Madden 20 Beta CFM Impressions

[justcallmedaddy]

The first thing I'd like to say is the gameplay feels so much smoother. Player motion is a whole other level from 19, they did a great job with improving that aspect. The juking animations and getting rid of the super spin moves made it feel more rewarding to put a move on someone to get a few extra yards. The stiff arming was nice to see and actually feels useful when fighting for that 1st down.


The new ball trajectory and no more superman linebackers is amazing, firing a bang eight crossing the face of a cover 3 corner over the linebackers heads and right under the middle safety was super rewarding. I kind've wish they'd take out the ability to substitute a LBer for a Safety in H2H games, I know it's a real life strategy but in terms of online it just seemed like anytime I played against someone that liked to send cross blitzes and deep corners/crossers on offense, they just used a DB the entire time to get the higher jumping INTs. The trajectory made it harder for them, but it was still there. I liked the fact that it felt much more rewarding to step into the pocket away from those edge rushers, and gave big negative effects to players fading back 10 yards to try and bomb it. I don't really know how to explain it, but the game just FELT more of a strategy against other users, I felt like there were less 1 play TDs and 60 yard gains on bombs. Players were forced to drive down the field and kind've play the quick game passing wise. The X Factor abilities and superstar abilities I felt actually made players feel true to their selves and how they played. It's not perfect but so much better than how 19 represented them. I agree with what one poster had said about not making them activate by a certain statistical criteria like "5 straight completions" etc.


In terms of Franchise mode, it still felt pretty bare bones (though the final product should be different come July/August) and the scenarios were pretty cool but not very detailed at the time. X factor abilities make you scout your opponent more in depth than previous years and actually give veterans a case to be on the field over younger players. I'd like to see a full overhaul of Franchise, but this seems to be a gameplay focused cycle, which isn't necessarily a bad thing IMO.


Overall, I really like the direction they have taken Madden for 20. There are still negatives and things to improve upon which I may get into in another post, but the positives have this game so much more improved from 19, I can't even play it anymore.


I had mostly played H2H and friendlies against users in my Online Franchise, just to note.

[fballturkey]

Huh. So X-factor and scenarios, and that's it. This is weird, but I almost feel relieved. There is no decision to make on getting this game. Franchise players have been totally, completely and wholly left out, again, and there is nothing that makes me want to play this more than NCAA 14 or an NFL text sim (limited as those are.)

But it's different this time, for me anyway. It's happened too many times for me to even feel disappointed or angry anymore. I expected it. The game just isn't for me now. I'm glad there's still a lot that other people like, but this game doesn't take franchise seriously, and I guess this is my stop. Good luck and enjoy everybody.

[JoshC1977]

Quote: Originally Posted by mtmetcalfe

Josh Do you have any concerns with the balance of superstars/xfactors? The two things I’m referring to: 1. Players don’t loose xfactor. 2. I played the beta and 5 years in to a franchise there was already over twice as many superstars and xfactors then in year 1.

Remember that it wasn’t the final roster either. The roster balance will ultimately dictate how things sim out long term. I’m taking any sim results from the beta with a huge pile of salt due to that.


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

[Therebelyell626]

Quote: Originally Posted by canes21

NHL has been disappointing as well. The only reason people can point to it right now isn't because it is doing a great job of adding so much for the offline game, but because Madden is adding so little. Go ask fans that have been playing the NHL series for years if they feel happy with the speed of progress and the focus(lack of) on offline play. Most are going to say no. Does the series seem to be adding more to its franchise mode than Madden? Easily. Is it still progressing at a pretty slow pace and putting a huge focus on Chel and HUT? Absolutely. All of EA's sports games progress unbelievably slow. I'm not exactly sure why that is. You'd think a company with their resources would be able to pump out additions quicker, but the truth of the matter is that EA Sports games just don't progress that fast.

I disagree. NHL 19 implemented a new skating engine that prior to being patched into oblivion was one of the best replications of skating on ice I have ever seen. NHL has been doing a lot the last 3 years and honestly I applaud their dev team because this franchise seamed dead in the water just a few years ago.

The only complaint I have about NHL is the AI can be flat out brain dead at time, and suffers from button input reading instead of relying on tactical hockey sense. But FIFA suffers from the same thing so I guess it's an EA Vancouver thing

[canes21]

Quote: Originally Posted by Therebelyell626

I disagree. NHL 19 implemented a new skating engine that prior to being patched into oblivion was one of the best replications of skating on ice I have ever seen. NHL has been doing a lot the last 3 years and honestly I applaud their dev team because this franchise seamed dead in the water just a few years ago. The only complaint I have about NHL is the AI can be flat out brain dead at time, and suffers from button input reading instead of relying on tactical hockey sense. But FIFA suffers from the same thing so I guess it's an EA Vancouver thing

We can agree to disagree. Relative to Madden they've been adding a decent amount of stuff, but even the franchise mode in that game feels so shallow. The fog of war helps add some depth to the mode. The upcoming additions to the game this year l0ook to breathe life into the game as well. It is nice to see the series getting more things added in for the offline user than Madden has, but it still needs a big jolt to the franchise mode to make it feel both deep and alive. I guess I have just gotten too used to Out of the Park and NBA 2k and hold every game's franchise mode to the standard those two have set. Unfortunately every EA game fails to live up to those two. Even The Show does as well.

[Armor and Sword]

While Josh makes some great points on his post. He left out another vital factor.

Presentation. That is a franchise feature whether you want to believe it or not. And Madden is meh in that department. It can be so much better. Yet it is not. The assets they used for that failed mode Longshot can be used (NFL Network Between The Lines show for example) to breath life into franchise mode. Having weekly interviews, and discussion around the league as your storylines unfold. It would help incredibly with making franchise a living breathing world week to week.

[Darth Aegis]

Quote: Originally Posted by Armor and Sword

While Josh makes some great points on his post. He left out another vital factor. Presentation. That is a franchise feature whether you want to believe it or not. And Madden is meh in that department. It can be so much better. Yet it is not. The assets they used for that failed mode Longshot can be used (NFL Network Between The Lines show for example) to breath life into franchise mode. Having weekly interviews, and discussion around the league as your storylines unfold. It would help incredibly with making franchise a living breathing world week to week.

While that all sounds great, I can't imagine the time, effort, & resources to get into the game & function properly. While I like my franchise to be more involved, I don't want it to be all scripted either. I'm not a developer but how do u make storylines balanced & feel organic. It seems impossible to have all these different story lines in a million different people's franchises & stay fresh. Before ppl say well the show & 2k does it so it can't be hard - different companies with different directions. In general, I think gamers forget what it takes to make the meal and just want the feast. I think the scenario engine is a step in the right direction.

[roadman]

I can see A & S's point, but, I'm not sure if we've seen the presentation in it's entirety at this stage because there wasn't a blog on it. I'd be surprised if anything big was left out on the table, but we'll see.

I will say that I did pick up some nice outside the stadium exterior shots, the PA announcer added some presentation and the crowd swells were different and quite noticeable in the beta. All of those were surprises to me and I didn't expect it.

The little things add some nice touches.