Banned
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Re: Madden 12 Retail Impression (Franchise and Superstar Mode - NO QUESTIONS/DISCUSSI
Franchise is disappointing... again.
Scouting
There's a reason that scouting has been "broken" the last 3 years. It's because someone was smart enough to realize that if you can't get it to work and make sense, keep it under the radar.
Here's a description of the current scouting system, in real life terms.
The scouting director sends his team of scouts of to watch 20 guys. They've each got 4 weeks to watch the player.
And here's the conversation when the scout returns:
Scouting Director: How's that QB I sent you to watch?
Scout: He's fine.
SC: No, I mean.. how did his arm look?
S: Oh.. I didn't know you wanted me to be scouting his arm.. He's a terrible
field goal kicker.
SC: what?
S: Crap bull rush too, and zone coverage? forget it..
SC: How did you even... doesn't matter.. Tell me how he looked athletically..
S: (blank stare)
SC: Can you tell me anything about his teammates? Or any standouts playing for the opponent?
S: Nope.
SC: Well.. let's do this 4 more times
S: Sure thing, boss.
I could do this for the other stages in scouting, but I'm sure you get the point.. Your scouts at the Indy combine only look at 20(15?) players, ignore everyone else, and don't come back with results table of 40's, bench, L-drill, etc.. Then you go to the schools pro day, and watch just one player, ignoring his teammates.. then finally to get full info on 5 players.
I've tried different ways of doing it, and due to the lack of having an idea past a round projection of where players will be taken, it's absolutely impossible to draft well based on any kind of skill. And the CPU will not draft based on the projection either(which in a better franchise, would be a good thing) So it's essentially a complete crapshoot, and past your second pick you will most likely be picking players based on position/round projection/height/weight/names you like the sound of.. You can't even see age in the draft.
There's also an annoying popup that every 4 weeks warning to you scout players, or the cpu won't do it for you.. this comes up even if you've already scouted the full amount of players you're allowed to scout.
I'm thinking the madden shop will offer the usual scout package to allow you to scout every position perfectly, and I'll buy it without hesitation. But hey, EA, if you need my $10 that badly, just ask, no need for the charade.
Cut Days
Similar problem here.. First off, apparently no team did any scouting for last years draft, because all rookies will show up as ? with no rating in the preseason(not a huge deal, we can look at these rating in the front end menu, it's just another thing that wasn't thought through, which is the theme of franchise) Then, the filler players to push the roster to 75(added by the cpu, not the user) all have no relevant attributes listed either, since, apparently the coaches weren't paying attention during the weeks of practice.. No stats fill in after the first game, so your first 3 cuts are made blind.. and the attributes slowly trickle in after that completely unrelated to the amount the player plays in preseason(so, suddenly practice does matter..)
The cut days are just filler.. they mean nothing, and add nothing.
Menus
The menus are exactly what you're used to, with one small change. The front page, or the default to which you're returned after every single thing you do, is a basic matchup screen that prompts you to play/simulate your next game. Sounds harmless right? I suppose it is.. but once again, it shows a lack of understanding how the mode is played.. Just like the QUIT option at the end of the game prompting you by default to restart the game from the beginning, instead of quit. Here's what seems obvious to me: In a single season of franchise, you're going to start/simulate 24 games/weeks. Now compare that to how many times you enter your depth chart, injury report, scouting, free agents, stats/standings, or the other 20 or so options you have in the franchise menu.. That's going to add up to A LOT more than 24. Where does it make more sense to default to? This might sound petty, but it does get annoying.
Free Agency
I'm not sure if this is improved, or just different.. I like being able to sign players in season for cheap 1 year deals, but only because I'm comparing it to previous years where a guy has sat out 10 weeks and is still demanding a 6 year 30M deal.. But, hey, well done to fix that..
The off season bidding I've never liked... it's certainly fun as any auction is, but again it doesn't make sense. But they knew that, and added it as a mini-game in the middle of a sim franchise.. It's not terrible, bu it would be nice to allow me to offer more creative term/structures to FA's. Especially since the cap is much harder to manage this year(a good thing).
......
I could go on, but this is getting way too long.. a few quick ones: coaching bonus's make no sense(how is my HC making my OL's pass blocking footwork worse?), why are stadium name rights deals only 1-3 years?, same 14 pre-made relocation logo's to choose from(2 each, 28 total), no option to build a new stadium and stay in current city, team will not go into debt for stadium upgrades, must have cash in hand..
One I just remembered, but need to test more.. OL performance based progression seems to be tied only to pancakes. I had and 84 rated A-pot RT give up one 1 sack in 16 games, but only 2 pancakes. and he regressed 2 points. (team was 7th league rank rushing, 13th total offense, in case that is used). Year 2 he had 1 pancake, gave up 2 sack, and regressed 3 more points. If a 25 year old tackle gave up 3 sacks in 2 full seasons, Madden 14 would have him rated 99.
Okay.. there's my impressions, I might add more later.. I would like to add some positive things(there are some). But bottom line, this missed the mark again, and for no other reason than sloppy execution of great ideas. Again.
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