Madden NFL 12 Demo Available Now, Post Impressions Here (360, PS3)

[jpdavis82]

Re: Madden NFL 12 Demo Available Now, Post Impressions Here (360)

Game feels a lot smoother than other Madden's have. Similar to NCAA 12 in that regard, but faster overall, maybe a little too fast.

Tackling feels right to me even though it takes time to get used to with the removal of suction tackling. I like hitting and not always hugging players.

The running game seems just about right to me, maybe a little too easy at times.

The passing game seems to be much more difficult this year and has been a frustration and sore spot for me so far. I shouldn't be throwing 4 picks a game and completing 22-30% of my passes with Aaron Rodgers, compared to the 65-75% and zero to at most 2 picks a game I threw in Madden 11. Would like to see this around 55-65% and 1-3 picks a game. WR's also seem to be dropping a lot of passes.

Saw some O-Line/D-line, WR/DB interaction, hope for more in the final build.

Team intros look very good,overhead stadium shot is very accurate with all the little details and looks good. I like the fade in/out between quarters.

Halftime is quick and to the point, I know they scrapped the halftime show to work on it to get it right, but I would like to see some stats or something at halftime.

Cut scenes and replays are hit and miss for me, some look just like what you see on Sunday and some not at all. I'm hoping they have a lot more variety and this is more polished in the final build. From what I have seen in the recent build videos it looks like it will be.

No commentary takes a lot out of the immersion factor, so I think even though it won't be completely new its still going to add a lot with the new lines, lineup overlay commentary, and DPP commentary.

Uniform degradation is great, helmets degrade, players get dirt and paint marks on them, grass stains

Last thing here are some cool "little things" I noticed in my last game, I beat the Bears 10-3 on All Pro.

QB comparison stat overlay

Lined up on 3rd down with 1 min left in the game,Bears crowd was really loud, threw a pass to Jennings which he ran in for a TD, after the score, the crowd was eerily silent, seemed very realistic to me.

Last drive of the game for the bears-Stat overlay showing Jay Cutler has 11 career fourth quarter comebacks

End of game after Cutler incomplete pass on 4th with no time left-showed him frustrated and yelling with Lovie Smith

[bucky60]

Re: Madden NFL 12 Demo Available Now, Post Impressions Here (360)

I think they were in a Cover 3 Defense and Cutler just made a gorgeous throw between a CB, a LB, and a Safety.

This still happens far to often in Madden. 3rd and 25 should be difficult to convert for both the User and the CPU. It should be a very rare conversion.

[cursive]

Re: Madden NFL 12 Demo Available Now, Post Impressions Here (360)

So far I played 3 games of the Demo, two as the Packers and one with the Bears. The Demo plays a lot different from NCAA 12 and very different from Madden 11 as well.

First thing I noted that the Zones while better then Madden 11, they aren’t as tight as NCAA 12. It almost seems like Defenders will sit in the zone and lean in the direction of incoming Receivers. Unlike in NCAA where the Defenders will jump from Receiver to Receiver, and cover them tight while they are in their zone. I almost felt like the Defenders in the Madden Demo sat back a little more but would close faster than NCAA. The windows to pass are there, but if you throw it to late a defender will get there.

I also felt like Greg Jennings was getting separation a million times better than any other WR and had over 10 catches in each of my games. On the Bears side, given enough time I felt like Hester and Knox could almost always get behind the coverage. Like someone else I think already mention your players game changes dramatically, don’t let Cutler get sacked cause his ability drops like a straight chump.

As far as the run game, I wasn’t able to break anything big with Forte yet, but I did like running draws and delays with the Packers. Setting up plays works a lot better so far but maybe that’s because I haven’t found anything overly effective. My impressions so far I think it’s okay, but it’s just a matter of time to get used to it and know the teams and playbooks. I feel like the Demo isn’t really enough to make a good judgment.

[Yeah...THAT Guy]

Re: Madden NFL 12 Demo Available Now, Post Impressions Here (360)

This still happens far to often in Madden. 3rd and 25 should be difficult to convert for both the User and the CPU. It should be a very rare conversion.

Lol it happened one time in about 5 games that I've played. It isn't easy. Sometimes you can squeeze a ball in but not often. Especially with Cutler. I've already landed a few passes at receiver's feet with him.

[SilverChaosVII]

Re: Madden NFL 12 Demo Available Now, Post Impressions Here (360)

Just had a game go into double OT... wowzers.

Fun game. About the equivalent to the current NCAA in my opinion

[Spanky]

Re: Madden NFL 12 Demo Available Now, Post Impressions Here (360)

I hate the "halftime show", I think it is pointless. Where is Chris Berman when you need him?

He's with Leather.

[Spanky]

Re: Madden NFL 12 Demo Available Now, Post Impressions Here (360)

Just had a game go into double OT... wowzers.

Fun game. About the equivalent to the current NCAA in my opinion

Double OT? So the demo is considered a playoff game and not a regular season game?

[sportsgamefanman]

Re: Madden NFL 12 Demo Available Now, Post Impressions Here (360)

For the record last year I loved NCAA and this year there are to many game killers for me with long ball etc.

Last year just like every year since its 1st edition of madden I bought madden on release day. Last year I did not like the game. I took it back the very next day. I played my 1st game online after I got it and I won a game 56-49 or something with 4 returned kickoffs from me and 3 by my opponent for td's. So, I played ncaa every year and that was the 1st year I did not play madden.

I just played a few games on the demo and after taking a year off it is truly amazing how far its come in a 2 year period! The presentation really sucks you in and I can only see that getting better in retail with the addition of the crowd, commentary, and music. The entrances blow NCAA out of the water and I love the cameras on the field. What was really cool was the music at the end of the game stating this has been a production by the NFL and all rights are reserved just like you see on TV. That was cool...

The game play is solid! I love the DPP! I got a couple sacks on Cutler early and he was hurrying throws and taking off with no pressure. The passing game seems like it has really had some work done and improved. There is no deep ball issue like NCAA and this is supposedly a early build. I can't wait to get this game at midnight and play the retail version and have a NFL game back in my console after a 2 year hiatus!!!

I do think slow speed is the way to go though IMO... Normal speed seems to fast to me... Oh, I also liked the new nickel and dime plays. Not sure if that was in last year as like I said I took it off but I really like that there are some different plays then the same ones we have seen since the earlier years...

[Broncos86]

Re: Madden NFL 12 Demo Available Now, Post Impressions Here (360)

Double OT? So the demo is considered a playoff game and not a regular season game?

Likely a re-creation of last year's NFC game?

[Mike Smoove]

Re: Madden NFL 12 Demo Available Now, Post Impressions Here (360)

Wow!
This might not be the madden we have all dreamed about but it's pretty freakin good.
-First off its hard not to notice the beautiful presentation. It's amazing and I have to give it to EA for going all out on it this year. Madden 11 and Madden 12 don't even look close to the same.

- Player models are fantastic and facial expression and eyes look great.

- Compared to NCAA 12 the players seem like they have more weight to them and don't slide around so much.

-less zig zagging as well

-Defense is back and I love it, although I did see some super linebackers but overall its better because of the improved zone and pass rush.

- offensively running the ball feels great but passing still seems a bit off. Some reason it just seems like you have a lack of control over your passes still.

-I still don't like that theres no other way too know your DPP than to pause the game

- The camera angles really make this game, absolutely love them

-one thing that surprised me was the audio, it's actually really good. The crowd sounds so much better than NCAA 12 and actually reacts pretty well to plays. My first game I was getting blown out by the packers and by the third touchdown they started booing louder. In contrast when I scored the crowed erupted. also the stadium tunes between timeouts and kickoffs sound pretty sweet too. This game really doesn't even need commentary at this point, Im probably going to turn it off when I get the game and pump up the on field and crowd volume.

-Overall this game seems to have a really big factor that NCAA 12 is missing, "Atmosphere" this game really does get you pumped up. The opening presentation is amazing and then during the game there is a certain authenticity and atmosphere that has been missing for years.Im impressed and while I understand there are flaws I'm still very happy with the outcome of this years game. For the first time in a long time I'm excited for Maddens future. If the team continues to produce work like this from this game onwards I can see Madden making its way back from tired old sports franchise to Best Sports Franchise.

Love this post, and yes atmosphere is fantastic.

[DUDERMAN]

Re: Madden NFL 12 Demo Available Now, Post Impressions Here (360)

Heard a lot of good things so far, but this stuff worries me. Happens to often in Madden. In Wisconsin, we still talk about 4rh and 26 BECAUSE it is so rare (and it was a playoff game).

Good old Fred-X, "I'd like to thank my hands for being so great". That was 1 of only 3 highlight catches from his career that I can remember.

Wasn't that also during the Packers run after Favre's father died? I remember seeing a NFL films presentation on that game and they showed a message written on paper for the players to see as they exited the locker room. It read something along the lines of, "Everybody says the Packers are destined to win it all. Today, we make our own destiny."

Good times...

[mazinkaiser]

Re: Madden NFL 12 Demo Available Now, Post Impressions Here (360)

QB running with Rodgers is way too easy. It scares me to think how eagles users will kill everyone with vick. Maybe a tuner patch or a fix will be made to avoid ncaa like running qbs?

[Yeah...THAT Guy]

Re: Madden NFL 12 Demo Available Now, Post Impressions Here (360)

Wow. Two things:

1. I just blocked a field goal before half time, scooped it up, and I would have scored a TD off it if it weren't for the camera not turning around. My guy scooped it up and I had to run down the screen to score so I pressed down on the controller, but apparently I was supposed to push up even though the screen was pointing the other way, so instead of scoring, I got the ball at midfield with 2 seconds left in the half, down 14-3. Which brings me to #2.

2. I just completed a hail mary bomb that was intended for Donald Driver but Jordy Nelson ended up leaping in the air to make the catch with no time left. Wow.

[Yeah...THAT Guy]

Re: Madden NFL 12 Demo Available Now, Post Impressions Here (360)

Regarding the Double OT, did the team that had the ball at the end of the first OT get the ball and yards and everything that they had when time expired? When my game went into Double OT, the Bears started out at my 12 yard line because that's where they were when time expired.

[GiantBlue76]

Re: Madden NFL 12 Demo Available Now, Post Impressions Here (360)

Coming from a guy who thinks Madden has sucked for 10 years, I thoroughly enjoyed the demo. The gameplay is very smooth and the zone defense is MUCH improved. I loved it. I'm excited for my league and to play. I played two games and lost 21-0 and 23-17 in OT. My madden skills sure are rusty, but the football elements are captured quite nicely.

I don't see how anyone could compare this game to madden 11. Madden 11 is completely unplayable now. This game blows it away. The suction, warpring and other nonsense that has been prevalent in the past is finally removed and it makes the game 1000 times better.

I'm assuming things will be tuned and tightened in the retail version which will really enhance things.