Official Madden 2006 Impressions Thread

[Brando70]

Danimal, thanks for the tip about simming games, that's handy to know.

One question I have -- do the DBs still have the superhuman leaping ability from last year? That was easily my biggest gripe with 2005.

I'm probably picking this up this weekend, I don't want to start playing a different football game before NCAA night on Wed.

[MizzouRah]

Haha.. EB Games left a message for me (as my $5 continues to move on to the next sports game release) for Madden 2k6 and they said I would need a new memory card due to all the new features of the game. Funny stuff...

I still want to hear more from Badgun and the like before I totally dismiss Madden, but I've read that the drafting still picks players teams don't need. Say NY Giants pickup a QB in the first round, etc.... is this true? Franchise mode is what matters to me - and the ability to take my NCAA players and import them into the game.

Thanks,

Todd

[Toper]

Franchise Mode Update

I took a closer look in the strategy guide (don't ask why I have it) and then went in game. According to it there are 3 new features in franchise.

1. Total Control Simulation

This allows you to call plays on a text screen and then jump into the game at any point. Once in game you can quit out to return to the simulation. There is a finish simulation option on this screen.

Oddly enough if you start your game normally, you can't quit out to TCS.

So Toper you could start your game in TCS mode, immediately jump into the game and play it and then it gets out of hand. You can quit out to the TCS mode and simulate to the end. [EDIT: I tried this and it works. So as long as you start your game like this each time you have a sim to end option]

Dan,

Great find on the TCS mode...Franchise has been the ONLY thing that I wasn't able to check out/comment on this weekend, but it's good to know this feature is in there (albeit, as long as you remember to start each game with it).

Toper

[Toper]

One question I have -- do the DBs still have the superhuman leaping ability from last year? That was easily my biggest gripe with 2005.

DBs still have leaps, but this has been countered somewhat by the new WR catch/jump animations that have been added. Not perfect, but it strikes a better balance, IMO.

Toper

[dbdynsty25]

Deleted...I'm going to play nice.

[Danimal]

Danimal, thanks for the tip about simming games, that's handy to know.

One question I have -- do the DBs still have the superhuman leaping ability from last year? That was easily my biggest gripe with 2005.

I'm probably picking this up this weekend, I don't want to start playing a different football game before NCAA night on Wed.

You know, everyone is going to have their own opinon on it. I say it looks like they are gone, but like Toper mention it is probably because the WR now leap as well.

In fact the #2 improvement in 06 for me is the db / wr play. I've seen a lot of plays on the ball and I haven't seen any that made me go WTF.

I really wish you could use preceision passing without the cone, because I don't think I can play witout the precision passing, but I think I could live without the cone. Don't get me wrong I like it, but there is a step learning curver there.

Plus the black and white buttons for receivers I just can't get used to, thankfully those are usually your backs.

[Inuyasha]

Picked mine up this morning but can't play it until later.

One simple question : Better than madden2005 ? y/n/same?


I'll be happy if it's madden05 with a roster update, considering I got it at a discounted price.

[bdunn13]

I have not played the game yet and don't own it either.. Won't be able to pick it up until I get home Wed evening.

Is the running with the QB like NCAA this year(not sure if this has been answered anywhere yet)? I am a Falcons fan and this would help me out alot since I am sure I will be running alot with Vick.

I think its cool Vick has a small cone - it will make stopping the pass against him more realistic and make whoever you are playing concentrate on stopping him from getting out of the pocket.

Thx,
BD

[Toper]

Picked mine up this morning but can't play it until later.

One simple question : Better than madden2005 ? y/n/same?


I'll be happy if it's madden05 with a roster update, considering I got it at a discounted price.

No question, in my mind, that it's better than 2005...I'll even go as far as to say that it's better than ncaa 2006 (at this early point).

Toper

[RallyMonkey]

Hey guys,

Well, picked mine up at midnight and played three games online before i went to bed and there isn't one frickin thing about this game i don't like, and i didn't even delve into the major changes. It does remind me of last year but with the subtle improvements the game needed.

As far as the cone, i have a hard time understanding people calling it stupid or worthless. I think the feature is terrific and makes you feel MUCH more like a QB and more impressively, gives you a greater feeling of accomplishment when you complete a pass, especially if you're completing the pass to your second or third read. Is it tough when you're blitzed...hell yeah, ask Sport73, but it SHOULD be. No NFL QB can make more than one or two reads before a blitz is on top of them, why should this be any different?

And just so you know, i had passer ratings in the 60's, 20's, and 40's in my three games so i'm not exactly finding this thing easy. In fact, the learning curve for me is what i believe is making me want to go play this game as soon as possible.

Kudos to EA because i like what they did. They ARE the only game in town, but for once they haven't put out a product acting like it.

[Danimal]

Picked mine up this morning but can't play it until later.

One simple question : Better than madden2005 ? y/n/same?


I'll be happy if it's madden05 with a roster update, considering I got it at a discounted price.

No question, in my mind, that it's better than 2005...I'll even go as far as to say that it's better than ncaa 2006 (at this early point).

Toper

I agree with Toper, better then 05 and better then NCAA. My games have all been good, and challening

Bdunn you run the same with the QB as NCAA, the A button. Unfortunately the juke moves are not all on the right analog stick, which makes no fing sense at all

[bdunn13]

Bdunn you run the same with the QB as NCAA, the A button. Unfortunately the juke moves are not all on the right analog stick, which makes no fing sense at all

Thanks dude... I look forward to cheesing with Vick.

[Inuyasha]

Picked mine up this morning but can't play it until later.

One simple question : Better than madden2005 ? y/n/same?


I'll be happy if it's madden05 with a roster update, considering I got it at a discounted price.

No question, in my mind, that it's better than 2005...I'll even go as far as to say that it's better than ncaa 2006 (at this early point).

Toper

I agree with Toper, better then 05 and better then NCAA. My games have all been good, and challening

Bdunn you run the same with the QB as NCAA, the A button. Unfortunately the juke moves are not all on the right analog stick, which makes no fing sense at all

Well that sucks, i really like that analog juke in ncaa.

Any other overlooked features in there you can describe? Did they get rid of the EA radio Tony Bruno thing from last year?

[Boom]

f*** i never should have played the PS2 version. Getting used to the XBOX controller again has me fumbling terribly right now.

They've really changed the controls a lot on XBOX from last year. Game runs smoother and more steady on the XBOX, but it still has the blurred appearance to me. Colors not quite as washed out as last year, but I think the PS2 version is still more vivid and alive.

[Boom]

Somebody asked if the QB running was the same as in NCAA 06.

Yes, it is.

Damn, I really wish they would make the sam exact control schemes for both games. I don't know if it's different on purpose so haters don't b*tch about them being the same game or what. Having them different, even by just a little bit makes it very difficult to step back and forth between games without haivng to spend a qtr readjusting to the controls.

[Sudz]

Picked mine up this morning but can't play it until later.

One simple question : Better than madden2005 ? y/n/same?


I'll be happy if it's madden05 with a roster update, considering I got it at a discounted price.

No question, in my mind, that it's better than 2005...I'll even go as far as to say that it's better than ncaa 2006 (at this early point).

Toper

wow!

[Inuyasha]

f*** i never should have played the PS2 version. Getting used to the XBOX controller again has me fumbling terribly right now.

They've really changed the controls a lot on XBOX from last year. Game runs smoother and more steady on the XBOX, but it still has the blurred appearance to me. Colors not quite as washed out as last year, but I think the PS2 version is still more vivid and alive.

Thanks.
I know what you mean by saying it looks more alive. Last year I got more into the ps2 verison for that reason since playing the washed out xbox version gave me a drab feeling.

But I guess I can live with it, no big deal. I'd rather have the hd and faster sim times than the vivid graphics.

[TRI]

My BMW just didn't fit in with the assortment of beaten down pickups and 88' Oldsmobiles with 'kickin' sound systems..

Bragger

Anyway, for anyone who has played this game, how similar is the cone to the old Fever Read 'n Lead. I know it's technically not the same, but is the reaction time, placement of throws, etc. anything similar?

It is nothing like the Read and Lead passing in FEVER 2004. It is still laser guided passing but with a bit more control compared to the prior Maddens.
You can throw high or low but you do not have the same controls as FEVER 2004 to throw to a spot where the reciever will be.

[Boom]

PI called on me, nice bonus from last year.

I was in bump on a quick slant and it would appear i was bumping the receiver while the ball was in the air.

PI, automatic first down. they go on to score a TD.

to see PI though.

[10spro]

There's a lot of talk about the new cone vision passing feature, but I am enjoying the running game so far this year. It seems that the juke button evades more tackles on the 06 version making you BE in full control of the runner. Just one change that I am still trying to get used to like in NCAA 06, is the button for the change of players. That is the circle instead of the X on the PS2 version.

[bdunn13]

Not sure if this question deserves a new thread or not....

but anyone tried the DS version yet? I am thinking of picking it up tonight since I am out of town till Wed every week.. It could give me a nice sports game I could take with me on the road.

BD

[Badgun]

Bdunn you run the same with the QB as NCAA, the A button. Unfortunately the juke moves are not all on the right analog stick, which makes no fing sense at all

Thanks dude... I look forward to cheesing with Vick.

Join the crowd, there's a ton of them online.

[Boom]

I don't know man, I enjoyed playing people who pick the Vick Falcons online last year. It was my goal in life to either hurt his ass and watch them quit, or prove to the other person that I could contain that f***!

Granted, there were some people who really had his s*** down and could mix in enough pass and runs to really make me work and wipe the floor with me using him, but your basic "i need a quick win" cheese-heads didn't stand a chance against me w/ him.

Now, onto the more important stuff... Madden 06.

I've been tinkering, reading, playing... and whatnot all morning (nice to take a day of vaca prior to heading on the road for a couple of weeks).

I'm thoroughly convinced that this game is the deepest on the field football exprience around. It's overwhelming, the amount of stuff you can do offensively and defensively. I'm not just saying that... it really is overwhelming right now.

For those who like to stick to one game and master it, Madden 06 will keep you busy for a very long time I think.... I'm sure.

A lot of people b*tch (including myself) that LB's and DB's in NCAA 06 don't respond to the run fast enough. In Madden the "user" can take care of that problem as the defensive run/pass playmaker from 04 is back.

If you see it's a run, pull the left trigger and down on the right analog stick and the defense will react to the run. If you notice pass, pull the left trigger and up on the right analog stick and the lb's / db's will get into better pass coverage (if you had called a D to stop the run).

Individual defensive player adjustments are a treat as they are more detailed and controllable then ever before.

You can now shade safeties to the sidelines, cover the middle of the field, bring them up tight, or move them back deep.

You can assign your offensive line blocking scheme.

I'm just scratching the surface here and can't really control hardly any of it right now. It's going to take some time, but given two strait up players, the one who does his homework is the one who is likely to win. That's my initial take anyway.

These are just a few examples that many of the "REVIEWS" don't mention.. since it's the same as 05 and all, but we did get the roster update.


Some of the things mentioned above (like the ways you can adjust your safeties) are taken right out of ESPN. There's a few things that ESPN allowed you to do, that's now in Madden.

Selecting players is as simple as holding the A button and using the D-pad or left analog stick to highlight the desired player.

Anyway, I don't want to ramble too much, but I don't want to sound all rosey about the game either.

There's stuff that's still buggin me a little bit. I don't like how how the passes float and I HATE the fact that the controls are different, just enough, from NCAA 06 that it's going to be a pain in the ass hopping back and forth.

[bdunn13]

Bdunn you run the same with the QB as NCAA, the A button. Unfortunately the juke moves are not all on the right analog stick, which makes no fing sense at all

Thanks dude... I look forward to cheesing with Vick.

Join the crowd, there's a ton of them online.

I was kidding.. but I would argue that its pretty hard to cheese with vick based on what he does in real life. However, I am thinking the cone will make you scramble with him more... but thats not cheese.. Thats Falcons football.

[Danimal]

Thanks dude... I look forward to cheesing with Vick.

Join the crowd, there's a ton of them online.

I was kidding.. but I would argue that its pretty hard to cheese with vick based on what he does in real life. However, I am thinking the cone will make you scramble with him more... but thats not cheese.. Thats Falcons football.

Don't mind Badgun, he buys EA football titles even though he hates them. It won't be long before we are hearing how some guy ran up the score on him in a random online game.