Madden 10 - Will they prove us wrong?

tjung0831 · Post by **tjung0831** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 6:44 pm

sportdan30 wrote:Geez, and people got on me for selling Tiger Woods '10 for the Wii after a week and half's worth of play.......good game, but not my type of game.

I should point out I have TW10 for the 360...not the Wii. I don't know why I can't get into it...i've tried and tried but I just can't. I may be picking up NCAA tonight.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 7:35 pm

seanmac31 wrote:The game speed is so much slower than either Madden 09 or NCAA 10 that it feels sluggish your first game or two.

Yeah, I had the same experience. I thought it felt pretty good after I got used to it. Also as an older guy whose reflexes arent what they used to be thats a good thing

It is just a demo and using the experience I gained from the NCAA10 demo and how it depicted the actual game...Im going to leave my impressions to this one observation....

The helmets are very shiny.

tjung0831 wrote:
sportdan30 wrote:Geez, and people got on me for selling Tiger Woods '10 for the Wii after a week and half's worth of play.......good game, but not my type of game.
I should point out I have TW10 for the 360...not the Wii. I don't know why I can't get into it...i've tried and tried but I just can't. I may be picking up NCAA tonight.

You guys are not alone. Im going to put my copy of TW towards Madden. I think its a pretty good game but It just isnt going to get into my rotation.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 8:00 pm

sportdan30 wrote:Geez, and people got on me for selling Tiger Woods '10 for the Wii after a week and half's worth of play.......good game, but not my type of game.

That's because we are all gaming nuts just like you and believe me, my wife shakes her head when she sees a game on the kitchen counter next to my car keys.. she knows that's where I put them when I'm trading them in. She says, is that the golf game you just HAD to get?

I've played it some, but it doesn't have me coming back to it.

Can't wait to play the Madden demo, but I guess that will not be until vacation is over and I go back to work.. just not worth it to drive to gamestop to get it.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 9:36 pm

Please don't tell me there isn't player lock. It's hard to play without it now and I'd love to alternate between Harrison, Polamalu, and Hampton.

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Thu Jul 23, 2009 11:30 pm

This online 'elite' thing...ugh.

Want to play a ranked match on All-Madden level online? $5, please...

http://ps3.ign.com/articles/100/1007008p2.html

'...Elite players will also be the only ones in the Madden online world that will be able to play a ranked match on the All-Madden difficulty setting....'

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 12:14 am

I've played two games and I'm honestly blown away. Both games were on All Pro difficulty. I love the pace of the game. I know it's slower but it feels very good imo. The passing game is awesome. The pocket is great and pressure results in sporadic balls. The running game is spot on as well. The biggest improvement, though, has got to be what happens after initial contact. I've seen so many ridiculous animations after contact has been made that just left my jaw dropped. Every tackle is different.

The only real negatives I've seen so far were some clipping issues during cutscenes. As much as I've enjoyed NCAA 10 so far I am now officially ready for Madden to release.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 12:18 am

The private leaderboards and lobbies are no big deal. If people are stupid enough to pay extra for them, let them.

But All-Madden ranked games is something they offered in previous versions so they take a feature and charge extra for it.

Typical Tiburon bullshit.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 3:08 am

ScoopBrady wrote:I've played two games and I'm honestly blown away. Both games were on All Pro difficulty.

This the first Madden that's finally replaced NFL2K5 for me.

Rodster · Post by **Rodster** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 3:11 am

wco81 wrote:The private leaderboards and lobbies are no big deal. If people are stupid enough to pay extra for them, let them.

But All-Madden ranked games is something they offered in previous versions so they take a feature and charge extra for it.

Typical Tiburon bullshit.

Yup they can stick it. I generally don't buy DLC just for that reason. It encourages game companies to keep doing it as long as people are stupid enough to pay for it, ala "Horses Armor".

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 9:05 am

A lot of people saying they really enjoy the demo. A lot of others posting videos like this (Willie Parker breaking a 4 man gang tackle):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSO38ixe ... r_embedded

I'm guessing the truth about the game is somewhere in between.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 9:15 am

GTHobbes wrote:A lot of people saying they really enjoy the demo. A lot of others posting videos like this (Willie Parker breaking a 4 man gang tackle):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSO38ixe ... r_embedded

I always thought Willie Parker was the reincarnation of Earl Campbell. Now I have the video evidence I needed.

GameSeven · Post by **GameSeven** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 9:32 am

Quick impressions from a pair of plays (1-minute demo, All-Pro)

Pro:

- Passing game feels quite good
- Pocket much better than past Maddens
- Hit Hixon on an out and he was able to brake at the sideline and lunge forward to get a first-down
- Presentation much improved... Crowd sounds better, frequent stat overlays, kicker warm ups, chain gang and injury decisions all add to atmosphere
- Variety of tackles impressive
- While the pace is slower (better IMHO) cutscenes skip pretty quickly and an actual game looks like it can be played pretty quickly

Con:

- First CPU pass hit Marion Barber right in the numbers for a drop without any reaction animation from Barber... Only happened once but a pet peeve of mine
- First CPU pass second game was a pick-six the other way... but it was the only INT on either side through my two 'games'
- I broke at least a three man tackle with Jacobs for a 55 yard TD run on fourth and inches... This is more plausible that the Parker video, but I'd like some assurance that these singular efforts are infrequent and tied to something greater than chance
- CPU committed three consecutive Holding infractions on one PAT attempt. I declined third after they missed the third PAT attempt. Was tempted to force them to keep going back to see what would happen.
- While clock management is *very* difficult to judge with 1-minute quartes, second game ended with the CPU down one and out of time outs. While they did spike the ball to get one extra down, they called a play that got them to about the 22 but (barely) could not get back to the line for a game winning kick. They probably should have tried the long kick with seconds to go.

While I'd appreciate a longer running demo, it basically met my expectations and I'll be picking up the game this year.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 9:37 am

GameSeven wrote: - While clock management is *very* difficult to judge with 1-minute quartes, second game ended with the CPU down one and out of time outs. While they did spike the ball to get one extra down, they called a play that got them to about the 22 but (barely) could not get back to the line for a game winning kick. They probably should have tried the long kick with seconds to go.

.

I dont see a problem there. They probably based the clock management logic on Mike Martz.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 10:02 am

XXXIV wrote:
I dont see a problem there. They probably based the clock management logic on Mike Martz.

Don't say that name around these parts!

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 10:19 am

Color me impressed! Madden *feels* much better than NCAA this year. The one minute quarters for a demo is a stupid, stupid idea, but yeah, if the commentary matches the atmosphere already in place, I might even have a first of buying Madden and leaving NCAA on the shelf.

TCrouch · Post by **TCrouch** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 10:35 am

The 5 minute quarter even has accelerated clock, so it's not quite a "normal" full game, either.

But it's certainly good IMO. I had the Pittsburgh pass rush absolutely annihilating me on some plays and I never felt comfy. One pass with Warner had his feet set and a total overthrow lobbed it nicely to Polamalu for an INT.

Then later I was able to toss a laser between two defenders to the pylon for an over-the-shoulder grab by Breaston for a TD.

Fitzgerald is also cheese, in-game and in real life

I chucked a lob down the sideline out of desperation as the rush closed in and he was blanketed by two defenders. One got a piece of the ball and Fitzgerald managed to one-hand it, drag both toes along the sideline and make the catch with the OTHER defender twisting around his hips. Ridiculous stuff.

I think one of the small things that I love is that new "Red Landing Spot" circle. Instead of whatever they've done in the past (I want to just say a yellow circle or something?), the "large red ring coming down to the small red ring" gives you a very good idea of where the ball is in-flight, and how quickly it's traveling.

I really felt like Warner was eating me alive when I was playing with the Steelers early on. I kept using all these safe little zones and he'd just pick me apart. Remembering that Pittsburgh doesn't play like that, I started sending the house. Got a sack on the first down, hit him for a duck on 2nd down, and a sack on 3rd down.

Overall, it appears to be very good. I have yet to really get used to the running game but I only played a couple of games late last night.

Zlax45 · Post by **Zlax45** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 10:40 am

The accelerated clock really speeds up the game which I am going to like when the full game comes out!

seanmac31 · Post by **seanmac31** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 10:47 am

TCrouch wrote:The 5 minute quarter even has accelerated clock, so it's not quite a "normal" full game, either.

But it's certainly good IMO. I had the Pittsburgh pass rush absolutely annihilating me on some plays and I never felt comfy. One pass with Warner had his feet set and a total overthrow lobbed it nicely to Polamalu for an INT.

Then later I was able to toss a laser between two defenders to the pylon for an over-the-shoulder grab by Breaston for a TD.

Fitzgerald is also cheese, in-game and in real life I chucked a lob down the sideline out of desperation as the rush closed in and he was blanketed by two defenders. One got a piece of the ball and Fitzgerald managed to one-hand it, drag both toes along the sideline and make the catch with the OTHER defender twisting around his hips. Ridiculous stuff.

I think one of the small things that I love is that new "Red Landing Spot" circle. Instead of whatever they've done in the past (I want to just say a yellow circle or something?), the "large red ring coming down to the small red ring" gives you a very good idea of where the ball is in-flight, and how quickly it's traveling.

I really felt like Warner was eating me alive when I was playing with the Steelers early on. I kept using all these safe little zones and he'd just pick me apart. Remembering that Pittsburgh doesn't play like that, I started sending the house. Got a sack on the first down, hit him for a duck on 2nd down, and a sack on 3rd down.

Overall, it appears to be very good. I have yet to really get used to the running game but I only played a couple of games late last night.

Yes, one fantastic thing that is undoubtedly being overlooked by the doom and gloomers at OS is that the CPU playcalling feels very team specific. I know that was a point of emphasis, and in terms of both formations and playcalls, Madden really seems to have hit the nail on the head. Pittsburgh brings it, Arizona spreads the field, and the Steelers pass more than people think they do. I downloaded the 1 minute demo and wanted to look at it for similar trends, but I expect with the extreme shortness of the quarters that it would be tough to tell.

sportdan30 · Post by **sportdan30** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 11:01 am

My initial impressions is that it's far and away a more polished game than NCAA '10. That includes graphically which in imo is not even a close comparison. Everything from the grass to the sidelines to the player models has a crisper look to it.

Additionally, there seems to be a number of more animations (tackles, fights for extra yards, catches, etc) that give the game a fresher feeling than years prior. Finally, the refs are on the field which makes the game look not as plain or generic.

I can take or leave the cut scenes, but there are quite a few that give you that immersive feel. Remember the first next gen Madden game where you looked at building pillars frequently during a game? The cut scenes are done quite well too between plays when you're at the game play screen.

The addition of more stat overlays is very welcome to see.

I've made my feeling pretty well known that the commentary needs improving. However, any commentary will be welcome as I find it difficult to play multiple games without a broadcast crew.

Gameplay wise, I'm very much enjoying it. It does run a little slow, and I fully intend to bump it up to normal on the retail version. However, this is a great way to acclimate myself with the controls and get a feel for running and passing. I am seeing a little too much suction blocking, but I'm still able to get pressure on the QB. I sacked Ben "did he or did he not sexually assault that girl" Roethlisberger twice in the first possession. I also picked him off at the end of the second quarter for a touchdown. Passing feels great and running is quite fun as it's easier to follow your blockers and get through the holes. Kicking sucks and probably always will. The return game seems improved and I'm able to really be creative and pick up extra yards as blocking seems to play a major factor.

All in all, the subtle changes make for what seems to be a very solid title. Looking forward to release day.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 12:22 pm

It's going to be a given that it's more polished than NCAA, with a bigger team and budget.

There will be glaring gameplay flaws and exploitable aspects. That's not to say it can't be enjoyable but it's better to temper expectations first.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 12:36 pm

wco81 wrote:It's going to be a given that it's more polished than NCAA, with a bigger team and budget.

There will be glaring gameplay flaws and exploitable aspects. That's not to say it can't be enjoyable but it's better to temper expectations first.

Are you going to give actual impressions of the demo or are you just going to continue to trash EA? I'd like to hear your actual thoughts on the demo rather than what you're expecting from the full release. What are we, little kids? "Now kiddies don't get too excited about grandma's visit her plane is bound to crash."

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 12:49 pm

Dan, what sucks about kicking? I really like this system they've had for the last few years, though I do think it should be a bit less accurate.

I was able to play one game of the 1-min demo, and I was suitably impressed. Every tackle seems to be unique, which is huge. I love that you feel like you can almost break out of every tackle if you try, but not quite. The pace feels great. The run game seems to be really good at first blush and the passing game feels great too. I threw a few terrible balls with Eli, just due to poor timing or running while throwing. There at least seems to be a real chance that the D-line game will be closer to what 2k did so well (honestly in terms of gameplay, that is just about the only thing I preferred to Madden in 2k).

To me, the between the play stuff is amazingly immersive in terms of feeling like an authentic broadcast. They really nailed the look, in terms of camera position, lens length, depth of field, etc. Watching Coughlins face as he was screaming at my crappy defendng was just so pleasant (I love the division they chose for the demo, but why those horrible teams?).

The crowd is better, but they still could do a lot more IMHO. One thing I really liked was that I blocked the first pat attempt and I don't know if I've ever seen a blocked kick in Madden. It may never happen again to me, but now it's stuck in my brain that it can be done.

I'm sold. We will see how it holds up but so far so good. One thing I think is lame is that they added 2-player co-op online, but no 2 v 2. Maybe next year.

RobVarak · Post by **RobVarak** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 1:01 pm

Zeppo wrote:
The crowd is better, but they still could do a lot more IMHO. One thing I really liked was that I blocked the first pat attempt and I don't know if I've ever seen a blocked kick in Madden. It may never happen again to me, but now it's stuck in my brain that it can be done.

Actually, knowing EA it will probably happen on 30% of PAT's.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 1:13 pm

I don't have the demo. I didn't preorder from GS and I'm not XBL Gold.

Basing it on impressions from OS of things which are still in the game (rocket catch, suction blocking) and over 10 years of Madden history.

Every year they proclaim such and such is fixed or they give you one feature while taking away another. Sometimes they do actually fix something but then it returns a few years later.

We'll see if we break this pattern but already, they put out a broken online franchise which they already said they're not going to fix, even though it could be done on the server side.

Last year, they put out a couple of patches which improved the game. But they dangled some more fixes for a possible third patch which I don't think they released.

The example of a co-op mode this year and presumably a multiplayer online mode next year is very familiar and understandable. They have to make the sale every year.

GTHobbes · Post by **GTHobbes** » Fri Jul 24, 2009 1:28 pm

wco81 wrote:I don't have the demo. I didn't preorder from GS and I'm not XBL Gold.

Basing it on impressions from OS of things which are still in the game (rocket catch, suction blocking) and over 10 years of Madden history.

That's where I'm at, also. I'm looking forward to trying it myself next week when it's released on the PS3, but I'm personally glad to see people pointing out negatives as well as positives.

Ian has already said that the broadcast camera angle will not be included in the first patch, and that it may make it into the second patch when it hits in September. I'm pretty sure I won't buy it without the broadcast view (the traditional GOD view is just too stale for me), particularly since there's no player lock feature in Madden (why?!). So I've got plenty of time between now and September to be reading everyone's good and bad impressions.