Madden NFL 18 Retail Impressions

[Kotter]

Those of you with the retail version and day 1 patch, what are your impressions?

I've heard there are some improvements to (in)accuracy, QB mobility, and zone coverage.


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

[CujoMatty]

Re: Retail version impressions

QB mobility is much approved. I didn't find QB accuracy or zone defense to be any different.

[The Kid 24]

Re: Retail version impressions

QB mobility is much approved. I didn't find QB accuracy or zone defense to be any different.

Really? Any further details?

[DeuceDouglas]

Re: Madden NFL 18 Retail Impressions

For anyone interested, here are all my posts from the other impressions thread. Every game I've played has been on the full version in Play Now, Simulation, default All-Madden or All-Pro. With the exception of my very first game every game has been played with 15 minute quarters with play clock runoff to 15 seconds.

Default All-Madden

Spoiler

I've played two games on default All-Madden. One against the Raiders with 6-minute quarters and no run-off. And one against the Bears with 15-minute quarters and 15-second run-off.

• The game is beautiful. Playing an early game at Arrowhead and everything looks amazing. The colors are great and it just looks fantastic.
• Lost the Raiders game 31-11 and was out of it from the jump. Gave up a 55-yard TD to Lynch where he broke out of two tacklers and was on his way. Little surprised I couldn't catch him and I would have caught him in 17 for sure I think. Lost the Bears game 41-13 and it was a really good game until the second half. I started throwing picks and gave up another run to Howard where he muscled out of two tacklers and was gone. Had another moment where they completed a pass to the TE and got behind my safety but I couldn't catch him even though my guy had 90 vs. 85 SPD.
• Running inside and running in general is really difficult. It should be because the Chiefs line isn't great but I figured I might have some luck against the Bears but my line was getting thrown around constantly and I couldn't get anything going at all. Seems like every time I have a hole there's a shed right as I get to it and I get stuffed.
• On the other hand the CPU is deadly. A combination of being tough to tackle and the offensive line blocking being very strong. Not seeing much of my guys coming off blocks but it did happen on occasion. Feels a lot like 17 in this regard and I really wish there was block shedding slider.
• Liked hearing Alex Smith's cadence back. Small thing that I really enjoy.
• Man coverage seemed better and tighter. Zone coverage didn't seem that bad but it's hard to say.
• I've only seen one inaccurate pass between the two games by the CPU. Mike Glennon was 18/20 and I sacked him 8 times. He was pinpointing everything the entire game and when he wasn't he was standing in the pocket for 5-7 seconds before being sacked. Carr's game was better but they ran a lot because they were up early and had the lead the whole game.
• The game seems a lot more fluid. It still has some herky jerky moments but it definitely seems to be more fluid and I find less of the moments that I had in 17 where it felt like everything was out of control. Everything seems more smooth though.
• Passing seems unusually better. I can't really describe it but it seems like I was able to put the ball in better spots than 17. I've made more than a few throws already that made me go "hmmm" because I don't think I would have ever had a chance of completing them in 17.
• Took a look a GamePlans and they are still limited to 20 plays per situation and four verticals heavy on down and long situations.
• So far it feels like a polished version of 17 to me. It's not too much different but there's a lot of little things that make it feel better.

Spoiler

Played a game against the Chargers before I crashed last night. Default All-Madden, 15-min. quarters. Lost 28-20

• I just can't run the ball at all. I'll get a couple decent runs of like 9 yards in the game but outside of that I'm lucky to get one or two yards at best. A lot of the time I don't even have a chance and there's two guys who shed before my RB gets the ball and there's just no chance.
• I keep throwing stupid picks that don't give me any chance to win. Part of this is because I'm constantly in 3rd and long situations though.
• CPU passing game is very similar to M17. Through three games it seems like every outcome is either a completion or a sack. I sacked Glennon like 8 times and then sacked Rivers I think 7 times. It seems like there's less throwaways and more sacks but less pressure in general.
• On the other side I'm seeing some wonky things in man coverage. Given up big plays and touchdown because my guy will be covering and as the WR breaks the corner just kind of hunches over and stops like he can't transition with the WR and it always results in huge separation.
• Keep forgetting about coach adjustments. Going to have to try those out.

Going to play the Seahawks next and see if I can get any kind of scramble. Want to play Osweiler and the Browns as well to see if I can see any inaccuracy's.

Spoiler

Just played the Browns. Again 15-minute quarters w/ 15-sec runoff on default All-Madden. Lost 31-19.

Little things. I was down 24-20 and held them to a FG, got through and jumped instead of dove and got called for roughing and then gave up a TD that put me away.

Thought I'd get Osweiler but Kessler was their starter. he did make a couple of abnormally bad/stupid throws that I haven't seen yet but still ended up 14/19 for almost 300 yards. And outside of a couple throws he was slinging dots. Gave up an 80-yard TD on a pass complete to Coleman and he spun right as he caught and one of my guys was faked out the other kind of froze. I'm not too much a fan of the fakeout interactions. There have been a couple times I've come up and the game basically takes control of my player when being faked out. I kind of like it but it's also kind of annoying.

I'd like to see QB Accuracy toned way back and to be a little bit more random.



Still trying hard to run but still just nothing there. I know it's a combination of my o-line and All-Madden but I keep thinking it will get better. Had a 17-yard run but anything short yardage, near the goalline or inside is just a lost cause. I have a few clips showing what I mean.

Statue QB's is in full effect. I don't really get any pressure but plenty of sacks. I have more than a few clips showing this from just the four games I've played.

I'm going to have to adjust some sliders but I'm going to continue to play on default All-Madden for a few games. Going to play the Seahawks next and see if Wilson moves at all in the pocket.

Spoiler

Played the Seahawks. All-Madden default. 15-minute quarters w/ 15-second runoff.

Lost 26-23. Again the littlest things. Gave up a TD early on 3rd and 26 from the 30. Gave up a FG with 1:11 to go to tie it at 23 and tried to run a quick pass to get some yardage to start my drive, threw it off a DL's head and it was picked off and essentially sealed the game.

Had my best running game yet. Didn't break anything big but was getting better chunks mixed in with the stuffs. Felt nice.

Wilson moved a couple of times but on one he could have easily scored and opted to throw the ball away. I sacked him 7 times. For some reason none of my clips of sacks have been recording but I think 5 of them were of the statue nature. One was really bad where he stood in the same spot, Hali hit and missed him and then he stood in the same spot again before Houston got to him.

Overall coverage needs to be tighter and/or inaccuracy needs to come down IMO. I don't know if the AI can handle tighter coverage though so that may be an issue. AI coverage seems legit though and I wish mine was as tight as their's was. Passing versus the Hawks felt a lot different than against the Browns but overall on my side coverage just feels really loose.

The ball carrier moves are lethal. M17 basically trained me to never use them but using spins and jukes with Tyreek Hill on punt returns has felt really nice.

Going to start tracking my stats and tweaking some sliders after a few more games.

Spoiler

Just got destroyed by the Bucs. Was able to run the ball decently again and was able to stop the run. Threw 7 picks though, 4 of which to their middle linebacker. Their zones and coverage seem fine. It's tight and there's holes but they close fast on All-Madden. Again though, user coverage is so much softer and slower to react and leaves a lot of wide open holes and receivers. Man coverage is definitely better but is still consistently shaky.

This is a play from a game ago with Cliff Avril (35 MCV) playing some damn good coverage. There's a window there but it's small and he even made a play on the ball.

Spoiler

<iframe src='https://gfycat.com/ifr/RemarkableSecondaryHummingbird' frameborder='0' scrolling='no' allowfullscreen width='640' height='360'></iframe>

And then here's a play where Mitchell (85 MCV) gets beat by Allen and he may as well not even be a factor in the entire play:

Spoiler

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It's only two plays but I very rarely have had opportunities to make plays on the ball or have guys in position to even attempt to which leads to the ridiculously high completion percentages.

As of right now their pass offense has been my only huge issue. WR screens are so much better and this was a play before I started throwing everything to the defense:

<iframe src='https://gfycat.com/ifr/BeneficialMeekGreendarnerdragonfly' frameborder='0' scrolling='no' allowfullscreen width='640' height='360'></iframe>

Learning to use the new moves as well after being programmed to never use them in 17. One thing I noticed in 17 and that I'm again noticing and may start tracking in 18 is that it seems like all the CPU ever runs on defense is Cover 3. I very rarely see them in anything else. I'll see a Cover 2 or a Cover 4 here and there and then a man blitz occasionally but it seems like 90% of the time, they're running some variation of cover 3.

Spoiler

Played the 49ers last night and Hoyer was 18-22 and I sacked him 8 times. I was actually okay with a few of the sacks but there were a couple that were really bad. I sacked him on 3 straight downs at the beginning of the game and 5 times in the first quarter but outside of that he was unstoppable. Going to have to turn accuracy way down which isn't a surprise but I was hoping OOTB for Simulation would be at least a little bit better for Simulation. Here's a look at the sacks for anyone interested:

Spoiler

<iframe src='https://gfycat.com/ifr/OfficialCornyCentipede' frameborder='0' scrolling='no' allowfullscreen width='640' height='360'></iframe>

Mobile Link

I've watched a number of streams and videos, including SimFBCritic, and all of them have had one thing in common: Very high CPU completion percentage. I'm dead serious when I say I haven't witnessed anyone hold the CPU to under 80% passing.

Earlier, people were throwing out that "they probably just weren't calling plays well". Definitely has nothing to do with playcalling and everything to do with the game. You can see the difference in how the CPU plays pass coverage compared to Human AI does. It's almost like you are at the mercy of how many points the CPU feels like scoring when it comes to defense.

Yeah, on All-Madden at least, coverage just isn't that tight for the user. Then when you get decent coverage the QB doesn't want to throw the ball. It's extremely similar to M17 in that regard but in 17 the QB would throw the ball away a bunch but I'm not seeing that at all in 18. Zones are really soft in the flats and towards the sidelines.

Here's a good example of User v. CPU man coverage on All-Madden:

Spoiler

<iframe src='https://gfycat.com/ifr/InnocentUltimateBufeo' frameborder='0' scrolling='no' allowfullscreen width='640' height='360'></iframe>

Mobile Link

First play with Peters he kind of gets beat off the line and then slows down while running with the WR allowing some separation and then of course Hoyer lays it in the most perfect spot possible. If coverage is tighter there's a chance to trigger a WR/DB animation and if there's more QB inaccuracy then it could also likely cause an incompletion.

The second is just a slant where again the CB Mitchell kind of loses inside but then goes through that hunchback type slowdown rather than keeping with the receiver and having the chance at triggering an animation and instead creating a ton of separation. More willing to live with that because it also looks like a pick play but I've had instances where it's just one-on-one out there and the same thing happens.

And then the third play is their coverage. Very similar to the second play but the corner gets inside and then runs in the pocket of my WR for the entirety of the route.

I think overall I'd just rather see more inaccuracy (which I can hopefully get to a decent spot with sliders) because I think if they made coverage tighter CPU QB's wouldn't be able to handle it at all. They seem to refuse to throw into coverage which is resulting in a lot of these statue sacks as they really don't have a "timer" telling them to do something when nothing is there or there is pressure.

Spoiler

Played the Bills and lost 26-12. It was a decent game with some frustrating stuff. Tyrod Taylor was 20-24 for 406 yards and nearly half of it was on three plays where they ran verticals, he stood in the pocket for like 7 seconds and then hit somebody running back towards the LOS for an easy completion. The CPU just absolutely does not miss on default All-Madden. Taylor only really moved twice and both times he had a ton of room to run but opted to throw as soon as he got to the LOS. Pass Defense just seems like a never ending battle of rushing four and letting the QB stand around for 7 seconds and sometimes no get coverage or rushing more and having no coverage but occasionally getting pressure and/or a sack.

I stayed dedicated to the running game but Marcel Dareus was absolutely insane. He had 16 tackles alone and him and Kyle Williams finished with 22 tackles and 7 TFL combined. I got hit for 15 TFL in the game and only had 56 yards on 30 carries.

I gave up two TD passes and both were a little annoying. Here's the first:

Spoiler

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Not sure what exactly happened but frustrating to see. And then here's the second:

Spoiler

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Not as bad, just frustrating to see my best corner get burned by such a far inferior receiver. I know I called press there and Brown on has 65 Beat Press versus 85 Press for Peters but it doesn't really look like a press animation so I don't really know. It is All-Madden though so I'm leaning towards that being the likely cause as ratings don't seem to factor as much that I've noticed, at least on the user side.

Going to move to default All-Pro for a few games and see how it plays out. My guess is that it will be far too easy but if it's decent enough I might keep it going, I never really gave it a shot in 17. If not, I'll just move back to All-Madden and start tweaking.

Default All-Pro

Spoiler

Played my first game on default All Pro and beat the Giants 54-17.

First play of the game was a Paul Perkins 75-yard touchdown and he torched me the entire game. He ended up with over 200 yards but it didn't really matter. Forced a fumble on him in the first quarter as well and I think I'd only forced two in the 7-8 games I played on All-Madden. The run game is great though. Whether All-Madden or All-Pro, it's just good. I had much better luck running and it almost felt too easy but I think being accustomed to the two yard per carry games of All-Madden plays a part in that. Ended up averaging five yards a pop and a couple of nice runs.

Pass defense felt better but it was hard to say. QB play from Eli seemed more deliberate but also not as smart. He seemed to get rid of the ball pretty quickly most of the time and I did see an inaccuracy but most of the incompletions where drops/knockouts. He started throwing everything short and things opened up later in the game but more so after I was in somewhat prevent mode. He threw two picks to Terrance Mitchell, one of which was returned for six.

On their side however, holy hell were their zones soft. It's probably the same as the run game where playing on All-Madden plays into how easy it felt but there were holes everywhere. I finished the game 17-25 for 302 yards with Alex Smith and just picked them apart down the seams. Their pass rush wasn't nearly as tough as it was on All-Madden and even on that pass rush wasn't too frightening but it just felt like I had my way with them passing.

The score looked bad but it didn't really feel as bad as it was. No matter what I know going into All-Pro I'm going to have to go in favor of the CPU versus the User like you would with All-Madden. One thing I really wish you could do is combine them though. All-Pro User Pass Defense/CPU Pass Offense with everything else on All-Madden sounds amazing to me.

Spoiler

Played my second game on default All-Pro at Denver. Won 18-7 and it was a far better game than my first.

They were up 7-6 for most of the game but everything turned when they tried a 61-yard FG with two minutes left in the third quarter. Really wish the AI would be better about that, it completely turned the game. Ended up leading to a TD and then Siemian threw back-to-back picks that led to FG's to give me an 18-7 lead.

Their passing game was pretty weak again. Siemian was 17-29 for 183 yards and threw 3 picks. Definitely seeing some inaccuracies which is nice but also a lot of CPU drops as well. CPU running game was complete opposite of my last game and they had 52 yards on 18 carries.

Passing on my side was a lot more difficult than the Giants game. I threw one pick that probably should have been a pick-six as Talib had the entire sideline and probably would have been gone but opted to take a knee instead. I ended up with only 156 yards and got sacked a bunch including 2.5 by Von Miller. I even had a few inaccuracies as well which was nice.

All Pro feels pretty good though but it's only two games and they've been drastically different so I need to play more. Going to play someone like the Saints or Packers next to test out user pass D.

Spoiler

[QUOTE=DeuceDouglas;2048955119]Played the Packers and got destroyed. Final was 41-27 and it wasn't even that close. Rodgers was insane as he should be but pass coverage was so much worse than my first two games on default All Pro. He ended up 25-30 for 353 and just tore me apart. I ended up throwing five interceptions but even if I didn't I would have still been blown out just because I couldn't stop anything on defense or get off the field. Got out TOP'd 37 and change to 22. Had a big run with Ware and brought in Mahomes after Alex Smith turned the ball over for his fifth time on a fumble and absolutely lit it up with him. Could really notice the difference in arm strength. May have been a little too accurate but that's to be expected on default All Pro. Despite getting destroyed I really liked All Pro so far. I destroyed the Giants 54-17, then beat the Broncos 18-7, and now got destroyed myself 41-27 so it's been a really good variety. Going to play the Cowboys to see if their run game is strong and then probably the Steelers and Seahawks again just to get a nice mix of teams with different strengths.

Also, this GIF pretty much sums up my experience with AI QB movement thus far:

<iframe src='https://gfycat.com/ifr/DistantJollyAngora' frameborder='0' scrolling='no' allowfullscreen width='640' height='360'></iframe>

Link for Mobile[/QUOTE

Spoiler

Played fourth game on default All-Pro and lost at the Patriots 31-10.

Brady was good but I did pick him off twice. One was a horrible decision where he statued in the pocket and then threw it to the flat right to Sorenson. The other was a really nice defensive play by Peters undercutting a route, was really nice to see. He ended up completing 21-29 for 289 yards and I sacked him 4 times. One inaccuracy, two picks, three drops, a dropped pick and a hail mary attempt were his incompletions. I know others are seeing good pocket movement and awareness but I'm just not seeing it. I've played a good bunch of games now including against Wilson, Tyrod, and Rodgers now and I don't think I've had a QB actually have a scramble in any game yet. I do see some movement but it hasn't been what I'd call intelligent and usually still results in a sack. I mentioned it before but it seems like they only really move if I'm getting pressure immediately, if it's late or delayed in any way it's almost as if there's a timer that says after two seconds, pressure doesn't exist anymore. Just my experience.

CPU running game put up good numbers but was mostly carried by a few big runs. I feel like the CPU is too "move happy." Every time they get into open field it seems like the first thing they want to do is spin or juke when just moving up field would get them more yards. Going to play the Cowboys next so it should be interesting to see what happens.

Alex Smith was terrible for me. Had a bunch of inaccuracies and got sacked a bunch because the Patriots D was snuffing everything out down the field and when I had guys open I was missing them. Felt good though, just a really bad game and I shouldn't be having too much success throwing with him.

Everything has felt good on All Pro so far though. No doubt I'll have to make adjustments to QB accuracy, probably user run blocking, maybe coverage but overall it feels nicely balanced. Still stuck between adjusting All-Madden or All Pro but I'm leaning towards tweaking All Pro.

Spoiler

Played the Cowboys and it finally happened for me.

Spoiler

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Defense and specifically pass coverage is starting to get really frustrating though.

Something I've repeatedly noticed is that the transition animations for the defense aren't very fluid which results in a ton of separation. They're very jerky and take defenders from being with a receiver to essentially a complete stop and by the time they get going again they're beat by five plus yards. Here's what I'm talking about:

<iframe src='https://gfycat.com/ifr/DistortedThinIndusriverdolphin' frameborder='0' scrolling='no' allowfullscreen width='640' height='360'></iframe>

You see in the first play how fluid the defender is in the break but still gets beat and gives up the completion which is great, I wish coverage was universally like that. In the second one you see the DB gets turned around then when the break occurs he comes to a complete stop allowing huge separation. I keep seeing this type of thing on a bunch of different routes. There was another play in this game where Dez Bryant ran a streak and my corner was playing well off and as soon as they come together and the DB has to transition to running with the WR he basically comes to a complete stop just trying to turn his hips and Dez blows by him and gets almost ten yards of separation.

Other random things I'm seeing is that alignment in man is often off. A lot of the time guys will be in man and lined 5 or so yards off to the left or right of their man rather than straight up. This is usually the case with backs and TE's and often leaves them wide open in the flats. Same kind of situation here where I tell Peters to press and he lines up off to the right of the receiver, doesn't press and just lets him run right past him and there's not even a chance to make a play.

I've also noticed quite a few instances of the 'cross man' where I'll have a guy manned up with the TE on the other side of the formation. It was also said that TE's could be pressed this year but I'm thinking that only meant by using the user mechanics. Zones seem like a box of chocolates most of the time.

Spoiler

Played the Seahawks last night and Russell Wilson took off on the first drive:

Spoiler

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So after no scrambles in my first 10 or so games, I get two in back-to-back games. Unfortunately, the rest of the game he didn't have another scramble and overall it was pretty ugly from a movement/intelligence standpoint. Here's one example:

Spoiler

<iframe src='https://gfycat.com/ifr/ShadyDemandingKillifish' frameborder='0' scrolling='no' allowfullscreen width='640' height='360'></iframe>

I'm going to post a bunch of GIF's I have in the other QB thread but I have a wide variety of level of QB's and pretty horrid QB movement/pocket awareness.

All-Pro has been really odd for me though. First game against the Giants I won 54-17. Second against the Broncos I won 18-7. Then I got destroyed by the Packers, Patriots, and Cowboys. And in this game against the Seahawks I absolutely handled them 31-3. So results are all over the place.

I got five turnovers, two picks and three fumbles. Two of the fumbles were on Russell Wilson sacks. One was on a screen where he just stood in and got destroyed instead of throwing. Running on default All-Pro is pretty easy. I get stuffed here and there but there are quite a few times where you can just walk into the secondary because everybody on the line gets absolutely locked up.

Also had this really odd interception:

Spoiler

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First time I've seen anything like that outside of maybe on a fumble recovery but it looked really, really bad. Going to play the Steelers next and then start playing some lower level teams and see what happens on default All-Pro.

[benton32]

Re: Madden NFL 18 Retail Impressions

hmm nice notes ill be getting mine later i got the GOAT edition, what scares me is the to easy passing, remember in 17 everyone was passing good then they did that big update patch and the pass was more real.. well i hope they didnt go back to how M17 was before the big patch, I mean we all gotta remember it is a video game but still its nice to keep it as real as possible

I want the attributes to actually mean something and the good teams are good and the bad are bad, etc,

I think madden 17 for the most part did a good job on it.. when i first started with the niners we sucked, i kept track of alot of stuff year by year i did 12 seasons on M17, and we started out crappy as did the real like niners and then i built up the team and we started getting 10-13 wins a season and my overall was usually arounf 86-89

[D81SKINS]

Re: Madden NFL 18 Retail Impressions

[QUOTE=DeuceDouglas;2048959727]For anyone interested, here are all my posts from the other impressions thread. Every game I've played has been on the full version in Play Now, Simulation, default All-Madden or All-Pro. With the exception of my very first game every game has been played with 15 minute quarters with play clock runoff to 15 seconds.

Default All-Madden

Spoiler

Spoiler

Played the 49ers last night and Hoyer was 18-22 and I sacked him 8 times. I was actually okay with a few of the sacks but there were a couple that were really bad. I sacked him on 3 straight downs at the beginning of the game and 5 times in the first quarter but outside of that he was unstoppable. Going to have to turn accuracy way down which isn't a surprise but I was hoping OOTB for Simulation would be at least a little bit better for Simulation. Here's a look at the sacks for anyone interested:

Spoiler

<iframe src='https://gfycat.com/ifr/OfficialCornyCentipede' frameborder='0' scrolling='no' allowfullscreen width='640' height='360'></iframe>

Mobile Link



Yeah, on All-Madden at least, coverage just isn't that tight for the user. Then when you get decent coverage the QB doesn't want to throw the ball. It's extremely similar to M17 in that regard but in 17 the QB would throw the ball away a bunch but I'm not seeing that at all in 18. Zones are really soft in the flats and towards the sidelines.

Here's a good example of User v. CPU man coverage on All-Madden:

Spoiler

<iframe src='https://gfycat.com/ifr/InnocentUltimateBufeo' frameborder='0' scrolling='no' allowfullscreen width='640' height='360'></iframe>

Mobile Link

First play with Peters he kind of gets beat off the line and then slows down while running with the WR allowing some separation and then of course Hoyer lays it in the most perfect spot possible. If coverage is tighter there's a chance to trigger a WR/DB animation and if there's more QB inaccuracy then it could also likely cause an incompletion.

The second is just a slant where again the CB Mitchell kind of loses inside but then goes through that hunchback type slowdown rather than keeping with the receiver and having the chance at triggering an animation and instead creating a ton of separation. More willing to live with that because it also looks like a pick play but I've had instances where it's just one-on-one out there and the same thing happens.

And then the third play is their coverage. Very similar to the second play but the corner gets inside and then runs in the pocket of my WR for the entirety of the route.

I think overall I'd just rather see more inaccuracy (which I can hopefully get to a decent spot with sliders) because I think if they made coverage tighter CPU QB's wouldn't be able to handle it at all. They seem to refuse to throw into coverage which is resulting in a lot of these statue sacks as they really don't have a "timer" telling them to do something when nothing is there or there is pressure.

Default All-Pro

Spoiler

Played the Packers and got destroyed. Final was 41-27 and it wasn't even that close. Rodgers was insane as he should be but pass coverage was so much worse than my first two games on default All Pro. He ended up 25-30 for 353 and just tore me apart. I ended up throwing five interceptions but even if I didn't I would have still been blown out just because I couldn't stop anything on defense or get off the field. Got out TOP'd 37 and change to 22. Had a big run with Ware and brought in Mahomes after Alex Smith turned the ball over for his fifth time on a fumble and absolutely lit it up with him. Could really notice the difference in arm strength. May have been a little too accurate but that's to be expected on default All Pro. Despite getting destroyed I really liked All Pro so far. I destroyed the Giants 54-17, then beat the Broncos 18-7, and now got destroyed myself 41-27 so it's been a really good variety. Going to play the Cowboys to see if their run game is strong and then probably the Steelers and Seahawks again just to get a nice mix of teams with different strengths.

Also, this GIF pretty much sums up my experience with AI QB movement thus far:

<iframe src='https://gfycat.com/ifr/DistantJollyAngora' frameborder='0' scrolling='no' allowfullscreen width='640' height='360'></iframe>

Link for Mobile[/QUOTE

Now, let's hope they take this feedback and use it, Great review, thanks!

[CujoMatty]

Re: Retail version impressions

Really? Any further details?

4k looks great with no frame rate sacrifice

sack numbers have been good.

Penalties still need some slider tweaks. Not getting enough.

Injuries were right on point IMO

QB accuracy slider I dropped to 20 and am getting good numbers. On default it was pretty bad.

I know others aren't having this problem but the CPU still lacks a competent run game. It's better than it's been but still not great. I held the CPU to less than 25 yards a game in my first 3 games and one of those games was against David Johntson and I'm the Colts.

[asandique]

Re: Retail version impressions

4k looks great with no frame rate sacrifice

sack numbers have been good.

Penalties still need some slider tweaks. Not getting enough.

Injuries were right on point IMO

QB accuracy slider I dropped to 20 and am getting good numbers. On default it was pretty bad.

I know others aren't having this problem but the CPU still lacks a competent run game. It's better than it's been but still not great. I held the CPU to less than 25 yards a game in my first 3 games and one of those games was against David Johntson and I'm the Colts.

What does the fumble slider do???? You think that will affect the way running backs run?

[bcruise]

Re: Madden NFL 18 Retail Impressions

I already knew my first impression would be this from watching Millennium's pre-release streams, but:

Those 60 FPS menus on the PS4 Pro. Makes navigating so much quicker.

More later, of course.

[ultralow36]

Re: Madden NFL 18 Retail Impressions

1st thing off the bat damm the ps4 pro version is clean big step up from xbox one s...now can't wait for hdr. 4k sure makes a difference colors really pop....lod is much better..

Sent from my SM-G920T using Tapatalk

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: Madden NFL 18 Retail Impressions

PS4 version look better then the Xbox One. The colors just pop and stand out way more. I was surprised it would be like that even on the regular PS4, but yeah it definitely way better then the Xbox One early access version. So far, I haven't saw a CPU QB scramble yet.

[Brooke2011]

Re: Madden NFL 18 Retail Impressions

4k...4k...4k this game looks so much better than EA access on the PS4 pro. Just like the Xbox one x game play vids !!!!!

[mikejs210]

Re: Madden NFL 18 Retail Impressions

1st thing off the bat damm the ps4 pro version is clean big step up from xbox one s...now can't wait for hdr. 4k sure makes a difference colors really pop....lod is much better..

Sent from my SM-G920T using Tapatalk

The PS4 and Xbox One retail versions are exactly the same. The PS4 Pro version does look better though obviously.

[yanek27]

Re: Madden NFL 18 Retail Impressions

I can't seem to notice much difference from Xbox ea access to PS4 pro. I only played it on my Vizio so maybe that's why. I just wanted to make sure the enhance PS4 pro version was in the update. I'll try on the Samsung tomorrow to see if it was in fact the Vizio causing the issue

[BleedGreen710]

Re: Madden NFL 18 Retail Impressions

first game impressions, default all pro simulation

Eagles (Me) vs Cowboys 12min. Quarters with 15 Seconds Run Off

First of all the game looks outstanding. I was mesmerized by the graphics and was so happy being able to see them on my own TV finally. The gameplay in general just feels smoother, and animations play out more realistically. Momentum felt like it had more of an effect. Also saw a few new animations that looked really nice. Now onto the gameplay..

I know the Eagles have a great defensive line but I was not expecting to get so many sacks, especially against a very good Dallas offensive line. With no particular defensive gameplan, and using the suggested plays, I managed 11 sacks. Brandon Graham had 6 of them. There were only a few where my lineman got to the QB quickly, the rest were just Dak standing there until my guys reached him. He never scrambled once the whole game besides the run to the sideline thing the CPU always does. Concerning to see so many sacks against a good offensive line, and to see the CPU QB never take off and run. I'm hoping this game was a fluke.

Running the ball was way too easy. Blount is good but I could have had the same success or more with anyone with decent speed. First contact was typically made 5 or more yards past the line of scrimmage, and was usually one of the safetys or corners. The Cowboys leading tacklers were both corners and safetys. That should never be the case especially with a big power back like Blount. Finished with 24 carries 154 yards. I'll have to be adjusting the run block slider again this year to make it much harder, I think I had it on 35 last year.

Passing was also way too easy. I haven't played Madden in like 6 months and I threw for over 400 yards with Wentz using the suggested plays, on only 20 attempts. Short routes feel automatic. Next game I'll be putting the coverage and reaction time sliders at 99 like I used in Madden 17 and see if that makes a difference. I did not use target passing.

As for the CPU offense, Dak was 19/23 for 1 TD and 0 INT. It was very similar to Madden 17, check down throws, didnt take any chances, didnt scramble, didnt make any inaccurate throws, it was bad. All his longest completions were on plays where he would sit in the pocket for like 10 seconds and his receivers would stop their routes and come back to the quarterback. Coverage seems to always break down when this happens leading to easy completions. And remember the Eagles have probably the worst cornerbacks in the game - but it never felt like a weakness.

Elliot's first run was 75 yards untouched up the middle and he also scored on a 70 yard screen pass for a touchdown, also untouched. Just got the perfect blocks each time. Besides that he didn't do much at all. Couldn't get much of a feel for the CPU running game, it had its good moments and bad moments.

Special Teams was uneventful, and more of the same. Kicking seems automatic, as I missed the mark on the accuracy part every time but still made every kick. Also the CPU had a 10 yard punt, it just went straight up in the air basically. When it came down it hit my returner in the helmet during the catch animation leading to a fumble. This happened in Madden 17, sadly still happens in 18.

In the stick skills department, I was not able to successfully execute any of the new jukes and spin animations. Practice is needed. But trucking was as powerful as ever. Hit Sticking on defense felt harder to do and when I did finally land one I forced a fumble and fell on it so that felt very rewarding.

The Commentary remains the same, its as repetitive as ever. Mostly the same lines as before. Charles Davis talks for a long time and goes over into the next play which is annoying. If I have to hear about Carson Wentz being sneaky athletic again I might have to use a different team. It was also disappointing after my 7th sack or so they stopped announcing how many sacks I had and would repeat the same line over and over after each successive sack. Something about how this offense has such a tough time getting things going cause they have absorbed so many sacks. I thought they would say something when I got sack #10 but they just repeated the same line.

Didn't see any penalties all game, and there was one off ball injury.

Presentation was about the same except the awesome new pre-game team run outs which is one of my favorite things about the game.

Next game I'm going to adjust some sliders and try the same matchup hopefully it will play out better.