Official Madden 2006 Impressions Thread

bdoughty · Post by **bdoughty** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 4:09 pm

Less then three weeks to make the only NFL Football game unplayable for many. Congrats EA!

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 4:21 pm

EA: A.K.A:

Exclusive Ass****s.

TRI · Post by **TRI** » Tue Aug 23, 2005 7:13 pm

EA screws consumers again. I feel sorry for those who give EA a free pass.

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Sun Aug 28, 2005 9:10 pm

I did what I did last year with this game. I picked up the ps2 version and I really feel it plays better than the xbox verison. It's really not the gameplay, but I think it's the responsiveness of the controls. Also, I think the flow of the game is a little better on the ps2.

Also the ps2 version is a lot more colorful on the eyes than the xbox version which helps me not get bored that fast with the game. Again, just like last year, the game is more colorful on the ps2 and washed out on the xbox.

It seems like EA made every game better on the Xbox this year except madden.

I am trying to avoid bug as well so hey....its all good:).

CerealKillah · Post by **CerealKillah** » Sun Aug 28, 2005 9:15 pm

Weaver2005 wrote:I did what I did last year with this game. I picked up the ps2 version and I really feel it plays better than the xbox verison. It's really not the gameplay, but I think it's the responsiveness of the controls. Also, I think the flow of the game is a little better on the ps2.

Also the ps2 version is a lot more colorful on the eyes than the xbox version which helps me not get bored that fast with the game. Again, just like last year, the game is more colorful on the ps2 and washed out on the xbox.

It seems like EA made every game better on the Xbox this year except madden.

I am trying to avoid bug as well so hey....its all good:).

???...its slower..has slowdown...loading times are longer and online is garbage on he ps2...How do you figure the game is better on ps2?

Madden is clearly a better game on Xbox this year and just about every reputable gaming site has agreed to the same.

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Sun Aug 28, 2005 9:22 pm

Well loading times dont have anything to do with gameplay and I dont play online that much.

Just the game flow feels better and the controls are more responsive on ps2. On the Xbox version, the controls feel so stiff and rigid, while on ps2 it's a lot more smoother.

I dont' favor any system over another so I am not a ps2 f*nb*y. I play almost everything on xbox EXCEPT for Madden since it's the only EA game that plays better on ps2 than xbox.

Just my opinion.......don't hate.

10spro · Post by **10spro** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 3:09 pm

I second that opinion on the fact that I DO prefer to play sports games with the PS2 controller. Overall, I don't care much about the loading times compared to the Xbox (what's 10-15 seconds more?) nor do I play online as often. But in terms of having a better control of the game I feel more confy with the PS2 controller, specially when it comes to Hockey, Football and Soccer.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 1:46 pm

Hey, I love MotoGP, but it's the day before the start of the NFL season and the MotoGP threads on the first page outnumber the Madden threads 10-1

How's it going for the people that stuck with it and can live with the flaws? I've been playing tons of random offline games and I've enjoyed every second. As soon as I get some updated rosters, I may start a dynasty and run an AFC (Steelers) and NFC team (leaning towards STL, MIN, or WASH).

I'm really appreciating the following things after spending time with the game (keep in mind these comments are after slider adjustments...mainly to beef up the CPU offense on All-Pro):

- I think the CPU calls a real good game, although there is certainly room for improvement in late-game situations. Overall, I'm very pleased with the run/pass ratio and play call variety.

- I still love the cone passing. I really like the balance it provides. It seems to me that open receivers are a lot more open than previous versions, but it is offset by the additional complexity of moving the cone. I also like how I can get YAC without artificial means (bad AI, broken tackles, unrealistic breakaway speed) and also there are more "broken" plays. I had a broken play last night that was incredible. I ended up scrambling to the left with McNabb at about my opponent's 30 yard line and T.O. ran all the way across the field to an open space at about the 10 and was waving his hand. I switched the cone and *just* got rid of it for an easy TD.

- I love how DBs will "bait" you into throwing to a WR and then make a realistic break on the ball. You can offset this with precision passing though.

- I really think they've nailed the receiver drops. They seem to happen very realistically. Great receivers make catches they should.

- Run blocking is much much better than last year. It is so rewarding to setup blocks and break a long run. I know some people have problems with "suction blocking", but it hasn't really bothered me much. On defense, it almost gives it a 2Kx type feel in that you really have to gang tackle, get as many people around the ball carrier as possible, and take good angles. Sometimes I will run a linebacker into a blocker's path and then immediately switch to a safety to make the tackle knowing it's better to give up 5-7 yards than 30.

- I love the cat/mouse game with slide protection, audibles, and keeping players in to block. I also love the right stick quick audibles. This is by far the most cerebral game of football I've played. I'm mentally drained after some long drives, but yet it is so satisfying.

Overall, every game I have played so far has been realistic and believable, but yet has been a totally unique experience. I love it.[/list]

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 3:45 pm

I've been playing a coach only franchise on the PC, and not to bring up the glitch again. But I don't think the PC version has it, I don't know the exact details of the glitch, but I thought it had to do with color. On the PC all you see are numbers representing the controler buttons.

I'm pretty much sick of the game though and I didn't even get through a season. That is a first for me with Madden. I've kind of been addictied to Space Rangers 2.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 3:53 pm

Danimal wrote:But I don't think the PC version has it, I don't know the exact details of the glitch, but I thought it had to do with color. On the PC all you see are numbers representing the controler buttons.

*Minor Spoiler Below*

Based on the nature of the glitch, the PC version probably has it. The glitch is not tied to color, per se.

Boom · Post by **Boom** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 6:10 pm

I've gotten past the glitch. I've found that by playing the way I always have played that I don't even check the rb's.

If I'm not conciously looking to see whether it's run or pass I don't spoil it in my normal way of playing. Offline I'm unaffected.

I've played a bunch of randoms online and either the majority by playing "quick match" don't know about the glitch, or they are just awful. Whenver I play somebody using the "quick match" feature I don't seem to have any problems running the ball.

However, playing some random from within a lobby is a completely different story.

Day before the NFL and I'm in football heaven.

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 6:24 pm

Danimal wrote:I've been playing a coach only franchise on the PC, and not to bring up the glitch again. But I don't think the PC version has it, I don't know the exact details of the glitch, but I thought it had to do with color. On the PC all you see are numbers representing the controler buttons.

I'm pretty much sick of the game though and I didn't even get through a season. That is a first for me with Madden. I've kind of been addictied to Space Rangers 2.

I got sick of the Madden engine a couple of years ago, Dan, and haven't given this year's game a go. Out of curiousity, what did it for you this year?

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 6:58 pm

GTHobbes wrote:I got sick of the Madden engine a couple of years ago

So did I. As a result, 2K was my choice the past two season, but I feel this version of Madden is the best football game ever. The things that drove me crazy about the Madden engine in the past...mario running, anemic CPU rushing, poor playcalling, robo QBs, unstoppable running QBs, catch-up AI, less-than-responsive controls, sliders that don't work, etc. are pretty much all gone now.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 7:16 pm

Leebo, mind posting your sliders?

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 7:52 pm

Jrod,

I'm not real creative with the sliders. I'm playing on All-Pro (12 minute accelarated clock) with all the CPU offensive sliders up 5 notches and all the human defense sliders down 5 notches. I have the interception sliders at zero and still see one a game for both teams...probably has more to do with my poor QB play. I think I also increased punt length by 3 notches and punt accuracy by 5 for the CPU. Defensive pass assist is off.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 10:05 pm

GTHobbes wrote:I got sick of the Madden engine a couple of years ago, Dan, and haven't given this year's game a go. Out of curiousity, what did it for you this year?

Don't get me wrong, Like Leebo this is by far the best version of Madden, but I am just expecting more of the game at this point. It is hard to put a finger on why I am bored with it, I can't use the engine as an excuse, because I'm one who doesn't buy the engine stuff. To me both Madden and the 2K series have been using their same respective engines for years.

The only thing I am finding enjoyable at this point is a coach only Bears franchise, and that is because I don't expect to win every game.

Anyway If I had to give you 5 reasons why I am just sick of Madden they would be as foillows:

1. Presentation: After seeing ESPN last year, how they could come back with the same presentation is astonishing. I hope to God the 360 version or next year when the ESPN license kicks in it get significantly better.

At this point I am expecting stellar presentation, I want to hear last years stats in my franchises. For example I want to hear how Urlacher led the Team in 05 with 114 tackles, or how last time the Bears played GB, Grossman through 4 picks. Pre-Game, Post Game, Studio shows. This is where presentation should be at this point IMO

2. Lack of Choice / Early Release: Although I could not stomach the DB in 2K last year, I actually love 2k4. The lack of choice this year means I can't bounce betwen games. While I will never lose sleep as some have about the loss of a video game, I realize now that I do like to experience multiple games at the same time. Constant play of Madden, even thought it is not a bad game, is just becoming stale without something to break the dulldrums. Being footballed out by the begining of September is all because of the early release dates as well.

3. Difficulty: It is either hit or miss when tweaking sliders. I always win a close game, or I always lose a close game. There is no middle ground. I can't remember a madden game in the last 5 or 6 years where upon deciding on a slider set my record doesn't always end up like 13-3 or 15-1. I can never find that middle ground where I have to be on top of my game to win. I have never seen an 8 - 8 season and I am a Bears fan. Switching to a Coach only franchise is fixing this problem, but sometimes you just want to play.

4. Interface: I hate the PDA Interface, I hate how things are buried and are hard to find. Why to see league news do I have to page through countless menus, or look at a newspaper that still has the same stories (and typos) from 05? I get 5 emails a week and they are never useful. How about an email like KC just lost Priest Holmes for the year, or TO is unhappy in Philly and wants out. No my emails are like I can't understand why I'm riding the bench (even though my rating is a 67 and there are 3 80's above me)

5. Franchise: Just beacuse you have the best franchise in the business is no reason to sit on it. I mean a few good improvements this year, but lets get some things going here. Make the draft more fun, make the off season more fun. Right now it is an exercise in spreadsheet matience. Even though I list this as #5, this probably should be my #2 issue, as the franchise as good as it is, is just stale. I need something new.

Phew, sorry for the rant. Again I will occasionally bounce back to Madden as football season starts. But I am just losing interest in most sports games at this point. If College Hoops lets me down for a second year, I may just lose it.

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 10:09 pm

Danimal wrote:
GTHobbes wrote:I got sick of the Madden engine a couple of years ago, Dan, and haven't given this year's game a go. Out of curiousity, what did it for you this year?
Don't get me wrong, Like Leebo this is by far the best version of Madden, but I am just expecting more of the game at this point. It is hard to put a finger on why I am bored with it, I can't use the engine as an excuse, because I'm one who doesn't buy the engine stuff. To me both Madden and the 2K series have been using their same respective engines for years.

The only thing I am finding enjoyable at this point is a coach only Bears franchise, and that is because I don't expect to win every game.

Anyway If I had to give you 5 reasons why I am just sick of Madden they would be as foillows:

1. Presentation: After seeing ESPN last year, how they could come back with the same presentation is astonishing. I hope to God the 360 version or next year when the ESPN license kicks in it get significantly better.

At this point I am expecting stellar presentation, I want to hear last years stats in my franchises. For example I want to hear how Urlacher led the Team in 05 with 114 tackles, or how last time the Bears played GB, Grossman through 4 picks. Pre-Game, Post Game, Studio shows. This is where presentation should be at this point IMO
.

I think they actually downgraded the presentation. For example, last year, they had the opening like 2k where they would focus on one player in the pregame intro. This year, all you see is a big EA sports logo and it then goes directly to the coin flip.

vader29 · Post by **vader29** » Wed Sep 07, 2005 10:32 pm

I started my franchise this week and the game just isn't doing it for me.

The presentation has really gotten old for me also, I think that Al Michaels has become very boring in the way Summerall was before.

The punt coverage is something that really disgusts me with the way there always ends up being 4 or 5 guys standing in front of me waiting to blast me and cause a fumble after I field the ball.

I'll give it a few more games this week but will probably end up ebaying the game this weekend, maybe the 360 version will be better but it will definitely be a rental first before shelling out 60 bucks for the same old Madden.