Madden NFL 25 Demo Available Now, Post Your Impressions (360, PS3)

[Malcd9583]

These impressions are such a letdown, even people making positive comments seem to be trying hard to like it...I'll definitely try it myself but sounds like it's back to back to waiting and hoping for next year.

Why wait until next year when its another madden coming out this year that will be different from the current gen game that they just added a better running game to madden 13. That's how i felt about ncaa 14 it was the same as ncaa 13 with better running smh.

[DaveDQ]

Re: Madden NFL 25 Demo Available Now For 360, Later Today For PS3, Post Your Impressi

The framerate is rather smooth. This is something that Madden really struggled with this gen, but just by going with the demo, it seems very smooth. this helps with play selection and flow of the game. I always have to drop the speed down to address the constant twitching you see in player movement. The slower speed seems to temper that but it's still there.

I don't like the Madden engine. I never have, and the whole "infinity" thing has proven to be a let down with this demo. Yes, there are different expressions of tackling, but there are still numerous occasions where a second defender engaging in a tackle is just too much for this engine to handle. The biggest issue is how a second defender will literally dive through a tackle with zero physics being shown. You can call it "pro-tak" or "infinity 2.0" but this is still the traditional Madden, twitchy animation engine that just can't nail down proper physics in blocking, running and tackling.

That's not to say you can't enjoy the game, but to me this game's engine is just bad for football. You will see some great looking animations only to be interrupted with some quick snatch-back tackle or quirky jolt that makes everything so hard on the eyes. Not only that, but the ball physics are just off. The ball tends to fluctuate in weight, with some passes deflecting onto the sidelines, looking like a wiffle ball. Other times it seems like dead weight.

The demo is enough for me to make a decision on a purchase. It's kind of a no-brainer to me. This series has been a huge letdown this generation. From the very first "target" video we saw, to the various cute names given to a very tired engine, the game just lacks appeal. From the very start of the demo you just know it's the same old Madden experience. Putting another $60 into this title is just not happening for me.

[Malcd9583]

Another assisted tackle.

I asked the same thing earlier nobody answered me so i guess they don't feel that's important.

[wordtobigbird]

Re: Madden NFL 25 Demo Available Now For 360, Later Today For PS3, Post Your Impressi

since the read option and spread option will be used a lot in madden 25 do they have adjustment to counter it like ncaa 14?

There is a commit to read option qb and commit to read option rb.

[Blitzburgh]

Re: Madden NFL 25 Demo Available Now For 360, Later Today For PS3, Post Your Impressi

Well, for the first time in years I am loving this game! It looks an moves really sweet to me. I really don't understand all of this negative feedback. I guess since I don't pay attention to exploits and stuff I enjoy the game more... Each to their own but this game is the best Madden to date for me as it should be... Great job!

[roadman]

Re: Madden NFL 25 Demo Available Now For 360, Later Today For PS3, Post Your Impressi

16 pages and no one noticed one of the biggest flaws of last years game seems to be fixed?

The CPU late game AI seems to be much better.

The Seahawks had the ball with 1:26 left in the half and they tried to score. They did get a FG out of it.

Last year, they would have run the ball into the ground.

Rodgers doing the belt celebration on a TD throw? He only does it when he runs for a TD.

Did like a sack by Nick Perry and he put his finger to his FM.

Also, what I liked about the commentary was it was updated. Woodson leaving the Packers was mentioned.

Otherwise, seems a bit stale between plays.

[Malcd9583]

There is a commit to read option qb and commit to read option rb.

Thanks for responding one more question in the demo is there any option for defensive assignments like cornerback match ups on a wideout all game?

[wordtobigbird]

Re: Madden NFL 25 Demo Available Now For 360, Later Today For PS3, Post Your Impressi

Thanks for responding one more question in the demo is there any option for defensive assignments like cornerback match ups on a wideout all game?

There are no coach settings in game. Just depth chart.

[hort22]

Re: Madden NFL 25 Demo Available Now For 360, Later Today For PS3, Post Your Impressi

are the menus faster then previous maddens? seemed pretty sluggish last year.

[radney]

I know this is a very minor issue but I was looking for progressive lighting in this game. I love the lighting effects in NCAA 14. I'm hoping it will be there in the final release. I don't care for the camera angle being set so far back but other than that, I'm enjoying the demo and looking for the final release.

[BrianU]

Re: Madden NFL 25 Demo Available Now For 360, Later Today For PS3, Post Your Impressi

Just something to keep in mind with the gameplay impressions... Last year the Play Now AI was vastly different from the CCM AI. The AI running game was atrocious in CCM even on All-Madden until the final patch, and the AI playcalling was equally terrible and generic for every team. We found ways around it assinging different playbooks to the CPU teams but that is a ridiculous fix.

[GisherJohn24]

Re: Madden NFL 25 Demo Available Now For 360, Later Today For PS3, Post Your Impressi

OK after playing a couple of games (both on all-madden) I want to give a quick rundown of my pros and cons.

Pros:
- CPU AI is better. I felt like they were just smarter overall and actually capable of scoring points.
- The games felt competitive.
- I lost both games (I think I lost one game in Madden 13).
- The Packers passed a lot, where as the 49ers ran more. Not sure if it is a coincidence.
- Player control feels great.
- The commentary sounded improved.
- Blocking was improved.
- Hit sticks felt satisfying.
- I threw intercepts that were not ridiculous.
- The scores felt realistic

Cons:
- Could still exploit the defence with streaks on the outside when they are in zone.
- CPU completion percentages were too high (around 90% both games).
- Too many injuries (and I was one of the people advocating for more injuries).
- I had Lamichael James stiff-arm and truck two defenders in the one play.

Ultimately this did what every demo should do. It made me excited for the game.

Another quick note, the skills trainer was working for me. Had a message before each playing saying to do a move, I would do it and it would work.

I always wanted the hit stick to be a big reward for the gamer for timing it right. That's why I like Madden 10, I could put on a brutal hit stick and a lot of times I could get a fumble out of it. I hope the hit stick is more important like it used to be, it's a feature that I think they neglected last couple of years. Downloading demo now.

And for those whining about not having the demo, give us Gold guys some love, we gotta get something worthwhile for being gold! haha. Besides free full games of course.

[xbandguy]

Re: Madden NFL 25 Demo Available Now For 360, Later Today For PS3, Post Your Impressi

I changed the gamespeed from normal to slow and its like night and day leaps and bounds better. The game plays wayyyyyy better on slow. On nirmal its like the game is an arcade game and on slow its a sim. Literally everything works better, you can feel the foot planting and feel the difference in the better players. Cant explain it but even the camera has a chance to catch up with whats going on in the field. The game set on normal makes it feel like its on fast forward and you lose all the intricate details.

[bcruise]

Re: Madden NFL 25 Demo Available Now For 360, Later Today For PS3, Post Your Impressi

16 pages and no one noticed one of the biggest flaws of last years game seems to be fixed?

The CPU late game AI seems to be much better.

The Seahawks had the ball with 1:26 left in the half and they tried to score. They did get a FG out of it.

Last year, they would have run the ball into the ground.

Rodgers doing the belt celebration on a TD throw? He only does it when he runs for a TD.

Did like a sack by Nick Perry and he put his finger to his FM.

Also, what I liked about the commentary was it was updated. Woodson leaving the Packers was mentioned.

Otherwise, seems a bit stale between plays.

Thanks for the heads up about the end of game playcalling. That's huge.

Just something to keep in mind with the gameplay impressions... Last year the Play Now AI was vastly different from the CCM AI. The AI running game was atrocious in CCM even on All-Madden until the final patch, and the AI playcalling was equally terrible and generic for every team. We found ways around it assinging different playbooks to the CPU teams but that is a ridiculous fix.

Yeah, but as far as the end-game AI went, it was broken in both offline play now and offline CC. Online CC was the only mode where it worked like it should (after server-side fixes). Hearing that it's better in play now on the demo is very good news.

[secondsolution]

Re: Madden NFL 25 Demo Available Now For 360, Later Today For PS3, Post Your Impressi

Just something to keep in mind with the gameplay impressions... Last year the Play Now AI was vastly different from the CCM AI. The AI running game was atrocious in CCM even on All-Madden until the final patch, and the AI playcalling was equally terrible and generic for every team. We found ways around it assinging different playbooks to the CPU teams but that is a ridiculous fix.

Very good point. I meant to mention that in my impressions. I loved the Madden 13 demo and was incredibly disappointed in the full game. I hope that it isn't the same this year.