Madden 11 Impressions

[Lancer]

Played one game, but game seems like slo mo. Maybe I'm still use to NCAA but I was somewhat bored. More to come, but did they get rid of the halftime show highlights? or is that just during the franchise mode?


edit : I figured out how to make madden not so boring, turn off gameflow. I turned it off and the game was fun because I was in control. Seems like a bit faster too, just right, or maybe I'm just getting use to the speed now.

I noticed they made some changes in 'ask madden'. sometimes it gives you only 1 or 2 plays instead of 3.

[Rodster]

Played one game, but game seems like slo mo. Maybe I'm still use to NCAA but I was somewhat bored. More to come, but did they get rid of the halftime show highlights? or is that just during the franchise mode?


edit : I figured out how to make madden not so boring, turn off gameflow. I turned it off and the game was fun because I was in control. Seems like a bit faster too, just right, or maybe I'm just getting use to the speed now.

You can changed game speed in the options menu. By default it's set to slow, choose normal for a faster game.

[Lancer]

I like the slow version like last year. Once I turned gameflow off, it seemed slow like last year, but with gameflow on , it just drags.

Also, the only difference I notice with gameflow off is I am getting big plays more on All Madden level. It's as if I can score at will at times. But on Gameflow the game was more challenging. Maybe the default settings are designed for gameflow?

I am enjoying the game more and more but hopefully this easy scoring can be fixed by a patch.

[Rodster]

I adjusted some of the penalty sliders and now i'm seeing (holding, clipping, facemask, DPI). Haven't seen a false start or offside yet. All in all the game is a blast and even more fun than last year. I'm even enjoying Gus doing the commentary.

[sportdan30]

Played one game and thus far I am unimpressed.

- Gus Johnson does not call the first play from scrimmage, at least in the PS3 version. The Bears went for a quick 6 against me and utter silence. Talk about anti climatic.

- The commentary is poorly spliced together. There's too much silence where there should be automatic commentary.

- Played on the road at Chicago, and in one scene towards the end of the game (I'm winning by over two touchdowns with 2 minutes remaining, with the ball I might add) you see a smattering of fans. The stadium looks empty. Then they pan the stadium and it's completely full and the crowd is going crazy! What? They're also cheering like it's a pivotal series as I'm kneeling to run the time out! Sorry, but EA's cut scenes and presentation flat out sucks!

- Please don't show the players getting off the bus. Talk about ugly looking players. Especially compared to The Show.

- There were more than a few instances of slow down, and one instance of freezing for a few seconds.

- Even at 5 minute quarters, I put up 34 points. High offensive games are fun of course, but this game felt like one of those 40 yard football leagues with tons of scoring.

- Tackling seems less violent than NCAA 11. It just doesn't have that same feel.

- Replays show how poor the players move. Sliding and just awkward pivots. Just feels weird.

- Running is indeed fun, but passing doesn't feel challenging, at least on default sliders.

- Gameflow is a nice addition, but it's poorly implemented on defense. I only used it on offense in the second half.

- There were two instances where a Bears receiver seemed like he rocketed off and made a diving catch. It looked unrealistic and felt like the A.I. was cheating.

- Overall, I felt bored and pushed myself to complete the game. I don't know. Maybe NCAA 11 just impressed me that much more or Madden feels slightly updated, but not enough to excite me. Maybe a few more games will change my mind, however I'm glad I rented instead of trading NCAA in.

[Rodster]

Not to diss the PS3 cause I own two of them but that's the reason I chose the 360 version. I have yet to encounter framerate, slowdown or freeze issues.

[dbdynsty25]

Not to diss the PS3 cause I own two of them but that's the reason I chose the 360 version. I have yet to encounter framerate, slowdown or freeze issues.

Again...no surprise the ps3 version is inferior. Looks good on my 360.

I'm with Dan...not all that excited to play another game of Madden. Usually I will sit and play 4 or 5 games on release day...the last two years I have been indifferent. The game is definitely improved but obviously the fun factor has grown a bit stale.

I suppose it could also be the fact that the game comes out so damn early. I'm sure on Sundays I will be wanting to play more. We'll see how it goes I guess.

[Lancer]

been messing w/ gameflow and the best setting is leaving it on, and turning off the graphix and the voice.

The first game i played must have been a fluke since I am having close games on all madden or just getting blown out now. all madden has been challenging.

Night game lighting is great but it's sort of too dark in the daytime. I really like how NCAA looks in day and dusk games. Madden seems a bit more dull.

I am liking the gameplay alot and gus johnson is really growing on me.

I was unimpressed like you sportdan but keep at it I think you will enjoy it.

I am a self admitted madden fanboy so no surprise I am really liking the game

[10spro]

I seem to enjoy gameflow more on offense while I try calling my own plays on D as the plays chosen are not always the best while trying to stop the CPU. Running is fun as run blocking is better, but I can still shut down the CPU on AP. Didn't quite like the new kicking meter on the demo but now it's growing on me.

[sportdan30]

I'm not hating on the game completely. I simply touched on the negatives that moreso bother me than anything. To me, it's closer than ever to feeling and looking like a Sunday game. However, the poorly put together repetitive cut scenes, sparse robotic commentary, lack of intelligence in terms of the crowd, etc) make the game feel incomplete. On the field, it's pretty good but to me at least, it's still slightly inferior to NCAA 11. I'm sure sliders will tone down on the high octane offenses, or one can hope. There's something about a 14-7 game that is exciting similar to a 2-1 score in a baseball game. Maybe I will get more in to it as the NFL season kicks in to gear.

[seanmac31]

I have to say that I'm enjoying the retail version far more than the demo for some reason. I pushed the speed to normal, which I think helps a lot with the sluggish feeling. I also appreciate the way Gameflow locks in team tendencies, and it really lets you blow through a couple of franchise games in quick succession.

[sportdan30]

Completely slipped my mind to turn the game speed from the default to normal. I did that with NCAA 11 and felt the gameplay improved.

[TCrouch]

Well, it was a good news/bad news thing for me.

I was freaking out over how ridiculously easy the game was, so I double checked the settings and it had somehow reverted back to Pro. So that explained that. Thank God.

But now, with Oakland, I CANNOT RUN. I read everywhere about how much the blocking has improved, etc., and with the Raiders I frequently lose 2 or 3 yards on a dive play. A 2.5 ypc average with McFadden or Bush is pretty routine, and we're talking defenses like the Rams that stifle me.

It's very strange, considering in NCAA and every football game in history the run has been my bread and butter, but the Raiders line must be absolutely putrid. If I call any run out of a single back formation, I'll literally be dodging 3 guys in the backfield as soon as I take the hand off. There is absolutely no room to run, and no gaps to blow through. I figured maybe I just didn't have a clue (although simply following the blocker into the gap seems pretty straight forward--but when there's seriously NO GAP, that seems tough), so I tried some games with other teams.

Ryan Grant of the Packers piled up the yardage--almost 200 yards through nice running lanes. Ronnie Brown was able to grab more than 100 yards. Every team I played OTHER THAN OAKLAND seemed to actually let me run.

So could it be...that they made the OL ratings matter? My entire line are rated in the 70's, and they play like it. It's kind of refreshing, but frustrating at the same time. I gain a QB who can actually make a decent throw from time to time, but lose the ability to run

[vader29]

Only had time for one game last night with 5 minute quarters on All Pro and won 21-14 over Cleveland. The game looks great with the colors standing out more than last years game and a lot more than NCAA. Got just over 100 yards rushing with Mendenhall, I'm sure once I settle on longer quarters I'll get my 200 to 300 yards a game.

Stephan Logan had 2 kickoffs returned for tds, was also getting some good yardage with punt returns where as in NCAA I am terrible on special teams returns usually only getting 10 to 20 yards per return.

Don't think I'm going to like the d-pad for coverage audibles as there is no time to do any adjusting against the cpu, can't wait for the patch to go back to the old way. Love that fight for the fumble can be turned off. Only slider adjustment I will probably make for season games will be to lower the injurys as I've read that they happen more than usual.

[TCrouch]

Got just over 100 yards rushing with Mendenhall, I'm sure once I settle on longer quarters I'll get my 200 to 300 yards a game.

Sure, rub it in....d*ck.

Only slider adjustment I will probably make for season games will be to lower the injurys as I've read that they happen more than usual.

Honestly, I like how they are on default. I got 4 games through season one of a franchise last night since there was no OTP going on and the injuries are tough--but they add a whole new element to it. Against the Rams, for example, I lost ALL THREE starting linebackers to injuries. Against Steven Jackson, that's bad. He started ripping off huge runs as my backups and backups-of-backups came in and tried to tackle him. I think he piled up almost 200 on me, and probably 125+ after first contact.

MOST of the injuries haven't been lengthy--losing Robert Gallery for 9 weeks in the preseason sucked, though. But a lot of injuries are little stingers here and there, apparently. I think the injuries are just about right most games. You'll see 4 or 5 banged up guys in any game, much like real life. But every once in a while you'll see a rash of injuries decimate your team, and that really tests you to shuffle the depth chart and field something other than walking wounded.

I love it.

[Zeppo]

I'm getting used to the d-pas thing. Once you hit it the first time, it stays up so as I'm retraining myself in terms of the buttons, I'm finding that its fine.

I'm amazed you got 2 TD returns, vader, but maybe j should play a game or two with someone other than the Redskins! But I have trouble getting past the 20 even if I catch it at the 5. Punt returns feel good to me in that I've had a few good returns mixed in with a lot of 'why don't you block that guy!' moments.

[matthewk]

They need to come up with a technical term for the disease I have. I had yesterday off, but not as any part of a Madden holiday. The timing just worked out that way. I also went into yesterday intending to stay away from this years offering. Well, my willpower for football games is still weak, and I had the game by 10am.

To make my condition more twisted, I then proceeded to play 3 games of backbreak prior to finally opening up Madden at around 7pm last night. It's a sick and cruel disease that I have

I was not impressed with the demo, but the full game is better. I thnik I will be able to enjoy both Madden and BB for what they each are. They are different flavors of ice cream, and lucky for me I like variety.

The offense in Madden may be too easy, but it's a nice repreive from the low lardage games of BB. My first game was Packers vs Bears. I won in OT, 27-24 on 10 min quarters (with 20 second runoffs). I liked that the CPU was able to gain 100 yards on the ground against me, even on All-Pro. First time in a long time that I can recall that happening to me in a Madden game. Moving the speed to normal (from the default slow) is a must.

Yes, there are some issues, but I know that every single sports game will have them. It's just a matter of how severe they are and how much it affects your personal enjoyment of the game.

The stratpad isn't horrible, but the timing is off. What they should do for the stratpad is once you have it open, the offense should delay snapping the ball. That way the CPU can snap the ball quickly if you do not want to make any adjustments, but still give those who do time to make them. My guess is that they are letting teh CPU snap quickly as part of the whole "game in half the time" tagline.

I only played one full game and a half of a SD/GB superbowl. It's better than the demo, and better than what I remember 10 being. I'll need a few more nights to pass any lasting judgement on it, but so far I'm happy with '11 and Backbreaker both being a part of my library.

[TCrouch]

I'm getting used to the d-pas thing. Once you hit it the first time, it stays up so as I'm retraining myself in terms of the buttons, I'm finding that its fine.

I'm amazed you got 2 TD returns, vader, but maybe j should play a game or two with someone other than the Redskins! But I have trouble getting past the 20 even if I catch it at the 5. Punt returns feel good to me in that I've had a few good returns mixed in with a lot of 'why don't you block that guy!' moments.

Most of my games are like that. But then Jacoby Ford went absolutely nuts in my last game, with a reception for a TD, two punt return TD's, and a Kick Return TD in one game. Achievements were blinking up left and right

[TheTruth]

Terry - I saw the same thing playing as the Raiders last night against the Chiefs. I couldn't run to save my life, trying to dodge guys in the backfield. After the first half Dmac had about a 2.2 ypc avg and lifted that to a 3.3ypc by the end of the game. I don't know if the Chiefs were keying on the run or not, they may have, because I was able to move the ball with the passing game. Short throws to the flats and slants.

I also had an enjoyable game as the Cowboys vs the Falcons. The falcons jumped on me in the first quarter 14-0. Turner had something like 120 yards on 4 carries. But after that first quarter it was mainly all Dallas and I ended up winning 37-17. Felix the cat was quiet in the first half struggling to find running room, but the second half he got some running room and ended up going for 167yds with a 9ypc avg and 3 tds. Turner ended up with 169yds and also in the 9.5 ypc range.

I am really enjoying the game, more so than NCAA. I am playing on All-Pro and have turned down QB accuracy to 40 and catching to 45 for both sides and it has helped a little. One other thing that needs addressed, I think, is the cpu's ability to break tackles....it seems like they always, always break the first tackle. I can live with that happening some but not every time it seems.

[TCrouch]

Terry - I saw the same thing playing as the Raiders last night against the Chiefs. I couldn't run to save my life, trying to dodge guys in the backfield. After the first half Dmac had about a 2.2 ypc avg and lifted that to a 3.3ypc by the end of the game. I don't know if the Chiefs were keying on the run or not, they may have, because I was able to move the ball with the passing game. Short throws to the flats and slants.

Thanks. Glad it's not just me then.

I have been doing 100% Gameflow with no audibles or anything, so I've been just running what they tell me to run. But yeah, Jason Campbell is probably in the top 10 in the league in yardage and has something like 12 TD's after 4 games, so the passing game has been easy to make up the difference. I'd just much prefer to grind it out instead of fling it around.

I did go in last night and adjust my gameplan to match my preferred running style and Michael Bush had a much better game (I think 150+ yards), but 72 of it was on one run--so I'd still be back at around the 70 or 80 yard range without it.

Overall, I think it's actually pretty realistic at the end of the game, as far as numbers go. It's just weird that I'll get -2, -1, -3, 7, -1, 72, -1, 15, -3, 4, etc., to get there. Yet with other teams, it's 2, 4, 5, 2, 7, 12, -1, 5.

[TheTruth]

I'm getting used to the d-pas thing. Once you hit it the first time, it stays up so as I'm retraining myself in terms of the buttons, I'm finding that its fine.

I'm amazed you got 2 TD returns, vader, but maybe j should play a game or two with someone other than the Redskins! But I have trouble getting past the 20 even if I catch it at the 5. Punt returns feel good to me in that I've had a few good returns mixed in with a lot of 'why don't you block that guy!' moments.

Most of my games are like that. But then Jacoby Ford went absolutely nuts in my last game, with a reception for a TD, two punt return TD's, and a Kick Return TD in one game. Achievements were blinking up left and right

I am struggling too on kickoff returns... In all three games I have played I am lucky to get back to the 20. I looked at one on replay and every single one of my blockers either didn't block or there was slight contact for half a sec....no one held a single block.

Speaking of blocking. Anyone else seeing pulling guards, fullbacks, etc not blocking? They will sometimes let a tackler go right past them or just stand there like they are confused.

[dbdynsty25]

Terry, I went and played a half with the Raiders and you're right, there are a lot of times where you simply can't get out of the backfield. I'm not convinced the running game is all that great yet. On toss plays, where the TE should be sealing the edge, they end up getting into the blocking animation on the inside of the defensive end or linebackers and you have to cut nearly every toss inside which you should only have to do occasionally. I found that with the Raiders, I was either getting negative yardage or 7+ yards. It's definitely not 3 yards and a cloud of dust...and the same thing happened when I was using the Packers and Dolphins. The stats ended up being accurate (~130 ypg) but the majority were on big chunks...not a grind it out ground game.

[TCrouch]

You know...last year, Ian told me he was going to seriously screw the Raiders in Madden 11. I thought he was kidding. This is right after I annihilated his Giants in an Online Franchise game that he was webcasting, and I was able to run all over him.

I just haven't seen any other team get the shaft as much as they have in the running game yet. Funny, but...maybe not really funny

[Zeppo]

Speaking of blocking. Anyone else seeing pulling guards, fullbacks, etc not blocking? They will sometimes let a tackler go right past them or just stand there like they are confused.

I've seen some horrendous lack of awareness on RB screens and WR screens as well. A few times I've had one defender make the tackle even though I have three blockers ready for the screen. It's like they just don't see that guy and he makes the play with ease. Yet, I've had the CPU run a couple of really good screens against me, so I don't know.

[dbdynsty25]

Speaking of blocking. Anyone else seeing pulling guards, fullbacks, etc not blocking? They will sometimes let a tackler go right past them or just stand there like they are confused.

I've seen some horrendous lack of awareness on RB screens and WR screens as well. A few times I've had one defender make the tackle even though I have three blockers ready for the screen. It's like they just don't see that guy and he makes the play with ease. Yet, I've had the CPU run a couple of really good screens against me, so I don't know.

I have yet to see the CPU run a good screen...nearly every one is blown up in the backfield. I've only played around 3 full games so maybe it was just luck I was in the correct defense, but still. I wish they were a little more effective.