Madden 15

[Aero]

Anyone else pick up the new Madden?

Most reviews I read earlier this week said that the PS3/360 versions were glorified roster updates (really not far from the usual, I suppose), while the next gen releases had the more developed new features. I was planning on upgrading to PS4 by the end of the year anyway, but since this was getting positive reviews, I decided to just bite the bullet over the weekend.

So far, haven’t been disappointed. The overall gameplay/movement seems tighter and more realistic. Most importantly, the defenses seem more intelligent. On All-Pro difficulty, I’ve been struggling to score any points, resulting in close 17-14 games, which I love.

The new defensive camera angle takes some getting used to, but it’s a nice alternative for pass rushing at the very least. It can be tough when the ball carrier gets in the open field, and you need to switch to a different player, though.

Visually, it looks great, with a lot of improved presentation. It’s a minor touch, but it’s nice to see certain head coaches on the sidelines in their signature attire—Jim Harbaugh’s khakis w/ marker around neck, Rex’s sweater vest, etc. Another simple nice touch is seeing WRs actually reach for overthrown balls.

Haven’t dived into franchise yet, as I’m waiting for updated week 1 rosters.

 

[JHawk]

The tutorial to go over how to react to different formations/schemes is awesome...for about five minutes. After an hour and a half, yeah, I'll take my chances by diving in like I normally do.

 

[Aero]

Yeah, I had a similar reaction once I started playing actual games, but I'm trying to adjust to the new mechanics.

 

[NoCalMike]

The new physics take a bit getting used to, especially with the running game.

To be more specific, there have been plays in which I run a HB quick toss, and the RB gets the corner but instead of "hitting the switch" and turning upfield to run, they either keep going straight out of bounds or the angle at which they turn upfield is awful and they end up getting a minimal gain. I don't think this is a flaw or anything, just something that I have to get used to.

I would say it almost feels like once you get a RB going in one specific direction, it feels like they are on roller skates trying to get them to change direction.

 

[Mik]

Yeah, I had a similar reaction once I started playing actual games, but I'm trying to adjust to the new mechanics.

It's worth it if you do. It's more fun, for one, and you can get to the QB with someone like JJ Watt on a very regular basis if you're doing it right.

 

[HarleyQuinn]

I'm skipping it as the sim stats are still totally fucked beyond belief and this completely kills the Franchise/Connected Careers mode for me. I don't care as much about actual gameplay as most but the fact that they still can't fix the sim stats to be halfway normal despite now being on the PS4 and XBoxOne is mind boggling.

 

[Cartman]

Yeah, i'm waiting for that to be fixed for Offline CCM's before I buy. They did fix the sim stats for ONLINE CCM mode though. So there's a good chance they will be fixed for offline mode whenever the first patch comes out since they know what caused the issue.

 

[oldskool]

I picked up NCAA 14 a few weeks ago and I've been playing that instead. More fun building UTSA so far than taking Carolina to another Super Bowl.

 

[2GOLD]

Can someone confirm the Christian Kirksey glitch is fake?

 

[Aero]

Anyone else had this issue where, in the middle of gameplay, the screen will suddenly go black for about a second or two, as if the HDMI cable was disconnected for a split second? I've had it happen at least once or more in almost every game I've played, and it can be really frustrating... particularly when it happens right after the ball is snapped.

I'm assuming it's not the PS4 since it hasn't happened when I've watched any movies or Netflix.

Edit: Apparently this is a common PS4 bug that has yet to be resolved.

 

[Precious Roy]

Maddden 15 is on sale for $49.99 on Amazon, is it worth getting?

I preface this by saying the most recent Madden game I own is 09!! lol

I've played Madden 25 on PS3 and liked it a lot, and I've played a bunch of them between 09 and now. What I gather is this is basically the same game with roster updates and slight gameplay tweaks?

I'm big on franchise mode in these games, how is that?

 

[Aero]

Are you playing on a next gen system, or PS3? I've read that the PS3/360 releases are basically just roster updates, with the new features being less refined than the next gens.

If you liked last year's game, then you should be fine. Playing on PS4, I do think this has been one of the better Maddens in recent years. I haven't played beyond week 1 in my franchise yet, but it's looked near identical to last year's from what I've seen so far, a few tweaks aside. It's been brought up that the sim stats are still messed up, if that affects your enjoyment at all.

 

[Precious Roy]

PS3

The biggest complaint I see is it's last years game with a coat of paint (irrelevant to me) and that it's buggy and slow loading (it's early though, the bugs will get patched)

I could get Madden 25 for $20, but for my first Madden game in years I'd like to get the newest rosters

 

[Baby Shoes]

Best Buy's ad this Sunday (9/14) will have it even cheaper (and likely matches by Amazon). Scheduled for new consoles at $49.99 and for 360/PS3 at $39.99

 

[Precious Roy]

Yeah, I saw that. I was going to get it off Amazon today but it was back to full price, guess it was just a one day sale. I'm gonna hit up Best Buy on Monday.

 

[Bored]

With no NCAA anymore and that I haven't purchased the last two Maddens I was thinking about picking it up this year but the game freezing issues have scared me off for now. I'll wait for a Black Friday sale and only if the freezing and sim stats issues have been fixed although wouldn't put it pass EA to completely ignore the last gen version.

 

[SFH]

This just happened in an older Madden (2011):

My RB had a dubious fumble that the defense returned for a TD. I hit the "challenge play" thing and the replay kept showing the defender crossing the goal line over and over, not the dubious fumble and the ref ruled it a TD.



WAS THIS FIXED IN NEWER VERSIONS?

 

[Aero]

I can't speak for a situation that specific, but I've found that every Madden of the last several years is still way too inconsistent or broken with challenges, whether it's reviewing the wrong replay, or incorrectly announcing the resulting call.

Madden replay challenges are a waste of time, and it's also really annoying that you can't skip through them in the new game.

 

[SFH]

I'm going to have to upgrade at some point. Just played Saints @ Falcons in 2011 Franchise and I was able to pin Falcons deep with a punt. I go into blitz formation, Matt Ryan gets the snap, turns around, and throws it out the back of the end zone for a safety. The score was 0-0 to that point.

 

[NoCalMike]

Is there an embargo on Madden '16 reviews? I am not finding anything on google and it releases tomorrow. Hmmm.

 

[Kageho]

Yup an embargo happened. All of the reviews are seemingly getting posted within the last hour or so. Not cool.

 

[oldskool]

Reviews kind of all over the place. I've seen a 6.5 and a 9 thus far.

Kind of regret not jumping on the $50 pre-order bandwagon, but the last few Maddens I've bought were all $45 on eBay within a month so I'm not too bothered.

 

[NoCalMike]

Yeah my days of running out and getting Madden on Day 1 are over. The last couple of years I have stuck with the tradition mostly for tradition's sake and I would end up playing a few games and then it would sit.

 

[Bored]

Currently an 83 on Metacritic. I actually did pre-order this time for the first time maybe ever, my copy will show up tomorrow. General early consensus seems to be the passing game is greatly improved and the new draft champion mode is fun. But also looks like it's a very buggy initial release.

 

[HarleyQuinn]

Polygon gave it a 90, Game Informer gave it an 88. Gamespot only gave it an 80.

I may hold off for a few weeks on this one.

 

[Kageho]

I think EA needs to stop the yearly releases. I don't mean that just because of sales, but simply because there doesn't seem to be much of anything that makes me want to buy this. Or any other sports franchise they own. Too much of the same old. Yes, a new passing gimmick, but that's what it is. A gimmick. It'll probably be gone by next year, as like other additions (QB Cone anyone?).

 

[NoCalMike]

I agree. Madden feels like it has definitely doesn't need to be an annual release anymore, just offer roster updates for 2 seasons or something, but their brand is too strong not to cash in. It really bugs me that they are the only NFL licensed game available as some competition would likely do them some good.

 

[Aero]

I picked this up a few days ago, but have barely been able to play it. I've only played portions of several games. I still need to actually go through the tutorials of the new catching and throwing mechanics. I've read a few places that the 'aggressive' catch may be a bit too powerful/effective, depending on the receiver, like say Calvin Johnson.

My biggest problem, from my limited amount of play, though, is that they seemed to have completely screwed up the defensive perspective camera angle from last year. This time, the camera seems to lock onto whichever player you're controlling, and when the ball is thrown, the camera doesn't track the ball well, at all, to the point where if controlling a DLineman, you'll have to wait for the camera to rotate around to the spot of the catch, and you may very well miss the catch itself. I had one instance where the ball was thrown deep into the endzone, and the play was missed entirely... I only knew it was an incompletion because the commentary told me it was nearly intercepted. The camera only caught the action of the players getting to their feet after the whistle.

God I hope this gets patched, because I don't want to have to revert back to the standard camera. Apparently there have been a good amount of glitches and bugs that need to be fixed, which isn't much different than previous years anyway.


A release every other year, with roster updates in between could make all the sense in the world from a fan perspective, but would never happen for obvious reasons.

 

[Kageho]

Yeah, the problem is that they actually can't stop releasing games, because most likely they are contractually obligated to do so every year. As stupid as that sounds.

I think the only other option is having two different teams. Each working on a build, then releasing it the following year. So Team 1 works on the 2017 release, while Team 2 works on the 2018 release. It would allow for each build to have a full two year cycle and probably allow for each game to not have all the problems that they currently have.

Though, this would also require likely a Team 3 to co-ordinate the two team's builds to be similar and work together year to year, but I think in the long run it would work out better.

Also for the love of fucking God, can they stick to the same stats from year to year? I mean, stop adding new categories. Select all the ones that should be in and work with it.