Madden NFL 12

[Rodster]

I have always loved shopping with Amazon. I recently bought NCAA 12 and returned it to them. They gave me a $20 coupon. They gave me a full refund. So I wrote them and said I did not use the $20 coupon and they could remove it from my account.

They wrote back and said keep it. Now that's customer service.

[XXXIV]

I have always loved shopping with Amazon. I recently bought NCAA 12 and returned it to them. They gave me a $20 coupon. They gave me a full refund. So I wrote them and said I did not use the $20 coupon and they could remove it from my account.

They wrote back and said keep it. Now that's customer service.

Im an Amazon fan too. I buy most of my blu rays from them using the price tracker thingy at http://www.blu-ray.com/.

[MizzouRah]

I buy almost everything from Amazon.

[MizzouRah]

Demo dropping tomorrow!

[Lancer]

ya i really can't wait. I saw the press release and it's cool they've already updated the roster for the demo -

A matchup between two of the oldest teams -- and bitter rivals -- in the NFL is your backdrop for the Madden NFL 12 demo, available beginning August 9. The Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears met in the most recent NFC Championship game back in January with Green Bay winning 21-14 on their way to Super Bowl XLV.
When you download the demo through Xbox Live or PlayStation Network, you’re getting the first look at Soldier Field and it’ll be your first chance to see how the Packers look as defending champions. Chicago’s recent roster moves will be evident with Roy Williams now in the mix at wide receiver and a new look at tight end with Greg Olsen now playing for Carolina.
The demo will feature five minute quarters and a couple of quarterbacks that will definitely help you get the feel for the passing offense in Madden NFL 12. It should be enough to compel you to pre-order a copy of Madden NFL 12 or at least grab a Season Ticket if you want the full Madden NFL 12 experience but still aren’t ready to commit.
Oh and we don’t want to ruin any surprises so we’ll just casually remind you to call and complete a hot route pass at some point during your demo experience. It’ll make sense later.


Let's get some impressions going on the demo tomorrow!

[MizzouRah]

Downloading now.. hope to get a game in this afternoon.

[Lancer]

Been reading impressions over at OS and so far mostly positive.

Biggest complaint has been the 'jump ball' WR/DB's like in NCAA, where if you throw a bomb, your WR and the DBs will stop, stand there, and then let the WR jump for the catch while the DB's watch.

It's just a demo so maybe they fix things up in the full version.

Will try to get in a game tonight.

OS Posters are saying presentation is excellent in the demo.

[AJColossal]

I think it's going to take a really kick-ass Madden this year to make me consider it. Still happy with The Show, and Batman and NBA 2K12 are just around the corner.

Curious to try the demo though.

[sportdan30]

Will be checking out the 360 and PS3 demo this evening. Sounds like the overall impressions are very positive. Presentation and atmosphere sound like they're a step above NCAA which is great to hear! Negatives appear to be that the QBs have a bit too much speed and there isn't enough blocking on punt returns.

[seanmac31]

Had a chance to play the demo a few times and came away fairly unimpressed. If presentation is your thing, I suppose you'll be happy, as the game is definitely improved in that area. But the broadcast cut scenes end up giving you less time to read the defense, and are somewhat ruined for me by the amount of skating the character models are doing. Also, the speed during play doesn't feel consistent--defenders seem to speed up or slow down at points, and there is definitely a case of super DBs/LBs jumping up to swat down passes. Gameflow has been nicely rethought, though.

[Lancer]

Had a chance to play the demo a few times and came away fairly unimpressed. If presentation is your thing, I suppose you'll be happy, as the game is definitely improved in that area. But the broadcast cut scenes end up giving you less time to read the defense, and are somewhat ruined for me by the amount of skating the character models are doing. Also, the speed during play doesn't feel consistent--defenders seem to speed up or slow down at points, and there is definitely a case of super DBs/LBs jumping up to swat down passes. Gameflow has been nicely rethought, though.

Sh*t. Well will have to try for myself. I hated the NCAA demo but the final verison turned out pretty good so hope it's that way w/ madden.

[TCrouch]

I played 2 games at lunch, and had fun. To avoid any kind of 'glowing review', that's all I'm going to say. There are some pretty big differences between M11 and M12 on the field.

[Lancer]

I played 2 games at lunch, and had fun. To avoid any kind of 'glowing review', that's all I'm going to say. There are some pretty big differences between M11 and M12 on the field.

Thats the best thing I've heard today. I hated M11 and if M12 is drastically different, that is a good thing.

[TCrouch]

I wouldn't say that it plays so differently that you wouldn't recognize it. It's still Madden, so if you hated 11, you'll probably hate 12.

If you like NCAA 12, though, you will probably enjoy M12. They went through a lot of the same changes...good or bad, depending on your perspective.

[Rodster]

Will be checking out the 360 and PS3 demo this evening. Sounds like the overall impressions are very positive. Presentation and atmosphere sound like they're a step above NCAA which is great to hear! Negatives appear to be that the QBs have a bit too much speed and there isn't enough blocking on punt returns.

I'm looking forward to your comparisons Dan. I have the 360 version preordered with Amazon but i'm downloading the PS3 version since my XBL account is set to Silver status. If both games look very similar I may buy the PS3 version this year.

[MizzouRah]

I haven't liked Madden in many years and I'm loving this demo so far.

Played a game on Pro - will probably have to move up to AP next - and beat Chicago 21-7, but wow was it a FUN game. The running game is excellent, the passing game equally excellent and the whole presentation just adds to the immersion.

Definitely glad I preordered this game and I can't wait to get back home to night and play it some more.

Love the kicking meter too.

[TCrouch]

I'm also glad that the demo is 5 minute quarters with only 15 second runoff--I actually had 3 possessions on the first quarter of a game (a 3 and out and a couple of 1-first down possessions). You can actually set up some semblance of an offense in the demo and get into a little flow, instead of having to throw hail mary passes every down to try to get any yardage.

One thing that I liked at first, and then grew to dislike (and hope is fixed in the final version) is the quarterback scrambling WAY too much later in the half. Early on, Rodgers and Cutler both tried to take their shots in the passing game (I played as both teams alternately), but when we got to the 2 minute warning, it's like they were Vince Young or pre-prison Michael Vick....looking to run as soon as their 5 step drop was complete, and the CPU gameflow defensive playcalling ignoring it. Maybe there's a "spy" package or something to go with the gameplan, I didn't look. But it was pretty alarming to see Cutler take off on 4 straight QB scrambles late in the game.

[sportdan30]

Absolutely loved the demo. Great presentation and atmosphere (the crowd is actually lively!). Graphics look great. Game play is quick and responsive. I really like the game plan feature this year, as it picks good plays, but if you don't like the one chosen, it's fast to pick a different one. Definitely better than any Madden retail game I have played on the next gen so far. Initial impressions for me at least is that this is more enjoyable than NCAA 12. The hits might be a little over the top and the speed a tad too fast, but it just plays well and and it's fun. On the minus, the camera also might be a little too far back for my liking. Hope that can be adjusted. I really like the running and the juke moves seem so much more responsive than NCAA 12.

Downloading the PS3 version now.

[Lancer]

I really enjoyed M10 and still own it, I hope it's closer to 10 than 11, or better yet something new.

[sportdan30]

Will be checking out the 360 and PS3 demo this evening. Sounds like the overall impressions are very positive. Presentation and atmosphere sound like they're a step above NCAA which is great to hear! Negatives appear to be that the QBs have a bit too much speed and there isn't enough blocking on punt returns.

I'm looking forward to your comparisons Dan. I have the 360 version preordered with Amazon but i'm downloading the PS3 version since my XBL account is set to Silver status. If both games look very similar I may buy the PS3 version this year.

Definitely prefer the 360 version over the PS3 version. Menu interface is more responsive. Graphically, it's a subtle difference between the two. Like it's been discussed in the past with EA Sports games, the 360 version is cleaner. Player models and jerseys look more authentic on the 360 players. There's the slightest bit of jaggies to the PS3 player models. The field (grass) also looks better on the 360, even moreso than on NCAA 12.

Again, overall it's not significant, but without a doubt I prefer the 360 version. I wouldn't feel slighted necessarily if I got the PS3 version, especially if I hadn't seen the 360 version. I will say that the Madden PS3 version looks a lot better than the NCAA PS3 version. There's no question about that!

[seanmac31]

I'll just add that it's preposterous that slow is not the default game speed. It's much preferable. I know you can switch it off, but that doesn't help you for online games.

[Lancer]

finally got to play and really liked it. Full game should be awesome.

+Player Models look great, so much more detailed this time. Arms looks so realistic. Also, I like that the player models seem as big as M10 and not puny like M11.

+Controls much more responsive than NCAA. You can pull off more moves instantly.

+Graphics look great, very vibrant and rich colors, again like M10 and unlike the washed out look of M11.

+I enjoyed no announcers, made me feel more relaxed playing, maybe I'll try that in the full title.

+Presentation great, noticed some mistakes, like I threw to Jennings for a td but on the overlay, it showed BJ Raji with the TD, lol. No big deal, I'm sure they'll fix that in the full version.

Really enjoyed it a lot. Maybe since I was the Packers that had something to do w/ it. I may sell NCAA now and just play Madden this year.

[vader29]

Played one game as the Packers this afternoon and had a really nice 40 yard run with James Starks where he was almost tackled by a group of Bear defenders a couple of times before getting knocked out of bounds, really wish I could have saved a replay of it because it was one of the best runs I've seen in video game football.

Was able to get a couple of sacks and hurries with my defensive lineman which felt really good, and also had a nice user controlled bat down of a Cutler pass with Raji.

Opening game presentation is very nice as is the overall presentation throughout the game, very looking forward to this one.

[Rodster]

I noticed what Dan was saying about the PS3 version. The game looks solid overall but at times has texture issues where the field looks slightly blurry. OTOH the game is very smooth and has that M10 fun factor to it.

[Lancer]

M10 fun factor to it.

Yup! That's the exact feeling I'm getting too.

One thing I guess I am so so on is the kick meter. I like how kicking is harder, but I am not a fan of the 3 press button scheme. It's like last years but just has a nicer look. But not a game killer, because kicking fg is much harder now, a nice challenge.