Madden 21 Beta First Impressions (Feel Free To Add Your Own)

[Jeter2]

The game feels like a much smoother M20.

-You cant user the entire field with one guy.
-Noticeable difference playing with Chiefs Defense and Ravens
-Lighting is gorgeous and sun transition is a nice touch
-I actually like the EA Sports swipes and transitions as well as the new graphic bug/look
-Sideline animations seem over the top. I was losing to the Ravens by 14 and almost every other play would show Lamar on the sideline celebrating with Ingram, Hollywood and others

EA, please move the hurdle back to triangle and the truck back to up on the right stick. Hurdle isnt used anywhere near the amount as trucking. Also might be me but I cant make anyone miss one on one playing All Madden with a juke.

[jfsolo]

Quote: Originally Posted by Milticket

This has a new care smell, but I think with the new additions to game play this year already makes it a better product than Madden 20 out of the gates imo. Played on - All Madden - Sim 15min qtrs Play now - Offline Gameplay - 8/10 (So Far) Overall I like the new tackling additions probably the most. While not always perfect it looks like more like real life football instead of the bumper boat tackling they have now. Likes: * Player movement * Foot planting * Slower Gameplay which allows for smother animations & better tackling * Polished & refined tackling * Momentum feels better. Player weight seems to matter more * Reaching for the goaline * New COD rating - Change of direction - Can be a gamechanger would like to tweak this more * New DL moves on the Right Stick is nice(Instead of button mashing) * Playing the DL is fun and adds a bit of a strategic element with the OL. * Like the new hype intros * Newer cutaways between and after plays * Actually like pick your celebration (surprisingly); adds a personal spin on things * Kickoff camera changes view once in awhile on kickoffs (Might just be when CPU is kicking) * CPU's throw on the run; LJackson was lethal running the ball * Running felt good, being patient and waiting for your blockers * Cpu seemed to adjust to my playcalling and my spamming of Tyreek Hill over the middle. * Might just be me, but the placement of the tacklers hands seems improved. Like there actually wrapping their hands around a ball carrier, instead of just bumper boating into them for tackles. * CPU QB's appear to make quicker decisions. * Saw 3 off ball injuries in 1st qtr of one game - set injury slider on 40. Dislikes: * Screen wipes - First Down, Defense etc * CPU had a nice lead in the 4th and the game was over, but was using aggressive strip ball coaching mechanic. * Need to see more gang tackling - Lowered the slider to 45 and seemed to help that area more. * At times some odd tackling animations that need to be cleaned up before release. * Saw the running in mud animation by Lamar Jackson for a few seconds. * New ball carrier/change of mechanics seem meh * Pile on tacklers seems to be removed. Teammates seem to just stand there if their teammate has the ball carrier wrapped up even though they're close enough to add on to the tackle in some situations. * Penalties on default are hardly being called still.

I love this post because it's clear that you are just looking at the gameplay of this game and not bringing any other Madden baggage to your analysis.

[Outkizast]

Played one game so far on default All Madden. Won 21-20.

Like:
- Really enjoying the different way players feel. Some guys just can't change direction well, but can get up to an ok top speed. Some players are really agile. It felt good.
- Graphics/lighting look good.
- Throws while the qb is getting hit.
- D-line moves. Particularly the "contain" one.
- Tried to run outside with LJ and on multiple occasions, Lavonte David flew to the sideline and cut me off prior to reaching the LOS.

Didn't like:
- Wrs having no idea they are near the sideline when catching the ball.
- Lack of CPU running game. I ran for over 100 yards. They ran like 5 total times...

Overall it felt great and I really look forward to playing more. I would say my excitement level for '21 went up after playing 1 game.

[Dblock1111]

Played 3 games: 2 all madden 1 all pro, 9 min quarters 16 second accel. No slider adjustments.

Overall it’s fine. This honestly feels like a hefty tuning update for madden 20 so take that for what you will. If you like the gameplay of 20 you’ll like this, if you didn’t it has improved a bit.

Thing I like the most is throwing out of Sacks, QBs no longer get off their entire wind up and then get sucked into a sack. Also haven’t seen any Scrambling fumbles yet (for better or worse).

Things I hate, they changed the Defensive hot route button (guess run/pass/contain) to RB/R1 from LB/L1. It’ll take some getting used to but Idk why they bothered if LB/L1 isn’t being used for anything now.

Overall, feels pretty similar to me, a little smoother animations but honestly forgot I wasn’t playing 20 a few times. And definitely wouldn’t say it made me “Feel the game” or whatever.

I’ll wait to see if they say anything more about franchise but I don’t see myself buying it this year for gameplay alone.

[ripcandlestickpark]

Another not-so-great observation: no apparent equipment additions or changes for those of us into that sort of thing.

[Darth Aegis]

Quote: Originally Posted by ripcandlestickpark

Another not-so-great observation: no apparent equipment additions or changes for those of us into that sort of thing.

They haven't had the presentation/equipment blog yet, so I wouldn't write additions off yet. Plus Kane always gets new equipment in every yr & blows away anything before him.

[ripcandlestickpark]

Quote: Originally Posted by Milticket

They haven't had the presentation blog yet, so I wouldn't write additions off yet. Plus Kane always get new equipment in every yr & blows away anything before him.

Good points. I forgot that presentation and equipment are grouped together like that sometimes.

[Darth Aegis]

Quote: Originally Posted by ripcandlestickpark

Good points. I forgot that presentation and equipment are grouped together like that sometimes.

Yeah, it's always comes in at the end for whatever reason. I mean some of my players in the beta have rainbow colored arms & glitched visors on the Xbox aleast lol, so work still needs to be done.