Madden NFL 12

79 of 81 people found the following review helpful:

A few improvements, but basically the same as all Maddens, September 3, 2011

I’ve played this game for about a week now – I would say ten full games or so. There are some improvements that people have talked about in other reviews – presentation is better (but still not great), gameplay seems slightly better in some ways, franchise mode has some nice touches to it.

I think the best way to describe playing this game is still “frustrating”. That’s unfortunately how I have felt playing Madden (and this year NCAA 12) for the past few years. Suction blocking (although supposedly gone) is still very much in the game. All you have to do to see this is shift your D-line far right or far left and then change their rush direction in the same way. On the snap, you will see your d-linemen literally run sideways across the line until they match up with the predetermined blocker that they are supposed to be blocked by (according to the AI). this is frustrating. Running overload blitzes rarely work because of this, but it is frustrating when they work just fine for the CPU and a free blitzer comes at you in one second or less. I was hoping for much more in this regard.

There are still tons of drops by defensive backs on both sides. Any time it rains, you can count on receivers slipping five to six times per game, even if the game is on turf. Several pass plays during a game will either hit a receiver with no reaction or go right past them without them reacting. CPU QBs take off running way too easily. I played a game where the fleet of foot Joe Flacco ran for 117 yards against me on seven carries.

Defensive backs love to make over the shoulder interceptions and know how to turn their heads for the ball just as it is about to arrive at the receiver (amazingly). Super LBs seem to be toned down a bit – I really haven’t seen too many examples of this where I wanted to throw my controller at the TV like I did with NCAA 12.

Play action passing is STILL very hit and miss. I would say half of the time calling play action results in an automatic sack. This has been a common complaint of past Maddens and it doesn’t look like this one has changed much in this regard.

There seem to be about two to three fumbles per game for each team which IMO is too high. Interceptions are toned down a bit but again the over the shoulder ones by DBs that are beaten deep and magically catch up are frustrating.

The presentation improvements are kind of cool the first time you see them but after that, you’ll just end up skipping them anyway. They’re not even really that good. For instance, playing as the Steelers, the last two players introduced were Mike Wallace and Ben Roethlisberger. All the game says when these two are introduced are “here’s your starting wide receiver” and “here’s your starting quarterback”. Really EA? That’s the best you could do. The halftime show is a joke and a waste and the EA removed the “Extra Point” weekly show from the franchise mode.

Commentary is absolutely awful as many have said. I mean it is really, really, really bad. Worst commentary I have probably ever heard in a sports game.

Overall, I guess I am just underwhelmed again by this supposedly improved EA offering. It is not necessarily a bad game – I don’t feel as terrible about it as I did NCAA 12. I may keep playing it for a few more weeks to see if I like it more. But if I continue to just feel frustration as I’ve had so far, then it will likely just get traded in.

It is a real shame that no other companies are allowed to develop an NFL game. NBA 2k11 was one of the best sports games I have ever seen, and instead of resting on their laurels, 2K has actually gone out and by all accounts improved the offering for 2k12. Sadly, I know this will not happen with EA. I think they are very aware that most people will buy Madden regardless of whether they complain about it or not, because it is the only option out there. It would be great if for once EA would serve us a nice T-bone steak to all the hungry football fans out there instead of the constant hamburger helper that we are stuck with year after year. They know people have to eat, however, and so the process of underwhelming efforts continue.

48 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

A step in the right direction, August 30, 2011

In the past few years, we have seen the same old features with next-gen Madden games. If you read my Madden 11 review, you’ll know lack of multi-hit tackles; suction, morphing, and tumbleweeds have been the Achilles heel of Madden games. I figured Madden 11 would be different, but it was not. After another Madden fiasco, I decided if another Madden game had these issues, I would not buy another Madden game, ever. Well, there is none of those issues on this newest version of Madden. For those, who have not played the demo, this is what Madden 12 is all about…..

Build A Franchise: This feature is VERY deep. For example, the players now have hot and cold streaks. In addition, there is a free-agent bidding systems, which gives the player a certain time and a certain amount of money to sign the coveted free-agent. Also, the franchise mode has something, which is called hot and cold streaks for player performance.

Custom Playbooks: For those, who wanted this feature, look no farther! This feature allows the player to edit an existing playbook or just create another one.

Dynamic Player Performance: This could be the most interesting new feature on the game. This feature shows the affects of a player’s tendencies in a game. For example, if the player has a trait, such a “drops open passes”, they are not likely to be very consistent in catching the ball, ESPECIALLY in clutch time. This feature is more dynamic in Franchise mode because their tendencies can affect how they play, each week, instead of each game. Also, you can edit these traits to your liking, when choosing to edit a players ratings.

Enhanced Tackling System/Gameplay: This is my favorite feature of the game. No more motion shifting, morphing or suction animations on a ball carrier. The tackles are collision based, which means the player now has to make physical contact with the ball carrier, in order to make a tackle. In addition, location is also important to make a sufficient tackle.

The hits can be extremely hard because they are momentum based. With that being said, hits never felt so good on a game because there is FINALLY no motion shifting or morphing. You follow all the way through with a hit. If your defender does not have the momentum to make a hit, he may just make an arm tackle or he might not be able to make a successful tackle, at all. Once again, location is vital to making a sufficient tackle. The multi-hit tackles are great. Each defender, who engages ball carrier, can possibly get involved in a tackle. In addition, you’ll see stolen tackles, as well. No more tumbleweed animations.

Throwing on the defense can sometimes be a daunting task, especially above the Pro level. You must choose your throws very carefully. The better your QB’s throwing power and accuracy, the better off you’ll be. Don’t worry! If you do choose to play on the All-Pro level, you will not experience the constant route jumping by defenders, which you can experience, if you have played the All-American level of NCAA Football 12. On Madden 12, defenders will sometimes jump routes, especially if his awareness rating is higher.

The blocking is excellent in the game. In fact, I would say the blocking on this game is the best of any Madden title on next-gen. With that being said, running on this game is a very rewarding experience. Unlike previous EA Sports titles, the AI of your players rarely misses an assignment. Players block and immediately look for a player to block. I have seen some very realistic DL/OL engagements, as well.

Graphics/Visuals: Once again, Madden has set the bar for graphics and visuals. Player’s faces and uniforms are increasingly detailed and vivid. Everything you see on a players’ uniform can be seen in this game. In pre-game, you’ll see all 32 team specific run-outs. Then, there is degradation of players uniforms, based on the surface of the field. That is not necessarily new, but it is in the game. I WOULD say the degradation is more detailed, though. You’ll see scuffs on helmets, grass stains, and grass stains on the uniform. On replays, you’ll see 3D grass. I love to see the grass or turf flying up, as player’s cleats go against the surfaces. In addition, you’ll see animations, which pertains to certain players. For example, if Clay Matthews makes a big play, he’ll flex his muscles. The commentary is still not that great, though. The halftime show is STILL terrible. I don’t know why it is so hard for EA Sports to create a real halftime show.

Overall, Madden 12 is not perfect. However, it is a step in the right direction. If you have been disappointed in past versions of Madden games for next-gen, this is version should make up for the disappointment.