Madden 15

[Rodster]

It looks like those EA guys took the ignite engine a little too far

[Inuyasha]

Still can't believe how good this game is. If you like running the ball, you'll love this game.

Any tips on defense? I'm on all pro and can't stop anyone. I love the new D cam view but the offense just eats me up when I'm using it. On the old view, I can't stop the cpu passing game

[MizzouRah]

Still can't believe how good this game is. If you like running the ball, you'll love this game.

Any tips on defense? I'm on all pro and can't stop anyone. I love the new D cam view but the offense just eats me up when I'm using it. On the old view, I can't stop the cpu passing game

On NCAA I control the MLB, but with Madden I'm back to the normal camera and I only control the DE and let the CPU control the rest. I'm not stopping teams like crazy, but I'm better than when I control the MLB.

[Aristo]

Still can't believe how good this game is. If you like running the ball, you'll love this game.

Any tips on defense? I'm on all pro and can't stop anyone. I love the new D cam view but the offense just eats me up when I'm using it. On the old view, I can't stop the cpu passing game

On NCAA I control the MLB, but with Madden I'm back to the normal camera and I only control the DE and let the CPU control the rest. I'm not stopping teams like crazy, but I'm better than when I control the MLB.

With the Chiefs, it is all about controlling Dontari Poe at NT. He be blown' s*** up!

Actually, grabbing Tamba Hali or Justin Houston on third and long is pretty fun, too.

[Brando70]

Thanks for all the impressions. I don't think I've played a Madden game since 12, so I'm eager to get this one.

Anyone done much in dynasty? Is it a little less sterile than in previous years?

[sportdan30]

I too used Poe and Hali using the Chiefs. I played a half against the Jets and one against the Steelers. I had very little success getting any pressure on Gino Smith, but was able to sack Big Ben on the first three plays of the game. Pitt's O line seemingly got it together but I still had five sacks in the first half. Ben showed his toughness on one sack as I hit him, he was able to stay upright until Hali hit him from behind. It literally took a few guys to knock him down.

I'm doing well moving the ball down the field mixing in a variety of passing and run plays. My problem is that I get too aggressive when I near the red zone. Whereas last year I was able to exploit the comeback routes and sideline routes, I'm either seeing incompletions or interceptions. The D really tightens up and I need to be less predictable.

[Aristo]

Thanks for all the impressions. I don't think I've played a Madden game since 12, so I'm eager to get this one.

Anyone done much in dynasty? Is it a little less sterile than in previous years?

I've not delved into it to deep, but I still feel like the Connected Franchise is the weakest aspect of the game. I'm in a league with a few other friends, and the menus to make basic decisions on free agents and roster moves are pain in the butt. There is just too much to do, and the AI is pretty awful at making its own decisions. It's really not that fun.

I started on franchise to play solo, summed to start the season, and found that the AI had released RB De'Anthony Thomas. So you have to go in and make cuts week by week during preseason if you want to be sure the team keeps the players you want. While Thomas was rated lower than the other RB's, he has way more upside and fills specific roles of rate team that the others don't.

Maybe it will improve when the NFL reaches their final 53, and we get better updated rosters. But it is a mess. I think it is a workable mess, and online leagues will go on, but I think EA needs to go back to the drawing board in regards to their Connect modes.

Still loving the hell out of just laying the games, though.

[Brando70]

Thanks, Aristo. I was asking mostly because I was debating whether to download it or get a physical copy that could be traded back if I get bored eventually.

[vader29]

buy.com on ebay has the Xbox One version for 49.99, good deal as it comes with free shipping and no tax.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Madden-NFL-15-X ... 1291885592

[Inuyasha]

That's a good deal. Maybe they'll have something for nhl next week.

I like what mizz said about the de cam. I like controlling the de and letting the CPU control the rest of the d. I don't mind this now bec getting the sack is very rewarding over total control. I also find stopping the run a challenge w that can which is good. It also seems like de ratings matter this year when your in the mode.

Just a terrific game. EA finally got the NFL right for once.

[Danimal]

Thanks for all the impressions. I don't think I've played a Madden game since 12, so I'm eager to get this one.

Anyone done much in dynasty? Is it a little less sterile than in previous years?

I disagree with the negative impressions. I thought 25 was good, first time I've played 5+ season in madden in years. The Connected Franchise is a little better this year. The Game Prep feature (which can be delegated) is nice. I think it could of been better but it works.

You have a set number of hours each week and can work on your teams XP or confidence. You can do this just by say assigning defensive players to watch film or doing in-game activities similar to the skills trainer and various other activities. However the time it takes to do these things is crazy, for example watching film for one player is like 10 hours out of 28. So at best you're improving 2 to 3 guys a week in confidence etc.

The interface from Madden 25 remains but the AI seems to be smarter in offering trades and picking up free agents. As Aristo said some strange cuts are going on but this has more to do with ratings IMO which are always the bane of Madden. I have guys on the Bears rated higher than people I know will start so this causes an issue.

There are still bugs, I has a guy tear his ACL in week 1 of preseason and I didn't notice so now he is on my injury list with a zero set to his length to return and I can't put him on IR. The random draft classes makes it better as well, no draft guides.

If you played 25 it is basically the same with the new game prep so if you didn't like that you will not like this.

[wco81]

Just a terrific game. EA finally got the NFL right for once.

Famous last words?

[RobVarak]

Just a terrific game. EA finally got the NFL right for once.

Famous last words?

I've been on the fence, but I have to say based on the videos in my Friends stream I'm less than overwhelmed. I don't know why I would, but I had pretty high expectations that they would make some sort of generational leap in the gameplay and visuals. This game has been lapped by FIFA and NHL in each of the last several years in both areas.

[dbdynsty25]

I don't know why I would, but I had pretty high expectations that they would make some sort of generational leap in the gameplay and visuals.

Have you not been reading this thread? It has. Finally made that leap. Watching compressed streaming video isn't exactly a good barometer if you're looking for visual fidelity.

[ZXLT]

I might trade in a few games this weekend in order to grab it.

[MizzouRah]

Going from NCAA to Madden.. is like watching Leave it to Beaver and then Food network in HD.

I think I'll wait on a patch in case they fix the simulated stats.. although I'm afraid if I wait too long, hockey is going to be out and I won't play Madden that much.

At least the XB1 is getting a workout for once!

[RobVarak]

I don't know why I would, but I had pretty high expectations that they would make some sort of generational leap in the gameplay and visuals.

Have you not been reading this thread? It has. Finally made that leap. Watching compressed streaming video isn't exactly a good barometer if you're looking for visual fidelity.

I have been reading and it looks not dissimilar to the standard yearly Madden thread. A few guys convinced that it's much improved, many more saying it's better than than before bust still has serious flaws. In 2 weeks that will shift to 1-2 guys saying it's really great, most saying it's fine but stuff really bugs them and the rest of the pack shrugging and say it's "still just Madden."

[dbdynsty25]

I don't know why I would, but I had pretty high expectations that they would make some sort of generational leap in the gameplay and visuals.

Have you not been reading this thread? It has. Finally made that leap. Watching compressed streaming video isn't exactly a good barometer if you're looking for visual fidelity.

I have been reading and it looks not dissimilar to the standard yearly Madden thread. A few guys convinced that it's much improved, many more saying it's better than than before bust still has serious flaws. In 2 weeks that will shift to 1-2 guys saying it's really great, most saying it's fine but stuff really bugs them and the rest of the pack shrugging and say it's "still just Madden."

That.is.every.game.ever.released.ever.

[Wilk5280]

Let's get this out of the way now so we don't have to hash through it in the coming years....

Madden will always be Madden. done

[Inuyasha]

Let's get this out of the way now so we don't have to hash through it in the coming year....

Madden will always be Madden. done

I agree. But this year they actually made an effort and made a game with quality instead of mailing it in like they usually do. M15 is a next gen title no doubt about it.

added - wow i saw a cool thing. in middle of 1st 2nd qtrs they had a gatorade commercial. it was cool, made it very broadcast like. nice touch.

[Brando70]

The last Madden I played was 12, so I may be more easily impressed because I've been away, but my first impressions are pretty strong. Having played The Show and NBA 2k on the PS4, I feel like Madden holds up very well in the visuals and presentation department. The AI seemed pretty good, too. I played Eagles vs. Bears and had trouble stopping the run (if it's in the game...), and the Eagles just kept pounding it. I really like the way the pass rush feels as well. There's a feeling of weight and force to line play.

There were some cool touches, too. I feel like there's really nice touch on passes, and I saw a receiver perform a beautiful toe drag on a reception. The tackle break animations are pretty awesome, especially when Brandon Marshall runs over some tiny DB. It's way too soon for me to say if this game has legs, but I feel like EA at least put in a good effort.

[MizzouRah]

They are looking into the simulated stats, once that's fixed it's time to start up a chise with the Rams!

[Spooky]

Haven't played a madden in 4-5 years ( I think). Really, really enjoying this one. Just playing casual games online with buddies at this point. So much fun!

[MizzouRah]

Do you guys do solo "online" or "offline" CFM? I'm thinking online mode allows for the most up to date patches/fixes?

[Aristo]

So far, I'm kind of enjoying Madden Ultimate Team (MUT). I have spent a whopping .90 cents, since they try to lure you into the routine of buying packs with cash by giving you one insanely great deal. It would have been $1.00, but the old Early Access kicked in for the discount. For that .90 cents I got a pack of 10 cards, 5 gold and 5 silver rather players. I don't think more tun one of them were rated higher than 80, so it is not a patch to super team. My team has an OVR of 72 right now, and my QB is Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Each player seems to come with 25 contracts, of which one is used for every game they play. You can buy more contracts with the points you earn. The trick is, you also use those points to buy packs and more cards. At some point, you are going to hit a wall, and you will have to play lesser and lesser players. One strategy would be to sit the best player early on as you pile up points form the solo challenges and things like that. You can actually set different line-ups, so you could pay your better players when playing head to head, and the lesser players when beating up on the CPU.

Right now, there are lots of activities that pup up your point totals. There are 33 solo challenges, and you get 1000 points and bonus cards for completing them. These cards also help complete set which give you more points. I also grabbed 5,000 points for compelling the objectives, which is just a tour of the different aspects of running your MUT team. There is a tool in the game to tell you how many more games your starting line-up can play, and how many more games it can play if you use x number of contracts. Since some guys go in and out of the lineup, not everyone has the sane number left.

Of course, the real point is to play games. The solo challenges are games against each team, plus some sort of final challenge, I suppose, since there are 33. You play 2:00 quarters, and they go by quickly, and have been easy to beat. There are other challenges after those, but I haven't really looked at them yet. there is also the MUT Season, which is just playing 10 online games against randoms, using 3:00 minute quarters. You get so many coins for winning five games, and this increases as you win more. If you win enough, you get put into the "playoffs" which give you more points as you play others in the "playoffs." I use quotes, because it is still just games against randoms, not a set bracket or anything.

The games have been fine. There is no run off, so you do have time the move the ball. all though I have my team's play style set to "Ground and Pound" which means my first drive can easily take up the first quarter.

I won my first game 14-0, but it was actually a fun battle. I was up 7-0 when he ripped off a long 40 yard screen pass for an apparent TD. I nearly gave up on the play, but went for the obligatory hard tackle at the end, knowing that at that point momentum was taking him in regardless. But I knocked the ball out and it rolled into and out of the end zone, giving me the ball back on the 20. I should have had a 10 or 14 to nothing lead at that point, but I had thrown an INT in the end zone on the last drive of the 1st half. My other TD was a an INT return for a TD, and that was pretty much game.

My second game was not so close, I kicked a FG on my first drive, but my opponent threw a TD on his first play from scrimmage. After a punt, I was playing from behind the rest of the way, and with short quarters, having to pass often, losing 21-3. This guy had RGIII and was tough to contain. His team was not stacked, though.

Both guys were fun to play, and the short quarters was not as annoying as I assumed it would be. It's kind of fun to get some quick random games in, collect coins and try to acquire guys in the auction house. I find it more interesting and fun than the Connected franchise right now. That may change if I run out of contracts. But it is just another fun way to play random games, and you can play your friends, too. I would n't advise spending money on the mode, as it is not nearly as deep and interesting as FUT in FIFA. But it is not a bad way to spend an evening.