OS Roundtable: Madden NFL 13 Demo Impressions

[mrmass413]

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

[wheelman990]

Great review of the demo. pretty spot on really.

I'm surprised by the people who gave praise and then stated it was because they weren't expecting much until next gen. If people are going to give EA that kind of a pass, don't ever expect a good complete football game period. I'd love to have you guys for customers.

Also, I certainly judge on what is not there, or what has been removed. I don't care if they announce it before hand or not, it's going in the review and it will reflect negatively in the score as well.

Mcdonald's could announce all there hamburgers will now be served plan with nothing on them, and I will know what to expect if I buy one from them.....but I'm still gonna rate their hamburgers as a plain, boring hamburger that only die hard Mcdonald's fans should consider eating.

[Dogslax41]

Re: OS Roundtable: Madden NFL 13 Demo Impressions

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.

[gmitch23]

I dont know what demo these writers played but this game is amazing. Sure the animations and twitching need work but this is by far the best Madden to date. My only concern is the frequency of dropped passes seems to be high. Thats easily fixed in a tuning update.

[LastExit]

Re: OS Roundtable: Madden NFL 13 Demo Impressions

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.

Agreed that this year's version is a step in the right direction.

The reviews were spot-on in terms of issues that plague the game year after year, but the developers did a great job with the new passing game, the audio (the crowd sounds so much better than in NCAA and the commentary is much improved) and the new infinity engine. The infinity engine has some odd looking events and obviously needs to be worked on but it's a solid foundation that will continue to give this game a fresh feel that was sorely needed.

Does this Demo convince me to buy the retail version - I'm still up in the air on that but I haven't purchased a new version of Madden in years because this generation has been such a letdown so there are enough improvements to tempt me to do so. After playing the NCAA demo I was not inspired at all to buy it new but only did so at the $45 dollar price point and I regret doing that.....I don't think I would have the same regret with Madden this year.

[roadman]

Re: OS Roundtable: Madden NFL 13 Demo Impressions

Also, I certainly judge on what is not there, or what has been removed. I don't care if they announce it before hand or not, it's going in the review and it will reflect negatively in the score as well.

Mcdonald's could announce all there hamburgers will now be served plan with nothing on them, and I will know what to expect if I buy one from them.....but I'm still gonna rate their hamburgers as a plain, boring hamburger that only die hard Mcdonald's fans should consider eating.

As I said Wheel, to each their own on that one.

I don't judge what didn't make it in a movie or CD, I'll won't change on that.

[StrawHat Patriot]

Re: OS Roundtable: Madden NFL 13 Demo Impressions

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.

I never said the presentation was a joke. I said the post game and halftime show were a joke.

And that's the reason why it's hard to feel immersed by the pregame cinematic intro.

[bdg90]

One big problem with this game for me is that the receivers can never catch wide open passes. There has been multiple times when i've thrown to the end zone wide open and just drop the ball and this is with some of the best receivers in the game & the defensive AI seem ******** , they are pretty much useless i just hope they can fix some of these problems.

[kingsofthevalley]

Hats off to the dev team this year. They actually did a pretty good job. Hell, I went out and bought backbreaker the first day of release with that wacky physics engine, ya think I'm not purchasing Madden first day? Midnight release I'm there.

[DGuinta1]

Hats off to the dev team this year. They actually did a pretty good job. Hell, I went out and bought backbreaker the first day of release with that wacky physics engine, ya think I'm not purchasing Madden first day? Midnight release I'm there.

My thoughts exactly though no mid-night since I got the ticket. Game is moving in the right direction and it's not EA' fault only game in town, its the NFL'. Can't wait to use my Boys!

[statum71]

I don't think football will ever live up to the standard people are looking for. Sad to say but true, I believe.

The demo??? I like it. But yes, there are some funny looking "ragdoll" moments with the new physics engine. Which is why they were hesitant to put in to begin with.

But they did say it still needed some work and its the first year for it so......I'll manage.

Agree it could be better but not terrible by any stretch.

[ahorton100]

Must say I am not impressed by the demo......but I am a Madden fan. Typically, I do not like the NCAA game; however, I think it is great this year.....yup great...OL/DL and all. The demo seems to miss some what I liked in NCAA.....not sure how. But, I am going to buy Madden 13....hell I am a NFL fan. I think those that havent bought the game since 2008 are not NFL fans and their opinions carry little weight. Biggest issue - wide open dropped passes. All-Pro feels like All-Madden Madden 12.

[g2thecore]

Re: OS Roundtable: Madden NFL 13 Demo Impressions

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.

Beautifully said!

[garnettfan]

is it me or the world gone stupid this engine is no good at all madden is ncaa 13 with ragdoll physics this is the worst football game ever well tie with madden 09,07

[marc68]

I'm definatly not as excited about Madden13 as I was BEFORE I played the demo. I like the passing game and being able to throw over a LB is a welcome improvement. BUT...I just feel like I dont have control on the d-line. As the Giants I was completely unable to manually get past the o-line and put pressure on the QB.
The running game seems to be hit and miss also.With Marshawn Lynch you should be able to truck some guys.....he just doesnt seem to be...."heavy",for lack of a better word.
......the more I play it....the more my excitement lessens.