One step forward, two steps back.
New physics engine adds a bit more realism
Good gameplay
Solid graphics
THE BAD:
Stripped down Franchise mode and Superstar mode mashed into one collective mode
Animations can be a bit quirky at times
Many features were removed
Lack of new features or game modes
Madden NFL 13 was released with the hype of a new physics engine. A new engine that would change the way we play Madden. I wouldn't exactly call it a new engine, because it really doesn't feel much different from previous Maddens. However, there are a few new animations that help add to the realism of the game. Running into your offensive lineman actually stops you now, unlike in previous Maddens, where you would just run into them until you got tackled. A few new tackling animations have been added as well, but overall, this new engine doesn't feel like a brand new engine as well; just an improved version of the previous one. That doesn't mean the engine is no good; it just means that you shouldn't expect gameplay to be staggeringly different. There can be a few hiccups with the new engine though. Many times, players will fall over each other, or just seem to fall for no apparent reason.
There is also a supposedly new game mode called Connected Careers. However, it is just Franchise mode and Superstar mode, mashed together under one name. You can choose to start a career as a player (Superstar), or as a coach (Franchise). Your goal is to make it into the Hall of Fame, and you must spend XP to increase your stats to help you along the way. While this mode seems decent, it feels very stripped down compared to last year's Franchise and Superstar modes. You cannot edit your players at all in both modes, and that includes position, helmets, jersey numbers, and ratings. Fantasy draft has also been removed, as well as simulating through seasons. You must sim one game at a time. Player mode is also stripped down. You cannot interact with your agent, and you can't choose to be drafted by a random team. You can only choose which team you want to play for. While Connected Careers adds a new twist to modes previously seen, it just feels like a watered down version of said previous modes.
Other complaints about the game I have include the menus. They seem clunky and can be confusing to navigate through at first. The soundtrack only consists of a looping song very similar to that of NCAA Football, so it gets boring to listen to quickly. I much preferred the EA Trax. Create-A-Team was also removed in Madden 13. While they haven't updated it in years, it was still something that should have remained in the game. Ultimate Team and Madden Moments also return, virtually the same as last year.
So, to wrap things up, Madden NFL 13 added a few nice things to the game, like the new engine, but gave us a watered down version of Superstar and Franchise in Connected Careers, as well as leaving the rest of the game unchanged. I really hope the NFL doesn't renew EA's exclusive license to make NFL games, so 2K Sports can go back to making NFL games. Maybe then, with some actual competition, EA Sports wouldn't continually release these rehashes.