Madden 15

[TCrouch]

It's still Madden, but for whatever reason, it's challenging me some this year without feeling cheated. I tried All-Madden defaults with the Raiders in a 12 minute game and beat the Chargers 20-13 in the final minutes.

I decided to play full 15 minute quarters using the zoom cam on offense and the defensive cam on defense, and I've had EXTREMELY close and competitive games. Started a franchise using the Bills in Owner Mode (figure they'll have a new owner this year anyway), lost 14-13 to the Bears in game 1. Went down 14-0 in the first half before clawing back into it. Had a chance to force a punt in the final minutes to get the ball back but couldn't stop them.

Won 23-17 in OT in game 2, and then finally broke through and put a hurting on the Chargers 31-10 in week 3. That was the first game I've had any sort of lead in. The defensive cam is the great equalizer for me, as well as the zoom cam. Without the bird's eye view, I can't sit in zone and bait CPU QB's to throw at me and get a bunch of picks. Oddly enough, I've gained 998 yards of offense after 3 games, and given up 998 yards on defense. At least I'm consistent.

The two areas I see that are out of whack (but easier to overlook when the results are so close) are CPU QB's are routinely completing everything on me. I think Rivers started 14 for 15, and finished something like 33 of 37 for 400 yards. It's tough for me to tell why they're completing everything when I am in defensive cam, so it's kind of fun to have that 'wonder how to fix this?' mindset in a game of Madden.

That being said--the defensive line moves are way overpowered. With Mario Williams I hit 5 sacks in game 1, and had another 4 QB hits that could have easily been sacks. He broke his jaw in game 2, but that didn't stop the team--12 sacks as a team. 8 more in game 3, and the Bills have 26 sacks after 3 games, with #2 in the stat sheet with 13.

I move back to LB and try not to blitz, calling the 'recommended' plays on defense, and then I tend to play too soft and give up easy completions for first downs constantly. I don't know how I feel about it yet, but maybe upping pass protection would help..not sure.

Either way, I'm having extremely close, competitive games on default sliders using the zoom/defense cam combination, and it feels a hell of a lot closer to what I see on TV than any Madden game lately has to me. And for whatever reason, last year I threw a TON of picks. I mean, 2 or 3 per game, which was never a problem in past years. This year it seems to be back to normal, where I can screw up and throw 1 or maybe 2 if I really force stuff in a contest, but I'm completing around 60% of my passes with E.J. Manuel with 4 TDs and 3 INTs in 3 games, where 2 were in the first game--and 1 when I went for broke late in the first half with a sideline bomb on 3rd and 18 in game 2.

[Inuyasha]

Thanks for the info all. One thing I love about football games is a good d-line engine. But football games don't have those except maybe once every 7 years. 2K5 had great d line play and one of the maddens on ps2/xbox had one. It sounds like this one at least has some of that and that's really intriguing for me.

Also the presentation from the video's ive seen looks fantastic. I like they gave a hoot about upgrading presentation this year. I like they put back halftime highlights as well.

I'll probably bite and get it. It's also the next sports games out for next gen which doesn't really didnt have much to choose from for year 1.

[Naples39]

So I am getting an Xbox One this week, and I may as well get a Madden bundle for the same price as the basic system.

That said, I don't intend to keep Madden. Assuming I can transfer the unused digital download code, anyone interested in buying it from me? $50?

[Inuyasha]

So I am getting an Xbox One this week, and I may as well get a Madden bundle for the same price as the basic system.

That said, I don't intend to keep Madden. Assuming I can transfer the unused digital download code, anyone interested in buying it from me? $50?

Target is having a sale starting today on the Madden Bundle XBOX One. You get a $35 gift card with the purchase. So you're getting the Madden bundle for $365.

[Naples39]

So I am getting an Xbox One this week, and I may as well get a Madden bundle for the same price as the basic system.

That said, I don't intend to keep Madden. Assuming I can transfer the unused digital download code, anyone interested in buying it from me? $50?

Target is having a sale starting today on the Madden Bundle XBOX One. You get a $35 gift card with the purchase. So you're getting the Madden bundle for $365.

Thanks. I will try to capitalize on that.

[XXXIV]

Ive played a few games now and I enjoyed them.

Feels improved over madden 25 at least to me. Not just the looks. I do hate the new play calling. Can I get rid of that and go to classic? Dont wanna waste my six hours figuring s*** like that out.

I am now back on the fence. Probably shouldn't punish the people working on madden for ramjagoffs incompetence and cowardice. Maybe. See how I feel on tuesday.

Something we will never see. Braford to Britt.



and Bradford to Austin.



Now I will go some where and be sad.

[Diablo25]

I like what I've seen with Madden 15 early access but I don't believe I'll be buying the game. I just don't see myself playing it much...especially with NHL, and a few other games, coming soon. Maybe I'll change my mind but for now I'm a no go.

[XXXIV]

NHL?

It burns!!!!!!!!





Sorry. I needed to laugh. Between personal problems and Rams problems.

[vader29]

NHL?

It burns!!!!!!!!

[XXXIV]

NHL?

It burns!!!!!!!!

LMFAO! Funny cause its true. EA?

[Aristo]

If you want the old play calling menus, you can always get the 360 version (or PS3, I assume). I downloaded the Season Ticket version for the 360 today, and it retained the old menus.

It does make it obvious that the next gen version is insanely better looking, although I still think the 360 version looks and plays a good game of football. It doesn't feel much different, but All Pro on the 360 is much tougher than All Pro on the XB1. I'll need to tweak some sliders to to make make the XB1 a little tougher. I played as the Chiefs at home versus the Titans on each tonight, and was getting smoked on the 360, mainly due to INTs, but was up 35-3 on the Titans on the XB1 when my time limit came up in the third quarter.

If I only had a 360, the last gen version would be enough to keep me from upgrading just for new football. But it is essentially last year's games with a few of the new features bolted in. You have the weird kicking arcs and the tackle cones, but not the menus and the new DL gameplay. In the 360, you do get the opportunity to hit A to pull off a move, but there is not hitting RT at the snap for a jump or using X make a different move. The 360 also has none of the new presentation stuff, which was probably obvious.

I have the XB1 version preloaded and ready to play at midnight.

[MizzouRah]

I think I'm getting it with the 10% discount. I've had fun playing it.

[sportdan30]

Well, I hastily and impulsively decided to go the Aristo route and download Madden 15 rather than purchase the retail version. I figure I'll be switching between The Show and Madden quite a bit, along with a couple other games. PSN came back online late last night and amazingly, the game downloaded in less than an hour. Hoping that it'll be available to play at 11 pm central as it's being reported.

[Aristo]

Yeah, it was only just short of 15 GB to download, just a tad higher than Madden 25's 12.5 or so. Still not a very large game, probably due to the limited commentary. This game is still no NBA 2K or MLB The Show in terms of graphics and animations, wither. It's a huge leap from even the next gen version of Madden 25 and fun to play, but they are not setting new standards here.

I did not touch the Connected Franchise stuff, since I didn't want to waste my six hours sinking around the menus and setting stuff up. I still wish we could just do smaller leagues of all human players in addition to the CPU controlling all other teams. I think it was a great feature people wanted to have, but I wanted it in addition to the simple online leagues I've aways played in sports games. And really, the Connected stuff makes the most sense in the NCAA game, where being ranked among all of the teams is part of the fun.

I did play MUT gem, and it was okay. The ultra short quarters still kind of ruins the mode. You have to look at it as a pure arcade mode with some deep roster strategy that has no bearing on real football, but is still fun to play. How much fun is up to every individual. But two and three minute quarters create a different kind of game. You are going to pass more, because there is always little time left. But if you get a lead and can run, you can end a game really quickly for your opponent. But for quick 15 minute games, it can be be fun.

I'm on the fence, but I doubt I will ever be okay spending cash on the mode, and no matter what anyone says, you need to spend some money to keep your team competitive. The number of coins you get per win versus how much contracts cost and how many contracts you burn through in a game just doesn't add up. All of the UT modes are this way. If you are better, you might get to spend less, but even then you will be moved up ti higher competition which means you will need even better players. For HUT, I would play until I ran out of contracts fro my players. I've never made it that long in the Madden or NCAA versions. But the roster building this year does seem more interesting, so we'll see.

[dbdynsty25]

Well, I hastily and impulsively decided to go the Aristo route and download Madden 15 rather than purchase the retail version. I figure I'll be switching between The Show and Madden quite a bit, along with a couple other games. PSN came back online late last night and amazingly, the game downloaded in less than an hour. Hoping that it'll be available to play at 11 pm central as it's being reported.

LOL...I did the exact same thing. There are a few games that I will purchase electronic copies. All of the sports games are included because I'll use them until their value is next to nothing anyway. So I can see the benefit there...got sick of swapping between Madden/NBA 2k/Fifa last year...now adding NHL to the mix...ugh. 1st world problems.

[10spro]

I did play MUT gem, and it was okay. The ultra short quarters still kind of ruins the mode. You have to look at it as a pure arcade mode with some deep roster strategy that has no bearing on real football, but is still fun to play. How much fun is up to every individual. But two and three minute quarters create a different kind of game. You are going to pass more, because there is always little time left. But if you get a lead and can run, you can end a game really quickly for your opponent. But for quick 15 minute games, it can be be fun.

I'm on the fence, but I doubt I will ever be okay spending cash on the mode, and no matter what anyone says, you need to spend some money to keep your team competitive. The number of coins you get per win versus how much contracts cost and how many contracts you burn through in a game just doesn't add up.

No doubt EA will keep any mode that has 'Ultimate' in it as it's their big money maker in their sports games. I wish also that the quarters would be at least 5 minutes per but it is what it is. Last season I spent easily $20 bucks trying to build my team but there are challenges also that you can complete in order to get the coins if you have the time.

I don't see any major changes to last year's game, have to mention the improved presentation while in the gameplay department the CPU QB's completion are a bit too accurate for my taste while running is still fun.

I will get the game just to get my football fix but I easily see myself flipping it over in a couple of months.

I just didn't have the same leisurely enjoyment playing this early version of the game as I did with the season pass in previous years knowing in the back of my mind of the limitation trial, even though I did not play all the six hours.

[TCrouch]

I'm in the minority. I've been so fed up with defense the past few editions that I didn't bother playing it at all. The only full season I played in Madden 25 was offense-only with the Raiders, or QB-only.

I burned through EIGHTEEN HOURS of Madden 15 trials so far. Completely used up the time on 3 separate gamertags. I would get into an argument of all of the things different this year, but really--it doesn't matter. To each his own. I absolutely cannot wait for the full version to release, to take my time in some of the game prep stuff, because I was having some unbelievable games near the end of my third trial period. Full 15 minute quarters, forcing (and making) mistakes, watching QBs wilt under pressure, the CPU burning me with big runs and then disappearing when down by a TD or two.

But through it all, I can't figure out how to stop the pinpoint passing of the CPU. The end results are fantastic, but that still bugs.

[Danimal]

I think previous playing time equates to how much different the game is to you when it comes to sports games. Many people saying Madden is the same also say The Show is significantly better this year. Truth is I put in little time with The Show and it seems like the same game to me, I put in a lot of time with Madden I can see the differences.

When it comes to sports games I just think that is the way it is.

[ScoopBrady]

I've only played one game of the trial but I saw what Terry was seeing with the pinpoint accuracy. Geno Smith had a 78% completion percentage. Having just recently played Madden 25 thanks to it being in the vault I think this year's version is definitely different. I really like the new defensive camera and had a lot of fun playing defense for a change. Maybe it did me good to take a year off of Madden last year but I definitely liked what I played.

[TCrouch]

That's certainly plausible, Dan.

I was telling Brad this morning--for so many years against the CPU, I had to do everything in my power not to hang 40 or 50 points on them, offensively. This year, I have 1 game out of probably a dozen or more that I scored 30+ on. The rest have been 21, 24, 27 point games (with full quarter lengths, 12 second runoff), and defensively I rarely give up anything less than 13. My average score is probably something like 24-20, which is refreshing.

Also, I seem to be the idiot who has no patience running the ball, because unlike Aristo, I don't find the default levels easier than last year. I try to run and I constantly trip over my pulling guard's feet, or run into the back of my blocker. When I consciously take a moment to set somebody up, I can make some good one-cut type of runs. But I'm so spastic that I rarely hit daylight.

Between the enjoyable offensive difficulty and my lack of ability to stop the CPU offense cold like so many previous games, I absolutely cannot wait to actually try a full season and see if the game prep stuff makes a lick of difference. It would be fun to try to develop Khalil Mack into a beast while working on Carr. Can I keep him on the bench a full season and get a decent output out of Schaub, or will I need to change the plan? How much of an effect does confidence REALLY have on a game? I don't know those answers yet, because I skipped the game prep and went flying from game to game, knowing every minute spent in a menu meant less time in a game on the trial.

And that "timer is expired!" running out inside of a 2 minute warning with no warning message whatsoever was a killer in the EA Access trial. Twice I lost the saved results of good games due to the trial expiring near the end, without knowing EXACTLY how much time I have left. "Less than 60 minutes left!" means somewhere between 59 and 46, but who knows where. If it's 59, I could squeeze a game in, but 46 no way.

[sportdan30]

Well, I hastily and impulsively decided to go the Aristo route and download Madden 15 rather than purchase the retail version. I figure I'll be switching between The Show and Madden quite a bit, along with a couple other games. PSN came back online late last night and amazingly, the game downloaded in less than an hour. Hoping that it'll be available to play at 11 pm central as it's being reported.

LOL...I did the exact same thing. There are a few games that I will purchase electronic copies. All of the sports games are included because I'll use them until their value is next to nothing anyway. So I can see the benefit there...got sick of swapping between Madden/NBA 2k/Fifa last year...now adding NHL to the mix...ugh. 1st world problems.

Yep. I've gotten lazier as a gamer as I've gotten older. I'll be on the couch with the PS4 controller a couple feet away, but if someone took The Show out of the system, I'll just watch the Cards game instead of getting up to put the disk in. Maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration, but there's some truth to it.

There are very few games that I must play on release day, and Madden has always been one of them. Rather than drive to Walmart at midnight, I'm hoping to be playing a little after 11. I'm hearing those on the west coast may be able to play as early as 9 pm

[10spro]

One thing I liked was the flipping of different camera angles with the D-pad. The side view is not too pretty to look at but it works, the ability to zoom on the offense is nice although I still prefer the wide out angle but playing D from the defensive point of view is definitely a big plus. Being a pass rusher is cool from this particular angle as your timing is crucial when the QB snaps the ball and you try to shake off the blocker with the right RT and A or X push.

The only camera view I haven't tried yet was the singe player, and I wonder how effective is.

[vader29]

I played a few games of the 360 version on all pro over the weekend and the cpu had a super high completion percentage also. First game in franchise mode Johnny Manziel was 18 for 20 against me, second game I knocked out Joe Flacco on the Ravens first drive and their backup, can't remember his name, went something like 16 for 18. On the other side, one of the games I went 0 for 12 before finally completing a pass, of course I also averaged my usual 5 ints per game with Roethlisberger.

[MizzouRah]

I just played my first full game with the trial.. Raiders vs Rams in St. Louis.

What a FANTASTIC game! I won 23-20 in OT.

Playing on AP defaults with 15 minute quarters and 15 seconds left play clock yielded a pretty great game. Penalties will need adjustments as usual and sub in/sub out setting will need tweaked, but overall I haven't had this fun playing Madden in a VERY LONG TIME.

Shaub was 25-36 for 290 and 1 TD, Bradford was 16-32 for 201 and 1 TD
Jones-Drew was 31-115
Stacy was 30-123 and 1 TD

I played mostly DE Robert Quinn and had 4 sacks.. just a great feeling getting past the OL and hunting the QB down. I'm not big on the defense camera, but I used it a little bit.. I like the traditional view just one click back to see the field more.

The thing that was really cool and hit the final nail in my purchase was.. the game was tied 20-20 going into OT and about 5 minutes in, the game freezes and I about had a fit. So I exit the game and then go back in and was shocked to see the game had auto saved before the freeze... are you kidding me? Was this in the game last year? That made me so happy and I was able to continue where I left off and finished the game. Definitely getting it this year.

For me, I don't see many tweaks yet from default AP besides penalties, sub in and sub out (although the CPU subbed in McFadden a little bit) and the commentary is so-so, but I don't really listen all that much.

[sportdan30]

How's the dome lighting look in STL and other domes? I'm reading visually the game looks much better in outdoor stadiums.

Are you guys seeing ad nauseum the same cut scenes over and over? That was a main beef of mine last year. I could live with the rather limited commentary but the same cut scenes really killed the overall presentation.

I gave Madden 25's gameplay a 7.5-8 last year, and from what I've read, it sounds improved which is great to read.