Madden 09 Demo Released, Impressions Here

[sportsdude]

Re: Madden 09 Demo Released, Impressions Here

EA=fail.

Manningham was on the Giants last year? That's news to everybody outside the EA offices, apparently.

Also, one drive. Not even a full quarter so I can't play defense? What a crappy demo. Yeah, let's put gamers in a Madden Moment from last year's Super Bowl, where they have to run a two-minute offense with no timeouts in a game they've never played before. Please.

[SeventhWard]

A film guy's impression of the Madden 09 Demo..

Hey there fellas. Long time, first time...and it's a long one. So I anxiously awaited the release of the Madden 09 Demo today on PS3 - only to see it was available on XBOX Live first. I guess those MS guys didn't want Sony to beat 'em to the punch afterall, eh?

I'm a film guy so I'm into the minutiae of animation and the graphic presentation - that's what makes my Madden fun. After a few moments with the demo, I can say I'm visually satisfied this year. It's significant enough of a change to leave 08 behind forever, and an encouraging step into what the game could eventually evolve into.

I said "Wow" out loud once the Giants vs. Patriots moment loaded. This really is a serious jump in visual fidelity. I've been seeing the game for weeks now in all of these online videos (closet fanboy), but nothing really compares to seeing it in your gaming spot with a controller in your hand. The Madden team is getting closer to giving the game a more consistent cinematic look, something I'm excited about. 2008's game was ultra squeaky clean, so sanitized that it's lack of texture and atmosphere took away from the immersion. Madden 09 is a pretty good step in the direction of reversing that.

If Madden were a film, for years I'd wished they'd hire a new Cinematographer - someone to use their mastery of light and color to give the game an emotional feel, therefore making it more epic and fun for us. Looks like they did a little of that this time. This is only one stadium, but the effort the designers put into lighting the field and models shows this year. It ain't perfect yet, (no refs) but it's starting to feel like an hyper-realistic Sunday experience.

I'm not one to care if the graphics in my games aren't photo-realistic - as long as the game has a consistent and immersive Art Direction, I'm happy. There's a 'look' that certain games can achieve that raises them above their peers. Example: Saints Row looks like a video game -- Grand Theft Auto IV looks like an interactive movie. That distinction is achieved by constantly evolving lighting and color, environmental DETAILS (litter, wildlife, ambient sound) and other cinematic techniques. If Madden intends to compete with games like GTA4 and MGS4, this year is a great step. They're not 100% there yet, but I can see it coming and this is good work from our guys in Orlando. There's cinematic room for improvement - like us playing the game through an actual camera lens, along with lens flaring, cinematic depth of field and debris on the lens (like water droplets or chunks of grass, mud and snow sticking to the lens when I bring the camera into the trenches), ambient noise from the stadium (drunken fans, hot cheerleaders, beer guys, peanuts), and more cinematic lighting (the direction and COLOR of sunlight changes throughout the game).

The game has really streamlined the way you get into one of my favorite features in Madden - Instant Replay. In slow-motion you can really appreciate the game. The first thing that jumped out to me is the improved QB and ball animation. In previous years, far too often the football looked like it was just blasted out of a cannon once your QB's arm animation was done. Not this time - the throw looked smooth, the ball coming from Manning's hand realistically. Nice. I admit, I haven't explored deeply into the facial animations this year but they were there in 08 - hopefully they're not gone. Again, when we're talking immersion, they're something really cool about knowing my guy's face reacted to a hit even if I'm not seeing it.

There are guys who can really pick apart the fine details of the gameplay, but again I'm more of a graphics geek. Aside from the fumbles, I thought 08 played great. That feeling has evolved in Madden 09 to something more refined and natural feeling. The tackles are improved, the game feels really good. Sure, I got slightly frustrated when I threw a pass to my TE near the pylon and he stepped out prematurely - But Mr. Frazier and Mr. Cummings have made clear in other posts, there's a few tweaks to be made to the retail version. No sweat. It's a video game, not life or death.

For being a guy really into the visuals, Madden 09 looks great. You've got my $60 again. To leave my visual wish list for 2010, ahem Ian and Phil, you're doing GREAT work with Madden. Keep the series evolving in the direction you're heading - and placing priority on cinematically immersing us into the game just as well as a BioShock or GTA4 or MGS4. I can't animate worth a damn, but if you ever open a little development meeting at the EA studio in Los Angeles, give me a shout. I'll come in with my ideas freelance for a day. ;-) Now back to playing the demo. Can't wait for the launch.

[trobinson97]

Re: Madden 09 Demo Released, Impressions Here

And I've found a bug already...if your O-Line gets a false start, the player that did it (it's been the RG now all three times) will walk away from the line of scrimmage (with no penalty being called) and just keep walking towards the opposite end zone.

Yep, happened to me earlier.

Enter the Madden moment, first play of the game I call a few fake snaps while sending a guy in motion. One of my linemen jumps, but no penalty is called. The lineman stands up like "Yeah it was me ref" then slowly inches his off the line and down the field while time continues to run off the clock. I'm sitting there feeling like even more of a ****** as I watch inch his fat butt all the way down field. Everyone else (both offense and defense) stay at the line of scrimmage at their positions as if the ball will be snapped at any moment.

With about 15 seconds or so I just start pressing buttons, happen to call an audible that signals to the wayward offensive linemen that we'd like to run a play. He runs back down to set up, but time runs out.

So my first impression is, wtf?

[gbx34]

Re: Madden 09 Demo Released, Impressions Here

Hold down the left trigger and then you can select your plays via buttons.

Why does it seem that everyone gets really high hopes for games? What did you guys really expect? Did you really expect to be wow'd?

[trobinson97]

Re: Madden 09 Demo Released, Impressions Here

Hold down the left trigger and then you can select your plays via buttons.

Why does it seem that everyone gets really high hopes for games? What did you guys really expect? Did you really expect to be wow'd?

Considering the recent track record in this generation of football gaming, "expect" is a little strong. Nothing wrong with hope though is there? I definitely hoped to be wowed.

[gbx34]

Re: Madden 09 Demo Released, Impressions Here

Considering the recent track record in this generation of football gaming, "expect" is a little strong. Nothing wrong with hope though is there? I definitely hoped to be wowed.

Yes, I totally understand. We are all in the same boat here.

But a lot of people seem to be disappointed like they were expecting something amazing.

[BrianFifaFan]

Re: Madden 09 Demo Released, Impressions Here

Going to pay off my CE edition tomorrow. That's all I need to say about the demo......

[TheDayMan56]

Re: Madden 09 Demo Released, Impressions Here

Downloading the demo right now. I would just like to thank the boards for making me aware that the demo was in fact released today, because the XBL page still has that '1 day till the demo is released' message. Anyways I'm glad I found it, and downloading it right now.

[JBucc]

Re: Madden 09 Demo Released, Impressions Here

Got mine downloaded and played for about 30 minutes. I had to create a new live account and use the free month of gold you get with it.

On the IQ test, I got All Madden on Running and Passing, Rookie on pass defense, and failed run defense. I didn't even get close to tackling the guy. The game looks gorgeous like almost everyone has stated. It just has this sheen to it, really nice. So far I'm liking the gameplay. The movement and control are really good, the only thing I wish you had is a jogging animation when you let up on the stick a bit. Right now it goes from run right to a little stutter step thing if you let up.

Passing does seem a bit harder. I guess it's on the harder setting since I got All-Madden in the IQ thing. On my first try I scored on a nice deep flag route. Another time I hit him on a bomb which he caught in stride at the 5 and right into the end zone. I still think the ball travels too fast and they throw too many bullet passes.

I haven't run much since it's a 2 minute drill but it seems like NCAA's, maybe a little more polished. . I still don't like how the demo is set up. I know they want to show off the newer stuff but at least a half and letting us play defense and special teams would have been nice. Then again as bad as I was in the defensive drills maybe it is a good thing. Also don't know why they don't have IQ stuff for special teams.

[countryboy]

Re: Madden 09 Demo Released, Impressions Here

well, the first play of the demo, Eli is hit and fumbles the ball away. I didn't do the IQ test.

I love the new play calling interface.

be back with more.

[xV3L0CiTY]

Re: Madden 09 Demo Released, Impressions Here

Demo is good. I'll wait to say more once I can play the full version.

One thing I did notice...

Did we get spoiled with NCAA's "wide-open gameplay"?

That was my first thought when I played the demo.

[countryboy]

Re: Madden 09 Demo Released, Impressions Here

one thing I will say is that the camera flashes are annoying. I know that I shouldn't notice it, but I do.

[countryboy]

Re: Madden 09 Demo Released, Impressions Here

well, I am now 0 for 10 in trying to complete the Madden Moment. I had a 4th and goal from the 13 yard line, Eli got sacked, and I found a wide open Shockey in the corner of the endzone but he dropped the ball.

No wonder the Giants traded him.

[RGiles36]

Re: Madden 09 Demo Released, Impressions Here

I'd too like to chime in with some brief impressions...

-Like most have already said, the graphics are flat out stunning! I don't think anyone in their right mind can dispute that.

-I don't know if anyone else has mentioned it but I feel like there's too much loft on some of the passes. Maybe that's just me.

-I'm not too impressed with this highly touted breakaway animation engine. I was looking to see some new creative tackle animations and break out of several of them. But for the most part, the tackling doesn't look or feel much different than that of Madden 08. After seeing the clips that EA marketed this year regarding the new animation engine, I expected much more.

-All in all, it feels like good ol' Madden gameplay. Whether that's a good thing or bad thing depends on what side of the fence you sit on. I do hope to see the game speed toned down in the future though (along w/ players walking to the line of scrimmage ).

[PVarck31]

Re: Madden 09 Demo Released, Impressions Here

Im really liking the demo so far. I am not seeing a problem with dropped passes. If the defense plays well and there is no robo QB, I will be very happy. Although I am a little concerned about the slider situation.