Madden NFL 15 is now available in stores. Be sure to read our review if you haven't gotten the game. If you have, leave your own impressions of your first play sessions in the comments below!
This will be my last impression thread post until the next patch drops.
Madden 15 plays a good game of football. Playing in all-madden with a slightly modified version of charters sliders and moving up to normal game speed (this has been huge) has helped me get a very realistic, natural (trying to avoid using the word organic), and varied results.
On normal I haven't had more than 5 sacks a game, and while I still wish the CPU would throw the ball away more, it's,better than the 10 sacks I was seeing on slow.
Aa with many madden games, I feel you get what you put in with this game. If I wanted to win every game no matter what I could, but I try to call as many different plays as I can, even a zone blitz I know has weaknesses, and mixing it up is most of the fun for me. Maybe one day I won't need house rules, but if "mix up my play calling" and "no switch" are the only two house rules I need then I think I am in pretty good shape.
I really hope a patch addresses the number of off the field issues the gsme has for offline and the few issues that remain for online, as well as CPU QB behavior and maybe fine tuning accuracy a but more (I shouldn't have to out accuracy down to 5 this user, inaccurate passes are literally touted as a feature, I feel it feel it should work at default 50)
I haven't played a sim user gsme yet but I bet the game plays great in user games
Being a European player, my online games used to lag like crazy, which drove me crazy because other games never lagged. This year they are smooth and play just like offline games, which is huge for me. Now I can finally enjoy ultimate team.
Why is the ps version so dark is xbox one brighter?
Thought I was the only one who noticed this and figured it was my TV, glad im not seeing things. It also looks like it would get brighter as the game goes along.
Finally got to play a full game last night. It was easily the best game of football I've played since 2K5. They are without a doubt bringing this game in the right direction. Granted, one game doesn't really mean it will hold up, but I'm liking what I saw.
They really Really REALLY need to allow you to set your playbook in CFM under schemes, and allow you to make substitutions that last the entire year.
I really don't want Stevan Ridley in the backfield with a 4 wide shotgun, I want Shane Vereen. I don't want to have to go in and every single game adjust my substitutions. This is something they used to have, why must they get rid of it?
I've been trying to convince myself over the last week that I like this year's game, but I'm very unimpressed. I really liked Madden 25 on the PS3, but this year's game feels so clunky on the PS4.
I know this site is full of a lot of hardcore sports gamers, but I don't like having to spend hours on sliders to make the game realistic and playable. Every game ends up being a defensive showdown. >20 points and around 200 yards of total offense which makes every game feel relatively the same.
Defenses automatically know what kind of play you're calling (run or pass). You audible, and they instantly know again what you switched to and re-audible. It feels cheap, just my opinion. Controlling the running game is like driving a semi truck. If you see a lane open up, it's difficult to change your route because players move so stiff.
Run blocking is putrid. I ran a toss at the goal line today, my fullback and left tackle didn't even acknowledge the only linebacker making a b-line for my running back. They just ran by him. I'll have to upload this one, I saved it on my hard drive.
User quarterbacks get injured way too easily.
I don't think the CPU has attempted a pass over 10 yards in the 15 or so games I've played, not counting any final hail Marys before the half. No idea what's up with that.
This is the most disappointed I've been in a Madden in a very long time, probably since '08 on the PS3.
I played the entire game above, and the lighting never progressed an inch, nor has it progressed in any other game of Madden 15 I've played, be it 1pm, 4:15pm or otherwise.
I've noticed the progression of lighting in every game I have played. It's quite awesome if you ask me. I first noticed it at the eagles stadium 4:15 time, also at 6:30, the sun will be setting first half, it will be the blue hour in the second half
The more I play this game, the more I like it. I haven't been able to say that about Madden in a long, long time.
One thing I'm noticing regarding graphics and such is that night games and dome games look way better to me than they ever have. I've seen some complaints about this in this thread, but I don't see where they're coming from. I think the game looks fabulous in all environments. Some improvements to indoor and evening lighting could certainly be made, but it looks good to me.
This will be my last impression thread post until the next patch drops.
Madden 15 plays a good game of football. Playing in all-madden with a slightly modified version of charters sliders and moving up to normal game speed (this has been huge) has helped me get a very realistic, natural (trying to avoid using the word organic), and varied results.
On normal I haven't had more than 5 sacks a game, and while I still wish the CPU would throw the ball away more, it's,better than the 10 sacks I was seeing on slow.
Aa with many madden games, I feel you get what you put in with this game. If I wanted to win every game no matter what I could, but I try to call as many different plays as I can, even a zone blitz I know has weaknesses, and mixing it up is most of the fun for me. Maybe one day I won't need house rules, but if "mix up my play calling" and "no switch" are the only two house rules I need then I think I am in pretty good shape.
I really hope a patch addresses the number of off the field issues the gsme has for offline and the few issues that remain for online, as well as CPU QB behavior and maybe fine tuning accuracy a but more (I shouldn't have to out accuracy down to 5 this user, inaccurate passes are literally touted as a feature, I feel it feel it should work at default 50)
I haven't played a sim user gsme yet but I bet the game plays great in user games
My thoughts as well. There are still a couple of plays that give you 6+ yards on almost every down.But It's still a Madden game, you know.
Spoiler
There is a play called ''Z Spot'' that comes up quite often on suggestions screen and I promised myself to never use that play. A guaranteed 6+ yard play.
Will the challenges ever be fixed? I just forced an obvious fumble that was overturned and ruled as no fumble. This has been a problem for as long as I can remember.
Also, I don't know how to change back the camera angle when it switches to a defensive perspective. It's extremely annoying.
My initial impression was, "holy crap, this is a totally different madden." The graphics, the presentation...even some gameplay elements felt different.
Now..., after playing since release day...my thoughts are "meh." Its madden. Its the NFL and football in video game form so I'll play it but this isn't a groundbreaking game by any stretch.
Has the presentation improved? Yes.
Are the graphics awesome? Yes.
Are the modes fun and will keep me playing? Yes.
Is the Gameplay where it needs to be for a next gen console? NO. NO. NO.
EA needs to completely re-tool the animations, make players feel individualized, and where's the strategy? I mean...every play should be a chess match and its just not. The new menus are clunky and there's not enough time to do anything with the suggestions and pre-snap options.
Living worlds? Player sense 2.0? Neither of these elements are living up to the hype so far.
Similar to 25 on next gen, everything feels so rigid and straight lined. I don't feel like Madden 15 on next gen, from a gameplay standpoint, offers a completely new and "Next-Gen" experience when compared to NCAA14 and M25 on 360. Next gen has been SUCH a huge disappointment. I feel like I wasted $500 for prettier graphics.
Actually I feel the same....it's not a bad game it's fun and visuals are nice...but expecially animations like throwing and running are not where they should be in 2014 on a PS4.
There areas of the game that are really impoved like physics and OL/DL interaction...but overall the game has no identity at all. Players show little emotions and they move and react mostly the same. If we had signature styles this game could have been a great one...sad.
Presentation is nice but replays / half time / post game are a total mess...
It's clear that once again exclusive NFL license is bad for us.
Played a really good game on All-Madden last night against the Saints. I love the running game. It can get frustrating at times but it makes runs of 5-8 yards feel great and the bigger runs feel even better. One thing that needs to be improved is the "dazed and confused" nature the RB's or ball carriers get into when they make contact with lineman. Sometimes it's really good where they'll do the avoidance maneuvers and it will look really sharp. Then there's times where you're literally glued to the back of your lineman's backside and just wait for the inevitable one or two yard gain.
My biggest issue still remains user pass defense. I don't know if the slider doesn't work or if on All-Madden you just don't get any of the buffed pass defense but it's night and day between my coverage and theirs. I've had my coverage and reaction time at 100 and changed it down to 65-65 before the game against the Saints I played and really didn't notice any difference. My defense doesn't really make plays, when I have good coverage I'll get a sack or a throwaway, and if I have bad coverage, which is more often than not, it's either a completion or an inaccurate pass. I'd like to see tighter coverage and better zone play along with smarter (and more ballsy) QB's so it feels like they have to fit the ball into tighter windows like I do.
Another issue I've had happen twice now is replay getting a call absolutely wrong. I had one the other day where it was a touchdown catch and I challenged and during the review it was clear he only had one foot down but the play stood. I was willing to convince myself that he somehow dragged the second foot. But then last night in the Saints game I was down 21-17, forced a fumble and scooped and scored. Only for it to be reviewed and overturned and on the replay the ball came out and was even recovered before his knees went down. Completely changed the game.
One last thing I really want to see done is either allowing us to go in and change gameplans and use those for the CPU or themselves going in and altering gameplans. Just going through the Broncos playbook there are so many plays that aren't assigned to any situation and, if you're playing the CPU, will never get called. It does appear that the limit of 20 per situation has been lifted too which means you could do some really great things with playbooks on here if they would allow it. I'd gladly spend an entire day or two going through and crafting custom playbooks for each team for my CFM and making sure that every play in the book was utilized in some way.
Overall, really enjoying the game and can't stop playing. Hopefully, they'll come out with some good tuning in patches and make it even better.
I will say I am in the minority that likes the new playcall menu. I like having every formation and concept right there in view and I just need to scroll to it. I also like how I scroll to it and then can scroll left and right to get the right package I want.
What I do agree with is that it isn't the prettiest looking thing, but I like what it is doing.
I played some more of the game last night and I like the game more. If you come into this game expecting penalties to work and the players to all animate with signature styles, then you will be disappointed. What this Madden does do is include the best lineplay in any video game in my opinion. Yes, even better than my beloved 2k8. I honestly think that the more I play this game, the more it may become my favorite football video game ever which no Madden has even accomplished.
Does this game represent football in a more realistic fashion? Yes.
Does this Madden have strategic elements? Yes.
Does it still contain legacy issues? Yes.
In short, it's very fun and if you focus on enjoying it and not nitpicking, I believe it will give you a very enjoyable experience. I could sit here and play any football game ever made and nitpick all day and never enjoy a single one. I'm saving myself from that trouble and have been the last 2 or 3 years, but Madden still let me down. This year it doesn't really let me down. It's a good game.
So in my opinion after giving it more and more time and staying open minded, I really do believe this is the best football game I have ever played on the field. Play calls matter, knowledge of the game matters. It isn't all stick skills anymore. Don't get me wrong, there is still plenty this game needs, but it is getting there under this new lead. I love that fact.
Connected Careers still needs a huge boost, but on the field is where this Madden shines this year and in a very good way in my opinion. I'm excited for Madden's future again. This Madden has actually made me wish badly for a next gen NCAA game. I could not have cared less for one a month ago, but now after experiencing this game firsthand, Rex and crew talk the talk and walk the walk. Football gaming is back on the rise and I thank the crew behind the game so much because I've missed not having to set house rules and overlooking so many things to enjoy a football game. Those days are gone, at least this year. If Madden 16 continues the progression, I can only imagine how good of a game it will be.
This game is far from perfect, but it definitely is the best football game I've ever played and I've been playing both Madden and 2k since NFL 2k on the Dreamcast. Give it a couple years at this rate and Madden can reach The Show caliber if they continue down the same path they're on right now. That is what excites me the most. Keep up the good work EA, keep this vision. Do that, and bring back NCAA, and I will be in football heaven again.
Some of the interactions are nice at times, but there are still alot of problems. Still alot of warping and sliding, and there's still a bug where your blocker will either run right past a defender, or will just stand there and watch defenders get to the QB.
Had a play earlier where I broke free from a lineman only to be warped back into a block so the CPU could throw the touchdown pass.