Madden NFL 11 Demo Available Now, Please Post Impressions Here

[wyrm187]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Demo Available Now, Please Post Impressions Here

well I like it. It finally seems fluid, solid and well put together but the most important factor is that I had fun and played about 5 games in a row which I rarely do on a demo.

pros

I like locomotion - I really hated the old engine

I like the art too - player models look good to me this year - guys actually have different types of arms that is noticeable and it doesn't look over the
top cartoonish like it did in the past imo

the cut scenes are decent and the players don't look like aliens on the sidelines anymore. and there is actually a little suspense on the measurements for 1st downs unlike last year where you knew what was coming based on the scene shown

Fade routes are awesome

pro tak seems tweaked well

in the games I played - I had 2 high scoring games 1 middle of the road - and 2 def slug fests - each game felt different

ill admit - Im digging gameflow - i want to gameplan- I think it will be pretty cool

cons

the pad

the stadium being so quiet you can hear a pin drop

commentary is mediocre but still improved

this build should have been available a few years ago - imagine where madden could be now

thats about it - thanks

[BCJMU99]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Demo Available Now, Please Post Impressions Here

This is genius.

Quick question jrivera34....what game were you expecting? Fred Flinstones Rocky Adventures? Of course it feels like Madden...it's a Madden game.

I saw this too...

[BCJMU99]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Demo Available Now, Please Post Impressions Here

With Gameflow do you ever see the play before it's called? or not until you get on the field and see the playart?

I didn't even look at this when I was playing b/c I like calling my own plays so I turned it off...

[Nev]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Demo Available Now, Please Post Impressions Here

Gotta admit, I didn't think I would like gameflow.

I thought it was gonna be a glorified 'Ask Madden', and thats what Gameflow basically is. But when you combine it with Gameplan then thats when it starts to get good.

Really liking it so far.

[Skyboxer]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Demo Available Now, Please Post Impressions Here

I do agree with the strategy pad sentiments though. I think the idea was good in theory, but it sucks having to do so many steps just to shift my oline, for example. Regardless, I'm excited.

To move your line you do exactly 1 more step than old way. With it all being at same area that offsets the ONE extra step IMO.

Old way: Shoulder then up,down, left or right.
New way: Tap pad, then LPad and then either U,D,L or R...

Where's the "So many steps"???

[jhogan3132]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Demo Available Now, Please Post Impressions Here

I know I will probably be stonned for saying this but I think the strategy pad is a good thing. The problem I think we all have with it is its new. OUr brains have been programmed on how to move corners up, shift our linebackers wide, and crash the D-Line, all before the quarterback is under center. There is an adjustment period, but I truly believe this is more fluid, and dare I say faster! It will take some time for the learning curve, but I think you critics may change your mind over time.

I think that the stadium atmosphere is terrible. I am optimistic that this is something in the demo only, but the complete silence, and then erruption of the crowd really takes away from the new stadium sounds, and field lighting. Im not expecting it to match the atmosphere of NCAA, but it is definetly sub par.

[DaveDQ]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Demo Available Now, Please Post Impressions Here

There was a thread last week on Vision and Focus and how this game desperately needs that. I would say this demo makes that point. It's no as much as whether you like a newly implemented feature as much as was it necessary. And, while some features are beneficial, it's important to remain consistent with how they are implemented.

There are so many things you can do with a game that houses the NFL. You could have brainstorming sessions and come up with some great concepts. However, what this game so needs is to set boundaries as to what gets priority and that has to be honored throughout the titles multi-year development cycle. You just don't get the sense that this game is refining its necessary components and holding off on implementing newer peripherals until what is necessary is in its best form.

Things keep getting added to the pot when in reality what needs to happen is start over with your essential ingredients and make an NFL football game.

[PacMan3000]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Demo Available Now, Please Post Impressions Here

On the PS3 demo, I'm noticing a complete lack of replays and stat banners--just like Madden 10.

Did they just take this out for the demo? Is the PS3 version different from the 360? Because at E3, I saw replays and stat banners on almost every play.

[ManiacMatt1782]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Demo Available Now, Please Post Impressions Here

And when Bill Gates takes his 8 dollars this month.

i paid 35 for 13 months, and well worth it to have reliable service, back on topic, i like the feel of the game this year, i cant explain it but it feels better than years passed. hopefully the game wont be ruined by glitchers who find unstoppable plays that abuse deficiencies in the ai. i realize i am hoping for way too much.

[RBH]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Demo Available Now, Please Post Impressions Here

I'm hoping that the silent crowd noise is fixed in the full version on release day.

[thakeaf]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Demo Available Now, Please Post Impressions Here

I enjoyed it a lot..people have already said the audio is better in the real version so I'm good.

[jayhouston12]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Demo Available Now, Please Post Impressions Here

strategy pad is my only gripe at the moment. when i play defense i give alot of looks before the ball is snaped...i've been known to show press, back off, move linebackers and delineman twice before the ball is snapped beacuse it was just pressing buttons. that pad is terrible now i have to press the direction pad multiple times and then hit the b button to be taken back......

other than that, its a good game but its not a run out and buy the 1st day

[bronxbomber25]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Demo Available Now, Please Post Impressions Here

strategy pad is my only gripe at the moment. when i play defense i give alot of looks before the ball is snaped...i've been known to show press, back off, move linebackers and delineman twice before the ball is snapped beacuse it was just pressing buttons. that pad is terrible now i have to press the direction pad multiple times and then hit the b button to be taken back......

other than that, its a good game but its not a run out and buy the 1st day

I definitely agree with the strategy pad being the only thing i really don't like at all. Otherwise, i wish they kept the analog stick kicking in, but it's not that big of a deal. For me though, it's a day one buy.

[ODogg]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Demo Available Now, Please Post Impressions Here

Here are my impressions. Last night I played two games. Most of my thoughts are negative unfortunately:

PROS

+ the graphics look mostly great, although I've noticed some fuzziness in the players names when they're further away
+ the announcing is much better, although cris collinsworth is still predictable and stale
+ i've noticed some more animations which is always a good thing
+ I like the new stats overlays that pop up frequently
+ unlike NCAA we seem to get informed of injuries as they happen which is nice

CONS

- the strategy pad is terrible, yes I could get used to it but I still don't like it and feel it should be removed
- the kicking interface is just awful and a huge step backwards
- I really dislike the new gameplan addition, sorry but I enjoy calling my own plays and I don't need someone to explain the basics of football to me on every play, turned OFF
- the player models look "odd". not sure how to explain it but the players look small, like it's biddy league football, maybe it's what others have said, that the heads are too big that causes it
- the camera is a bit too far away on pass plays
- the rush game is way too overpowered, if the rush game was good in the real NFL no one would ever pass the ball
- the audio is simply terrible overall, although from what I understand this will be fixed in the retail version
- the cpu pass rush is once again overpowered
- once again it seems the human pass rush is underpowered and when you DO get to the QB they would rather throw an interception over simply taking a sack, VERY AGGRAVATING!!

Overall I would have to agree with what I've seen a lot of folks say, this appears to be the year of NCAA as Madden has, in my opinion, actually seemed to take a step backwards. While the core game may be better in the retail there is no denying the other faults which will remain (strategy pad, collinsworth, new kick meter) and although I could be wrong, that means Madden 11 will be severely handicapped and ultimately inferior to NCAA 11 in many ways this year.

Disappointing, highly disappointing. Ultimately after 2 games of the demo I don't know how EA did it but I managed to be both bored and irritated. Quite a feat I think....

[ThisIsReality]

Re: Madden NFL 11 Demo Available Now, Please Post Impressions Here

I'm hoping that the silent crowd noise is fixed in the full version on release day.

It is. The download size for the demo would be unbearable with full commentary and crowd noise.