Madden 15 Retail Impressions

[buckeye]

Its out now so let us know what you think.

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[Senser81]

After playing the game, my first thought is "Only 52 more weeks until the next Madden Release!!"

[Pitty]

After playing the game, my first thought is "Only 52 more weeks until the next Madden Release!!"

Add 30 new members per 52 week cycle, that means by Madden 2037 we can be back to our 2009 posting levels.

[Senser81]

Add 30 new members per 52 week cycle, that means by Madden 2037 we can be back to our 2009 posting levels.

Wow...I thought you were banned (?)

[Senser81]

Franchise mode is STILL broken, as the sim stat engine is wonky. Top QBs throwing 15-20 TD passes per year...didn't know the sim engine was based on 1940's NFL.


Note: PLEASE REFRAIN FROM DELETING MY POSTS

[Golden Taters]

My quick Xbox One impressions...

This game looks great visually, so much different from M25, especially the X1 version. This game isn't at the point graphically that NBA 2k14 was at, but it is still gorgeous. If there was one gripe, it's the lighting for night games and domes. It just looks bad, the colors are different on the players and the helmets look really weird. I understand now why there was no screens or videos of night games leading up to the release.

Gameplay has changed a lot since last year. The players feel like they have more added weight and are tighter, which really helps the run game for both user and CPU. I still need to tweak some sliders, but I can tell accuracy matters this year and you will really notice when using a terrible QB. Another thing I like is that my front 4 can get pressure without me even controlling them. The NCAA defensive camera and new pass-rush moves really bring a new aspect to playing defense are are a lot of fun so far. The back 7 isn't completely brain-dead this year and I feel like I can rely on them a lot more. Still would like to see some WR/CB interactions and jostling, but the overall AI improvements done to defense this year is good enough to hold me over until next year's game where this will be addressed.

Still need to dive into this more, especially the franchise mode, but I am liking what I am seeing on the field. The presentation has improved a lot; the crowd, the celebrations, the camera angles...but commentary still isn't there yet. I just feel their voices are annoying, so even with a more lively play-by-play I would probably still not enjoy it as much.

For the Xbox One/PS4 versions I think the game is a solid purchase at this point.

[Steel Mamba]

My final impressions of the game:

Overall, I'd say Madden is finally playable for the first time since the PS2 versions, but still a ways to go before being accepted as a true sim.

I have to base my impressions off of All-Pro since all I play is ranked online. On All-Pro the passing game is too easy and it just feels unrealistic how you can consistently thread the needle into double coverage with average QBs like Flacco. Also, I'm starting to notice that curl routes might be the new money plays in Madden. I just played against someone who gained all of his yards off of curls and screens, despite me calling for my corners to play underneath. This coverage adjustment literally made 0 difference as he was still able to consistently hit curls play after play. Switching to zone, opens up an array of other weaknesses. In zone there are always going to be windows, but those windows in Madden are so easy to exploit it makes zone coverage worse than it should be.

I know most of these issues mentioned above are solved on All Madden, but huge let down that we're forced into All Pro only for ranked.

I like how the running game is actually a challenge this year, it doesn't feel like you can cheese it up anymore. The downside is that the way run plays and block assignments develop are still extremely flawed. Run game on 2k felt a little more natural and less predetermined.

Still some big flaws in terms of realism, but some core aspects of sim football are finally in place making the game enjoyable.

Pros:

Graphics and player models
Longer quarter length for ranked play (not sure when that changed, but last I played Madden ranked games were too short)
Player weight and momentum
Being set in the pocket matters now along with improved control over your passes
Stats seem fairly reasonable, aside from completion percentages
Less cheese
Great presentation and commentary (feels realistic)
Feels like X's and O's matter now, but definitely still a lot of room to grow in that regard

Cons:

Game doesn't feel physical and intense. Significant lack of big hits
Trying to make precise movements can get somewhat clunky
Coverage adjustments don't have the impact that they should
I don't notice much of a difference between different style of running backs
Run game is definitely hugely improved, but still doesn't develop as realistically as 2k
Too easy to pound the ball in on goaline
No PI
Sometimes defenders won't react to the ball at all despite manual input and being in position to do so

Solid 7.5/10

[Aso]

Not a big deal by any means... but it seems like the announcers have a hard on for talking about mediocre TE's pregame. In todays game we have Heath Miller and Brent Celek...!"

[bucky]

Those reviewing with an online league or play now emphasis will probably rate the game higher than CFM (especially offline) would rate it. A sim engine that is so off it breaks the progression/regression engine. Which brings me to why base progression off of stats. Seems backwards and I think a poor design decision.

Stats are very difficult to balance in a teams sports video game. Nothing is in isolation. Tweak one and it effects other stats. Why base a progression system off another system that is notoriously difficult to balance. Why not just make a progression system that is based on actual real world progression parameters/model?

The broken progression system, due to the broken (simmed) stats engine, causes players to not reach their goals and end up in a downward spiral. Add in the new confidence engine and players around the league that should only take a temporary dip, or dip and plateau, end up regressing to the point of "out of the NFL" in just a season or two. This is happening to far too many NFL players on CPU controlled teams.

It's hard to give the game a good review with CFM so messed up. So far, EA/Tib has acknowledged that they are looking into this. They have not, so far, acknowledged that this is a problem.

[buckeye]

My final impressions of the game:

Overall, I'd say Madden is finally playable for the first time since the PS2 versions, but still a ways to go before being accepted as a true sim.

I have to base my impressions off of All-Pro since all I play is ranked online. On All-Pro the passing game is too easy and it just feels unrealistic how you can consistently thread the needle into double coverage with average QBs like Flacco. Also, I'm starting to notice that curl routes might be the new money plays in Madden. I just played against someone who gained all of his yards off of curls and screens, despite me calling for my corners to play underneath. This coverage adjustment literally made 0 difference as he was still able to consistently hit curls play after play. Switching to zone, opens up an array of other weaknesses. In zone there are always going to be windows, but those windows in Madden are so easy to exploit it makes zone coverage worse than it should be.

I know most of these issues mentioned above are solved on All Madden, but huge let down that we're forced into All Pro only for ranked.

I like how the running game is actually a challenge this year, it doesn't feel like you can cheese it up anymore. The downside is that the way run plays and block assignments develop are still extremely flawed. Run game on 2k felt a little more natural and less predetermined.

Still some big flaws in terms of realism, but some core aspects of sim football are finally in place making the game enjoyable.

Pros:

Graphics and player models
Longer quarter length for ranked play (not sure when that changed, but last I played Madden ranked games were too short)
Player weight and momentum
Being set in the pocket matters now along with improved control over your passes
Stats seem fairly reasonable, aside from completion percentages
Less cheese
Great presentation and commentary (feels realistic)
Feels like X's and O's matter now, but definitely still a lot of room to grow in that regard

Cons:

Game doesn't feel physical and intense. Significant lack of big hits
Trying to make precise movements can get somewhat clunky
Coverage adjustments don't have the impact that they should
I don't notice much of a difference between different style of running backs
Run game is definitely hugely improved, but still doesn't develop as realistically as 2k
Too easy to pound the ball in on goaline
No PI
Sometimes defenders won't react to the ball at all despite manual input and being in position to do so

Solid 7.5/10

Very good read! Thanks for sharing!

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[Cutler23]

I think the game is amazing and already gave my 2 cents about the game. One knit picky thing is in the presentation. When they show the player ratings. If they are rookies show some college stats or something about the player ( pocket passer, downhill runner for example) Don't show me the overall ratings, i think its taking the easy way and is not very innovating.

I bought the PS4 version today, but taking it back for the Xbox one version. I don't know, I think I like the controller better playing with early access and I like the way it looks for whatever reason. I know it looks basically identical and people are going to think I'm nuts. I love the PS4 version last yr and this yr its the opposite. I think I have issues lol

[TimsGiants]

I think the game is amazing and already gave my 2 cents about the game. One knit picky thing is in the presentation. When they show the player ratings. If they are rookies show some college stats or something about the player ( pocket passer, downhill runner for example) Don't show me the overall ratings, i think its taking the easy way and is not very innovating.

I bought the PS4 version today, but taking it back for the Xbox one version. I don't know, I think I like the controller better playing with early access and I like the way it looks for whatever reason. I know it looks basically identical and people are going to think I'm nuts. I love the PS4 version last yr and this yr its the opposite. I think I have issues lol

You should stick with ps4 and jump in a league here..that is where the real fun is at

[Cutler23]

You should stick with ps4 and jump in a league here..that is where the real fun is at

Yeah it sounds like fun, I need a lot of practice on the sticks. I would get smoked to bad lol

[buckeye]

I think the game is amazing and already gave my 2 cents about the game. One knit picky thing is in the presentation. When they show the player ratings. If they are rookies show some college stats or something about the player ( pocket passer, downhill runner for example) Don't show me the overall ratings, i think its taking the easy way and is not very innovating.

I bought the PS4 version today, but taking it back for the Xbox one version. I don't know, I think I like the controller better playing with early access and I like the way it looks for whatever reason. I know it looks basically identical and people are going to think I'm nuts. I love the PS4 version last yr and this yr its the opposite. I think I have issues lol

They only show ratings for the first few games in CFM then it goes to season stats

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[Guest]

Yeah it sounds like fun, I need a lot of practice on the sticks. I would get smoked to bad lol

ShaynDaPain is trying to run a sim league, you could definitely get into that I think. I'm gonna get smoked too, but learning is part of the fun.

I bought both, and am hoping we see enough interest to do an XB1 league at some point. We have plenty of PS4 offerings, so I would stick with that for now.