Every year I get excited for the new madden, but then suffer a major let down.
Gameplay: Much the same as previous versions. Passing is harder this year. I do like the new collision and tackling system. Linebackers can jump ridiculousness high and are able to make superman style interceptions. I have thrown more TD passes on Revis than I have on Chad Greenway (he is the real island on the game) Passing was out of hand last year so they decided to neuter it this year. You can win most games by running the ball 20+ times. Running is much improved, but I still have trouble with the suction blocking system where it looks like a DE or LB will make a play and they get sucked into the blocker. FB's still underplay. They will skip blocking the LB and run downfield after the SS. Pass rushing is a little bit better as you don't get pancaked by the OL as much this yr. You will still notice outrageous blocks by opposing OLs as RBs and G's will travel across from one side of the OL to block you on the other side of the OL. Man coverage has taken a dip this year, as there are only a couple guys that perform well at that duty. You will want to spend most of your time in cover three as I find that after a couple yrs in franchise most teams will run the majority of the time. Special teams are nonexistent and I wish they weren't even included in the game. The blocking is always poor, and FGs are way too easy. I would rather just spare the time and have random values assigned for punts.
Franchise Mode: Some improvements have been made. I like the cut days, but you get no choice in bringing in rookie free agents (and they always end up being terrible). The dynamic player performance is nice and does make the game different. Player roles and the ability to change teams are nice, though they are old features they brought back so I will not refer to them as "new." The rookie "scouting" is harder. You can get select abilities from a handful of guys, then physical attributes from about 20 guys and the full abilities of 5 ppl. You don't really scout ever and requires almost no participation from the user. It is if we went back to pre-combine days of scouting (disappointing). The only good thing is I only get about 2 starters per year in the draft and maybe 2 other guys that contribute (realistic). I don't care for the timed free agent bidding, but it is not that bad. Player progression works ok, older players finally drop off like they do in real life.
Trades: It is impossible to trade up on draft day unless the pc offers you the trade. I once offered 3 first round picks to move up 1 spots in the 1st round and was denied by everyone. You can trade for future draft picks which the PC doesn't value at all. That means that you can trade your 2nd round pick for a first, third and probably fifth round selections next year. This is extremely weak. There is a draft value chart that EA hasn't implemented into the game at all. It is frustrating to see a PC team in which you tried to trade up with trade down for less than you offered. It just does not make sense at all. Drafting and scouting is the meat and potatoes of franchise mode. If they are bad the meal stinks.
Ultimate team: It is much easier to obtain star players this year. I have yet to decide if this is good or bad. Online and offline games are still bad. Coin payouts are minimal. Don't expect too many good games online in this mode.
Online: Glitches are still aplenty and they haven't fixed the nano blitz yet. Certain plays are guaranteed big money plays cough snake bombs cough.
Overall: Franchise mode received a hefty upgrade but is still years behind what NBA 2k offers. Online game play can be poor due to peoples ability to trick the PC (ignoring football knowledge and strategy). Defense is better, but at the expense of a lesser passing game. If you love running the ball the game is for you. I think the game is extremely mediocre and I wish I hadn't bought it. If you have Madden 10 or 11 it is not really worth buying.