Official Madden 2006 Impressions Thread

[Boom]

Or you need to create your own forum so you can mod that s*** out that one and leave this one be (when it comes to modding duties)

As the official mod of this forum, I hereby officially give dbdynsty25 full permission to comment on bad posting style. Is that better?

Yup!

Onto slants being money plays. they're not at all. It's all about how you play defense. cliche I know, but it's true.

If'you're getting beat with slants, there are adjustments that you can do individually, or for LB's (or even DE's) in general that will counter the quick slants.

There's so much you can do on Defense, that right now I truly believe there is a way to stop anything. It's just gonna take awhile to fully understand what you have available at your finger tips and how to use them.

[Boom]

Let me ask anyone who's played 2005 and thinks this game is the same + cone passing.

Could we do the following in 2005?

- Shade individual receivers inside or outside?
- instruct safeties to cheat toward the sidelines (to cut down on corners)
- instruct safeties to cheat to middle of the field?
- could we intentionally lob the ball, by pressing up on the left analog, to help in getting the ball over LB's, but under Safeties?
- could we assign pass protection schemes at the line of scrimmage? (problems with people spreading/flaring out their defensive rush??? You can now assign our offensive line to use that to your advantage and make you a nice pocket to pass from)
- Could we send out receivers on smart routes? (assigning your wr's to run at route to the first down marker)
- Could we back-juke?
- Could we scroll through our defenders by holding the A button down and using the d-pad to select our player we wish to control?
- Could we put DL or LB into DEEP zone coverage?
- Could we put ANY LB or DB into specific man coverage?
- Could we assign man lock on or off at the play selection screen?
- Could we playmaker pass / run (ok we could in 04, but was omitted in 05)
- Could we use the R Stick to call defensive audibles that let us easily call Cover 0 Blitz, Cover 2 Man D, Cover 2 and Cover 3 zones with ease from any formation?


And I'm sure there's some stuff I'm missing. Some of this list may have been in 05, but all if it was it has been improved in 06.

[Millennium]

BTW, something else I just noticed, when you are passing, and click on the R stick, one of your WR gets highlighted and the cone passing goes off. Move yoru R stick in any direction an, voila, playmaker passing makes an appearance.

[Badgun]

[dbdynsty25]

LOL

[HipE]

Played a handful of games with the Steelers on all pro default tonight, and I'm really enjoying the game so far. It doesn't really feel like Madden 2005 to me at all. The vision cone passing has been really fun to use, and I'm getting very realistic results so far. I've had a qb rating over 100 a couple of times, I'm really starting to get the hang of it. I'm sure it will get even more fun as I get more used to it and start looking off receivers more. The pace of the game and the player control is great too, it really feels like you are playing a realistic football simulation. My yards per play for both rushing and passing are right on, I have a feeling I will be able to get very realistic stats this year. I'm liking how you really have to mix up your playcalling to put a drive together, and when you hit on a big play it feels that much more rewarding.

My main gripes right now are with the controls, at least in terms of the button functions. NCAA has a perfect setup, with the jukes controlled by the right stick as well as the defensive line moves. I'm not sure why it is necessary to remap so many controls in Madden, especially when they are changes for the worse. Another potential concern right now for me offline is the lack of a CPU passing game. The CPU runs on me pretty well right now, but they can't pass for anything. I'm holding most qb's under 30% passing right now, and I'm getting at least 4 interceptions a game.

Overall though, I'm extremely impressed with Madden after a night of play, it has definitely exceeded my expectations so far. Everything about it just seems so tight, from the looks to the controls to the playbooks to the menus. It appears to be an outstanding effort from EA, especially in light of the fact that they have no competition this year.

[bdoughty]

LOL

More like



Congrats on the promotion DSPal!

[HipE]

One thing I forgot to mention that really stood out to me tonight is the precision passing. It's not enough this year to just pick an open wr and deliver the ball on time, you really need to use the stick to put the ball in exactly the right location. It is so rewarding to lead your receiver and hit him in stide, or throw the ball down and away on an out route near the sideline. This is the first game where I really feel like I am in control of exactly where my QB is delivering the ball.

[Badgun]

Let me ask anyone who's played 2005 and thinks this game is the same + cone passing.

Could we do the following in 2005?

- Shade individual receivers inside or outside?
- instruct safeties to cheat toward the sidelines (to cut down on corners)
- instruct safeties to cheat to middle of the field?
- could we intentionally lob the ball, by pressing up on the left analog, to help in getting the ball over LB's, but under Safeties?
- could we assign pass protection schemes at the line of scrimmage? (problems with people spreading/flaring out their defensive rush??? You can now assign our offensive line to use that to your advantage and make you a nice pocket to pass from)
- Could we send out receivers on smart routes? (assigning your wr's to run at route to the first down marker)
- Could we back-juke?
- Could we scroll through our defenders by holding the A button down and using the d-pad to select our player we wish to control?
- Could we put DL or LB into DEEP zone coverage?
- Could we put ANY LB or DB into specific man coverage?
- Could we assign man lock on or off at the play selection screen?
- Could we playmaker pass / run (ok we could in 04, but was omitted in 05)
- Could we use the R Stick to call defensive audibles that let us easily call Cover 0 Blitz, Cover 2 Man D, Cover 2 and Cover 3 zones with ease from any formation?


And I'm sure there's some stuff I'm missing. Some of this list may have been in 05, but all if it was it has been improved in 06.

I'm not picking and all that stuff is nice, but how do you remember it all? Do you have time before every snap to do all of it? As much as I like a lot of the cool stuff you can do, it's all very overwhelming. I can remember how to hot route, how to double cover, how to smart route, and that's about it.

I like the game a lot. I don't think it is a lot different than last year, but it is certainly improved. The number one complaint that I have seen at various forums and from people that I know is the passing cone. I know some of you think it's the coolest thing since sliced bread, but A LOT of people just don't want to re-learn how to pass. That's why I hated the read and lead of Fever and why I hate the cone. I like changes that are beneficial to me, as well I should, since I paid for the game. Also, I don't want to wait 2 weeks to start my franchise because I have to "LEARN" how to play the game. Normally, I buy a game, play 2 or 3 exhibitions to get the feel, and then start my franchise. I can't do that this year because of the cone, not to mention all the other new stuff EA threw at us this year.

I agree that there is a lot you can do, but I just don't see how the average gamer can absorb it all.

[Danimal]

and no, he didn't throw the bomb 5 straight plays, he completed about 5 in a row by throwing it high.

Sorry we must have all taken it out of context when you wrote:

Actually, it is true. My son found it in a game he was playing. Completed like 5 straight bombs just by lobbing it.

Are you that dense? Yeah 5 straight bombs. He threw a bomb, then a screen, then an out, then got a TD. Got the ball back, threw a bomb, threw a slant, threw a bomb. Are you getting it yet, idiot? He completed 4 or 5 straight long passes that he threw...I never said he threw them all in a row.

The pass is actually WR Streaks and you can throw the ball when they're 15 yards downfield.

Do you really loathe me that much that you had to do this? What an ass!

Yes I'm the dense one.

[TRI]

Against the CPU the slant is there everytime just like Madden 2005.

[bdoughty]

Against the CPU the slant is there everytime just like Madden 2005.

Menu Settings 101

Options - Gameplay (Change from Rookie to All-Pro or All-Madden)

Wait a sec I did forget one thing. First you have to purchase the game, then go to settings.

[seanmac31]

Let me ask anyone who's played 2005 and thinks this game is the same + cone passing.

Could we do the following in 2005?

- Shade individual receivers inside or outside?
- instruct safeties to cheat toward the sidelines (to cut down on corners)
- instruct safeties to cheat to middle of the field?
- could we intentionally lob the ball, by pressing up on the left analog, to help in getting the ball over LB's, but under Safeties?
- could we assign pass protection schemes at the line of scrimmage? (problems with people spreading/flaring out their defensive rush??? You can now assign our offensive line to use that to your advantage and make you a nice pocket to pass from)
- Could we send out receivers on smart routes? (assigning your wr's to run at route to the first down marker)
- Could we back-juke?
- Could we scroll through our defenders by holding the A button down and using the d-pad to select our player we wish to control?
- Could we put DL or LB into DEEP zone coverage?
- Could we put ANY LB or DB into specific man coverage?
- Could we assign man lock on or off at the play selection screen?
- Could we playmaker pass / run (ok we could in 04, but was omitted in 05)
- Could we use the R Stick to call defensive audibles that let us easily call Cover 0 Blitz, Cover 2 Man D, Cover 2 and Cover 3 zones with ease from any formation?


And I'm sure there's some stuff I'm missing. Some of this list may have been in 05, but all if it was it has been improved in 06.

Yes, what's interesting about all the mainstream reviews is how profoundly uninterested they are in the gameplay itself. The tactical options have undergone a fairly major overhaul, and the game has made major strides in terms of simulating football on the field, but those sorts of fixes don't get any attention.

[Danimal]

Did anyone else start their franchise?

I did with the Bears and my first pre-season game was against the Rams. Now I could swear that the Bears played their first game last night against the pot heads...I mean Dolphins.

f***in Madden, how hard is it to get something like this right.

[TRI]

Against the CPU the slant is there everytime just like Madden 2005.

Menu Settings 101

Options - Gameplay (Change from Rookie to All-Pro or All-Madden)

Wait a sec I did forget one thing. First you have to purchase the game, then go to settings.

You do not have to take my word for it, someone else in this thread mentioned it also.

[bdoughty]

Let me ask anyone who's played 2005 and thinks this game is the same + cone passing.

Could we do the following in 2005?

- Shade individual receivers inside or outside?
- instruct safeties to cheat toward the sidelines (to cut down on corners)
- instruct safeties to cheat to middle of the field?
- could we intentionally lob the ball, by pressing up on the left analog, to help in getting the ball over LB's, but under Safeties?
- could we assign pass protection schemes at the line of scrimmage? (problems with people spreading/flaring out their defensive rush??? You can now assign our offensive line to use that to your advantage and make you a nice pocket to pass from)
- Could we send out receivers on smart routes? (assigning your wr's to run at route to the first down marker)
- Could we back-juke?
- Could we scroll through our defenders by holding the A button down and using the d-pad to select our player we wish to control?
- Could we put DL or LB into DEEP zone coverage?
- Could we put ANY LB or DB into specific man coverage?
- Could we assign man lock on or off at the play selection screen?
- Could we playmaker pass / run (ok we could in 04, but was omitted in 05)
- Could we use the R Stick to call defensive audibles that let us easily call Cover 0 Blitz, Cover 2 Man D, Cover 2 and Cover 3 zones with ease from any formation?


And I'm sure there's some stuff I'm missing. Some of this list may have been in 05, but all if it was it has been improved in 06.

Yes, what's interesting about all the mainstream reviews is how profoundly uninterested they are in the gameplay itself. The tactical options have undergone a fairly major overhaul, and the game has made major strides in terms of simulating football on the field, but those sorts of fixes don't get any attention.

Many of the things listed above are terrific additions but you have to wonder how many people are going to use all of these? Not everyone is a controller jockey and as we age the ability to perform new and improved pre-snap adjustments are harder. I don't expect sites like IGN and Gamespot to mention much of this because they have to write their review for a pretty broad audience. I doubt I would use half of the stuff listed above myself. What hurts Madden this year for the "mainstream" is it still looks too much like the Madden of old. Same washed out, watered down graphics. A default control scheme that boggles my mind on the Xbox controller (and has been mentioned numerous times on this thread), same bland presentation and continued collision detection/clipping/ghosting of players. These are some of the things many have complained about since Madden 2001 on the PS2. Many people including myself would just like to have seen some effort put into graphics/presentation. It can be done, I have seen it on games in this gerneration. To simply fix a few of the yearly graphical snafus. I honestly focus my eyes to the bottom of the screen (for the playcall) so I don't have to watch players ghost through each other every cutscene.

Do these things make it a bad football game? No. Will they be fixed in Madden 360? I hope so.

[Inuyasha]

I don't want to spoil the party but so far I am not as impressed as you guys. maybe it'll take me some time to get use to the game but something's just not doing it for me initially. I had fun playing madden05 right off the bat, but this year I am not getting that instant fun feeling.

I got use to the cone passing and do think it's pretty cool. Haven't touched franchise or the other modes and just been playing exhibition games. For me Ncaa has a lot of life, but madden is really vanilla for me at this time. I'll keep on trying and hopefully the game becomes more fun to play. I am thinking about even trying the ps2 version since that version i preferred last year.

[bdoughty]

Against the CPU the slant is there everytime just like Madden 2005.

Menu Settings 101

Options - Gameplay (Change from Rookie to All-Pro or All-Madden)

Wait a sec I did forget one thing. First you have to purchase the game, then go to settings.

You do not have to take my word for it, someone else in this thread mentioned it also.

I have the game, waited in line at midnight and paid $49.99 plus tax. No need to take your word on it as it is running on the TV right now (just not being played by me). I am fairly capable of making a logical deduction that slants are not there "everytime" by running slant patterns.

Now had you said "it would be nice if my teamates would block for me on a punt return" then I would agree. Apparently they guy who ran the special teams on ESPN 2K5 found a home at Tiburon.

[bkrich83]

Menu Settings 101

Options - Gameplay (Change from Rookie to All-Pro or All-Madden)

Wait a sec I did forget one thing. First you have to purchase the game, then go to settings.

You do not have to take my word for it, someone else in this thread mentioned it also.

I have the game, waited in line at midnight and paid $49.99 plus tax. No need to take your word on it as it is running on the TV right now (just not being played by me). I am fairly capable of making a logical deduction that slants are not there "everytime" by running slant patterns.

Now had you said "it would be nice if my teamates would block for me on a punt return" then I would agree. Apparently they guy who ran the special teams on ESPN 2K5 found a home at Tiburon.

Let it go BD.

You know he doesn't have the game. You know he has some sort of weird anti-EA agenda. You know he reads some random complaints on message boards and then tries to post them as if he's seeing them first hand.

No one in their right mind that hates EA games this much would continue to buy them right?

[bdoughty]

No one in their right mind that hates EA games this much would continue to buy them right?

Oh whoops I thought you meant EA the "Company". Yes I do agree.

[TRI]

No one in their right mind that hates EA games this much would continue to buy them right?

Oh whoops I thought you meant EA the "Company". Yes I do agree.

Belive what you want but it is a money play.

[bkrich83]

No one in their right mind that hates EA games this much would continue to buy them right?

Oh whoops I thought you meant EA the "Company". Yes I do agree.

Belive what you want but it is a money play.

LMAO... You must have a different game.

[bdoughty]

Oh whoops I thought you meant EA the "Company". Yes I do agree.

Belive what you want but it is a money play.

LMAO... You must have a different game.

Pauses to reflect back to Bull Durham

Well, I believe in the money hat, the money ball, the vagina, the narrow area of a woman's back, a baseball that is pitched so that I can easily hit it far, lots of fiber in my food, good scotch, and that the novels of Susan Sontag are self-indulgent, overrated and horrible. I believe Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone when he killed President John F. Kennedy. I believe there ought to be a constitutional amendment outlawing artificial grass and the rule that allows a baseball team to choose a player at the beginning of the game to substitute for the pitcher in batting. I believe in hitting the baseball with the part of the bat that vibrates less and doesn't hurt my hands as much, pornography that doesn't show sex acts in a very explicit way, opening your presents Christmas morning rather than the night before Christmas, and I believe in long, slow, deep, soft, wet kisses that last three days.


But I don't belive in your money play.

Sincerely

Crash

PS. I really do believe Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone when he killed President John F. Kennedy no matter what Oliver Stone had me say.

[dbdynsty25]

That TI kid is great.

[bdoughty]

That TI kid is great.

In before the edit and agreed