Madden 11 Impressions

[Aristo]

Trolling is not exactly something that would be included in that pretty package we asked for..

I'm not sure what it takes for it to be recognized as what it is. When multiple long time posters start complaining about it you would think a light bulb would go off somewhere.

Edit: nevermind. Not worth it.

It's about Goddamn time...

[greggsand]

Having never tried the 'online franchise' before, I'm really impressed with the amount of work the put into it. They even a free iPhone app that lets you manage your roster, look at league stats, etc... Pretty great.

How does it compare to the Online Dynasty for NCAA? I haven't played with the online Franchise stuff at all.

Haven't played NCAA in a few years so can't say. Me and 2 other friends are doing it. We decided to all be in the same division w/ a fantasy draft. Being in the same division allows us play each other more (twice) & makes the 'pressure' to win higher. Big thumbs up so far. We don't know what to do if there's a game freeze or crash as a rule. I was getting killed by the AI & the game froze with 3 mins left. Do I play it again & try and lose? Just sim it? Not sure.

Back to "sales" talk....

[matthewk]

Traded in Madden? The season hasn't even started yet and I would say to those people, why not give EA a chance at a patch first?

I sold my copy 2 weeks ago and heven't had any regrets about it. It's now been almost a month since it was released, and a patch has not arrived. I wasn't going to sit on it hoping it would fix the things I thought were wrong with it (like kick returns, the old is new again kicking system, and the chopped up presentation). The longer you wait to trade in or sell a game, the less you'll get in return. best to cut my losses right away and call it the cost of renting the game than to wait and get less back after a patch.

Even with a patch I doubt I'd want to keep it. It's too much like 10, and some design choices made the game worse to me. I'd rather have that as my NFL fix than Madden 11. All IMO of course.

[GTHobbes]

Traded in Madden? The season hasn't even started yet and I would say to those people, why not give EA a chance at a patch first?

I sold my copy 2 weeks ago and heven't had any regrets about it. It's now been almost a month since it was released, and a patch has not arrived. I wasn't going to sit on it hoping it would fix the things I thought were wrong with it (like kick returns, the old is new again kicking system, and the chopped up presentation). The longer you wait to trade in or sell a game, the less you'll get in return. best to cut my losses right away and call it the cost of renting the game than to wait and get less back after a patch.

Even with a patch I doubt I'd want to keep it. It's too much like 10, and some design choices made the game worse to me. I'd rather have that as my NFL fix than Madden 11. All IMO of course.

Thanks for the impressions, Matt. Did you get any less when selling the game this year, due to the Online Pass thing? Just wondering how that's affected the resale value, if at all.

[matthewk]

Thanks for the impressions, Matt. Did you get any less when selling the game this year, due to the Online Pass thing? Just wondering how that's affected the resale value, if at all.

I never used the online pass code, so I was able to get a better price than if it had already been used. I'd say what I got for it (I think $50) was about what I would usually expect to get from a few week old used sports game.

[Brando70]

LOL at the little flame war we had here. I had Talking Heads "Once in a Lifetime" playing in my head as read it.

Back to impressions-related stuff: So for people who played Madden 10 a lot, have you found Madden 11 worth it? I haven't bought M11, and honestly, I think it's because I played M10 so much that I'm not inclined to play what sounds a lot like Madden 10.5.

At the same time, it will be a remarkable feat of willpower if I get out of an NFL season without buying an NFL videogame.

[Danimal]

LOL at the little flame war we had here. I had Talking Heads "Once in a Lifetime" playing in my head as read it.

Back to impressions-related stuff: So for people who played Madden 10 a lot, have you found Madden 11 worth it? I haven't bought M11, and honestly, I think it's because I played M10 so much that I'm not inclined to play what sounds a lot like Madden 10.5.

At the same time, it will be a remarkable feat of willpower if I get out of an NFL season without buying an NFL videogame.

Do you like the locomotion in NCAA? If so then yes it is worth it. You can get it to play a game with lots of slider tweaks but you'll still be irritated at times while playing, as an example Tony Romo went 19-19 against me last night before throwing his first pass and this is with cpu accuracy sliders at 20.

A patch was released today to add in the old pre-play controls and Madden Moments (another micro transaction thing) but it is only out on the PS3 at the moment.

Some thing to be aware of:

1. Gameflow on defense is a risky bet. A lot of the reason people are seeing big plays are because of these factors.

- Gameflow will call a 4-3 against 4 and 5 WR sets unless you go in an make a game plan for every team.
- Playing press coverage is now risky with bad CB's. Everyone in the world use to press coverage all the time in old Madden's now if you do it and your corners suck you will get burned a lot.

Now I'm not saying the a bad CB shouldn't be getting burned if he blow his press coverage or a Lb should be able to cover a WR. It's actually good that these things happen, it's just that when you do actually play it right there is still too great a chance for a blown coverage. My fear is the patch will swing 180 degrees and make the coverage play too good ala M10.

2. Aside from locomotion, blocking and better WR catching the game is identical in Franchise etc. Once the 2nd patch is released you may have a very good game here but the point is may.

Personally I tried to play 10 after playing 11 and so much NCAA and I can't go back to the non-locomotion thing so it is staying in my library. At least until I see how good NHL is today.

[TCrouch]

I played Madden 10 a ton, as you know, Brando.

If you aren't planning on online franchises or anything else this year, I'd say no.

The changes make the game feel different, as far as the player movement. You feel a bit more in control of your player. However, some of the stuff that took major steps backward really impacts the gameplay. Any play action pass is a complete joke. Even if you're gouging the defense for 8 yards per carry, you fake a handoff and they run straight at your QB for a sack. They completely ignore the tailback, and that's a huge snafu.

Defensive backs can sort of lose the ability to cover from time to time, but it's no worse than 10 was. They made some strides in evening out press coverage, as the Raiders all had pretty high press ratings (for obvious reasons, as that's about all they run in real life), so in Madden 10 receivers couldn't get off the line at all. In 11, they'll blow by the press from time to time and give up huge gains over the top on me. That's a good thing, as the press was a little too effective in 10.

But overall, I'd say if you're happy with 10, you won't go nuts over 11 unless you REALLY like Gus Johnson. I think for me, that by itself makes it feel a lot fresher. Sounds stupid to say, but listening to Gus do his wild antics from play to play actually works for me. I dig it.

But if you're not fiending for it at this point, I'd probably just take 10, cut guys and sign the major free agency moves to their various teams, and play some more of that. At least until "the patch" hits, and we can find out whether Play Actions are fixed, DB's get a clue, etc.

It's not a bad game. It plays a believable game of football. But it's not $60 better than 10 unless you're just a freak for the latest and greatest.

[HipE]

I actually ended up liking Madden 11 quite a bit after spending more time with it. I finished my first season on all pro default, 8 min quarters, 20 second runoff, gameflow playcalling only. I went 16-0 with the Steelers, but my record was misleading because I had some very tight games the last third of the season, with a couple of my wins coming after big comebacks and last minute scores. I beat the Colts in the first round of the playoffs in OT after converting a 4th and goal on the last play of regulation, and am happy to report they have the new playoff OT rules in the game (each team gets one possession, then sudden death after that). I then lost 21-0 to the Chargers in the AFC championship game (flashback to 1993), which was shocking considering I'd never scored less than 17 points in a game all season.

My stats didn't come out too bad for the season. Big Ben won MVP with a 108 qb rtg, 4000 yds passing, 32 TDs and 10 ints. Mendenhall rushed for a little under 1000 yds, but missed 6 games due to injury. He averaged about 5 yds a carry though which was pretty good. I had two 1,000 yd receivers in Wallace and Randle El, with Hines Ward missing almost the entire season due to injury.

The only stat that really stuck out to me as being off was my sacks were too low, both for and against. I only sacked the CPU 24 times for the season, and my outside linebackers only combined for 3 sacks which is ridiculous with Pittsburgh. I also was only sacked 11 times on the season, which would never happen with Pittsburgh's porous offensive line. I had a few too many defensive TDs (mainly off of fumbles, which I lead the league in), but my team interception total was low for once, with only 11 for the season. I also only finished 4th against the run and 3rd overall in total defense, which may be the first time in Madden history that I didn't lead the NFL in both categories.

[TCrouch]

I also only finished 4th against the run and 3rd overall in total defense, which may be the first time in Madden history that I didn't lead the NFL in both categories.

I think I may be more impressed with this part than anything else in the game. I don't know if it's just dumb luck or what, but I CANNOT defend the run with the Raiders this year. I don't think any decent back has had less than 100 against me. Chris Johnson in my season opener hit me for 168. On the season I was something like 21st defending the run.

I think it's pretty impressive that I can defend with OTHER TEAMS, yet with Oakland I can't stop the run to save my life. I may get 1 or 2 stops, and then they break off a 40 yarder. Exactly like the real team. It's spooky.

[Brando70]

Thanks for the feedback. I think Terry hit it on the head -- I can't really do an online franchise right now, and the offline franchise still has a long way to go. I suspect I'd wind up playing one Bears season and then stopping. So I think I'll stick with NCAA and put the money toward some of the other games I'm really dying to play this year.

[Danimal]

http://maddennfl.easports.com/blog.acti ... tleupdate2

[MizzouRah]

http://maddennfl.easports.com/blog.acti ... tleupdate2

Excellent!

[wco81]

You feel a bit more in control of your player.

Player control seems really off to me.

Do a QB sneak, he seems to dive no matter how big of a hole there may be.

I've also had instances where a ball carrier dives on his own but maybe I'm pressing down on the left stick inadvertently? That's the only thing I can think of. In one case, before the half, a WR catches the ball and dives at the 1 or 2 without any contact.

If Locomotion means they buffer in some animations which have no relation to what is being attempted with the controls, then it's a dubious feature.

[wco81]

http://maddennfl.easports.com/blog.acti ... tleupdate2

Excellent!

Hmm, none of those features except maybe returning to the old presnap control scheme, makes significant impact to gameplay. Watch it not even being available for online games, if it's an option you have to change from the default.

Really, they're not going to address the poor pass defense AI?

[MizzouRah]

Really, they're not going to address the poor pass defense AI?

I thought I read something about DB AI.. guess not?

[TCrouch]

Player control seems really off to me.

Do a QB sneak, he seems to dive no matter how big of a hole there may be.

I've also had instances where a ball carrier dives on his own but maybe I'm pressing down on the left stick inadvertently? That's the only thing I can think of. In one case, before the half, a WR catches the ball and dives at the 1 or 2 without any contact.

If Locomotion means they buffer in some animations which have no relation to what is being attempted with the controls, then it's a dubious feature.

Not at all. If you move the right stick forward and slide it left or right and you initiate the body twist as you near contact, you can run straight through arm tackles. Not having to use the right stick at all for jukes and cuts, not to mention learning how to drop the correct shoulder into a tackler to fall forward and plow for first downs is big.

Compared to Madden 10, I feel far more in control of my players than before. To each his own.

[dbdynsty25]

Not at all. If you move the right stick forward and slide it left or right and you initiate the body twist as you near contact, you can run straight through arm tackles. Not having to use the right stick at all for jukes and cuts, not to mention learning how to drop the correct shoulder into a tackler to fall forward and plow for first downs is big.

Compared to Madden 10, I feel far more in control of my players than before. To each his own.

Yup...agreed 100%. It's significantly better than 10...that's reason enough to play it even with the increase in AI flaws.

[Danimal]

http://maddennfl.easports.com/blog.acti ... tleupdate2

Excellent!

Hmm, none of those features except maybe returning to the old presnap control scheme, makes significant impact to gameplay. Watch it not even being available for online games, if it's an option you have to change from the default.

Really, they're not going to address the poor pass defense AI?

Maybe you should try reading the whole post.

"We are well aware that some of the current high priority issues out there are not yet fully addressed in this title update, so a quick reminder that the turnaround time from the 3rd party approval process is lengthy, and this update basically was completed right when the demo came out. As we mentioned in this blog a couple of weeks ago, there is another nice batch of updates and improvements coming right around the corner (see that blog for the prioritized list that we’re looking at). One specific update we’re looking to implement is correcting the QB spy glitch. You can expect this change and others as part of our next patch, which is on track for release in the 2nd half of September."

From the other blog in case you can't be bothered to read that. Items in 2nd patch

- Fixing a bug to allow friend invites to ranked games
- Generally making pass defense more effective
- Reducing number of broken tackles
- Fixing user blitz exploit(s)
- Tuning injuries
- Tuning CPU & GameFlow play-calling logic
- Improving play action blocking
- Improving kick return blocking
- Improving online connectivity issues with kick meter lag, media streaming, etc.
- Random stability improvements

[tmdba37]

I was able to remove the death grip of NCAA and put Madden back in last night and had an interesting 45-10 romp over the Packers. And a 14-0 quarter against the Lions. . .

Clearly, even a rabid Bears fan like myself didn't believe either outcome, but there here are some things that I noticed. . .

First and foremost, the game still feels frantic to me. Even though I am playing on "Slow." The game seems to move too fast. The one thing I loved about M10 was everything was smooth and it just felt right. This game everything seems accelerated and just doesn't feel natural. I don't know if this is a camera angle thing, a getting used to locomotion thing or flat out imagination on my part.

As Terry mentioned, the lack of Play-action continues to frustrate. I mean that's just such a core element to Pro Football that when it doesn't work, you just have to scratch your head and wonder how this was broken. Worked great in M10. This year, not at all. Not good.

I have noticed that moving to a 3-4 from a 4-3 immediately makes your defense 10 times better. . .running the Lovie-2, the Bears gave up 42 points to the Lions. . .I switched to the Chargers 3-4 and held the packers to 10 points. 3 of which came in the final minute. And that's another thing, why doesn't the CPU go for it on 4th when they're down 28, 35 points. This also happens in NCAA all the time. Kicking that FG might make the Special Teams coach happy, but a team is generally going to go for it in that situation. Also, would it kill EA to have one Depth Chart Module for 4-3 teams and another for 3-4 teams. You'd think with so many teams running that now that they'd add that in.

I did notice that the passing was slightly harder, but I was still able to make Cutler look like Elway. . .and that's again probably not very realistic. Although throwing to Wide Receivers is fun again.

I'm probably going to start my offline franchise when the next roster update comes out. . .and hope for the best with the patch.

[Lancer]

I was also thinking about getting 10 again and selling 11. But I know i'll probably just end up buying 11 again at some point. I hope the 2nd patch comes thru, but I agree w/ the above poster that the game does feel too frantic. Anyway with NHL out now, I can wait for the 2nd patch.

[GTHobbes]

The 3rd patch looks like it should help with most if not all of the remaining complaints, but it sure leaves me scratching my head as to how this game got a 9 out of the box from Operation Sports and similar high scores from other respected reviewers.

[Rodster]

The 3rd patch looks like it should help with most if not all of the remaining complaints, but it sure leaves me scratching my head as to how this game got a 9 out of the box from Operation Sports and similar high scores from other respected reviewers.

The first time i've read about a 3rd patch. What's included?

[GTHobbes]

Rod, the link danimal posted about today's patch says it's the second title update, and the other details he posted are for the 3rd patch due end of September. Considering the 3rd patch didn't come out until December last year (if my memory serves), that's definitely an improvement.

[bkrich83]

The 3rd patch looks like it should help with most if not all of the remaining complaints, but it sure leaves me scratching my head as to how this game got a 9 out of the box from Operation Sports and similar high scores from other respected reviewers.

The first time i've read about a 3rd patch. What's included?

This is what I was on one of the blogs.


- Fixing a bug to allow friend invites to ranked games

- Generally making pass defense more effective

- Reducing number of broken tackles

- Fixing user blitz exploit(s)

- Tuning injuries

- Tuning CPU & GameFlow play-calling logic

- Improving play action blocking

- Improving kick return blocking

- Improving online connectivity issues with kick meter lag, media streaming, etc.

- Random stability improvements

- Miscellaneous gameplay balancing

Due out second half of September.