Madden NFL 12

[HipE]

I actually have the same problems that both you and Zeppo have. I have a 250 gig hard drive with only 62 gb free. Unfortunately for me, I don't have a memory card so I guess I am screwed unless EA patches this problem. As for the game itself, I love it, but all the pauses and long waits are wearing on me. I wonder if I could use a non microsoft flash drive just for my rosters?

You can, each USB port will recognize up to 16gb from a flash drive. You can even install your games on the drive and run them off of it, it seems to work just as well as installing to the hard drive.

[MizzouRah]

Last preseason game and cuts, then we will welcome the Eagles into St. Louis to kick off the 2011 season!

Being able to Supersim is excellent, especially in preseason so I can just quickly get to offense as that's where I'm having difficulty cutting players.

[Aristo]

Last preseason game and cuts, then we will welcome the Eagles into St. Louis to kick off the 2011 season!

Being able to Supersim is excellent, especially in preseason so I can just quickly get to offense as that's where I'm having difficulty cutting players.

Not that it matters in preseason games, but is Supersim as dorked as it is in NCAA 12 (and was in NCAA 11). Basically, when you Supersim a series, the only time that comes off the clock is the actual time of each play. So an 11 play drive, where the CPU tuns the ball will stil just take like just about a minute.

[Lancer]

I actually have the same problems that both you and Zeppo have. I have a 250 gig hard drive with only 62 gb free. Unfortunately for me, I don't have a memory card so I guess I am screwed unless EA patches this problem. As for the game itself, I love it, but all the pauses and long waits are wearing on me. I wonder if I could use a non microsoft flash drive just for my rosters?

You can, each USB port will recognize up to 16gb from a flash drive. You can even install your games on the drive and run them off of it, it seems to work just as well as installing to the hard drive.

That's what I do.

Got some fairly inexpensive 16gb usb drives, put them onto my 360. So w/ my old 20gb which lets you only use 14gb of that, and w/ the 2 16, I have nearly 50gb to install games on. More than enough.

[MizzouRah]

Last preseason game and cuts, then we will welcome the Eagles into St. Louis to kick off the 2011 season!

Being able to Supersim is excellent, especially in preseason so I can just quickly get to offense as that's where I'm having difficulty cutting players.

Not that it matters in preseason games, but is Supersim as dorked as it is in NCAA 12 (and was in NCAA 11). Basically, when you Supersim a series, the only time that comes off the clock is the actual time of each play. So an 11 play drive, where the CPU tuns the ball will stil just take like just about a minute.

I do each play to read the action and it's definitely in normal time.

[Lancer]

I am really terrible on all pro.

I played 3 games and scored 9 points, all fg's.

I get INT alot and can't find the endzone.

Maybe I'm playing the game like NCAA where how you pass really matters. Should I just start gunning it by holding down the button every time?

[TCrouch]

Definitely not. It's very similar to NCAA in my experience. If you have to get the ball into a tight window, then gunning it is the only way to go. But to get it over the LB's and in front of safeties, I'm frequently using a lobbed ball. Last game in an Eagles franchise I pump faked the safety (LT and the B button), then tossed a ridiculous rainbow down the left sideline that had the defense beaten by a good 3 yards. Your touch still definitely matters.

[Lancer]

noticed a few bugs, under 2 min, ball carrier gets knocked oob but clock doesn't stop running.

Also when the Browns were doing a QB Kneel Hillis was in the backfield as RB but there was another Hillis with the same # as one of the FBs behind the qb.

[Brando70]

I am really terrible on all pro.

I played 3 games and scored 9 points, all fg's.

I get INT alot and can't find the endzone.

Maybe I'm playing the game like NCAA where how you pass really matters. Should I just start gunning it by holding down the button every time?

Separation is really important, more so than ever in Madden. A player has to have lateral separation on crossing routes and vertical separation as well. It's much harder to thread a pass to a player when there is a defender near the route of the pass.

One other thing is that blocking audibles matter quite a bit more, because increasing your time in the pocket will greatly increase your chances for success in passing.

Finally, if you're in a passing situation and facing a clear passing defense, consider a draw of run out of the gun. If you have a soft defensive front with 2-3 DLs, you might be able to get 8-12 yards a lot of the time. Those plays work much better this year as long as you use them in the right situation.

[JRod]

One other thing that's pretty stupid. The CPU calls 3-deep defenses a little too often (often being don't call it unless it's 3rd and 45 or it's the end of a half) and in bad spots (like 3rd and 10). I called a 4-wide draw play on the 35 with 12 to go. I picked it up because the defense called 3-deep and vacated the middle of the field. With no LB and only three lineman, this isn't much of a challenge.

It's not all that often but it's boneheaded stuff like this that makes you scratch your head.

And it's funny how if you use the game plan feature, if you switch from run to game plan to pass, it will change to a different play. It's not broken or stupid but it's funny to see what the game recommends to call.

[Danimal]

Definitely not. It's very similar to NCAA in my experience. If you have to get the ball into a tight window, then gunning it is the only way to go. But to get it over the LB's and in front of safeties, I'm frequently using a lobbed ball. Last game in an Eagles franchise I pump faked the safety (LT and the B button), then tossed a ridiculous rainbow down the left sideline that had the defense beaten by a good 3 yards. Your touch still definitely matters.

I find that pump faking a specific receiver works very well against bad corners assuming you have the time in the pocket.

Amazing that the Lt + button is not in the manual

[TCrouch]

Yeah, thanks for teaching me that one in that asskicking you gave me

I've watched safeties actually JUMP in the direction of the other receiver. It's almost like a button combo to look off safeties or zone defenders.

With Vick in that last game, it was the first time playing as Vick felt like...well, playing as Vick. I could gun it a mile down the field, and the safeties had to continually play back. They had to leave a spy on the field, so I was able to hit about 65% of my passes in the game for over 250 and 3 TDs just picking them apart. When they tried to cover the pass, I got 10 to 12 yard runs for first downs. When all else failed, a draw play to Shady McCoy netted a good 5 yards as well.

I think the passing is VERY similar to NCAA, so I'm still a bit taken back by the earlier comment. And dead on with regards to the line audibles as well. Sometimes when I come to the line, see an obvious blitz, and think I can just hotread it...then take a sack...I feel like an idiot. I've had games where I just absolutely stink up the field (last franchise game with Jason Campbell against the Pats I think I was like 5 of 18 for 60 yards with 3 picks before I pulled him), and others I get in an almost Zen-like state where I can see everything before it happens and notch high-140's Passer Rating games.

One thing it's not is boring. I'm not quite sure what I'm going to get each week from both my own team and my opponents.

[Lancer]

I started a test franchise with the Saints just to see how the mode is. Did that cut player thing, it was ok, but then just simmed to the season.

first game vs the packers season opener was intense. After play Play Now for so long, I like how the games now matter. I am also interested in how the dynamic player stuff works and the hot/cold streaks. I will probably go with this franchise then and just start a new one with the Ravens when the rosters are updated by the time the season starts.


Let me add the atmosphere in Lambeau was great. The GO PACK GO thing during the game and when the Packers scored that song they play is just like real life. Crowd noise is no problem on my setup either.

[MizzouRah]

Passing is definitely about checking your receivers and either leading a pass into their route or finding that open guy.

I'm average as passing, but I also find it quite realistic in the fact that the window is small.. unless you just happen to get a play where the coverage is blown.

[Lancer]

Finally got a big win, me Saints vs Bears, won 28-14, was up 28-0.

Is that dynamic thing during the game messed up? Cutler threw 3 int's in the game and by the 4th qtr, it had him on a hot streak. Brees for me threw 2 TDs and a lot of yards and was at a cold streak. Same w/ my WR's, Meecham had his ratings lower when he caught 2tds and 100 some yards.

[Diablo25]

Actually got my copy working last night. Solid game this year but it will definitey fall down on the rotation when NHL 12 arrives on the 9th.

[Danimal]

One thing it's not is boring. I'm not quite sure what I'm going to get each week from both my own team and my opponents.

Yep exactly. It's a good game but it could of been so much more. I really just think this is not a top tier effort IMO, they basically took last year off I expected more. I hope to see that next year with new people in charge but honestly I wish they has just cleaned house.

Having said that this is the first time in a long time where I am battling to make the playoffs and I don't know if it will happen and that is a good thing IMO.

[Aristo]

Actually got my copy working last night. Solid game this year but it will definitey fall down on the rotation when NHL 12 arrives on the 9th.

To be honest, I loaded NCAA 12 back-up in anticipation of the patch dropping soon, and I'm sorry, but NCAA is just a better football experience through and through. Madden is not bad, and is fine if you really want the NFL game. But the last two days of playing NCAA pretty much sealed the deal that I won't be picking up Madden any time soon. I'd say the pre-rel;ease deal saved me money, but there was less of a chance of me buying it before I played it.

But I agree with you, NHL 12 is going to own me when it drops. And I NBA 2K12 looks like a fantastic upgrade on last year's game. I just can't rationalize spending money on Madden when it is the weakest of too many sports games released in a short window. And when I say weakest, I'm not saying it is bad. I love NCAA 12.

That said, I can at least see why Madden will sell well this year. It is a quality game version of America's favorite sport.

[MizzouRah]

Lost the home opener to Philly, 28-23.. Bradford's completion % was 70.8, but he threw 4 INT's. Vick ran every chance he got and most of the time he would slide.

Other than two long bombs - one was a jump ball with two of my defenders right in Macklin's face, we held Vick in check.

AP defaults, 12 min quarters - Jackson only had 54 yards and McCoy had 75.

Lots of FG's from both teams and overall, a decent and quite honestly.. a fun first season game.

One FG they attempted, I had a reverse angle on defense.. wish it was like that all of the time!

We head to New York to face the 1-0 Giants next.

[Rodster]

To be honest, I loaded NCAA 12 back-up in anticipation of the patch dropping soon, and I'm sorry, but NCAA is just a better football experience through and through.

Based on your recommendation I just picked up a copy on NCAA 12 from Ebay. I scored a new copy for $39.10

[Lancer]

Rod - so will you be keeping Madden or have you not tried it yet?

[Rodster]

Rod - so will you be keeping Madden or have you not tried it yet?

Nah I decided not to get Madden. I bought it from Amazon along with Top Spin 4 and they dragged their feet so I cancelled. I weighed the pros and cons and i'll just wait for a serious price drop or sweet deal from either Ebay or an EA flash deal.

The overwhelming consensus from those who have played both is that NCAA 12 plays a better game of football and is the more polished game.

[JRod]

Played Cincy twice in Franchise (I keep assuming the auto-save is).

First off here's why I like Madden better.

The Bengals go up 14-3 in the first Quarter. A long run by Benson and INT to put them inside my 20 for an easy score.

In the 2nd, Cincy are beginning to move again. I could not stop Palmer or Benson. THEN, I nailed Benson for a fumble. All the momentum changed. Benson could still run but it seemed he was rattled. With him held in check, I focused on Palmer who ate up my CB #2. Champ Bailey was champ and they really though to him.

Then late in the 4th, we knocked out Palmer when cincy was down by 14. Gradkowski stood too long in the pocket or made stupid passes.

It was 44-28 to end the game. That's the second game where it was a high scoring affair with Cincy. Not sure if that's good or bad.

On another note, McGahee had over 200 yards rushing and one 85 yarder. This was with Bill's sliders and my own changes. I think HUM RB ability needs to be turned down or something.

[sportdan30]

Would someone be so kind to post Bill's sliders?

Thank you.

[MizzouRah]

Holy smokes this game is hella fun!

Beat the Giants 21-17 as Eli Manning was injured, although Rosenfelds did pretty good.

Jackson had 178 yards rushing and 2 TD's and Bradshaw had 176 yards rushing for the G men.

DE Chris Long was injured part of the way into the 3rd quarter and the rookie Robert Quinn came in and had a sack and 3 tackles for losses... quite an impact player!

If you go into instant replay and back out before a FG, the play will be reversed and for me, that view is pretty cool.

The game plays pretty damn close to the real NFL as far as actual gameplay goes and I'm quite happy with my purchase thus far.

Without sucking blocking, it's a thing of beauty to watch my OL break off blocks as I run Jackson behind them up field.

The Ravens come to St. Louis next...