Difficulty:

Easy

Time Spent:

20 to 40 Hours

The Bottom Line:

"Rip-off"

By taking out the editing of players in the former Franchise mode (Now Connected Careers Coaching mode) this game is literally no fun for me as that customization along with drafting were my favorite parts of the game. Adding XP to upgrade players is OK, but not being able to make a back up RB a full time WR halfway through a season, or in pre-seaason for that matter is idiotic and totally unrealistic for someone who is supposed to be in total control of the franchise.

Then, no NCAA draft import in CC? C'mon. It is their own bloody product! What were they thinking.

The graphics? Essentially the same. I don't notice much difference in gameplay besides fewer tipped passes and less user controlled sacks and tackles. They can say what they want about new physics; it has made little to no difference in my enjoyment factor.

My wife buys me this game every year for my birthday (August 29th); I really wish I would have known how badly they dummied down the editing features as I would have asked her, for the first time since in 6 years to not purchase it. It would also mark the first time since Sega Genesis reigned supreme in sports gaming that I did not own the newest Madden; ie. I have had every Madden and this is the first time I have been completely dis-interested in the game.

I am putting my copy on Ebay after spending maybe 20 hours playing actual games and 20 or so in practice or going through rosters and various other features over the course of 2+ months.

Even watching football does not make it more fun to play. I will watch a game, get excited, start playing after the real game ends, and 15 minutes later I am shutting it off in disgust because I am so annoyed I can't switch my DT to an RE or a CB to a FS.

Hopefully I can squeak out 20 bucks for this joke of a "New" version. You know it is bad when you would be happy with a 40 dollar loss.

I suppose I will just resume season 9 of my previous Madden 12 Franchise.

For everything they added I feel they took far more away. Oh well, the play by play is better, and the Twitter feature is cool...Terrible successor to 12; just plain awful.