Madden NFL 20 Impressions (EA Access / Launch, All Platforms)

[SincerelYourz]

I actually like the game; however, franchise mode requires immediate attention.

[NYJin2011tm]

Not a fan of not being able to pick a generic playbook for created coach inside franchise mode.

[ClassActFan]

Played the funnest game of Madden online that I've played in over 11-12 years the other night!

I was the Rams playing against some guy who was using the Chiefs @ Arrowhead. In the first half, I was playing some horrid football. To begin the game, on his first play beyond the kickoff upon receiving, he threw an interception and I had the ball immediately in the redzone, which was great, but I had the 'bright' idea of trying out the new RPO plays in the game. Yeah, instead of going to practice mode, I attempted to try them out in the game, and I was doing so within the 10-yard line. I had the idea, because in the game before I was playing a guy who used the Raiders who was beating me on these quick catch and run plays with one of his wideouts. Well, I got picked off at the 1 and he ran a 99-yard pick six with one of his linebackers.

Long story short, I tossed four interceptions with Jared Goff, and I was down 21-3 going into halftime. I have noticed that in modern Madden games, at least over the last six years, people tend to quit early rather than continue grinding, and I get it -- accelerated clock and shortish games make it difficult to complete comebacks, but I'm an old school online Madden player who lives by the quote of 'never say never' based on the comebacks I used to complete on Madden '04 and Madden '05 online, so I stayed with it. I scored on a beautiful bomb pass from Goff to Cooks in the third, held my opponent on his following drive to a field goal and eventually scored on a short run by Todd Gurley in the fourth quarter to make it 24-17.

I almost threw the game away, because after I made it 24-17 I had doubts that I could stop him on the following drive and I went for an onside kick. He recovered, but his offense stalled. I thought he was going to go for it on 4th and 6 but he opted to try for a punt on his own 48. I drove down the field, completing a myriad of third down conversions with a couple of miracle catches mixed in between Brandin Cooks and Cooper Kupp. With 9 seconds left in the game, I dropped back to pass with Goff, nearly ran into Andrew Whitworth as I navigated out of the pocket. It turned into a broken play. My opponent was usering the linebacker as he came rushing towards me as I threw a bullet pass to Cook and ran into the end zone as time expired! I recorded this play and I'll post it in a video here soon. Made it 24-24 going into overtime, completing my 21-3 comeback.

In overtime, I opted to receive and stalled, punting it away. I thought this would be the end, but he stalled as well, punting back to me! I was around midfield and it was 4th and 3. I was on my own 46 or so, and I went for it, a poor decision that proved to be costly when Gurley was stopped in the backfield. I thought it was over, but on the immediate following play I hit sticked his running back, who fumbled, and Aaron Donald recovered. In my following drive, I once again completed some miracle-esque passes as I drove down the field and entered the red zone. All game long, I had a pattern of lining up in shotgun and handing it off to Gurley on some halfback draws. Well, now that we were in double overtime, on a second down play he moved his defensive backs close to the line on a pass play, expecting a run. I sent Cooks on a streak, and right before I snapped the ball I think he suspected a pass, because he defensive backs began to move back, but I hurried and snapped the ball, saw a wide open Cooks and that was ball game! I won 30-24 in an absolute thriller.

I'm loving the gameplay in '20. This is the most fun I've had on Madden since '12.

I'm not a hardcore gamer these days. I've probably mentioned this sentiment in several posts of mine if you check my history over the last five or so years, but every now again I catch a gaming spell and have to scratch the itch. I was going to skip out on this Madden until sales began, especially after seeing a ton of bad reviews, but I gave in and bought it. I have only played online head2head. No MUT, as I mentioned in a previous post on here. I've had a few butt whoopins from far superior players, whether they were exploiting any cracks in the gameplay or not I feel if I were a better player I could have stopped it.

Anywho, I will state that is a shame that EA puts so much focus into MUT rather than other modes. I'll probably never touch QB1 Face of the Franchise given the depth that the mode allegedly lacks, based on what others are saying. It sucks that franchise mode itself has gone untouched for so long, or at least with minimal changes, while MUT keeps EA's attention, evident due to how much extra revenue EA draws from it. I suppose on one hand, EA can't be blamed, because users continue to spend money on packs, and hey, that's their given right to do so with their disposable income and all, but I do wish EA would spend more time in offline modes such as franchise, because I would probably create one if they did.

Still, I'm having a blast as is playing online in head2head. It is frustrating at times, sure, but every Madden for the last decade has been. I'm sure as my record improves and I face stiffer competition, the amount of 'cheese' that I encounter will be prevalent, but I'm having a blast.

The most important factor for me in any game is the gameplay, and I can't help but disagree with anyone who says this game is a copy and paste, because the gameplay in '20 is so much more smooth than '19. I said it in my last post, and I'll say it again: I love how the game has been sped up! '19 felt like I was in slow motion sometimes, and I felt like I could never break free with any running backs, but in '20 I've busted loose with Gurley multiple times. It is refreshing.

The presentation in Madden is pretty awful. The announcing feels like it hasn't been touched whatsoever from '19. Now I can see where someone might say that is a copy and paste, and the halftime show is still horrific. I still don't understand why they wanted to get rid of the referees on the field. I don't feel truly immersed in the game when it comes to the presentation, but all in all I love where the gameplay is at for the most part, even if many of the animations need work.

I would love to see Madden have competition out there, but we know that isn't going to happen anytime soon, so we have what we have. Once again, I feel for offline only players for not having more features thrown out.

One thing I'm annoyed about is that I can't compare my online stats to my last opponent, my friends or others. It's just a blank screen. Hopefully this gets patched soon. I'm patiently waiting for NBA 2K20 to drop, because I prefer MyTeam over MUT, but I'll be playing a ton of Madden going forward even after 2K20 comes out. I'm just really enjoying the gameplay this go-around.

[JasonForTheWin]

One thing I noticed today, playing through a CFM Franchise with The Texans

During the finals cuts the Falcons cut Devonta Freeman, The Saints cut Taysom Hill, and the Steelers cut Mark Barron, and the Eagles cut Nate Sudfeld.

Barron could possibly be cut, it's not unheard of to see a newly signed FA not make the final 53.

I couldn't see Atlanta cutting Devonta, especially after Tevin left. But, he is coming off an injury.

But Sudfeld and Hill were head scratchers. The Eagles gave him a 2nd round tender as a restricted FA this offseason, so they shouldn't give him away and the Saints love Hill.

I am a big proponent of Franchise Mode, and its beating a dead horse to say it needs major work, but the AI GM needs work before anything else in the mode is touched.

But that has been an issue with me going back generations. For instance I remember in the PS2 days a team has the reigning MVP QB drafts a QB in the 2nd round and then waived their franchise QB and he sits in the FA pool all season.

[inkcil]

A little thing, but it's amazing how many corners this game cuts.

Had a really fun game vs. the Ravens (I was Bears at home) and I won the game in OT on a 10 yard TD scramble by Trubisky. I went to the highlights to rewatch the game winning highlight and it wasn't even an option. The 3 yard play before it was available to view, but not the last play of the game.

What is it with these guys? It's like they don't even want us to enjoy what's there to like.

SMH.

[Zack317]

Quote: Originally Posted by inkcil

A little thing, but it's amazing how many corners this game cuts. Had a really fun game vs. the Ravens (I was Bears at home) and I won the game in OT on a 10 yard TD scramble by Trubisky. I went to the highlights to rewatch the game winning highlight and it wasn't even an option. The 3 yard play before it was available to view, but not the last play of the game. What is it with these guys? It's like they don't even want us to enjoy what's there to like. SMH.

Yeah I noticed that last night. It wouldnt let me view the last play for whatever reason. Wonder if it even does that for every game

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

[John_2400]

Quote: Originally Posted by inkcil

A little thing, but it's amazing how many corners this game cuts. Had a really fun game vs. the Ravens (I was Bears at home) and I won the game in OT on a 10 yard TD scramble by Trubisky. I went to the highlights to rewatch the game winning highlight and it wasn't even an option. The 3 yard play before it was available to view, but not the last play of the game. What is it with these guys? It's like they don't even want us to enjoy what's there to like. SMH.

You got to hit the share button and take a video clip of the replays during the game you want to see. EA end of game replays lackluster for years.

[Sports360]

This game is bad