OFFICIAl MADDEN NFL 15 Thread

Chris Smoove has game play on his channel. Game is the exact same as the last 5 years.
 
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[h2]Madden NFL 15: Retail First Impressions[/h2]
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  02:00 AM - August 21, 2014 by MMChrisS

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I have spent quite a bit of time over the last couple of days playing the retail release of Madden NFL 15, which is set to release in a limited format to EA Access customers later today. To put it simply, this is probably the best Madden ever from a technical perspective and may be some of the most fun I’ve had with the franchise in years.

Here are my pros and cons after about ten full games:

Pros

Defense is fun again — There are multiple mini games you can now effectively partake in on each play on defense. Beating the OL is a timing mini-game of sorts which requires you to jump the snap and then make an effectively timed and directionally smart move to get to the QB. You can tell when you are facing an elite OT, because he will feel like a brick wall on many/most plays.
• Quarterbacks feel different — I don’t have enough info to safely say the pass accuracy is fixed, but playing Peyton Manning feels like you are playing a more elite level QB versus, say a Matt Cassel. Defensively, I found that it was even more of a rush to get to the QB when he was better, because you knew he was going to make decisions faster.
• Good news, the tackle cone doesn’t suck — From my initial play-sessions with Madden, it appears the tackle cone is not a major in your face type of addition many feared. The new tackling system adds a risk/reward setup to what used to be a very boring aspect of the game.
• Defenders are smarter — Zone defenders are much smarter this year, with players reacting to the ball much faster resulting in much narrower throwing lanes. This is going to make a lot of people used to soft zones very angry initially.
• The New Connected Franchise Options Are Great — Setting up a weekly gameplan or repairing your team’s busted up confidence is such a great series of decisions to have to make each week. Alex Smith had a horrible game against the Broncos and his confidence sank, so I had to spend valuable preparation points to raise his confidence back up. These are the things you don’t see in the NFL, but things coaches have to do to ensure players are at the top of their game.
• Community Playcalling is surprisingly good — The playcalling feature which I thought was nothing more than a gimmick actually seems to be pretty good at both conveying information that you would find relevant in both how users and how you use it. It makes the whole experience feel more connected.
• Thank goodness for the new cameras — Seriously, the new cameras and how they've been implemented (fast switching) is something which should be universal in sports games. It's that good -- it doesn't hurt the camera angles themselves are quite good, including the new over the shoulder defensive angle you can switch to on defense. Major kudos EA.
• The graphics, audio, and in-game broadcast presentation have arrived — It has long been a dream to have Madden look and feel like the rest of the major sports games in our genre, it always lagged behind. This year, at least to me, I feel like the presentation and graphics are both up there with anything you can find on store shelves today. It’s not perfect, but it’s definitely gotten to a point where it’s clearly quite good.

Cons

• The playcalling menus really need to quit defaulting to the community playcall screen — I swear the amount of manpower and hours I’m going to spend backing up one menu layer to get to my preferred playcalling screen is going to make me sad. Bonus points for the playcalling menus not having that weird lag where I literally miss my option a lot.
• QBs may still be too accurate out of the box — I need to run more tests, but I’m pretty sure QBs may be more accurate out of the box than realism would suggest is possible. The good news is, slider combinations are going to fix this largely.
• The game’s first boot takes too long to get to action you care about — We can do without this nonsense.
• The new kick meter is hit or miss — At first, I actually missed a couple of field goals, but now I seem to be automatic again. I need to test this out more.

Initial Thoughts

Thus far, Madden NFL 15 is really shaping up great. I still have a lot to check out within the game before I end up posting my final review. However, my initial thoughts are pretty strongly in favor of this year’s Madden. This is still Madden football, just a better and more true to life version of it. It’s too early whether to say Madden belongs amongst the discussion with the traditional great games in our genre, but I would be lying if I said it wasn’t tempting to suggest its possible at this point.

Look for my full review in a day or two here on OS. Madden NFL 15 releases later today (noon) for EA Access users in a limited six-hour demo, and will be out next Tuesday in stores.
 
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[h2]Madden NFL 15 Reviews From Around the Web[/h2]
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  07:23 AM - August 21, 2014 by Steve_OS

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Quite a few Madden NFL 15 reviews have hit the web this morning and we have rounded them up for you. If you find any others, post them and we will update the list.
 
From the 360 Q&A thread I linked to.
I'll just start with what's not on gen 3, WR and DBs reaching for the ball, true step, jump the snap, war in the trenches 2.0, nfl films presentation, new playcalling system,authentic jumbotrons, camera angle changes pre snap & defensive cameras(to my knowledge) ,pregame & halftime with Larry Ridley.

In gen 3 are...

Improved zone and man coverage, QB inaccuracy, confidence & game prep, random draft classes, short term IR, the gauntlet, tackle cone, new kicking game, new tackle mechanics, new audible system, chew clo
No wonder EA released very little info on Madden 15 for last-gen. Damn near all the new feature they've been touting for game aren't included.
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Wow at the 360 features LOL. Dudes from EA were like **** it let's just re-release Madden 25 for the 360 this year :lol: :smh:
 
Pretty much :lol: :smh: looks I'll be starting the PS4 layaway process this weekend.
 
Playing the EA Access early release...

If you've paid attention to my thoughts about Madden, you should find excitement in what I'm about to say.


BEST MADDEN EVER.

Still has a lot of work to do, but they are headed in the right direction. This game is amazing. Can't wait to get the full release and really work with the sliders.
 
Playing the EA Access early release...

If you've paid attention to my thoughts about Madden, you should find excitement in what I'm about to say.


BEST MADDEN EVER.

Still has a lot of work to do, but they are headed in the right direction. This game is amazing. Can't wait to get the full release and really work with the sliders.
We have a convert.
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Imagine if Jetpac switches his stance.
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Just played it at my boys house. I like it. Playing with the defensive camera lock is hard. Too many camera options. Huge difference compared to Madden 25.


Its definitely enough to make Jetpac switch.
 
We have a convert. :lol:

Imagine if Jetpac switches his stance. :wow: :lol:

Haha never. I still don't like the monopoly they've created. I know 2K would have had all of these features in 2K7 so I could only imagine what their next gen product would have been.

I still have complaints, but this is the best MADDEN, I've played.
 
Seems like the reviews and feedback for Madden 15 have been mostly positive, at least for current gen.

Anxious to hear feedback on the last gen.
 
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I'll just give quick pros and cons both in gameplay and other areas. I played on all-pro on slow speed settings 15 minute quarters. Out of the box it's good, but as a sim franchise player, I want realism and with more time this game has promise to be really really good after some adjustments.


Animations :
+ Receiving animations are finally of abundance and variety. Sideline catches and reaching for the ball in every direction the pass goes are fluid and fun to see.

+ Passing animations and QB cadences are also new and really really fluid.

+ Their are tons of new single tackling animations as well. Drag down tackles from behind and spinning with the defender tackles (don't know if that's the right description of it lol) are a couple that stood out.

+ Celebrations are seamless and there seems to be a heavy variety of them on both sides of the ball.

+ Love the new block shedding animations

- Running animations are still robotic and too upright, seems like Darren McFadden did the mo cap for everyone.

- Expanding more on the running animations; still no player specific running animations and player specific jukes. If 2k can do it in NBA, I know madden can do it. I want to see the difference between frank gores low to the ground run style and AP's run style. Shadys jukes should be different than Jamal Charles jukes and so on. This also goes for tight ends and bigger receivers vs smaller receivers. Megatron and Desean Jackson should not run the same and should not run their routes the same.

- Every player seems to be gliding over the field rather than really feeling like their planting their feet in the grass and cutting.

- momentum and animations should be a big part of the game. Full speed movements vs how you move after you broke a tackle should not be the same.

- Still no DB/WR contact animations. Just like there's a battle on the trenches, there's a battle on the sidelines. Grabbing each other, extending the arms to create space, reaching over the receiver or through the arms to tip the ball should be in the game by now.

- It's next gen, why are the jersey and pads still attached to the player? I want to see jerseys being pulled and pad tackling. I've mentioned it before but I want to see defenders reaching over the lineman to grab whatever they can. I want to see Aldon smith try to tackle cam newton by the pads and have him break free and scramble and have to fix his pad. Seems like I'm asking for a lot but this is very doable on these next gen counsels.

Gameplay:

+ Other than the floating above the field, the game plays really really smooth on both sides of the ball. Passing is very very fun this year. I really feel in control with my qb and where I place the ball.

+ The new defensive line play is really really cool. It's almost like its own mini game. I'm sure you've seen the videos so I don't need to break it down, but it's incredibly fun.

+ the new play calling feature is an upgrade as well. Being able to see how each player matches up win whoever is guarding them really let's you take advantage of mismatches, especially after calling an audible and sending a man in motion and calling a hot route. Really feel in control at the line of scrimmage.

- Gang tackling is still missing, thus you still see the awkward pile ups where the players some how turn into spaghetti noodles and Harlem shake all over the place. It's toned down, but it's still very noticeable.

- defenses still don't seem to react the way they should. Players don't seem to pick up the guy in their zone as often as they should. The A.I. Still needs to be greatly improved.

Graphics are an upgrade but still don't wow me like I feel I should be wowed on next gen. I want more player faces, better o line player builds and more realistic textures on the players. Stadiums looks and lighting look awesome tho.

Another big issue for me is the lack of a creative experience. The create a player is still exactly the same as it's been the last 5 years maybe longer I feel like. No new faces, no new accessories, not even one arm sleeves. I'd also like to see a real uniform editor. By now we should be able to recreate a teams entire uniform. I'd like to give the panthers or the eagles the Nike treatment. MLB the show has all of these features, they need to take notes.

Presentation is a step forward. The nfl films presentation is very nice. They also have mini commercials at the 2 minute warning or when you call a time out. The Super Bowl experience is still very underwhelming. Makes it not even worth it to watch it all after you win. I think they could borrow from nba 2k and really try to immerse you in that world; media day, post game interviews, player to player interactions. They also need a complete 180 in the commentary booth. Very bland and boring like it's always been. But all sports game need this 180.

Again, it's the best MADDEN I've played. My expectations are high for this next gen. They promise more but deliver lack luster efforts compared to what they are capable of. The good part is, it seems like they are finally headed in the right direction.
 
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