind those being in the game but throw a flag once in a while....

# 34 roadman @ 08/25/13 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jarbeez


	My 8 year old son thinks it is hilarious on this demo when one team's players go invisible. You can see the shadows on the field, but the players are gone. Especially if the ball carrier is one of those players and the ball is just moving around by itself since you can't see the player... If this glitch isn't fixed I will be supremely disappointed. It happens in about half the games on the demo that I have played, mostly between the Seahawks and Packers when playing in Seattle, and usually in the red zone. Aside from that, I've seen horse collar tackles and several other take downs that would likely be penalized in the NFL, I don't mind those being in the game but throw a flag once in a while....

The invisible players is only on the PS3.

Fixed with a patch day 1.

# 35 Jarbeez @ 08/25/13 12:47 PM

P.S.
Aside from a few of those items and the passing game being next to unstoppable, I'm enjoying this. I did start getting in the habit of doing the defensive play commit, and committed to pass plays most of the time and started getting some level of success in the passing game defense and even got a couple sacks finally.

# 36 Jarbeez @ 08/25/13 12:49 PM

Thanks Roadman, that is good to know! That is the only thing I've seen so far that made me think I would pass on the game until it was confirmed fixed.

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