Official Madden 2006 Impressions Thread

Toper · Post by **Toper** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 9:08 pm

Leebo33 wrote:In game saves?

Yes, but still no "sim to end" for those blowouts.

Toper

bdoughty · Post by **bdoughty** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 9:25 pm

Danimal wrote:
bdoughty wrote:Dan it is early yet. I would hate to see you burst a blood vessel before the game is even officially relased.
Don't worry I won't.

Look at least Toper tried it, I really do not care if anyone likes it. Truth be told it is very difficult and I am not even sure i will end up playing with it on.

I was just stating my opinion on why I don't think it was poorly implemnted and that I thought worthless was a bit much. I think the way it is implemented it is definetly challenging and it simulates the vision of a QB.

To me the superstar mode is worthless, seems like Toper likes that. Again it is all opinion and I'm just stating mine. I thought it might be appreciated since I've actually played the game but it is obvious the same old crew (not you BD) are going to pull the same old s***. So I will keep my impressions to myself on the passing cone from now on.

People put their impressions up way to fast and do not give features a fair shake. Such is life on the internet. Of course I have never played the game and can also agree that Superstar mode is worthless.

Heck I ripped on ESPN Baseball from my limited time playing it at a kiosk. Once I bought it and played a few games I did a complete reversal and love the game.

Toper · Post by **Toper** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 9:25 pm

Danimal wrote:
Toper wrote: It's worthless TO ME...like I said, it is is either unintuitive or implemented poorly (take your pick...I think it's both).

IMO, I think it's unintuitive because it makes you either use both sticks at the same time (comparable to rubbing your tummy and patting your head), or select a receiver TWICE to pass to them (if they're not the primary).

It's implemented poorly TO ME because an analog input is too slow...you can't move the stick as fast and as accurate as you can scan the field with your eyes (this is the same problem I have with cursor hitting in baseball games, or using a controller versus a keyboard and mouse for an FPS). IMO, they should have made the right stick scanning digital (where it "snaps" to each receiver in the direction you flick it)...I mean, why would you scan an "empty" part of the field in real life?

I can already see a passing cone/anti-cone flame war brewing (comparable to cursor hitting versus timing base)...all I can say is use what's best for you.

As for me, call me "impatient" or "slow with a control pad", but I've played enough maddens/ncaas to know that this feature adds nothing FOR ME. I actually think that the new pass catch animations and wr awareness with the sidelines add ALOT more to the passing game than this feature. With that said, I think that this year's madden has been a pleasant surprise for me, and plays better than this year's ncaa (with passing cone off).

Toper
Precisely why I said in my opinion I think your statement was overdone. I'm fine if you find it useless, an although I never called you impatient specifically, let me ask how much time did you spend on the practice field with the passing cone? How many games did you play with it on?

Sorry if you think my statement is overdone, but honestly, that's how I feel about it. If you like it, then it doesn't bother me at all.

Same thing with superstar mode...it's a good change of pace FOR ME after starting the usual franchise/owner mode with the Steelers that I've been doing for the past half-decade...again, if you don't like it, doesn't bother me one bit.

Anyways, I played 3 games on allmadden, allpro, and pro with the cone on. I didn't like it. Went back to practice mode for a bit then played one more game with it after seeing your post, just to see if I missed anything...still don't like it. It is now off for good on my system.

I mean, why would I want to use an interface that is "very difficult" (your words), when it doesn't offer me any more gameplay enjoyment or realism than the easier method? I TOTALLY understand if someone wants to play with the cone on. I am also all for innovation, and if EA wants to tweak this feature in the future, I'll be the first to try it out.

But I don't understand when someone insists that I play a game "a certain way" or something is wrong with me or I'm not a "hardcore baller"(not you, Dan, just some people in general). I'm as hardcore as they come when it comes to sports games (as is just about everyone else who posts here). I am glad that EA is giving us the option to choose how we want to play...frankly, I've made my choice to play with the cone off..

Toper

bdoughty · Post by **bdoughty** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 9:30 pm

Just a suggestion if Jared is reading. Can you place "baller" on the list of censored words?

At OS I added it and "fanboy" to the censored word lists.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Sun Aug 07, 2005 9:40 pm

Toper wrote:
Leebo33 wrote:In game saves?
Yes, but still no "sim to end" for those blowouts.

Toper

Thanks. That's good news for me.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 2:18 am

Thanks for the impressions guys. I'm picking it up tomorrow at midnight and I'm looking forward to checking out the vision passing. I'm one of the few who are really pumped to check it out. From what I've seen and read on it, it does seem to mimick a quarterback checking down his progressions. I'm all for it and hope it makes the passing game more realistic. An extra button press doesn't bother me in the slightest if it helps realism. The Bears play tomorrow night and then I pick up Madden. Tomorrow is gonna be a good day.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 9:25 am

Anyone have the PS2 version?

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 10:18 am

why do people become such didcks when people post impressions?

i appreciate what toper posted.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 11:25 am

Sudz wrote:why do people become such didcks when people post impressions?

i appreciate what toper posted.

People make harsh statements before they should...that's all. How many times have people stated one thing and went back on it two weeks later after more playtime? It happens with EVERY single game.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 11:36 am

bdoughty wrote:Heck I ripped on ESPN Baseball from my limited time playing it at a kiosk. Once I bought it and played a few games I did a complete reversal and love the game.

Those are the dangers of tjunging a game.

Sorry Tim, I couldn't resist.

matthewk · Post by **matthewk** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 11:52 am

dbdynsty25 wrote:
Sudz wrote:why do people become such didcks when people post impressions?

i appreciate what toper posted.
People make harsh statements before they should...that's all. How many times have people stated one thing and went back on it two weeks later after more playtime? It happens with EVERY single game.

We just need to create a template. Then we could save all this typing and just fill in the blanks. The obvious replies and counter replies could also be done with templates

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 11:57 am

It's not impossible to get a good feel after a couple of hours, especially if you know what to look for and if you're looking at the annual sports game upgrade.

If you played the previous few years of a series, then when the new one comes out, you can see which things are improved or fixed, which things have regressed, which things weren't changed at all.

kevinpars · Post by **kevinpars** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 11:58 am

Any penalties called this year? Better than last year, when there were almost none?

Any atmosphere?

Minor prepurchase complaint - why the hell can't the Madden and NCAA teams get together and use a similar button layout so that you don't have to switch back and forth? Why punish those of us who buy both games? We should be rewarded. Make the gameplay different, sure, but make the basics for both games similar and intuitive.

And EA, please give us a sim to end. The only thing worse the finishing a blowout win in NCAA is finishing a blowout loss. I got smoked by Oklahoma (I was Pitt) and it just kept getting worse (a punt return for 6, 2 fumbles returned for TDs).

Toper · Post by **Toper** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 12:45 pm

kevinpars wrote:Any penalties called this year? Better than last year, when there were almost none?

Any atmosphere?

Minor prepurchase complaint - why the hell can't the Madden and NCAA teams get together and use a similar button layout so that you don't have to switch back and forth? Why punish those of us who buy both games? We should be rewarded. Make the gameplay different, sure, but make the basics for both games similar and intuitive.

And EA, please give us a sim to end. The only thing worse the finishing a blowout win in NCAA is finishing a blowout loss. I got smoked by Oklahoma (I was Pitt) and it just kept getting worse (a punt return for 6, 2 fumbles returned for TDs).

- They seem to have bumped up the penalty calling this year. I turned up the holding and p.i. sliders all the way (like I always do) and there were noticeably more calls...I actually had to turn them back down to defaults.

- Atmosphere seems non-existant...ncaa definitely still has madden by the balls here.

- It boggles my mind that ncaa and madden STILL use slightly different control interfaces.

- I'd gladly trade in rfth, superstar mode, and passing cone for a sim to end option in both games.

Toper

Sudz · Post by **Sudz** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 1:17 pm

" It boggles my mind that ncaa and madden STILL use slightly different control interfaces."

AGREED

Post by **Jared** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 1:56 pm

bdoughty wrote:Just a suggestion if Jared is reading. Can you place "baller" on the list of censored words?

At OS I added it and "fanboy" to the censored word lists.

Ha. Fortunately, baller is rarely used on these forums (I only found eight threads on the forum with baller in the title). Fanboy is much more prevalent, being in 51 threads.

Maybe a creative censor would be good for "fanboy"...change it to something completely different. Any suggestions?

Slumberland · Post by **Slumberland** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 2:02 pm

Jared wrote:Maybe a creative censor would be good for "fanboy"...change it to something completely different. Any suggestions?

"discerning enthusiast"

pk500 · Post by **pk500** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 2:46 pm

Jared wrote:Maybe a creative censor would be good for "fanboy"...change it to something completely different. Any suggestions?

Athletic supporter.

Out,
PK

WillHunting · Post by **WillHunting** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 4:25 pm

Leebo33 wrote:Anyone have the PS2 version?

I got the PS2 version..... Only played abit, got killed by the Jets (playing as the Pats). I can't throw for crap with the cone on.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 5:02 pm

One recommendation to anyone getting this game tonight or tomorrow and who wants to use the cone.

Do yourself a favor resit the urge to jump right into an exhibition game and go watch the tutorial and then go into practice mode and spend 15 minutes in there before trying a game.

I am jotting down all my impressions for one big post. But I have to say I am a huge Madden fan, and I do not find myself dying to play this game.

I might be footballed out after 3 straight dynasty seasons of NCAA. Because I liked madden05 and this game is better then 05. The new defensive adjustment alone are worth it for me. But for some reason I have been unable to figure out I just don't want to play. I find myself more interested in playing GR:SS or BF2.

Also not to be a hypocrite, but I finally tried Superstar mode (yes after saying it was worthless without trying et tu) and I have to say it was kind of fun. The draft is a total letdown, and I haven't had to act yet

But it is kind of fun.

bdoughty · Post by **bdoughty** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 5:43 pm

Heh

I forgot exactly what we used back then as a replacement. I think it was something like ***** word used is a no-no at OS ***** possibly a little more sarcastic then that since it was me.

Well I caved. I have never missed getting a Madden game and the streak continues. ESPN goes back and Madden arrives at Midnight. I just need my Pro game to play and feel similar to NCAA. I also promise not to compare Madden to ESPN as until we see otherwise, Visual Concepts football game as simply a memory.

bdoughty · Post by **bdoughty** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 6:37 pm

I found this funny - Try and guess the celebrity Madden player before hitting the link below.

CLICK HERE FOR THE LINK

Boom · Post by **Boom** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 9:08 pm

I'm able to sample the PS2 version until I pick up my XBOX version tomorrow.

I stress tomorrow because I was planning on letting the geek in me enjoy picking it up at midnight madness tonight. There's no need.

I'm not saying the game is bad. I can tell it's going to play a very solid game of football.

The added presnap adjustments, right analog stick audibles, added play-maker, etc are nice additions. Stuff that really make a difference on the field that people tend to forget to mention when they b*tch about nothing but a roster update (because the presentation is the same as 1991 etc).

I don't think I'm going to have much problems using the passing cone at all. I seemed to grab the concept and not have much of a problem with it, however I do admit that I'll need to step up the difficulty to really see what I got.

Something that I noticed and bothered me right away.. and I do mean right away has to do with the actual passes. They really seem to float to the receiver. I didn't get to spend too much time with the game yet, but this is something that I'm a little bit worried about.

Very brief and initial impressions so take them for what they're worth.

For those hoping for the complete make-over, new commentary, something fresh to the presentation... You won't find it here.

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 9:38 pm

Boom wrote:I'm able to sample the PS2 version until I pick up my XBOX version tomorrow.

I stress tomorrow because I was planning on letting the geek in me enjoy picking it up at midnight madness tonight. There's no need.

I'm not saying the game is bad. I can tell it's going to play a very solid game of football.

The added presnap adjustments, right analog stick audibles, added play-maker, etc are nice additions. Stuff that really make a difference on the field that people tend to forget to mention when they b*tch about nothing but a roster update (because the presentation is the same as 1991 etc).

I don't think I'm going to have much problems using the passing cone at all. I seemed to grab the concept and not have much of a problem with it, however I do admit that I'll need to step up the difficulty to really see what I got.

Something that I noticed and bothered me right away.. and I do mean right away has to do with the actual passes. They really seem to float to the receiver. I didn't get to spend too much time with the game yet, but this is something that I'm a little bit worried about.

Very brief and initial impressions so take them for what they're worth.

For those hoping for the complete make-over, new commentary, something fresh to the presentation... You won't find it here.

Please let us know if there are any gameplay differences between the xbox and ps2 versions. I thought last year the ps2 version played better.

Boom · Post by **Boom** » Mon Aug 08, 2005 10:40 pm

Will do, but I disagree with your assessment of the 2005 versions.