Madden NFL 25 Demo Review Roundtable

[RaychelSnr]

The dust has settled and several of our staff members have some well formed opinions on the Madden NFL 25 demo, and what you should be thinking about before making a purchasing decision on this year's game.

Read More - Madden NFL 25 Demo Review Roundtable

[12]

Pretty glad I read this. I am really enjoying NCAA and that will have to be my football fix this year. Of all the videos I've watched, the animations and tackling look ridiculous. Looked like some WWE moves going on.

And why does Russell Wilson look like Tarvaris Jackson's little brother?

[dat boi Q]

Good honest and fair review. Seems like everyone is burnt out of EA football this gen. If next gen isn't any different then we will never get a true sim football game.

[JJT]

Re: Madden NFL 25 Demo Review Roundtable

Hope the review reflects the opinions. A 6 seems good.

[PantherBeast_OS]

Well at this point most of these guys are right about the Defense part of Madden25 current. Pass rush is not even there to say the least and it seems the human D doesn't not do much on D against the AI. If you press the AI WRs then they end up beating you down field and your safety is no where to found. If you give them cushion then the WRs ends up beating you CBs on slants and drag routes all day. Nothing you do on D works against the AI offense most of the time on the demo. While some of the GC guys are currently working on the sliders to improve the D some for the human D. I just feel that EA focus this year was offense all the way. Giving D a black eye while in the process when it comes to the human D. Even with these problems I will still be getting my hands on current gen copy. Since I'm getting the next gen Xbox one in November. Buying current gen, Madden ain't going to be a big lose. Since I can trade the current gen copy in to put it towards next gen Madden 25 since current gen would have a 50$ trade in value. So anyone going next gen right away. Then getting current gen. Madden ain't going to be a big lose in trade value wise. Overall I'm hoping with the lack of attention towards current gen Madden D will signal the EA put a lot more focus on next gen Madden D and the game overall. While I know it ain't fair to people who will stick with current gen for a while. I feel a lot of the focus has gone into next gen instead. I'm holding my breath at this point and hoping it turns out to be true.

[Jasong7777]

Re: Madden NFL 25 Demo Review Roundtable

I think a lot of folks waiting on next gen Madden are going to be disappointed when they discover it's the same game but with prettier graphics and a few extra bells and whistles.

[jmurphy31]

Re: Madden NFL 25 Demo Review Roundtable

Great reviews and perspectives from the round table.

[Gorilla Glass]

Although I like the Demo, I reall don't feel that EA is listening to the fans of the series.

I think they have a game-plan. Whether its good or bad, they seem hell bent on sticking to it.

[GiantBlue76]

Wow - usually Madden is viewed favorable on OS. This is very telling. I was pleased to see all of the same issues I saw mentioned in this review. Mainly the pass rush from your defensive line and the zones where DBs just sit there in one spot. Tiburon - are you listening???

[Cpterp22]

Re: Madden NFL 25 Demo Review Roundtable

The review was off the demo.. I would slow down a bit because if this were a review off of main game then i'd worry..

I actually like the demo and haven't liked this game in 5 years.. With PS4 coming out. Maybe knowing that gives me a reason to say this game is what it is.

[Gorilla Glass]

Re: Madden NFL 25 Demo Review Roundtable

The review was off the demo.. I would slow down a bit because if this were a review off of main game then i'd worry..

I actually like the demo and haven't liked this game in 5 years.. With PS4 coming out. Maybe knowing that gives me a reason to say this game is what it is.

True, but if EA was to work on zone and pass rush, it will change most players tune a little bit.

I just don't won't zone to be OP as we witnessed in years past. Where guys would sit in CV3 and toggle up 'pass commit' all game.

[friscob]

Re: Madden NFL 25 Demo Review Roundtable

Zone D was just as bad if not worse in NCAA. Running game was way too easy in NCAA and the read option, triple option, etc were all incredibly overpowered. I'm actually able to have competitive games in the Madden Demo and couldn't really do that in NCAA even when my teams are 10-15 points rated less than my opponent. I get all the anti-madden sentiment tho. I'm just excited to have some of the franchise mode stuff i missed return.

Edit: Also very excited to finally see some fumbles in a football game. Was averaging 3 fumbles per year in my 4 years of dynasty mode in NCAA.

[DeuceDouglas]

Re: Madden NFL 25 Demo Review Roundtable

Zone D was just as bad if not worse in NCAA. Running game was way too easy in NCAA and the read option, triple option, etc were all incredibly overpowered. I'm actually able to have competitive games in the Madden Demo and couldn't really do that in NCAA even when my teams are 10-15 points rated less than my opponent. I get all the anti-madden sentiment tho. I'm just excited to have some of the franchise mode stuff i missed return.

Edit: Also very excited to finally see some fumbles in a football game. Was averaging 3 fumbles per year in my 4 years of dynasty mode in NCAA.

I agree. In the NCAA Demo the read option was ridiculous. Wrong read, no gain. Right read, 20+ yards. I was really worried about how Madden would end up and have been pleasantly surprised that even when making the right read doesn't mean a huge play or even a gain. Early on in the Demo I did have major issues concerning the pass coverage but after tinkering with the sliders just a little bit I've had far less issues.

[DBMcGee3]

I had fun playing the demo, but it's hard to say if that's more a compliment to the game, or just that nostalgic feeling you get seeing an old, familiar friend for the first time in awhile. Without a doubt, the D-Line play and Zone coverages are still pretty bad. The running game is more fun with all the new moves, but it just magnifies an already offense-heavy game. I always get impulsive this time every year and buy the game just to have it, but currently my gut is telling me to pass, and maybe rent it a few Sundays when I'm in the mood. It's just hard to justify another $60 going to a company who clearly doesn't put in the same kind of effort that other developers are putting into their games on a yearly basis.

[friscob]

Re: Madden NFL 25 Demo Review Roundtable

It's just hard to justify another $60 going to a company who clearly doesn't put in the same kind of effort that other developers are putting into their games on a yearly basis.

I'm getting the game but this part I agree with. You play a game like Far Cry 3, The Last of Us, or GTA V and you can see all the work they put into these games. EA really needs a competitor