It plays better than the last 2 or 3 years. The offline franchise mode is tons better. Clunky menus or not its tons better. I see a lot of people being turned off by the review, but right now I think the 2012 release build is better than the 2011 patched game. If you liked 2011 this is a step up in Gameplay and Franchise. Commentary sucked last year and still does but if you want the game for gameplay and offline franchise I think its better than the last 3 years.