Been Out Of The Game For 3 Years

[HARTSTOPPER]

What can I expect out of Madden 15? With the possible rumors of no EASHL, I am looking into purchasing Madden this year for the first time in quite some time. How much has changed? Has there been any major changes to the online play? The last Madden I had was Madden 12.

Edit: I know I can go in and read about what they are doing for '15 with all the hands on impressions, etc. but for those who have played/owned 13-25(14), and have read the impressions and additions what should I expect?

[Hooe]

Re: Been Out Of The Game For 3 Years

The two biggest changes to the series since Madden NFL 12 are the Infinity Engine and Connected Franchise mode.

Infinity Engine is not quite a full-on real-time physics system a la Backbreaker, but it augments the game's animations to produce a more varied and organic interactions between players. It affects player balance too, which adds a little bit of nuance to the gameplay at times. It doesn't fundamentally change how Madden is played but it makes it more interesting to look at; there's more variety and unpredictability in what happens on the field now.

Connected Franchise is the new career mode which replaced the old Franchise mode. It allows you to play as a player, coach, or owner. The mode can be played offline or online with up to 32 users in either context. The primary hook of the mode, compared to previous Madden games, is that performing well in various tasks will yield your players and coaches XP with which they can improve their ratings and/or augment their abilities. It features a live NFL Draft and a multi-staged free agency mechanic (not Madden 12's offseason FA live auction mechanic). Finally, teams now very explicitly define what sort of players they want via scheme settings. For example, the Saints very explicitly are assigned as valuing 3-4 pass rushing OLBs, and that assignment will modify the OVR grade they see when looking at OLBs. To the user, that means a modification of the OVR rating in the frontend. The CPU uses these modified OVR ratings as well to determine free agency and draft targets.

Some other notable big things: the past few EA Sports games have seen heavy investment in how the offensive line plays, with the improvements most evident in the PS4 / XBOX One versions of Madden 25 released late last fall (compared to anything seen in Madden on 360 / PS3). Madden 25 on XBOX One / PS4 introduced something called "true step" which is foot tracking for the ball carrier, every step the ballcarrier takes matters. There was an expansion of the ballcarrier move controls which was a big focus in Madden 25 - basically hold LT for a better version of a spin / juke / truck / stiff arm, and moves can be chained together. Presentation is completely different from Madden NFL 12; the play-by-play team is now Jim Nantz and Phil Simms, and EA Sports' presentation is basically progressively more and more becoming a facsimile of CBS Sports' coverage of the NFL. If you're playing on XBOX One, pre-snap audibles can now be executed via Kinect voice commands.

My experience with the past couple games is that they've been really fun, particularly in a multiplayer Connected Franchise context. They have been offense-oriented games, however, which is why I'm happy to see such an emphasis on the defensive side of the ball this cycle. I'm hoping the game I play in less than two weeks is a more balanced game of football, as the defense has needed some love for a while.

[HARTSTOPPER]

Re: Been Out Of The Game For 3 Years

Thanks for the excellent overview sir. In your opinion, since I have been out of the game for a while, would you recommend I pick it up? How cheesy is online play? That's another purchase factor for me.

[iNolaNightmare]

Re: Been Out Of The Game For 3 Years

Thanks for the excellent overview sir. In your opinion, since I have been out of the game for a while, would you recommend I pick it up? How cheesy is online play? That's another purchase factor for me.

I play a lot of online play. The cheese can vary depending on the user/team. But there's nothing too crazy that can't be stopped. I play sim ball no matter what the other guy is doing and I'm on a 10 game win streak.

[Hooe]

Re: Been Out Of The Game For 3 Years

Thanks for the excellent overview sir. In your opinion, since I have been out of the game for a while, would you recommend I pick it up? How cheesy is online play? That's another purchase factor for me.

I don't play ranked online or Madden Ultimate Team so I can't give you any guidance to that end; my only experience playing Madden online is against fellow OSers who don't really attempt any nonsense.

If you can find Madden 25 on PS4 / XBOX One for cheap, like $20 or less, you might be served well to pick it up as a refresher. The context of Madden 15 is coming out in mere days now makes it hard for me to recommend it. Absent any context I would absolutely recommend it, it's a fun game.

[ridemooses]

Re: Been Out Of The Game For 3 Years

I'm pretty much in the same boat, been out of Madden for a few years now. I got really into FIFA but now that I have an XBONE I wanna pick up Madden this year. Do I dare ask... did they bring back fantasy draft for Offline Connected Franchise?

[Mauer4MVP]

Re: Been Out Of The Game For 3 Years

I'm pretty much in the same boat, been out of Madden for a few years now. I got really into FIFA but now that I have an XBONE I wanna pick up Madden this year. Do I dare ask... did they bring back fantasy draft for Offline Connected Franchise?

uh oh. A Badger....

Yes they did bring it back. Honestly, they have shown steps in the right direction the last couple of years. I think they may finally take a big step this year. I am going to take a chance.

[ridemooses]

Re: Been Out Of The Game For 3 Years

uh oh. A Badger....

Yes they did bring it back. Honestly, they have shown steps in the right direction the last couple of years. I think they may finally take a big step this year. I am going to take a chance.

AWESOME! I'm excited for the new defensive improvements as well as what seems like major adjustments to make elite QB,WR, and DB's more dominant. Fantasy draft is huge for me, already planning out my team.

Go Bucky!

[ODogg]

Re: Been Out Of The Game For 3 Years

Madden on Xbox one and PS4 has a greatly improved engine. It's definitely a noticeable change in how the game handles from last gen. You won't be disappointed...

[trrt]

Re: Been Out Of The Game For 3 Years

Madden on Xbox one and PS4 has a greatly improved engine. It's definitely a noticeable change in how the game handles from last gen. You won't be disappointed...

Can I ask how you would compare Madden on XB1/PS4 compared to NCAA 2014 on XB360/PS4?

Specifically Gameplay and Franchise/Dynasty experience?

I havent played Madden in 4 years. I loved last year's NCAA. I've played NCAA for a very long time. I dont know what to do now.

Thanks in advance.

[Mr.Smif]

Re: Been Out Of The Game For 3 Years

The game really hasn't advanced that much animation wise, and gameplay is just more tweaking of the last gen engine and logic which seems to be much improved along with the graphics and in game presentation which are much improved also. CFM isn't anything special, if Game Prep and Player Confidence is something that intrigues you I guess you may wanna cop Madden 15. Super Star Mode, im not even sure if that mode is still in the game, if so, then they probably haven't touched it since you last bought it. Do you like MUT? They really seem to be pushing the mode right now.
Truthfully, they've added nothing groundbreaking or innovative, animations from almost 10 years ago still prevalent in the game, players still move like robots, still no wr/db interactions, no player or ball physics, no foot-planting, etc. And every new feature they add (block steering, true step) can only be used by the user and not by the cpu. With that being said they do seem to be heading in the direction though and if they keep on this path I say Madden 16 or 17 would be the time to return.
Unless you're in my situation, and havent jumped to next gen yet but was planning to go next-gen anyway for other games like NBA 2K, Destiny, and The Witcher 3, then I recommend picking up the XboxONE/Madden bundle for $399 where you get a free digital copy of Madden 15. Or do like ive been doing the past several years, buying the Season Ticket/EA Access until release day, then renting instead of buying the game in which I got bored of playing after two-three weeks (talk about late fees.) Other than that I suggest waiting another year or two.

[ODogg]

Re: Been Out Of The Game For 3 Years

Can I ask how you would compare Madden on XB1/PS4 compared to NCAA 2014 on XB360/PS4?

Specifically Gameplay and Franchise/Dynasty experience?

I havent played Madden in 4 years. I loved last year's NCAA. I've played NCAA for a very long time. I dont know what to do now.

Thanks in advance.

Well I have been like you in regards to preferring NCAA so I know where you are coming from. Until Madden on PS4/X1 I wouldn't have compared them favorably but I would now, despite the fact that I'm more of a college fan than an NFL fan.

Contrary to what others here and in other threads will say Madden plays much better on the next-gen systems. That is not overly obvious from just watching movies or seeing pictures but you can definitely feel it when you actually play the game. This has been noted many times by others in this forum as well as reviewers.

When I see people saying Madden hasn't changed hardly at all in years it's obvious to me that they are going by videos and screenshots and/or they simply have an agenda because it's simply not possible to credibly claim that with a straight face. Madden on next-gen can certainly be criticized, no question there as it has a lot of room for improvement, but it cannot be accused of being more of the same simply because it's not and anyone that plays it for 5 minutes can tell.

Madden on next-gen is great looking but as others note, some of the animations could be better. The physics and interactions of the players is much better in Madden versus NCAA. The overlays and presentation is also much better as well. The sound is much better, and finally getting on par with NCAA, but of course you'll get tired of the same announcer comments eventually.

In the end let me put it to you this way. I have run a NCAA league for years with NCAA only guys. We have about 7 members. After playing Madden on next-gen all of the guys have gone next-gen and we plan to run a Madden league for the first time this year. I think that basically should say it all...

As good as Madden 25 is I think Madden 15 is going to be even better..

[trrt]

Re: Been Out Of The Game For 3 Years

Well I have been like you in regards to preferring NCAA so I know where you are coming from. Until Madden on PS4/X1 I wouldn't have compared them favorably but I would now, despite the fact that I'm more of a college fan than an NFL fan.

Contrary to what others here and in other threads will say Madden plays much better on the next-gen systems. That is not overly obvious from just watching movies or seeing pictures but you can definitely feel it when you actually play the game. This has been noted many times by others in this forum as well as reviewers.

When I see people saying Madden hasn't changed hardly at all in years it's obvious to me that they are going by videos and screenshots and/or they simply have an agenda because it's simply not possible to credibly claim that with a straight face. Madden on next-gen can certainly be criticized, no question there as it has a lot of room for improvement, but it cannot be accused of being more of the same simply because it's not and anyone that plays it for 5 minutes can tell.

Madden on next-gen is great looking but as others note, some of the animations could be better. The physics and interactions of the players is much better in Madden versus NCAA. The overlays and presentation is also much better as well. The sound is much better, and finally getting on par with NCAA, but of course you'll get tired of the same announcer comments eventually.

In the end let me put it to you this way. I have run a NCAA league for years with NCAA only guys. We have about 7 members. After playing Madden on next-gen all of the guys have gone next-gen and we plan to run a Madden league for the first time this year. I think that basically should say it all...

As good as Madden 25 is I think Madden 15 is going to be even better..

Thanks for the advice! Its much appreciated.

Care to comment on the difference in NCAA dynasty vs Madden franchise overall experience (online or offline). This to me was always a big differentiator between the two games.