My opinions of the demo after 1 full game(49ers vs giants)
#1-Presentation(7.5-10 only because of terrible standard camera)
This standard camera is terrible, horrible! Too far away before ball is hiked, players look like Ants. Audio much better. Cut scenes were great! Captured the NFL well. Nicely done. Only complaint is needed a 3rd person speaking voice over during halftime video cut scene. Besides the bad camera view very good job IMO. If they fix the camera, I'd give presentation a 8.5-9.
#2-Gameplay(6-10 mostly because of horrible tackling)
The game feels much better overall. Everything besides tackling just felt tighter and more polished. Much less player sliding/ice skating. Game speed default is too fast, had to slow it down. Passing had too many long pass moments, 40% of my passes went all the way for 40+ yard TD's! Sliders may help that, I played default pro on this first game. Tackling is the worst I have seen in years. It is terrible. A few good moments, but most of the time tackling was plain silly looking. Even looked bad after the tackle when players trying to get back up to their feet. Players fall the wrong way, bounce oddly off each other, and more. At times it looks as if EA is going arcade with this physics engine. Lead passing worked alright. Not done completely right, but sometimes it worked well. No penalty's called the entire game
. CPU DB coverage looked better, besides letting my wr get behind them too often for big score. The CPU offense scored no points on me. First game was a 35-0 blow out, and that was a bummer(I will try all-pro next game). Specially since most of the time I was watching gameplay and presentation and not focusing on winning. Didn't feel much weight/momentum during tackles at all. Fix the tackling issues and I would give this an 8.
#3-Graphics(8)
Everything is really detailed nicely. I think the 49ers stadium grass could have used a bit more grass detail, but so nice to see no more blotches, black spots, and multi colored grass for a change. The only thing stopping Madden from 9 or 10 greatness in this area is player models still need some work, and the animations that drive them. Lighting was much better, and if the camera was just a bit closer(like the Madden 10 standard cam was) I think the game would look much better. Once again, the far cam kills off some of the visuals and makes it feel like a game on a handheld system or something. Just too far away and doesn't look like a Sunday broadcast football game. I also can't stand the way the cam goes in and out pre snap while choosing plays,shifts,etc. The cam is already out so far you can see the sidelines, so what is the point of it? Annoying. Just my opinion, and it really bugged me. Anyway, not marking off graphics for the cam and adjustments because I marked off for presentation.
My Final Demo Score-7.5(may edit after more games)
Update notes on what needs improved
----------------------------------------
(2nd game wash vs sea):
*Even RG3 plays like prime Peyton Manning. I am lighting it up even on all pro with RG3. QB's feel too much like the same IMO. First pass was 50 yrd td. Not very realistic passing so far.
*QB kneels still look rediculous. As soon as the qb's knee goes down everyone turns into zombies like they always have.
*21-0 @ halftime on my 2nd game all-pro settings. RG3 still tearing it up. Almost went 28-0 @halftime but time expired when I was on the 5 yard line. Still to many big passes & no CPU offense
*shadows on the players facing sun too dark IMO.
*Commentary much improved, but a few weird placed lines that didn't match the on the field play at all.
*Repetitive TD celebrations. Seeing the Rocky Balboa back peddle hands up way to often
*Terrible tackling sound every once in a while. Very arcade and comes from the rear speaker in 5.1,lol. Suppose to add drama I guess, but it's way out of place and Blitz sounding
*CPU throws so many INTs on both pro and all pro. I am averaging around 4 grabs off them a game!!
*Had a really bad super linebacker moment! At least only once in 2 games, so improved but present.
3rd game(Giants vs 49ers-all pro)
*Game still doesn't transition smooth at all. Animations still pop into place and players still go all weird as soon as the play is over. Not smooth, and feels rushed and incomplete
*Passing is still way to easy. The lead passing makes me able to complete almost any pass I chose. Not so fun for someone wanting a realistic game. Arcade players should love it.
*Audio for tackling is always to loud. Sometimes its extremely loud. It's not a very good recording for a hit either. very arcade. Starting to get annoying. If I turn it down in settings, I will loose on the field player chatter.
*Can't stand default field goal cam view. So far away, nothing like NFL broadcast. Right angle, wrong zoom. Same with kickoff cam. Great angles, way to far zoomed out IMO. Also, the crowd colors have a pop in graphics during kickoff when ball is kicked. Looks bad IMO.
*sidelines and crowds need improved in graphics and animation. Outdated. At least have the crowd not all move at the same time and the same way.
#1-Presentation(7.5-10 only because of terrible standard camera)
This standard camera is terrible, horrible! Too far away before ball is hiked, players look like Ants. Audio much better. Cut scenes were great! Captured the NFL well. Nicely done. Only complaint is needed a 3rd person speaking voice over during halftime video cut scene. Besides the bad camera view very good job IMO. If they fix the camera, I'd give presentation a 8.5-9.
#2-Gameplay(6-10 mostly because of horrible tackling)
The game feels much better overall. Everything besides tackling just felt tighter and more polished. Much less player sliding/ice skating. Game speed default is too fast, had to slow it down. Passing had too many long pass moments, 40% of my passes went all the way for 40+ yard TD's! Sliders may help that, I played default pro on this first game. Tackling is the worst I have seen in years. It is terrible. A few good moments, but most of the time tackling was plain silly looking. Even looked bad after the tackle when players trying to get back up to their feet. Players fall the wrong way, bounce oddly off each other, and more. At times it looks as if EA is going arcade with this physics engine. Lead passing worked alright. Not done completely right, but sometimes it worked well. No penalty's called the entire game
. CPU DB coverage looked better, besides letting my wr get behind them too often for big score. The CPU offense scored no points on me. First game was a 35-0 blow out, and that was a bummer(I will try all-pro next game). Specially since most of the time I was watching gameplay and presentation and not focusing on winning. Didn't feel much weight/momentum during tackles at all. Fix the tackling issues and I would give this an 8.#3-Graphics(8)
Everything is really detailed nicely. I think the 49ers stadium grass could have used a bit more grass detail, but so nice to see no more blotches, black spots, and multi colored grass for a change. The only thing stopping Madden from 9 or 10 greatness in this area is player models still need some work, and the animations that drive them. Lighting was much better, and if the camera was just a bit closer(like the Madden 10 standard cam was) I think the game would look much better. Once again, the far cam kills off some of the visuals and makes it feel like a game on a handheld system or something. Just too far away and doesn't look like a Sunday broadcast football game. I also can't stand the way the cam goes in and out pre snap while choosing plays,shifts,etc. The cam is already out so far you can see the sidelines, so what is the point of it? Annoying. Just my opinion, and it really bugged me. Anyway, not marking off graphics for the cam and adjustments because I marked off for presentation.
My Final Demo Score-7.5(may edit after more games)
Update notes on what needs improved
----------------------------------------
(2nd game wash vs sea):
*Even RG3 plays like prime Peyton Manning. I am lighting it up even on all pro with RG3. QB's feel too much like the same IMO. First pass was 50 yrd td. Not very realistic passing so far.
*QB kneels still look rediculous. As soon as the qb's knee goes down everyone turns into zombies like they always have.
*21-0 @ halftime on my 2nd game all-pro settings. RG3 still tearing it up. Almost went 28-0 @halftime but time expired when I was on the 5 yard line. Still to many big passes & no CPU offense
*shadows on the players facing sun too dark IMO.
*Commentary much improved, but a few weird placed lines that didn't match the on the field play at all.
*Repetitive TD celebrations. Seeing the Rocky Balboa back peddle hands up way to often
*Terrible tackling sound every once in a while. Very arcade and comes from the rear speaker in 5.1,lol. Suppose to add drama I guess, but it's way out of place and Blitz sounding
*CPU throws so many INTs on both pro and all pro. I am averaging around 4 grabs off them a game!!
*Had a really bad super linebacker moment! At least only once in 2 games, so improved but present.
3rd game(Giants vs 49ers-all pro)
*Game still doesn't transition smooth at all. Animations still pop into place and players still go all weird as soon as the play is over. Not smooth, and feels rushed and incomplete
*Passing is still way to easy. The lead passing makes me able to complete almost any pass I chose. Not so fun for someone wanting a realistic game. Arcade players should love it.
*Audio for tackling is always to loud. Sometimes its extremely loud. It's not a very good recording for a hit either. very arcade. Starting to get annoying. If I turn it down in settings, I will loose on the field player chatter.
*Can't stand default field goal cam view. So far away, nothing like NFL broadcast. Right angle, wrong zoom. Same with kickoff cam. Great angles, way to far zoomed out IMO. Also, the crowd colors have a pop in graphics during kickoff when ball is kicked. Looks bad IMO.
*sidelines and crowds need improved in graphics and animation. Outdated. At least have the crowd not all move at the same time and the same way.
Comment