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

[ClemTiger]

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

I despise the accelerated clock function.

By the way, has anyone been a victim of the phantom swats/tackles? I threw a pass to Vernon Davis wide open and it looked like he just flat dropped it, but on the replay there was a defender that swatted it away lol. He wasn't even on my screen in real time. Also, I broke a long run with Kaepernick and was in the clear about to walk in the endzone and I was tackled. Again on the replay there's a defender but there wasn't one on the field.

Ghost defenders baby.

[celtics6]

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

Played another game trying all my tried and true stuff and lost again. Losing is actually a good thing. This game played flawless. Aaron Rodgers was killing me. No complaints. Was feeling like i was starting to dominate the cpu and find holes but they bounced back and won 2 in a row dominating each game for the most part.

Best madden yet......

[Qb]

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

I did the skills trainer scenarios and played one game w/o accelerated clock last night. It's about what I expected, but it's hard to judge from a small sampling of the game. I like how the Infinity Engine is shaping up, player movement seems somewhat improved, and I think running & screens could be really fun if blocking is tuned by retail and/or with adjusted sliders. It's far too powerful at the demo default.

The default game speed is still too fast for me, which hurts my overall impression of the gameplay. I need to find a comfort zone with slow or very slow. I find it hurts me more on defense, as I'm prone to overreacting after I switch and generally playing out of control... haste makes waste, if you will.

I saw some good and bad AI decisions late in my game. I was down 17-13 with about 1:30 left following a turnover on downs in their end of the field. The CPU runs on 1st & 2nd down (good), which I stuff for minimal gains and call my last two timeouts. Rodgers drops back to pass on 3rd & long from his own 30 or so (questionable) and is swarmed by my blitz. The CPU lines up to punt and runs the playclock down before snapping (good), but doesn't kick to the sideline (bad), allowing me to pick up 15 or so on the return out to my 40.

Gameflow called a deep pass play and to my surprise, up four with maybe 30 seconds left, Green Bay comes out with only one safety over the top. Rice beats the CB and I drop a perfect throw between the DBs, who then get in each other's way to allow Rice to take it to the house. I'm not sure exactly what the coverage was (cover 3? man/1 deep?), but there was no cushion, let alone the kind of all-out deep zone/prevent look a real D would run.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to trying roadman's sliders and playing some more games. I'm a casual enough football fan that I don't get hung up on some of the stuff that others can't overlook.

[therizing02]

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

Thanks for an honest answer, can't stand when people use tired cliche lines as their impression. I understand if the game hasn't improved enough, but tell us why it hasn't in your opinion, what you would like to see different. Same goes for those who think it's amazing but don't say why. Good or bad, give us an honest impression to help the sim community.

I can appreciate your comments JP, but lines become "tired and cliche" after they get repeated year after year because EA refuses to address certain aspects of the game but repeatedly used tired/cliche lines in their annual marketing blitz.

I will agree that there is some sort of programming glitch in the game that is not allowing penalties to trigger. However, knowing that penalties are a huge part of the game EVERY SUNDAY and MONDAY NIGHT, I would think that a developer that is trying to develop a realistic game would put a little effort into this part of the game at some point over the last eight years.

What I think is hilarious as well contradictory and downright lame are when people(not you specifically) will defend the game when they do something correct, and use the no game is perfect and/or it's just a video game when something needs to be addressed.

[UMhester04]

I hope the next gen version has a whole new lighting engine, this one has to be the worst of all the sports games. looks muddy, dark, not clean and realistic at all. I wish it could have The Show's, I find that lighting engine to be very realistic. an underrated part of a sports game's look, especially when you are going to be playing hundreds of games...different times of day and cloud cover can really add some much needed variety to sports games.

time for 80% of these cut scenes to go too, the hump back coaches look so weird...yet I think the player body models look good. so its jarring when the coaches are shown, immediately reminds you you are playing Madden and a video game.

Also, please don't have cut scenes with non-play-calling coaches holding laminated play calling sheets. leave that only for coaches that handle the offensive coordinator duties. really ruins the immersion.

I had some fun with the demo once I turned the speed down, crazy that they default it with a speed that makes their own game look bad. I know kids like things COD fast these days, but it really makes the product look worse than it actually is.

The new ball carrier moves were much needed, but I wish they were more realistic. I had an AI receiver catch the ball on an out route right as he was going out of bounds, do a spin move against his momentum to come back into the play and then immediately spin in the opposite direction while a defender flew by. All 3 moves were impossible in the laws of physics...but not EA physics. some of the jukes are a little too much too, Barry can't even jump cut like these moves can. I wish they were a little more sutle, but they can be fun and open up the game play when you break a run and get into the secondary.

I really look forward to what the next gen version looks like, I hope there is a demo on xbox one on day 1 -- as that will probably dictate whether I will be picking up Madden 25 or not...by that time it should also have any fixes needed for this current gen version's patches...

The lighting engine is actually really good IMO

[jUSToFFICIAL]

C'mon people its the same thing every year, adjust sliders, do this, do that, why do we have to be the beta testers and not get a polished product out the box. Then EA will drop a few useless patches then everyone will continue to reach and act like the game is good. This Madden 13' with a roster update and some new running animations, but hey everyone has their opinion.

[roadman]

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

C'mon people its the same thing every year, adjust sliders, do this, do that, why do we have to be the beta testers and not get a polished product out the box. Then EA will drop a few useless patches then everyone will continue to reach and act like the game is good. This Madden 13' with a roster update and some new running animations, but hey everyone has their opinion.

That's right, you are right, everyone does have an opinion.

It took me 5 minutes to adjust sliders to my liking. To me, it's worth it.

Plus, there isn't a sports game I've played where I didn't adjust sliders.

[Sturzinator]

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

Every year that goes by more and more people are coming to the stark realization that EA will never get this right. Years of stagnation bereft of innovation and forward thinking.

There will always be a market for EA because there is that segment of the consumer population that does not truly care about football. They want dreadlocks, sock striping,CPU versus CPU spectator mode, and progressively dirty uniforms. That ( pre- teen, I assume) segment who wants to download their face and see what it looks like in the uniform of their favorite team and other superfluous fascinations.

That's all well and good, but it's not football. This is the demographic that EA panders to year after year. It's their bread and butter, and seemingly the only areas of the programming they are adept at evolving and improving.

I am always amazed at some of the hardcore EA fanboys on here that are in perpetual denial and defending this lackluster product at every turn. My recent favorite was a comment stating " just use your imagination" in reference to some of the ridiculous and looooong standing CPU AI flubs. ROTFLMAO. Why pop the game in at all, just close your eyes and imagine everything.....

The fact is, Madden has never been and will never be the football game that we football purists want to see. Madden was light years behind 2k and was never going to catch up. They clearly understood this, so they bought out all the competition instead if upping their own game. They've been coasting ever since.

You can most assuredly lump next gen Madden into this same category. It'll be one step forward, two steps back - like always with this series.

I am officially fed up.....how much longer until everyone else is too?

Tick tock EA.

JMO

[DBMcGee3]

I'll give the demo a whirl, but honestly from the video it looks like a carbon copy of last year's game. EA was complacent enough before, but with the next gen on the horizon so soon, it would shock me to see any serious effort put into the current gen version. And when the next gen version sucks, they'll make excuses for that too, all the while cashing in on the millions of people buying 2 versions of the same crap game.

Does Kaepernick really not have any tats or am I completely blind now?

[Gosens6]

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

That's right, you are right, everyone does have an opinion.

It took me 5 minutes to adjust sliders to my liking. To me, it's worth it.

Plus, there isn't a sports game I've played where I didn't adjust sliders.

Care to share your sliders, Road?

[jpdavis82]

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

Every year that goes by more and more people are coming to the stark realization that EA will never get this right. Years of stagnation bereft of innovation and forward thinking.

There will always be a market for EA because there is that segment of the consumer population that does not truly care about football. They want dreadlocks, sock striping,CPU versus CPU spectator mode, and progressively dirty uniforms. That ( pre- teen, I assume) segment who wants to download their face and see what it looks like in the uniform of their favorite team and other superfluous fascinations.

That's all well and good, but it's not football. This is the demographic that EA panders to year after year. It's their bread and butter, and seemingly the only areas if the programming they are adept at evolving and improving.

I am always amazed at some of the hardcore EA fanboys on here that are in perpetual denial and defending this lackluster product at every turn. My recent favorite was a comment stating " just use your imagination" in reference to some of the ridiculous and looooong standing CPU AI flubs. ROLFLMAO. Why pop the game in at all, just close your eyes and imagine everything.....

The fact is, Madden has never been and will never be the football game that we football purists want to see. Madden was light years behind 2k and was never going to catch up. They clearly understood this, so they bought out all the competition instead if upping their own game. They've been coasting ever since.

I am officially fed up.....how much longer until everyone else is too?

Tick tock EA.

JMO

see you in November

I disagree that more and more people are giving up, I think more and more people are starting to have hope and can see the direction this game is headed. Now like I said, in November, on next gen, then people REALLY will start to see the direction and have more than just hope, they will have evidence.

[celtics6]

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

C'mon people its the same thing every year, adjust sliders, do this, do that, why do we have to be the beta testers and not get a polished product out the box. Then EA will drop a few useless patches then everyone will continue to reach and act like the game is good. This Madden 13' with a roster update and some new running animations, but hey everyone has their opinion.

There are definately things still wrong with the game. Mainly with late game AI and some of the camera angles are wonky, but this years madden is the most playable version in a while. I agree with you though, this game should be polished every year. It's like each year we wait for them to fix one thing or another and other stuff is broken. 25 years of the same crap. I agree it's ridiculous. Thsi years madden actually plays pretty good for once though. Still things wrong with it which is ridiculous at this point.

I can actually play something that resembles football and a good video game this year at least. I shouldn't have to accept that though. This game should be light years ahead of where it actually is.

[ghettogeeksta]

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

I can appreciate your comments JP, but lines become "tired and cliche" after they get repeated year after year because EA refuses to address certain aspects of the game but repeatedly used tired/cliche lines in their annual marketing blitz.

I will agree that there is some sort of programming glitch in the game that is not allowing penalties to trigger. However, knowing that penalties are a huge part of the game EVERY SUNDAY and MONDAY NIGHT, I would think that a developer that is trying to develop a realistic game would put a little effort into this part of the game at some point over the last eight years.

What I think is hilarious as well contradictory and downright lame are when people(not you specifically) will defend the game when they do something correct, and use the no game is perfect and/or it's just a video game when something needs to be addressed.

You can't just randomly have penalties called in a game the players have to actually commit the foul in which they would have to create new animations for. For example pass interference, how can you have those when there is no db/wr interactions after 5 yards. I think that they are so far behind and have been playing catch up just to get the game back to par that penalties are just not high in the priority list. Maybe if they get the basics down early next gen then they will have time for things like custom camera angles, player individuality and penalties.

[Sturzinator]

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

see you in November

I disagree that more and more people are giving up, I think more and more people are starting to have hope and can see the direction this game is headed. Now like I said, in November, on next gen, then people REALLY will start to see the direction and have more than just hope, they will have evidence.

I have had hope for years on end. How'd that work out for us?

I'm afraid you'll be crushed come November. More of the same tired, fruitless pattern to come.

[schmit_95]

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

see you in November

I disagree that more and more people are giving up, I think more and more people are starting to have hope and can see the direction this game is headed. Now like I said, in November, on next gen, then people REALLY will start to see the direction and have more than just hope, they will have evidence.

JP, can you elaborate as to why you are so positive we are all going to be begging to come back on the Madden train in November, when at the same time others on this site have said stay away from next Gen, stick with current gen? Is it just your gut feeling? I know I can never truly judge except for myself, because everyone is different, but I wonder what has you so positive that this will finally be "the Madden we've all been waiting for".
All this being said, Im trying so hard to get excited for August 27.