While I expected a re-hash, Madden 12 shows EA actually did put in this year's edition with nice updates.
- EA, I believe actually worked hard this year
- Franchise has some long-needed updates
- Superstar gets a polish
- Collision System
- Awesome Graphics
- good soundtrack
The Bad
- easy passing and rushing, even on all-pro
- A.I. can act off sometimes
- While polished, superstar still has a long way to go
Well, every year I think, do I really need another Madden game? then I watch the first week of football, and get excited to buy it. I picked this up earlier today and while I was impressed because I got more than I expected, which is a good game of football
everybody, every year, complains and goes on and on and its really annoying. while sometimes people have good complaints, 2k is not your savior!...now that that's out of the way...:p
Truth is, EA has actually worked to bring us a good game of Madden this year. its not perfect, no game is, but the gameplay is very smooth, sometimes quick (can be adjusted via game speed), but real, and the collision system helps wonders. You are in full control of your guy until contact, and if you time it right, sometimes you juke away or break a tackle. I have had loads of fun running the football, however, a little too much fun.
the two games I played (one and half pro, half all-pro) both times, rushed over 200 yards with Micheal Turner. Now, yes, good running back, but...really? the game is very easy...now, I'm sure some kind of sliders will be released soon, but this shouldn't happen on all-pro. I know it's difficult to balance, player skill, gamer skill, and computer skill though, and I'm not sure if there's a way around this.
The two major game modes Madden has to offer are Superstar and Franchise, alongside Ultimate Team, Madden Moments, Online, and Mini-Games. Franchise and Superstar have been polished pretty good. On Franchise you are given a lot more control over your team such as preseason cuts, postseason roster adjustments, and more...Superstar offers a point system similar to 2k11's my player, however, I'm not sure how balanced this is, but it makes training camp and preseason more of a need to play. Gameplay is pretty much the same with your player being only control.
Outside of gameplay, Presentation for all teams include majorly updated stadiums, mascots, and cheerleaders. It's nice to see effort put into making it feel like your playing in a different arena and not just a changed field. On a small note, the soundtrack is also very pleasant to the ears, despite last years which was horrific in my humble opinion.
Presentation - 9 - a lot of effort was put into stadiums, grass, location, and of course the opening credits are pretty cool
Gamplay - 8.5 - growing better, Madden has taken a step forward in better collisions. way to easy for my taste, adjust to your liking though.
Graphics - 10 - some of the best graphics I've ever seen on the playstation, the player models and stadiums look best!
Sound - 7 - sound on the field is a little lacking, and kickoffs some times delay sound for an odd reason. good soundtrack
Lasting Appeal - 9 - depending on how much you love the game, a 20+ year franchise and other game modes will keep you busy
Overall - 8.5