Madden 15

[Aristo]

Any feedback on the 360 or PS3 versions for us primitive gamers? Same improvements in defense, presentation and gameplay feel as current-gen versions?

I played the season ticket version, and for the most part, it is just retrofit of last year's game. I thought it played very well, but it is definitely a long step down from the next gen versions. That wasn't the case last year.

What I said at the time is that if all I had was a 360 or PS3, it would definitely be good enough to tide me over until I bought a new console. But it's very clearly not the same game.

[pk500]

Any feedback on the 360 or PS3 versions for us primitive gamers? Same improvements in defense, presentation and gameplay feel as current-gen versions?

I played the season ticket version, and for the most part, it is just retrofit of last year's game. I thought it played very well, but it is definitely a long step down from the next gen versions. That wasn't the case last year.

What I said at the time is that if all I had was a 360 or PS3, it would definitely be good enough to tide me over until I bought a new console. But it's very clearly not the same game.

Advice time, Aristo, and anyone else: I'm very content, from a gameplay and fun perspective, with NCAA 14 on the 360 with updated rosters for this season. Considering that, is Madden 15 for old-gen consoles enough of an improvement to justify a $60 purchase?

Thanks, fellas.

[dbdynsty25]

Advice time, Aristo, and anyone else: I'm very content, from a gameplay and fun perspective, with NCAA 14 on the 360 with updated rosters for this season. Considering that, is Madden 15 for old-gen consoles enough of an improvement to justify a $60 purchase?

For you...I seriously doubt it. I mean, he already said it's a huge step down from the new GEN and only slightly tweaked "25" version...so if you're happy w/ NCAA with updated rosters, save your money for a new console first and foremost. The jump between Fifa, NBA and now Madden has been so damn impressive, it's hard to recommend any new sports titles on the old systems.

[pk500]

Thanks. That's how I'm leaning.

My 13-year-old son showed uncommon maturity when I told him it was unlikely we were rushing out to buy Madden 15 at $60 for the 360. He responded, "Yeah, we should probably just wait until Black Friday and get a One and a couple of games cheap."

That's my boy. Plenty of thrift strands passed down to his DNA chain.

[Rodster]

PK, just download community rosters for Madden 25.

[pk500]

PK, just download community rosters for Madden 25.

Traded in that game months ago. I'll stick with NCAA 14, which I got on the mega-cheap via direct download last spring during a XBL Gold sale.

Thanks.

[Aristo]

Advice time, Aristo, and anyone else: I'm very content, from a gameplay and fun perspective, with NCAA 14 on the 360 with updated rosters for this season. Considering that, is Madden 15 for old-gen consoles enough of an improvement to justify a $60 purchase?

For you...I seriously doubt it. I mean, he already said it's a huge step down from the new GEN and only slightly tweaked "25" version...so if you're happy w/ NCAA with updated rosters, save your money for a new console first and foremost. The jump between Fifa, NBA and now Madden has been so damn impressive, it's hard to recommend any new sports titles on the old systems.

This is pretty much what I would have said. Hell, I never bought Madden 25 for the 360 because I preferred NCAA much more. I don't think Madden 15 on the 360 is a ripoff, but it is clearly just Madden 25 but spruced up. I think it is a solid game, and if you were more invested in the NFL, it's worth trading up for. But I wouldn't call it a must play.

I think it is insane that I'm willing to call Madden on next gen must play, though. I went into this game convinced I was just settling for a football game. It's probably knocked NHL 15 off of a day one buy. I'll wait until I'm deeper into hockey season and more invested, and look for a sale. Right now, I expect Madden 15 to get most of my prime sports attention.

The only Madden game I spent more than week or two with since the 90's was Madden 10. So this is weird for me.

[Danimal]

So the game looks great, although a little dark at times but I think that is more the lamp fading on my projector than the game. It plays a much better game of football and in my first 2 games I saw the cpu kick it out of bounds on the kick off, a penalty on the cpu for passing beyond the line, a late hit and offensive p[ass interference. So on the field I like a lot with my small sample size of 3 games. Skills trainer is good as well.

I don't like the new play calling menu, it takes time to get into and out of things. I don't hate it but I don't love it.
I really can't find a camera angle I love, I'm trying to adjust to the standard cam, but none of them are perfect fits for me.
I have bad eyes and it seems like they shrunk the text on the adjustment pop ups. It's very hard for me to see.
The CPU Secondary play is aggressive and tough, sometimes their reactions seem unrealistic but the biggest issue is no DPI, they get away with muggings.
I've yet to hit a receiver who has gotten a step on a DB on a deep pattern. They always close the gap, I like that if I take control there is a good jump ball.
I've seen some moments so far I've never seen in Madden. The pick above the safety jump over the pile to make this sack, Big Ben jump over, or I should say into the pile and carried it into the end zone.

I really like what I've seen so far but many things to get adjusted to, such as game prep. I tried to use it and have no idea how it works.

[sportdan30]

I too am noticing the game being a little dark. I played Washington at 1:00 and I purposely set the weather to clear. It made little difference. The transitioning from early afternoon to late afternoon is nice, so there is that.

I'm not a fan of the play calling menu either, and I've read countless of others who aren't either. For choosing plays, I simply pick from the coach's suggeston, community preferred plays, or strategic play. It at least gives me between 6-9 plays to choose from, while some can be duplicates.

We're having the same issues Danimal. I can't find that one camera angle that I love. For running, it's pretty simple to choose. The low camera is preferred. With passing, I go one up but wish there was a custom camera because I'd pull it in just a tad. Maybe one day they'll include a size font option so we old guys can read the print easier. On defense, I switch between the lineman camera and what I think is the classic camera (still a little too far out).

I haven't really fully grasped the tackling system. I did some offensive training sessions, so I'm still kinda feeling out the tackling and how it all works. I'll see an "X" pop up on the screen occasionally so perhaps I'm supposed to hit that as quickly as possible. I've seen quick tips about using the R stick and pressing the "O" button for another kind of hit. I've whiffed big time when the cone was focused on an opposing running back.

All these little annoyances aside, I'm still having a great time with the game. The game plays much tighter in terms of not allowing the big play to happen too often, which I much prefer to year's past. I played on 7 minute quarters my last game against Washington. I won 13-7 with RGIII hitting one big passing play very late in the game. Other than that, I sacked him 6 times and their offense never really got going. I struggled to run the ball with any effectiveness (19 carries for 51 yards), but hit a couple nice runs late to run out the clock. I really like that they've added different tempos to the offense. All in all, it's a solid game, lack of penalties aside.

[XXXIV]

Finished my 6 hours tonight. Never saw that coming.

I enjoyed it alot.

My biggest problem and I agree with you guys is the play calling menus are s***. Just a pain in the ass. Left me longing for madden 95

Im still not buying. Without a DSP league I just would not play it enough to justify the price....but I have to give the ass clowns credit as they almost had me and I would have done it if I knew we would have the band back together.

Maybe next year?

[Inuyasha]

If you want to get Madden for 360, just get Madden 12. It's 5 bucks at Gamestop. That was the best madden for that machine. Gamplay, graphics, franchise mode were excellent in that game. Just get some new rosters for it over at OS and you're set.

I got M15 and played only one game. I think i'm too tired from work to give detailed impressions. It didnt floor me but again, I think im just tired from a long day at work. One thing I did like is that it seems the game is more defensive minded. The last Madden game defensive minded was 2005 which was one of the better madden games. EA makes a defensive minded football game once a decade so this may become a classic.

I too noticed the game sometimes is a bit dark. Maybe it's the PS4 version. Otherwise the game looks fantastic to me. Also I am having a bit of a hard time adjusting to the DS4 since I've used the 360 and original XB controller to play this game since 2004.

[Inuyasha]

Got some rest and played most of the night and I can see why everyone is saying it's a big jump from last gen to next gen, it truly is.

This is the NFL MADDEN game I've always been wishing they've made. I just like everything about it. Graphics, gameplay, presentation, all of it! It's an instant classic.

Is everyone still playing on Slow speed? I moved it up to Normal and like the pace of the game and it feels even smoother.

[MizzouRah]

I like normal speed myself and use the camera one click back for everything. Probably need to start my franchise before the roster update that puts Sam on the IR.

[sportdan30]

I like normal speed myself and use the camera one click back for everything. Probably need to start my franchise before the roster update that puts Sam on the IR.

In the game I played yesterday the announcers introduced Bradford as coming off the ACL injury and wondering whether or not he will he hold up over the course of the season, and I'm thinking NO sadly.

[tjung0831]

I like normal speed myself and use the camera one click back for everything. Probably need to start my franchise before the roster update that puts Sam on the IR.

In the game I played yesterday the announcers introduced Bradford as coming off the ACL injury and wondering whether or not he will he hold up over the course of the season, and I'm thinking NO sadly.

Played a game against the Bills last night and Bradford went down with a knee injury in the 2nd quarter! No joke! Tavon Austin is also a monster in this game!

[sportdan30]

Seems this game is more real than we thought Tim!

In any case, I'm going to run with a Rams franchise and struggle with Shaun Hill. I've never played past a season but it may be fun to draft a QB and try and build the Rams behind a young quarterback.

[TCrouch]

Definitely more real than we thought. I had played a dozen games in the trials with the Bills, Steelers, one with the Raiders in Play Now mode, etc.

Last night I fired up a Connected Franchise as Oakland, and skipped through a couple preseason games to get to the Jets game in week 1. I noticed no MJD in the backfield, and found out he tore an achilles and was out for the year. Great. I threw 3 picks with Schaub, couldn't run at all (who knew Coples was such a beast at defending the run??!!? Couldn't ever get anything to the right side...), passes were off the mark, and I was down 16-7 in the 3rd quarter.

I finally strung together a few decent drives and forced some turnovers by Geno Smith to get back to 17-16, and then 20-16. I had a clutch "drive" that started at their 25 yard line after another Geno pick, and ended up winning 27-16--a game that seemed to indicate a more convincing victory than it was, against that stifling Jets defense

My reward for that was seeing what J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney were like as compared to Coples--and it didn't help that Arian Foster was in beast mode. I drove calmly down for a TD on the opening possession, sticking to runs right up the gut to avoid any sort of blown-up-in-the-backfield stuff.

Then the Texans got the ball.

For one play, at least. Arian Foster broke 3 tackles, hurdled a guy, and raced 80 yards on the first play from scrimmage for a tying TD. Their possession lasted all of 15 seconds. I got the ball back, threw my first pick, and watched them quickly jump to a 14-7 lead. To make a long story short, this sort of stuff has happened to me many times in Madden in the past, but I find ways to battle through it and pull out victories. I don't believe in that "Madden screw" really, because I've never felt like there was no way out of the mess I'd find myself in.

That was before Watt and Clowney blew me up for 4 fumbles in my next few possessions, my running game couldn't get anywhere, and their offense could do anything with impunity. I actually rage-quit the game nearing halftime, down 41-7. Never seen anything like that in my life.

As if to rub it in my face, I was already intimidated and frozen with fear on what play to call to try to do anything. Then I actually saw Brooks Reed jump on McFadden's back as he was going down, and ride him like a horse. And, I sh*t you not--sat there for a minute, looking like he was jawing to the back of his head. Then he SAT UP, and TOOK A SWING WITH A RIGHT HOOK to the back of his helmet! McFadden's helmet actually shook like it had the impact, and THEN Reed stuffed his face in the dirt as he used him to get up by resting on his helmet!!!

I was actually angry, yelling for fake refs and wondering what the hell I'd done to deserve this nightmare. Then I thought it must be fairly realistic, because Oakland is dogsh*t in the game, too.

Then I remembered I have an off switch and went to bed to rest my battered and bruised vagina, because I obviously had one.

[Danimal]

I haven't won a game yet but I haven't rage quit either

Terry I got you in-game message but couldn't join because it needed a password and the Madden Messenger didn't provide it.

[TCrouch]

...that's weird.

Because I never sent any message

[Rodster]

Definitely more real than we thought. I had played a dozen games in the trials with the Bills, Steelers, one with the Raiders in Play Now mode, etc.

Last night I fired up a Connected Franchise as Oakland, and skipped through a couple preseason games to get to the Jets game in week 1. I noticed no MJD in the backfield, and found out he tore an achilles and was out for the year. Great. I threw 3 picks with Schaub, couldn't run at all (who knew Coples was such a beast at defending the run??!!? Couldn't ever get anything to the right side...), passes were off the mark, and I was down 16-7 in the 3rd quarter.

I finally strung together a few decent drives and forced some turnovers by Geno Smith to get back to 17-16, and then 20-16. I had a clutch "drive" that started at their 25 yard line after another Geno pick, and ended up winning 27-16--a game that seemed to indicate a more convincing victory than it was, against that stifling Jets defense

My reward for that was seeing what J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney were like as compared to Coples--and it didn't help that Arian Foster was in beast mode. I drove calmly down for a TD on the opening possession, sticking to runs right up the gut to avoid any sort of blown-up-in-the-backfield stuff.

Then the Texans got the ball.

For one play, at least. Arian Foster broke 3 tackles, hurdled a guy, and raced 80 yards on the first play from scrimmage for a tying TD. Their possession lasted all of 15 seconds. I got the ball back, threw my first pick, and watched them quickly jump to a 14-7 lead. To make a long story short, this sort of stuff has happened to me many times in Madden in the past, but I find ways to battle through it and pull out victories. I don't believe in that "Madden screw" really, because I've never felt like there was no way out of the mess I'd find myself in.

That was before Watt and Clowney blew me up for 4 fumbles in my next few possessions, my running game couldn't get anywhere, and their offense could do anything with impunity. I actually rage-quit the game nearing halftime, down 41-7. Never seen anything like that in my life.

As if to rub it in my face, I was already intimidated and frozen with fear on what play to call to try to do anything. Then I actually saw Brooks Reed jump on McFadden's back as he was going down, and ride him like a horse. And, I sh*t you not--sat there for a minute, looking like he was jawing to the back of his head. Then he SAT UP, and TOOK A SWING WITH A RIGHT HOOK to the back of his helmet! McFadden's helmet actually shook like it had the impact, and THEN Reed stuffed his face in the dirt as he used him to get up by resting on his helmet!!!

I was actually angry, yelling for fake refs and wondering what the hell I'd done to deserve this nightmare. Then I thought it must be fairly realistic, because Oakland is dogsh*t in the game, too.

Then I remembered I have an off switch and went to bed to rest my battered and bruised vagina, because I obviously had one.

An uploaded video or it didn't happen.

[MizzouRah]

I like normal speed myself and use the camera one click back for everything. Probably need to start my franchise before the roster update that puts Sam on the IR.

In the game I played yesterday the announcers introduced Bradford as coming off the ACL injury and wondering whether or not he will he hold up over the course of the season, and I'm thinking NO sadly.

Played a game against the Bills last night and Bradford went down with a knee injury in the 2nd quarter! No joke! Tavon Austin is also a monster in this game!

Yikes... poor Sam.

[Danimal]

...that's weird.

Because I never sent any message

Huh? Well my messenger said Rockjaw McGraw starter a franchise called <forgot name) click here to search and join the franchise. Weird

[TCrouch]

Oh, in that Madden Messenger thing? I think it just sends that crap out all the time to friends list people. I'll have to check on that, I thought I disabled that Social Sharing stuff.

And I thought the "Reed Swing" thing was funny, but my Kinect was turned off so I wasn't able to do a "Record that" thing. However, a sh*tty camera phone in a dark room still caught the gist of it.

[vader29]

[tjung0831]

I had the in the air glitch last night in my Rams and Bills game. Ogletree came in late on a tackle and just flew straight up in the air and landed on his back!