Madden NFL 10 Demo Available, Post Impressions Here

[TheWatcher]

Quote: Originally Posted by BravesBoy

love everthing but the play call screen, feels like the old days...

Yeah, not feeling the playcall screen either. Way too stripped down. I hate having to pause for replays now. I understand what they tried to do with it, but next year I think they should try a different approach (like the one I suggested, lol).

And just the fact that the playcall screen comes up and covers up the post-play stuff is just annoying.

[22cowboys22]

this game is ridiculous i really really really need this pronto im sooooo hyped for this game i just broke a beautiful touchdown run with barber on the giants it was rewarding to say the least way to go EA you finally are back in my good graces and i almost can forget about NFL2K5(remember i said almost).

[blklightning]

also, did anyone notice that they mapped a mini juke to the left stick this year? it only seems to work with willie parker, but it looks really good, imo.

[CornerBlitz44]

My very first OS post...
Let me say this first - I haven't played Madden in about 4 years (Tried the first year of 'next gen' and preferred NCAA, been with that since.) This year I passed on NCAA because it looked like it took much smaller steps than Madden from the previews. From trying the current NCAA full release and now the Madden demo, I must say - I'm glad I waited, and I WILL get this game.

If they can make a 1minute demo look and play this slick, I can't wait to see the finished product. It actually felt like everything we have asked for has been adressed, the final cut will show how well.

The gameplay is slower, as advertised, and I think is great. Holes open and close in front of your RB, and if you miss them, you better find a quick cut back lane or you're toast. On the other hand, pull a special move at contact and the big RB's in the demo (Barber and Jacobs) will show off the Pro-tak really well. My favorite animation so far (of about 50 that made me drop my jaw) was Barber getting hit at the line of scrimmage on an outside handoff, legs chugging, leaning hard into the DL, both his knees lowered as if he was going down, and then a spin move stood him up and he stumbled forward in a 2-3 step burst and fell forward for yardage after the DL was no longer holding him up. Looked JUST like a replay from Sunday. Awesome.
Also nice is the momentum of the players, especially at cuts and after contact - they break out of a tackle, but don't regain full speed right away - very realistic, so don't give up on those pursuits!

I tried several times to get the QB evasion to work, but couldn't, maybe I am rusty or its not in yet.

Pursuit angles are great, and downfields blocking made me use the replay several times, especially on a pick-6 I had with Dallas and watched Eli get JACKED UP. Killer. I also hung Crayton out to dry over the middle and he got blasted - then got up reeeaal slow - like it really stunned him.
The game also seems very intelligent - the CPU ran when they should run, threw deep on me a bunch to keep me honest and even ran a 'fake spike' with time running out to try the endzone.

The cutscenes are a nice touch, some get skipped, some just add to the feel of a broadcast game. I managed to have a booth review, several chain gang animations and a reasonable amount of penalties for 1 minute quarters. The teams leve the field at halftime differently, depending on the score or the momentum of the last plays.
Even saw the new fumble game, although I never won one (not a good masher I guess) They add some drama I think, I like them.

The graphics and sounds are... serious as I can be here - THE BEST I've seen in a sports game. The snowy field wears only where the play occurs, the stadium lights and the blowing snow looks just like a TV broadcast. The pads pop, helmets crash just like they should. The players are jawwing and grunting all game, the crowd reacts better than any football game so far, (and loud) roaring at first downs and 3rd down defenses and actually BOOING the home team off the field after a loss. Surround sound was in full effect already - from a demo! I'm very interested to see what the soundtrack will be, especially the in-game stadiums tunes. I actually have had the ochestral music that plays during the opening menus and replay screens in my head all day - reminds me of like a Crimson Tide or Tom Clancy movie soundtrack; awesome.
Helmet shine is actually so detailed that it changes when the players are on the ground, reflecting the colored emblems of the turf, or the snowy ground - a real mirror effect, very very impressive. Watch for it.

Granted, I am 'discovering Madden' all over again, so my impressions are slanted, and I would have been easily impressed anyway - but this is nearly 'blow you away' good. I have gamed for years, played football games since back to Tecmo Bowl, NFL 2k5, etc. This is what I've waited for. Nice work EA.

[Napstar22]

What supposed to be the most realistic speed in the game ? And what would the options be?

[TheWatcher]

Just finished playing the Giants/Cowboys demo...

Wow, the snow game looks fantastic. It REALLY looks like a blizzard. The lighting is also excellent.

Overall, graphically I have no complaints. It's certainly the best I've ever seen in a football game and definitely better than 09 which was pretty good. They really did a much better job with lighting and color this year.

The Giants/Cowboys demo seems to flow better than the GS one for some strange reason. Like the cut scenes and such seem to not have as many hitches.

The only issue with the cut scenes just like Cards/Steelers demo, is that the scenes end too fast and the camera stops following the spotlighted player suddenly, leaving an empty shot. I'm really perplexed as to how this happened...

Despite a number of annoyances, I have to say that they did a pretty job good on this game.

[Texans989]

very encouraged by the demo... it definetely feels like a new game. virtually no difference between 08 and 09... i almost wanna stop playin the demo b4 the game comes out cuz i dont wanna be all maddened out lol

[nosaints26]

I'm smoking the Steelers 48-14 on All Pro...what's bothering me though, is that all I'm doing is pressing the receivers and Big Ben is throwing pick after pick. Maybe it's just something about the Cardinals' corners...