Madden 2011 Impressions

[EmpireWF]

stupid madden moments always freeze the game

 

[x0xHumblex0x]

After giving Madden a fair try I have to say that it has not improved in the past couple of years. Changed, yes, but changing and improving are two totally different things. With that said the game definitely feels different, but I can't pinpoint any specific area where there has been any improvements. The same core problems that have always plagued Madden are still present.

Terrible blocking AI. I've had many instances where TE's or WR's will run backwards, back towards the LOS to block someone who's behind me (someone I've already beat) instead of getting downfield and blocking the defender that's about to be in position to tackle me. Huge flaw that can easily ruin a running play every time this occurs. The oline blocking AI is not as broken, but certainly not perfect either.

RBs still get stuck behind the offensive line. Maybe not as frequent anymore, but it's still there.

No pass interference. If the ball is not in the air you can bump and stop the motion of any WR without having a flag thrown.

AI cheats to favor the offense. This is something new actually. Ever hit the X or LB to tackle a runner or swat a ball only to have your defender stand there and not respond at all? Yeah I've seen this happen at least 3 or 4 times now and I've only been playing for about a week now. If you're in position to make a play that the AI doesn't want you to make, it just shuts down your control so the offense can progress. lol, how brilliant. Why don't I just watch the game instead of playing it then?

No gang tackling, defenders falling for no reason. There's still no true gang tackling system in Madden, 90% of the time the game generates one on one situations. What's even worse is that if you do have a defender near a ball carrier who's already engaged in a tackle animation, the extra defender will just fall to the ground for no reason. The bad thing about that is if the runner breaks the tackle animation the defender that should have been there for help is now on the ground, incapable of making a tackle. I just had someone break a 40 yard run on me because of this. Timmons had the RB wrapped up, a safety then got too close, falls down, the RB breaks free and runs for a big gain. If there was gang tackling that would never have happened.

Not having a true gang tackling system also makes defenses who are good at swarming to the ball slightly less potent.

Terrible Controls. Serious button lag when trying to swat the ball, unpredictable momentum that's not fluid or precise at all.

No player identities. None of the players play like their real life counterparts. Madden needs to implement a "signature style" ala 2k, so that AP actually runs like AP, etc. You also have guys like Addai who play outside of their realm of capabilities, trucking through defenders left and right. That's not his style and makes the game feel very unrealistic.

WRs magic burst, and shift catching. Have a WR blanketed?? Sometimes that won't matter, I've seen DBs run stride for stride in front of a WR, only to have the WR dart past him, and shifting while the ball is in the air in order to make the completion.

AI DBs extremely unresponsive. Not only will the AI limit you from defending the ball, when you let the AI handle the DBs too often they'll just stand idle and not attempt to swat or pick the ball despite having position.

Offensive linemen fall down for no reason. I think this is a lack of animations thing again, when there's not an animation for them they'll just fall to the ground untouched.

No physicality, or respect for physics on defense. Again just another way EA makes the offense a cakewalk for you. I can be running full speed towards a RB who has no momentum, but somehow he'll still manage to fall forward for 5 yards. That or my guy will choose to throw him forward for 5 yards, how convenient.

Defensive AI fails to adapt. You can hit the same route over and over again, ideally the AI should wise up and eventually jump the route, but they don't.

Game flow and player assist? Again just take the user out of the picture. Not only can the computer call the plays for you now which takes the entire strategy and X's and O's of the game away, but you can also hold A to allow the AI to control your player. WTF?

There's more, but those are the major issues with Madden 11. Still far from being a sim unfortunately.

looks like they just patched a few these things

stupid madden moments always freeze the game

my screen just goes black for like 3sec..........

 

[Twigg4075]

I do think it's pretty awesome that not only did they include the 1947 throwback uni's for the Bears, the same ones they wore against the Packers last week, but they also included the breast cancer awareness accoutrements for week 4 of franchise. Nice touch.

 

[strahanfan92]

I do think it's pretty awesome that not only did they include the 1947 throwback uni's for the Bears, the same ones they wore against the Packers last week, but they also included the breast cancer awareness accoutrements for week 4 of franchise. Nice touch.

That is fucking cool isn't it. I played a breast cancer awareness game with the Giants, I wore my red jerseys, it was truly a beautiful sight.

 

[Twigg4075]

Something else I just noticed that I don't recall seeing before. There was a questionable catch on the sideline and "L2 to challenge play" showed up on the bottom of the screen. Obviously I know that you can challenge plays but having the CPU suggest it on close calls is really cool.

 

[hackett]

Yea, love how they have that as an option on calls that are not even close for a challenge and I do it anyways cause I love to have my hopes shattered and lose a TO all on a suggestion that the computer ignitiated.

 

[Twigg4075]

Yea, love how they have that as an option on calls that are not even close for a challenge and I do it anyways cause I love to have my hopes shattered and lose a TO all on a suggestion that the computer ignitiated.

LOL. Like I said, I just noticed it the other day for the first time and it was definitely a questionable catch on the sidelines. I haven't been hosed like that yet.

 

[TheSanchize]

Yea, love how they have that as an option on calls that are not even close for a challenge and I do it anyways cause I love to have my hopes shattered and lose a TO all on a suggestion that the computer ignitiated.

Common sense isn't a natural talent for you...is it?

 

[Twigg4075]

I popped this back in the other day and played a few more franchise games. Maybe it's just me but it seems like whatever patches they released have definitely made the game a lot better. There actually seems to be a semblance of defense now. It could just be me though.

A few cool touches I also noticed while playing:

1) When I played against the Viking Tarvaris Jackson starting at QB. I figured Favre was hurt so I checked their injury report. He was out for the season. A bit later in the game they show a shot of the sidelines and Favre is there in street clothes talking to another players. His hand motions looked like he was describing how a play happened. Pretty damn cool.

2) During another game Cutler threw for a TD and a graphic popped saying it was the 100th TD of his career. Nice.

 

[Aso]

Waiting for NFL 2K13.

 

[EmpireWF]

<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/19018888" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0"></iframe>

Cassel staying in the pocket and hitting Chris Chambers with the one-handed TD catch.

 

[Cody]

I have given up on Madden for this year. How are you guys playing this piece of shit game?

 

[Cody]

Looks like I contradicted myself, I am getting back into it tonight.

 

[Sven Draconian]

Game plays pretty solid with the last patch.