Madden 21 Beta First Impressions (Feel Free To Add Your Own)

[Kramer5150]

Re: Madden 21 Beta First Impressions (Feel Free To Add Your Own)

Hasn't the accuracy slider acted more as a confidence and downfield tendency slider for some time now, as opposed to directly being accuracy only? Lower just results in the CPU QB going 20 for 24 for 180 yards while higher accuracy values lead to them throwing further downfield and into traffic at higher frequencies.

I'm not sure I heard that before, probably some more black magic slider theories, I had Brady throwing all kinds of throws against me...long, medium and short so I don't buy into the "confidence" slider thing.

[Kramer5150]

Re: Madden 21 Beta First Impressions (Feel Free To Add Your Own)

I mean it is Tom Brady lol. On Madden 20 around 6 is the sweet spot on AM any higher everyone plays like Tom Brady. They'll still take plenty of shots downfield. Madden 21 doesn't seem any different.

Thanks for the tip, I'll input that into what I've got so far and see how it goes

[Darth Aegis]

Re: Madden 21 Beta First Impressions (Feel Free To Add Your Own)

Thanks for the tip, I'll input that into what I've got so far and see how it goes

I mean it's definitely an issue on All Madden & has been for a long time. If I move the cpu slider 5 - 10 pts down from default I should notice a degree of difference if the slider actually worked. DL pressure has been tied to misfires in the past as well. I've done a bit of slider testing in the beta.

[canes21]

Re: Madden 21 Beta First Impressions (Feel Free To Add Your Own)

Game #2, Bucs vs Ravens

I'm the Bucs. Default All Pro Simulation.

Spying/containing Jackson is similar to last game. He isn't running into as many sacks like NCAA 14 style scrambler, but it's as if the AI has no idea how to combat a user spying or running contain against them.

The user running game is just way too easy. Getting more comfortable with the game, the locomotion, etc. I could just run random run plays all game and not punt unless the AI puts 9 in the box. On the flip side, I think I can basically confirm that ball carrier path finding is still a mess like it has been for a few years now. RBs zig and zag way too much, they run horizontally more than vertically. Holes that are big enough for a truck to drive through are 3 yard gains too often. Plays that the USER would get 10+ yards on are barely getting back to the LOS because the RB struggles to run in a straight line and in the proper direction.

When the CPU isn't brain dead and decides to put the ball in the air, they are proficient at it and it doesn't feel like the Robo QB of the old to me. You can disrupt their passing game in natural ways unlike the old Robo QB days. Pressure definitely impacts accuracy, and if you get a good pash rush or a free blitzer, you can force errant throws. Pressing at the line also is a good counter for disrupting timing allowing more time for the rush to get there, but coverage as a whole is still messy and needs work done.

The game looks like it still offers a weak game on the field vs the CPU, but 32-man franchises could experience some solid gameplay even without mods if the running game can be toned down with sliders. There will still be Madden moments where animations are not playing out right, where DB's make unrealistic plays on the ball, but overall the product on the field when not accounting for CPU logic is solid. When you look at the brain of the CPU, you will be looking forever because there isn't one.

[SolidSquid]

Re: Madden 21 Beta First Impressions (Feel Free To Add Your Own)

All Madden this year feels like last year defensively. CPU QB will pick apart every mistake or blown coverage. Best course of defense for me is heavy blitz or double the top option (s) and covering the middle with user LB.

Offensively I like the feel of it compared to last year. You can sustain drives, mix it short/intermediate passing with screens, draws and runs. Dialing up deep shots are tricky ive found from most sets. The pressure will get in (primarily with Calais Campbell whos an X-Factor versus Eric Fisher whos a 72). If you go empty or 3x1 Ive found the CPU defense can not stop you.

I've played over and over using the Ravens or Chiefs playbook. There's a play called High mid Lo with 5 WRs that has a post and curl on one side and a fade and curl on the other. If you flip the play so it puts 2 receivers on the rightside and make the fade WR your fastest guy (3rd WR on the depth chart), the cpu 90% of the time has no idea what to do.

Ive racked up consecutive 500 yard-6 TD performances with Hollywood and Mecole. This is on all madden.

Defensively playing on all madden, the cpu offense knows what plays you pick, the only way to get an actual “fair” game is to audible at the line of scrimmage. I wonder if it’s the same for AP

[4thQtrStre5S]

Re: Madden 21 Beta First Impressions (Feel Free To Add Your Own)

One impression I have about the beta and game each of the past three years has been: As the beta nears release and through the the beta period, the current version of the game at the time seems to see changes in its own gameplay that seems to coincide with the beta gameplay.



Maybe I am seeing things. But animations seemed to have been cleaner in M20 the last few weeks. I can roll out with a QB like Goff and the DE doesn't immediately peel away to chase, for example.



A current observation is that I feel EA has increased the speed of the offense in beta, with the defense speed slightly increased, maybe, but still slower than the offense. I wonder if EA makes beta changes on the down low to observe any changes to which threads are voted on, and what types of new thread topics are created?

[Kanobi]

Re: Madden 21 Beta First Impressions (Feel Free To Add Your Own)

I was shocked to see OL with chunky, realistic body types.

Yeah the player models have definitely been tweaked...arms also have different musculature now it seems though it is hard to tell at times with the "fruity pebbles" skin textures in the beta.

[jerwoods]

Re: Madden 21 Beta First Impressions (Feel Free To Add Your Own)

can someone look and see if they added

ATL 55 Larkin, Austin SF19 46 Robinson, Edmond SF20 was on madden 19

Balt 85 Scarff, Charles CF19 96 Onuoha, Michael CF19 38 Bonds, Terrell SF19

KC 8 Ta'amu, Jordan SF20

TB 83 Schnell, Spencer CF19 86 McElroy, Codey SF19 15 Grayson, Cyril P/Dal

[jfsolo]

Re: Madden 21 Beta First Impressions (Feel Free To Add Your Own)

One impression I have about the beta and game each of the past three years has been: As the beta nears release and through the the beta period, the current version of the game at the time seems to see changes in its own gameplay that seems to coincide with the beta gameplay.



Maybe I am seeing things. But animations seemed to have been cleaner in M20 the last few weeks. I can roll out with a QB like Goff and the DE doesn't immediately peel away to chase, for example.



A current observation is that I feel EA has increased the speed of the offense in beta, with the defense speed slightly increased, maybe, but still slower than the offense. I wonder if EA makes beta changes on the down low to observe any changes to which threads are voted on, and what types of new thread topics are created?

I felt the same thing, it improved some things by doing this, but made some other things worse. They've got a lot of work to do to get a solid balance on this front.

[MrOctober430]

Re: Madden 21 Beta First Impressions (Feel Free To Add Your Own)

Only played one game between the Bucs and Chiefs and honestly it felt really good.

Presentation is different, has a FIFA feel to it.

QB throwing is more smoother. Running the ball isn’t as slow and there isn’t a stutter step like in Madden 20.

Loving the defensive play off the line, it’s quick and it’s smoother.

CPU secondary are slow to react and can easily be beat. Robo QB is still in effect. But can contain little more easier.

Overall it definitely feels different than Madden 20 but still needs a lot of work obviously. If they fix minor bugs by next Beta, this can easily be a purchase for me way down the road.

[Dblock1111]

Re: Madden 21 Beta First Impressions (Feel Free To Add Your Own)

Played a few more games:

All madden has felt easier than all-pro to me so far, playing defense the QB still completes 90% of passes on either, but on All-pro my computer players on offense play significantly worse for some reason. Default sliders.

Notice a major issue with man coverage vs slants by outside receivers. Corners almost all turn to the outside and flip a full 360 when covering slants.

I do like the new jukes, feels more like the old ignite 2.0 jukes from NCAA 14. Less ridiculous sideways jumps and more side step jukes and actually possible to juke into the hole between OL.

Fades are still broken, of course.

Probably going to test out tweaking the sliders a bit with whatever time I have left (nice that they finally put in the description on fumble slider to tell you if you move it left it causes more fumbles haha).

Overall, still feel the same as when I started. Feels like a nicely polished tuning patch for Madden 20. Game plays smoother, its nice, but not enough to justify a purchase for me on the gameplay alone.

[Americas Team]

Re: Madden 21 Beta First Impressions (Feel Free To Add Your Own)

You're not sacking Matt Ryan, he's getting the ball off no matter what. It's easier to sack Maholmes and Jackson than Matt Ryan. Im playing on All Pro default sliders.

[ripcandlestickpark]

Re: Madden 21 Beta First Impressions (Feel Free To Add Your Own)

Got my second game in late last night. I played as Atlanta, taking on Brady and the Bucs (CPU) in Tampa. Same settings as last-time: 15 minute quarters on default All-Pro Simulation. This game was even more of a shootout than my first game, with Atlanta eking out a 59-56 win. Both Brady and Ryan threw for just over 500 yards.

Most of my observations on page one still stand, but I have a few more i'd like to add:

• Both teams' rushing attacks were more effective than in my first game. In spite of what the final score would suggest, the run game feels pretty balanced.
• The passing game, though, is where I feel gameplay needs the most tuning at this point in time. Like others have mentioned, pass coverage needs to be a bit tighter and more effective.
• This game had my first instances of the "reaching across the first down line/goal line" animation. They looked solid, and, along with new new tackle and under-pressure passing animations, really help the overall look and feel of the game.
• In addition to pass coverage effectiveness, I'd also hope that Tiburon would make some changes to the game intros. Or at least reserve these over-the-top ones for modes like MUT and Superstar KO.

[capa]

Re: Madden 21 Beta First Impressions (Feel Free To Add Your Own)

It seems a bit odd that EA releases a beta where everyone plays the cpu. I say that because in reality, they base 85% of their patches and changes on what people find as issues when playing online h2h.

I see folks calling out the still brain dead CPU in this beta...but will EA address at all? My gut tells me they are looking for feedback on what people find when controlling their team, as opposed to how the CPU reacts and plays.

Hope I am wrong but I don't have a lot of confidence CPU intelligence will be tweaked much, if at all.

C

[JoshC1977]

Re: Madden 21 Beta First Impressions (Feel Free To Add Your Own)

can someone look and see if they added



ATL 55Larkin, Austin SF19 46Robinson, Edmond SF20 was on madden 19



Balt 85Scarff, Charles CF19 96Onuoha, Michael CF19 38Bonds, Terrell SF19



KC 8Ta'amu, Jordan SF20



TB 83Schnell, Spencer CF19 86McElroy, Codey SF19 15Grayson, Cyril P/Dal

They aren’t running with actual launch rosters or ratings. It’s just a hodgepodge.


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