Madden NFL 13

[Zeppo]

Just a couple very quick notes. First of all, yes, the daytime graphics are simply too contrasty. When you are looking at the shadow side, everyone is too dark and it's hard to tell the difference between the teams even though one team is in white and one team in a dark outfit. They need to sort of open up the iris a little bit when the camera is in the shadow side, or better yet just reduce the contrast overall. When the camera is on the sunny side, everything looks fantastic. Let's just say it's downright dumb to have realistic sunny lighting but make no aperture adjustment when you go from the lit side to the shadow side.

And in this demo the Redskins are wearing their 80th anniversary throwback unis which feature helmets that are made to look like leather. The real things look pretty neat in the pictures I've seen, but I can understand how that kind of thing would be confusing to someone playing the demo who would be expecting to see the traditional burgundy Redskins helmets and is instead confronted with helmets the likes of which no one has ever seen before.

Nantz is appropriately sleepy sounding (to tell the truth I think he does a good job here), but Simms actually proves to be a pretty darn good actor. I'm sure after playing game after game it will all get repetitive after a while, but they seem to be heading in the right direction with the commentary and I think Simms is quite good. Other areas of the presentation are head scratchers however, such as when replaying the TDs it only seems to show the last little bit, so if it was a long play all you see is a guy running ten or fifteen yards instead of the key part of the play, such as the catch or the broken tackle or what not. Just silly.

Gameplay wise, after only one game I can't make any real judgements. Nothing seems broken or out of wack at least. Griffin is a lot of fun to play! Yay!

I really like what they are doing with the Kinnect. I'm not at all used to it yet, though, and I miss having the old style button presses to bring up hot routes and defensive adjustments (maybe the options to use those will be available in the full game), but EA is doing some really neat stuff with the Kinnect voice command stuff. Being able to quickly speak out an individual audible for a CB to go man-to-man on a specific receiver, or being able to call out "run" or "pass" on defense just before the snap is super cool, almost as cool as saying "quick save" half under your breath in Mass Effect 3. They are embracing the Kinnect in a very cool way across a lot of their games, so kudos to EA.

[Aristo]

It's not bad, but something doesn't feel right. I'm anxious to give the Early Release version a spin, but I'm not in love with the feel of the demo.

That said, it is a pretty nice improvement overall. It doesn't feel all big-playtastic. The commentary is not bad, and doesn't feel like it will need to be shut off for the first time.

I imagine I will pick it up at some point if the solo play gets enough good reviews from people I respect. I doubt would be interested in league play, and I'm sure online will be filled wit the requisite Madden toolbags.

[Rodster]

PS Vita demo is up in case anyone is interested.

[Rodster]

I'm glad I preordered the Vita version, the game looks stunning. May need to bump up the difficulty level a bit as I got like 3 sacks on Brady in the first half. And no problems hear with the commentary, in fact i'm pleasantly surprised it turned out this good after the snooze fest video we saw earlier.

[Brando70]

One game on All-Pro as the Giants. I lost 3-0. My guys dropped 7 passes, several just pure drops without contact.

The player interactions do seem a lot better at first glance, especially runner momentum. The graphics just suck, however.

[Diablo25]

I played one game on Pro (didn't get Madden last year) and liked it. That being said, I wasn't overly impressed. I'll definitely DL the full Season Pass version when it's available but I just don't think I'll be buying the game. NHL13 is out a few weeks later and Madden would just be a dust collector. Perhaps I'm wrong and the Season Pass preview will change my mind.

[Zlax45]

I got bored with the demo real quick so I will be canceling my preorder

[Inuyasha]

First, wtf happened with the graphics. The field looks horrible and the player models seem to have some shadow covering them making them look all dark. I put in 12 with NYG at SF and in 12 the game looks fantastic compared to 13 demo.

Gameplay feels weird. Maybe just need to get use to it. It reminds me of some other madden where you hit a guy and he slides 5 yards. It's a demo so maybe they clean up things in the final version. That's one advantage of EA Ticket I guess. I can read impressions of the game from people who dl it on ticket and then can decide for myself to buy it or not.

As for VITA - isn't the Vita version based off Madden 12? If it is I am not surprised that people are saying it looks great.

I'm leaning now on skipping it and cancelling my pre-order. I think I'll be pretty happy with the other FUTBOL games coming out. If I need my NFL fix, OS has a pretty good variety of updated rosters for Madden 12 so I may just go with those and continue with 12 this year.

[Rodster]

If I need my NFL fix, OS has a pretty good variety of updated rosters for Madden 12 so I may just go with those and continue with 12 this year.

Can you post a link to the updated rosters for Madden 12? That's all I really need especially since the graphics now in M13 look whack.

[toonarmy]

I've been playing the Vita demo this evening. Wow! EA really knocked this one out of the park. The graphics are quite a bit better than I expected. The graphics are very crisp with vibrant colors. The crowds look better than the PS3 version of NCAA 13 in terms of detail. The one downside to the graphics is that there are only very generic players on the sidelines, with nothing else. I guess they used all their resources on the crowd and players on the field. Not a huge deal unless you are zoomed in on replays where the sideline can be seen.

The gameplay is really tight. The controls are fine, if a little less precise than console controls, as is to be expected. The Vita-specific controls are fun. To angle kicks you do not move the arrow with the stick, but instead tilt the Vita slightly to get the angle. You can choose defenders to control by touching them. You can hit the L-shoulder button and the clock pauses while you draw on the screen for defenders to cover people, blitz, etc.; and on offense you can draw hot routes any time you want for as many receivers as you want. I had fun drawing crazy patterns and watching the wrs follow them to a tee. Thankfully the defenders cover the hot routes well, so it is not easy to exploit things, at least so far. The difficulty of the AI must be set to Pro (edit: just found out you can change difficulty, so I will try on All-pro), as it is fairly easy to move the ball on offense. On defense I got burnt deep several times when drawing blitzes and leaving men in single man coverage.

The demo is pretty limited. Just 2-min quarters between the Pats and Giants. There are no stats to look at in the in-game menu. Surely that will just be for the demo -- I don't want an NHL 07 PSP situation where in-game stats are not offered. It looks like in Superstar mode you can create yourself by using the Vita camera to make your face and put it in the game -- cool feature. The Madden Moments will be on the Vita based on the 2012 season and updated weekly.

The game truly is Madden 12.5. It's the Madden 12 core gameplay, with updated uniforms, rosters, and commentary. That is perfect for me since I liked Madden 12 and Madden 13 on the consoles sounds like it may not be a stellar game. I'm chomping big time at the bit now for August 28 to get here so I can see the full game. First FIFA, now Madden. EA is bringing it strong to the Vita.

[vader29]

Played 2 games on all-pro. Won 7-3 as the Giants where I used the running game a lot and it felt good bouncing off of some tackles, can't wait to use the speedster Rainey for the Steelers in a couple of weeks. Won 21-7 as the Redskins, tried passing a bit more in this game and RG3 has a cannon of an arm as the first play of the game I had a 72 yard td pass to Pierre Garcon and finished 7 of 11 with 178 yards and 2 td passes, already fear facing him with Zeppo in control in week 8 of the Madden league.

Maybe it's because I have my tv set to vivid colors but the graphics looked pretty good to me. Commentary is also very good and was fluid throughout the games. Also love the defensive backs looking back for passes and didn't see any superman ints from the linebackers. Looking forward to the full game!

[MizzouRah]

Well I'm the opposite from most of you, I really like the demo. Playing as the Giants, Bradshaw is a beast and the OL did a great job of protecting Eli, which allowed me some nice passes - one went 65 yards for a TD.

The infinity engine is really noticeable and one play that really sold me was watching Bradshaw working his way through the line towards daylight and all of a sudden one of my OL gets knocked down and Bradshaw trips right over his body on to the turf. It looked so real.

The replays are weird, hopefully that's just demo stuff showing it over and over in slow mo like that and not showing the full play.

I thought the graphics looked fine on x360, but when the shadows were cast on one side of the field, it was a bit too dark.

It's a demo, it's a first take.. but I'm leaning towards a purchase. (again)

[Inuyasha]

If I need my NFL fix, OS has a pretty good variety of updated rosters for Madden 12 so I may just go with those and continue with 12 this year.

Can you post a link to the updated rosters for Madden 12? That's all I really need especially since the graphics now in M13 look whack.

I'm using cursive's there and so far they've been great. He is making an update this weekend so you may wait. All rookies are in his rosters too. The one there is from July but I've gone ahead and made some changes to it manually in the game (T.O. , Edwards on Seahawks). I don't need the most perfect roster, but the one with the current starters is enough with me.

http://www.operationsports.com/forums/m ... 360-a.html


There's another guy on there who's updated just as of yesterday so you can use his as well if you dont want to wait.

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Played some more of the demo and the gameplay is not too bad. I can see in the final version it being tweaked and more refined. The commentary is great too. But the graphics just kill it for me. the menus, presentation and pre-game are pretty high tech, but then when it gets down to the field, it goes from high tech to low tech. The players are so dark at times in the WASH/SEA game, I can't tell the teams apart when the ball is in the air since they have that dark shadow on them. The camera seems a bit too high too, making the players look even more tiny.

this game would be a must buy for me if the graphics are fixed in the final build.

[Brando70]

I have seen some nifty deep passes. I hit Hakeem Nicks in stride just over a defender for a 40-yard TD, and had a big pass to Victor Cruz on a PA pass where the safety bit and left the middle of the field wide open. Had a nice WR screen to Nicks that also went for nearly 50 yards.

I did see an absolutely ridiculous leaping interception by Patrick Willis. Classic Madden jetpacking bs.

Alll in all, it's Madden. An improved version, but Madden. I don't think this year's game will win any converts, but as someone who liked 12, I enjoyed the couple games I played and will probably get it.

[10spro]

I don't know the PA play still doesn't work for me.

[10spro]

The demo looks pretty sharp on the Vita. The crowd is not as lively as the console version but overall I thought the gameplay was pretty responsive for a handheld. Hoping that the camera can be zoom in more towards the field, there's was a bit of a slowdown here and there, hope it's just the demo but in general I enjoyed it.

[dbdynsty25]

After all the horrible impressions here I was expecting terrible...when in fact I LOVE it. Sure, it's a little exaggerated when it comes to physics but it just seems a lot more organic and not nearly as canned which is a huge accomplishment for the series. Not sure how I can go back to NCAA at this point.

[pk500]

I'm in Indy until Monday, working a race. The wait to try this demo is killing me. Although my 7-year-old likes it, saying, "It looks like a game on TV, dad!"

[sportdan30]

I came away from the Madden demo more excited than the NCAA demo. There appears to be a number of new animations and plays in which the ball carrier stays on his feet after the first initial hit. Too often in years past a play would be over immediately after the very first collision with an opposing player. It certainly gives it a more realistic feel. I caught a pass yesterday with a Seattle WR and bounced off a would be tackler, tripped, and stayed on my feet for another 5 yards.

Something is definitely wrong with the shadowing and it's gotta be fixed for the retail version. It was really strange. I was playing with Seattle against Washington. The player models were almost all dark and it was nearly impossible to tell whose player was yours and who was the opposition. Then, on an ensuing possession, the shadowing was fine and the colors were vibrant. Definitely has to be a bug or a glitch.

Commentary is far and away improved, however it's more than a little disappointing that Nantz and Sims very rarely willl mention the name of the player during a play. Love the initial bios of the QBs (i.e. RGIII), but you never hear his name called again throughout the game unless he scores a TD.

Gameplay wise, I was really impressed. I'm not very a very skilled Madden player, so Pro was challenging enough for me. It was cool to see that Matt Flynn struggled a bit at QB while RGIII moved the chains with a little more ease. Towards the end of the half, with Washington in their two minute offense, RGIII ran three times for 10 plus yards. Each time I thought he was going back to pass and he would run.

Penalties are hit and miss with the default sliders. In my first game, I was surprised to see more than five penalties called, (holding, pass interference), while in my second game I think I saw a total of one penalty in the half that I played.

I'm not aware of the infinity engine as most of you. I certainly see new tackle animations and players bouncing off one another. That's refreshing to see. Of course, there are some weird animations mixed in. Either way, it has helped give the game a more organic feel.

Finally, the crowd sound is more pronounced. In my opinion, I'd like it even louder on 3rd down plays or big runs, but the atmosphere is greatly improved.

Cut scenes and replays are the weakest part of the game. I'm amazed that the developers don't just copy what they see on a regular broadcast and bring it to this game. Actually, I think last years overhead view between plays was better than what I'm seeing in the demo.

All in all, a definite step in the right direction. I'm seriously considering purchasing the game, however I might go the route of the season pass. Having a few days to try the full game out and see what has changed between the demo and retail version might be the way to go for this gamer.

[Brando70]

I do really like the player interactions with blocking and running. Running up the middle seems particularly different because touch tackles from years past may now result in an RB bouncing off it. There seems to be more of a concept of RBs working in small space amid tacklers and blockers.

There also seems to be a big difference in player speed. Victor Cruz is a blazer, and after Ahmad Bradshaw came out for fatigue, David Willson came in and looked like he was shot out of a cannon.

[wco81]

Previous Maddens have had popcorn physics, where the runner is bounding off would-be tacklers.

The stats on yards after first hit would be ridiculous.

Or remember some of the NFL2K games where RBs regularly got gaudy stats because breaking tackles was so common.

[ScoopBrady]

I came away impressed with both the 360 and Vita versions. I will be getting both.

[Aristo]

Well I'm the opposite from most of you, I really like the demo. Playing as the Giants, Bradshaw is a beast and the OL did a great job of protecting Eli, which allowed me some nice passes - one went 65 yards for a TD.

The infinity engine is really noticeable and one play that really sold me was watching Bradshaw working his way through the line towards daylight and all of a sudden one of my OL gets knocked down and Bradshaw trips right over his body on to the turf. It looked so real.

The replays are weird, hopefully that's just demo stuff showing it over and over in slow mo like that and not showing the full play.

I thought the graphics looked fine on x360, but when the shadows were cast on one side of the field, it was a bit too dark.

It's a demo, it's a first take.. but I'm leaning towards a purchase. (again)

This is a faIr take. But in the end, NHL 13, NBA 2K13, PES 13 all seem more interesting to me than Madden. It's not bad, but for football, I'm completely happy with NCAA 13, and play that with friends quite a bit. So my football itch is being scratched, and there are better sports games out in the same season.

For the right price, at the right time, I might pick it up. But NHL 13 is still day one, and I'm deciding between PES 13 and NBA 2K13 for another change of pace.

[MizzouRah]

There is definitely a lighting glitch - playing as Washington vs the Seahawks sometimes it's really dark and at other times it's how it should be. I'm assuming they will have that fixed upon release.

I can't say enough how impressed I am with the new infinity engine, it's like a completely new game - it's like FIFA 12 in terms of physics. Goofy at times, but brilliant at times as well.

I've seen enough and I just ordered it again.. thank goodness for demos. It's a nice change of pace from NCAA and feels like the NFL. RGIII hit WR Leonard Hankerson for a 74 yard TD and lead him perfectly. It was a thing of beauty. Seattle completed a pass where Rice out jumped my smaller CB, little things like that I love.

I played on default AP and only time will tell if running will be realistic on 15 min quarters, but Lynch had a few good runs against me. RGIII is so dangerous, really fun having him as your QB.

The popup stats during the game are nice, commentary is ok - nothing spectacular, but better than previous versions.

I'm impressed.. control is so much better than 12 was.

[Inuyasha]

Here's a good write up on the demo from Bill Harris :

http://dubiousquality.blogspot.com/2012 ... -demo.html

During a moment of entire dissolution of all common sense, I downloaded the Madden demo today.

Surprisingly, though, there have been improvements.

The environment seems much more dynamic (better audio). Menus are easier to navigate and more logically laid out. Onscreen displays and overlays are very sharp and minimally intrusive. The pre-game is entertaining. The Gameflow feature actually seems usable (and useful) this time. Even the in-game announcing has been upgraded from awful to average.

That's quite a lot of improvement, actually.

There was only one problem: I still had to play the game. And the game looks like ass, like it was made five years ago. At least.

Here's what happens. You go through this spiffy pre-game that looks very, very sharp graphically, and finally, the game begins. At that moment, the graphics go from "ultra-sharp" to "ultra-dingy", the camera is far, far, behind the action, and I swear I felt like I was suddenly looking at a PS2 game. That's an exaggeration, obviously, but Madden is light years behind NHL, NBA2K, and MLB: The Show in terms of graphics and animation.

It's so far behind that it's painful.

I think some of this has to do with the lighting effects, which are an abomination. Lighting effects should enhance sharpness, but Madden's lighting effects (for years) have done the opposite: they've made things duller. The NCAA series has had the same problem.

Okay, so the graphics are a disappointment--again. How do the players move, though? Um, like they've moved for the last five years, pretty much. What about that new Infinity Engine to generate unique tackle animations? That's 99% horseshit. Seriously, I didn't see one tackle animation that looked unique or impossible with the old engine, and I played a game that consisted of probably 40 plays. Even worse, I saw one incredibly blatant suction tackle, where the running back was pulled to the defensive player. Yes, that's how real physics work, kids!

In sum: it's bog-standard, way-behind-the-times Madden in terms of how it looks and moves.

Oh, and in a game with five-minute quarters, I saw six ads. Six. Well, five plus one egregiously obvious product placement. And here's a prediction: Madden is going to add a 30-second advertisement between quarters. It hasn't happened yet, but the commentary is set up perfectly to do it (Jim Nance talks about "a word from our sponsors" at the end of the quarter), and it's coming at some point. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but soon, and for the rest of your life.

So to speak.

This is the only game in town, unfortunately, for a graphically-based football game with the NFL/NFLPA license. And EA will have this license locked up long after they've given up the others. So we can eat it and like it, or just go hungry.

Or play Backbreaker, with mods.

posted by Bill Harris @ 2:56 PM