Madden NFL 11 Demo Available Now, Please Post Impressions Here

[staffan]

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

Feels really sad!

For the first time since Madden 92 (I think) i will not buy this years game.

Mostly due to horrendous collision detection.
It really takes away everything for me.
And a load of other things that EA don´t have the will to fix.

Really sad not to have a football game!

Good luck to all of you that have the ability to enjoy the game.

[mmarino]

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

Longtime reader of the board, second time (I think) poster....

I may be in the minority here, I like a lot of things about this game in particular, even relative to NCAA 2011 (which is great, btw).

First, I like how the pass routes time up with the QB's drop (which isn't the case in NCAA). I can now throw the corner or the curl or even the fade "on time," i.e., on my QB's last step or after one hitch, and hit my receiver breaking at the right moment. I have noticed this most on curls and post-corner routes, where I can hit my last step of my drop and deliver the ball before the WR breaks and have the pass arrive on time and out of reach of the defender. I have also noticed that if my receiver is running a streak and is outside the DB, I can put a ball on his outside shoulder and improve the chance of a completion.

Playing off that, I have noticed that if the defense presses my receiver, the timing must be adjusted on all routes, which I like.

Second, I like how receivers adjust to and run around zone defenders and throttle down in open zones. That is "new" to Madden, where, before, receivers would just fly into and out of zones and into and out of defenders. This is a huge improvement in my book.

While I don't think the running game animations are perfect, they are heading the right direction - if I hit the hole with some speed, I will get at least a few yards and not get caught in an animation where I get dropped behind the line with an arm tackle (as in past versions). Furthermore, the line blocking rules create much more "natural" looking holes. And the DB/WR blocking feels right - the WRs get in front of the DBs and slow them down but don't suck onto them in unnatural ways.

In short, I think the passing game timing and route running has improved drastically. I also think the running game is heading in a much much better direction than in any iteration of Madden in the past.

Going forward and building off this version, I would suggest the developers of Madden do more to the WR/DB or defensive interaction. What I mean by that is that while the leverage the WR has on the DB matters somewhat in this version, it is not to the level it needs to be. Leverage matters a lot in "real football." In other words, depending on the defense, the DBs should line up on the inside or outside of a WR (or disguise it) and try to keep the WR from getting outside or inside. For example, if the defense is Cover 0 (all man, no safety help), most corners will play inside the WR (inside leverage) and try to take away crossing routes (which are dangerous and hard to cover in 1-on-1 situations). Or, if the corner has safety help to the inside (as in Cover 1 with 1 safety), the corner may play outside leverage to take away the fade, but give the receiver an easier time running to the middle of the field where the corner has help. Sorry if this is long, but APF 2k8 and 2k5 did a great job of reflecting the right leverages for pass coverage (and letting the user alter it) so I know Madden could do it eventually. With what they have now, this would be a great addition to Madden 2012. I know I personally would rather have DB leverage choices than all the defensive hot routes in the world.

Bottom line, I think Madden is approaching real football while keeping things fun, but it could do a few small things better. I am going to get the game this year and I think I will really enjoy it.

P.S. This is a great board and I really enjoy reading what all you guys think.

[Todem]

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

Things I like

1) The deep ball is back. On my very first play of my very first game on All-Pro with default sliders I hit Reggie Wayne in stride for a 79 yard steak down the sideline. I was fist pumping and hooting it up. Yes! The deep ball is back.

2) Running game - feels silky smooth and I did not mind the auto sprint at all. It feels right. I also love the right stick and how a slight push here or there moves your players hips etc. The running game feels more natural than ever.

3) Gameflow - I think this can be a very useful feature for those that can utilize it in combination with the full playbook. I very much look forward to creating my own gameplan and seeing how it plays out. I can see myself calling a lot of my own defensive plays though. So I think for the offense this can be a great tool to give you the feeling of being a QB and not worrying about fumbling through so many plays when you know you have 20 core plays you love to use. Just rank them for your favorite siutations and give it a go. You can always audible out as well. I think you can't really judge this till you truly use it in franchise mode on the official release.

4) Sideline physics - Big time improvement. Nuff said

What I don't like

1) Strat Pad - I know I know, but when you have the old way built into your thunmbs it's tough. I like the idea but not the execution. I also hope they slow down the snap speed for the AI otherwise this would be a train wreck. But they are patching it so no reason to complain. And I am not. The option will be there for classic controls. Thank goodness they listened.

2) Pro Tak - WTF happened? I have seen one gang tackle in 7 games. Not good.

3) Franchise Mode - I have read nothing is being upgraded or changed, huge letdown. I mean monster letdown.

4) Presentation - A train wreck.


Overall - NCAA 2011 seems to have Madden pawned this year. NCAA 2011 feels amazing, plays like a tight well executed game. Madden feels like others have said "a polished up 2010" Which is not a bad thing at all. I thought Madden 2010 was the best Madden on the next gen hands down and best since 2005. The game looked great. They just need to really step up the presentation and Franchise mode to make it the complete package. But it seems they don't care about that. Which is odd because NCAA 2011 is amazing. The presentation is fantastic, and the dynasty gameplay is deep and immersive. I love my online dynasty and my offline dynasty.

Here is hoping Madden (with some competition soon) will step up for the Sim player. Just look at what NFL 2K5 did on last gen and learn a thing or 2 about franchise and ESPN presentation. That is all that is truly lacking for Madden.

Gameplay wise and the fun factor...they have that down. I love playing Madden....always have.

[Quintin]

The strategy pad is clumsy and takes too long to make selections with. The computer assisted picks don't occur as often, atleast in the games I've played. Darrell Revis is a beast getting pass deflections and blanketing anyone he is covering man to man. I've been playing on all-pro and I must say the Jets defense is very dominant.

[goh]

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

+ Great presentation aspects. I like Gus' over the topness.
+ Like NCAA the locomotion does a good job at making things feel better that just another Madden.

- That kicking meter is awful.

I used the gameplan thing. Wasn't awful. I even listened directly to the coach a few times without looking for myself. Ex. He said 3 step drop and fire it to your #1. I did and it worked.

I didn't mind the strategy pad for hot routes as much as some do either but the old way was better.

[turducken34]

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

Was just playing as defense and was utilizing the headset to listen to co-ordinators chat. Is it just me or does the D co-ordinator sound an awful lot like Jay Mohr? Oh, I'm enjoying the demo more than I expected.

[Cantgetright69]

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

I didn't like the demo at all. The camera angle ruined it for me. Not likely to get this at all.

[Todem]

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

I just played a game on 2010 and then went right to the demo.

It is no doubt a better game. Much tighter, more fluid. The passing game has made leaps on this years edition as well as the running game.

No question it is a good upgrade. Much more polished on the game play side.

Just need to get the presentation and franchise mode better and more immersive and we have a great 9.75 football title. As it is I give it a super solid 8.5

NCAA 2011 9.75

[Section_25]

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

I currently own Madden 09 and Madden 10 on the PS3. I tried really hard to like both of them, played many games, tried online play, tried the different modes, but in the end, they both sat there collecting dust. To be honest, when I downloaded the Madden 11 demo I was expecting the same thing. To my surprise, I couldn't seem to quit playing.... I loaded one game after another.

I will admit that I'm not exactly the best football player out there, but I have played and basically know all of the rules for the most part. The gameplay is the most important part for me, then the presentation. So far I have found that this demo has both! The gameplay does seem a tad slower, but in my opinion thats a good thing. In the previous games it seemed as no matter how hard I tried, it was a hike and run for your life and blindly pass before you get sacked type of game (LOL). I know some of you advanced die-hard fans somehow find the coverage you need and don't play that way, but for me thats how all of the previous games were. A lot of the plays in 11 seem to offer better coverage on the line so I can watch the play develop and occasionally find the open man.

The presentation of 11 seems way better than 10 was also. Some of the little things, like distorted graphics of the fans and players on the sidelines and whatnot really annoyed me, and so far 11 seems to be solid. A lot of the sound issues people have found can and hopefully will be patched if they are not already fixed in the final retail version.

I have no doubt that I will find annoyances in the full version of the game, and I will have to get used to some of the other features just like any other new game that I purchase.

Anyway, I'm not saying that it is the absolute best Madden game out there, but I did pre-order it, and I think I might like it after I adjust the sliders to my liking.

I saw a few people mention that it's not worth $59.99, so I looked around and found a copy at wal-mart for $59.99 with a $20 giftcard.... so I got it for $40...seems like a pretty good deal to me.......<!-- Attachments -->

[K_GUN]

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

just saw a beautiful pass over Revis to wayne in the back corner.

TD colts (CPU)

7-3 halftime


some fantastic catch animations this year

[Cr0ss0ver]

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

I really like the demo. The only thing i don't like is the Strategy Pad takes waaay too long for me to make my adjustments. As far as the game speed, i don't see how people are complaining about it being too slow. I like to play realistic as possible and the speed on the demo is perfect for me. I hate that i'll have to play on the arcade speed online but it's not a big deal because i'll mostly be playing my franchise games anyway. I already pre-ordered Madden before i played the demo but after playing it i can't wait till next Tuesday now.

[Section_25]

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

I really like the demo. The only thing i don't like is the Strategy Pad takes waaay too long for me to make my adjustments.

I'm not sure how creditable it is, but this was quoted from a user on the EA forum:

Glad that they are going to patch so we can use the old style presnap controls. THAT is going to make the game worth buying.

If that is true then it should make alot of people happy !<!-- Attachments -->

[ryan36]

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

I'm not sure how creditable it is, but this was quoted from a user on the EA forum:



If that is true then it should make alot of people happy !<!-- Attachments -->

It's pretty credible, it comes direct from Ian, on his blog on easports.com. I suppose it could be more credible...but it'd have to be chiseled on a stone tablet and read from a mountain next to a burning bush.

[Sherman91587]

Is anyone still holding the speed burst on every play even tho it aint there?? haha. I do like the assist on some things tho but does that get turned off on the higher levels?

[Section_25]

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

It's pretty credible, it comes direct from Ian, on his blog on easports.com. I suppose it could be more credible...but it'd have to be chiseled on a stone tablet and read from a mountain next to a burning bush.

I'm glad they plan to make a patch to address this, but I also hope that they leave the option to use the current controls as well...some people actually like them believe it or not.
<!-- Attachments -->