This Madden got some less then par reviews, but I got it and I like it better then last years edition.
I heard this game was the same as last years edition, but I downloaded the Demo and tried it. I thought it was OK at first. Then I started playing Madden 11 for about 7 games, and then tried the demo again and noticed it was much smother, and the animations were much better in 12. This made playing much more fun IMO. So I bought it and have not regretted it at all.
I heard some complain about a lack of new things hammered out in the recent lock out negotiations or what ever, like during the first preseason game Madden 12 allows 70 some players, whereas now in the NFL they can have 90... Who cares!!! I do not care about having more players to cut. Again, I care about the game, not signing players and negotiating contracts. Luckily you do not have to do any front office things in Franchise mode, but the CPU can do it for you.
The manuel is on the game disc, which I do not like, but it is not very comprehensive either. I learned more from the occasional tips during the game.
If you like Madden, but want smother and better animations, you will like Madden 12. But if you like front office stuff, maybe that is why the scores are not so great.