Madden NFL 11 Demo Available Now, Please Post Impressions Here

[SA1NT401]

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

After sepnding more time with Gamflow/Gamplanning in the demo here are my thought on it.

Gameplanning is nice....Having the ability to customize the CPU in retail is very encouraging and will help them on both Offense and Defense.

Gameflow....Pointless to me outside the appeal to a new casual player who doesnt want to be bothered with SO many buttons. (?)

On Offense in theory, it does what it should...Simulate the calls an OC makes to the Qb. They cal RANDOM plays from your playbook that you set up and rate based on your success and knowledge of them.

This feature was installed to expand playbooks so users go deeper and use more of it....HOW? If anything its shrunk your playbook and encourages the user to actually use LESS plays...Hence the shrunken playbooks for teams this year....ASK MADDEN gives you 3 plays you can see prior to breaking the huddle and IMHO, works better (since that is also tied into gameplanning i believe).

Gameflow on Defense is pointless. Since you set up your gameplan based on NORMAl,TRIPS WR, NIckel and Hail Mary? HUH? Since the gamflow picks play based on that logic and NOT down and distance and you have no idea as to what play is called until the Offense breaks the huddle, you may be stuck with a "NORMAL" gameplanning play but its 3 and 1 and your in a base Defense????? Ask madden trumps this system as well.

All in all, gameflow will appeal to some...MOST will bypass it and they should (glad its and option)....But on Defense, it is a complete waste of time, even with gameplanning, your still gonna end up in a defense, more often than not, thats totally wrong for the situation. Might line up package wise, but since down and distance is NOT factored in, you will be screwed....Then you have to make pre-play adjustments with that neat thing called a Strategy Pad.

I personally HATE gameflow, wont use it...ASK MADDEN works better and i can see and pick the play...Why would i sacrifice control?

[sportyguyfl31]

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

I liked gameflow for about 5 minutes, until my DC called a play, and had Clavin Pace trying to cover Pierre Garcon in the slot.

Back to full playbook.

[sportyguyfl31]

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

Probably has to do with the gameplan installed for the Jets. In 2009 they were one of the most frequent blitzing teams, so the game flow setup for them probably reflects that. Perhaps to the point where the Madden team overdid it a little.

It's exasperated by some of the horror shows I am seeing in man coverage.

Im seeing recievers open by 10 yards, on basic out routes.

[matt8204]

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

It's exasperated by some of the horror shows I am seeing in man coverage.

Im seeing recievers open by 10 yards, on basic out routes.

I notice that I seem to have a bit too much success on crossing patterns and drags. But I've seen that in previous Maddens also.

[K_GUN]

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

It's exasperated by some of the horror shows I am seeing in man coverage.

Im seeing recievers open by 10 yards, on basic out routes.

so much for the *mirroring* issues

[roadman]

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

so much for the *mirroring* issues

And/or running the WR's patterns.

[callmetaternuts]

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

I'm not saying it's not worth your $60.00 to purchase. The part I really disagree with is it's just Madden 10 with new rosters and a gimmick or two.

1. You didn't mention locomotion, which, with still having 10, is a big huge difference between the two.

2. Gameflow, which you mentioned.
3. New run blocking.
4. Gus Johnson greater than Tom Hammond
5. Gameplan
6. Stadium sounds
7. Better replays vs 10
8. Better WR catches and catching logic vs 10
9. Better chain gang vs 10
10.Better challenge calls vs 10

That is just 10 better improvements off the top of my head over 10.

Again, not trying to down play no franchise improvements or qualifying 11 as a purchase to you.

Just wanted to point out 11 is more than a roster update and a "gimmick or two"

Of course I didn't mention every single upgrade or downgrade. But some of those things are nothing but windowdressing.

I could care less about Gus Johnson. Is he better? Sure, but I'm not creaming my pants over that change. Chain gangs updated? Not even close to a reason, same with challenges. Sure, one out of 10 games might be affected, but not a biggie.

The locomotion wasn't as big of a deal as I expected. Doesn't mean it sucks, just downplayed. And as someone who plays 99.9% of my gaming time in a franchise/career/dynasty mode, the franchise stagnation is the biggest thing. If I have no driving force to get through 16 games, the gameplay will get old and repetitive (like most games) and will leave no draw to playing another game. There is nothing pushing me to play a franchise vs Play Now.

I readily admit that the game played well. The demo was good for the most part. I'll play it again. But I have zero incentive to invest $60 and my time into a franchise that is stale and underwhelming. Someone who plays online or who loves online or co-op has much more incentive to buy than me.

Of you're suggestions, 1, 2/5, and 3 are the only real changes. If someone asks me what I think, I have no problem saying the game played good. It's just not my cup of tea this year. To me, the gameplan/gameflow is a gimmick. Some people will like it, some won't. The new rosters are a given. The only wholesale change that potentially makes a difference on a large scheme is the locomotion.

It comes down to what you (or anyone) expects and deems important in a gaming environment. I've said that franchise play is VERY important to me. With no real updates since '10, what is there to make me purchase? You may enjoy online or play now games where you focus solely on gameplay and not a menu based franchise system or some driving force off the field. If they had revamped or severly improved franchise mode, I'd probably buy it. But with things being relatively unchanged on that front, and the same basic Madden gameplay being present, it just doesn't seem like a big deal to keep playing Madden 10 over 11 and save money. No biggie. We're both entitled to our opinions, neither one of us is wrong.

Edit: I'd also like to mention that I'm not campaigning for anyone to boycott EA or Madden. These are simply my impressions in an impressions thread. If I were actively seeking people out and saying "This sucks don't buy it", then by all means, off with my head. I think my opinion was portrayed fairly in a non-vindictive manner.

[beastwork]

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

I think EA gave us the half baked demo to give credence to the Madden sympathizers who will claim that "its just a demo". Meaning anything you don't like about the game will be fixed in the retail version. As far as the lackluster sound and some of the glitchy things, I think some of those things will be fixed for retail. But I find it hard to believe that the gameplay will be much different.

I fumbled and the fight for the fumble sequence was triggered. I despise this feature and refuse to abuse my controller to gain posession of a fumble. Halfway through the scrum the players switched from mostlu colts jersies to mostly jets jersies

[Daudr]

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

Lol, I almost went and bought 10 yesterday just to check the differences. Is 11 worth it? It's the same as whatever you feel like the answer to "How good was Madden 10?" is

The locomotion alone makes it worth getting Madden 11 over 10. I also feel that the DB play is much more realistic and running and passing are as well.

In addition, I initially thought I would hate Game Planning, but after using it I can see how this would actually be a good addition for hardcore football guys as well, and not just a gimmick for new players. The ability to gameplan for your next opponent's tendencies is far more realistic and has the potential to be great - no idea how it will actually play out for the release version franchise mode, but it could be really good. My only question on it is if we will be able to "scout" an opponent and find out their tendencies to make this a really great addition.

[lilgame06]

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

So nobody has a problem with the locomotion? Playing this demo, and playing NCAA, it feels weird and clunky to me...

I do realize it will take some getting used to...but it just looks weird how players transition between different moves. I've been finding it extremely hard to break tackles. And when on defense, it seems really hard to line up for the tackle when opposing players are running because their moves to the left and right are extremely sudden and they do not look attractive at all. To this point, I'm not completely sure how this has upgraded the game. It seems more like once people get good at it, its going to be a headache...particularly for those on defense.

[joogy90]

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

i love the demo and i was not planning on buying the game

it is going to be hard to decide if i will buy 11 or not

[TheLateralLine]

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

this is ridiculous, the strategy pad makes it so hard to make adjustments on defense, the cpu snaps the ball so fast im barely able to make a couple adjustments. I NEVER thought I would actually have to think twice about buying the latest madden and this year I'm finding myself doing just that.

[beastwork]

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

i'm less impressed with locomotion than most of you. I feel like I have to do a case study analysis to prove that locomotion is that much better than the motion of old.

tell me why i should be so excited about locomotion? I don't think its something I can actually feel, but I do sense that you can no longer just dump the ball to reggie bush in the flat.

[Texas Ace]

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

Of course I didn't mention every single upgrade or downgrade. But some of those things are nothing but windowdressing.

I could care less about Gus Johnson. Is he better? Sure, but I'm not creaming my pants over that change. Chain gangs updated? Not even close to a reason, same with challenges. Sure, one out of 10 games might be affected, but not a biggie.

The locomotion wasn't as big of a deal as I expected. Doesn't mean it sucks, just downplayed. And as someone who plays 99.9% of my gaming time in a franchise/career/dynasty mode, the franchise stagnation is the biggest thing. If I have no driving force to get through 16 games, the gameplay will get old and repetitive (like most games) and will leave no draw to playing another game. There is nothing pushing me to play a franchise vs Play Now.

I readily admit that the game played well. The demo was good for the most part. I'll play it again. But I have zero incentive to invest $60 and my time into a franchise that is stale and underwhelming. Someone who plays online or who loves online or co-op has much more incentive to buy than me.

Of you're suggestions, 1, 2/5, and 3 are the only real changes. If someone asks me what I think, I have no problem saying the game played good. It's just not my cup of tea this year. To me, the gameplan/gameflow is a gimmick. Some people will like it, some won't. The new rosters are a given. The only wholesale change that potentially makes a difference on a large scheme is the locomotion.

It comes down to what you (or anyone) expects and deems important in a gaming environment. I've said that franchise play is VERY important to me. With no real updates since '10, what is there to make me purchase? You may enjoy online or play now games where you focus solely on gameplay and not a menu based franchise system or some driving force off the field. If they had revamped or severly improved franchise mode, I'd probably buy it. But with things being relatively unchanged on that front, and the same basic Madden gameplay being present, it just doesn't seem like a big deal to keep playing Madden 10 over 11 and save money. No biggie. We're both entitled to our opinions, neither one of us is wrong.

Edit: I'd also like to mention that I'm not campaigning for anyone to boycott EA or Madden. These are simply my impressions in an impressions thread. If I were actively seeking people out and saying "This sucks don't buy it", then by all means, off with my head. I think my opinion was portrayed fairly in a non-vindictive manner.

Agreed.

Personally, I don't care if all 22 guys on the field look like aliens just as long as the game plays great.

Lots of people actually care about the commentary and crap like that and I don't know why.

If I was lucky enough for EA to come to me and ask for 5 things to implement into the game that would be guaranteed improvements over previous editions of the game, none of those 5 things would have anything to do with what goes on outside of the field.

EA has not made a good simulation of football for Madden in many years, IMO.

I think they should spend 100% of their time on the actual gameplay and get that to an acceptable standard before they start spending any time implementing pointless garbage like gameflow or worrying if Ray Lewis has the right equipment and wristbands on.

There is no excuse for the elite pass rushers of the league to still be completely irrelevant in this game.

There is no excuse for their still to not be a animation where a guy can catch a ball over his shoulder in perfect stride without having to slow down like crazy like they have for years.

How many years are going to go by before these types of things are FINALLY addressed?

[GiantBlue76]

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

Personally, I don't care if all 22 guys on the field look like aliens just as long as the game plays great.

Lots of people actually care about the commentary and crap like that and I don't know why.

If I was lucky enough for EA to come to me and ask for 5 things to implement into the game that would be guaranteed improvements over previous editions of the game, none of those 5 things would have anything to do with what goes on outside of the field.

EA has not made a good simulation of football for Madden in many years, IMO.

I think they should spend 100% of their time on the actual gameplay and get that to an acceptable standard before they start spending any time implementing pointless garbage like gameflow or worrying if Ray Lewis has the right equipment and wristbands on.

There is no excuse for the elite pass rushers of the league to still be completely irrelevant in this game.

There is no excuse for their still to not be a animation where a guy can catch a ball over his shoulder in perfect stride without having to slow down like crazy like they have for years.

How many years are going to go by before these types of things are FINALLY addressed?

Amen!