Madden NFL 10 Demo Available, Post Impressions Here

[Senor Nascar]

Ian,

Is there a difference in build between the Giants/Cowboys and Steelers/Cards demos???

[Jet Sufferer]

A little bit of a reality check here from the breathless fanboys.

I like the game speed, better than last year when the QB would throw a hard pass the camera couldn't catch up and you couldn't make a play on D, you just had to button mash.

I like that you can do line moves, hated 09, zero fun in the trenches, this is much improved.

Now for the potential game killers for me.

Play screen says my lineman's job is to rush, I'm pushing down on the stick to rush and he decides to do his own thing (step backwards, sideways) I'm looking to engage the defender and make a move, he's doing the watuzi. Happened too often.

OFFENSIVE, and I do mean offensive line play.

It seems to be a roll of the virtual dice as to which one or 2 D-Lineman will have a free run at the running back on a running play. Blockers ignore the man in front of them, sometimes they just double or triple team the center. These guys are really dumb, the CPU tries to compensate (I think) by having the RB usually break the first tackle. The lineman just do really stupid things on almost every play. Numerous times a DT is left untouched, these guys have an assignment on the play screen but when the ball is snapped the O-Lineman are often running around like a chicken with his head cut off. Willie Parker bowls over guys like Brandon Jacobs, Jacobs must run like Earl Campbell against a high school squad, lol.

Played great D on a wide receiver only to have the ball go THROUGH my hands, right through the palm with no effect on the ball, happened more than once, went to the replay, zoomed in, all angles, right through my palm and wrist, it's like the CPU decided that the receiver was making the catch on that play and that's that. Just like some running plays where the CPU decides it's time for a 2 yard loss and some lineman will just refuse to block the guy in front of him even though the play is going right there.

Pressed for a lob by Big Ben to my RB open in the flat, wow, he threw the thing straight up in the air, tapping for a lob should should recognize what the QB is doing, throwing an out to his back, not sending up a hand grenade. I guess this can be fixed by pressing a little longer than a tap, so not horrible.

Guys a couple of times after catching passes seemed to do a little juke on their own, even though they were headed upfield already.

Secondary sometimes as confused as O-Lineman, no concept of where they are and where the receivers are.

In short a LOT of the old Madden problems are still prevalent, is it better than 09, yes, but that's not saying anything, 09 was bad, not decent, not a "step in the right direction" as was the 09 meme of so many here. The new meme is "no game is perfect", I've seen this 100 times here and not once has the poster said, "I expect this to be perfect" "NFL 2k5 was perfect". No one is looking for perfection, just a really good football game.

So far, it's better, but don't believe the hype of so many here, it's light years away from being a 2K killer. Presentation is much improved, but I could care less. Some people are graphic whores, cleat/towel/visor whores, I'm a gameplay whore. Give me a great game and I wouldn't care if the sidelines were bare, no fans in the stands, etc.

Animation to me is still choppy and feels a bit too scripted. The game is still lacking a certain fluidity and the organic feel of a great sports game. Maybe it will grow on me, but right now (I know it's a demo, don't remind me, lol) it's still too "Maddeny" for me.

Good news if you actually liked any next-gen Maddens you'll love this one. I may consider buying it used if there is marked improvement from here and a very good patch or 2. It's not all that right now. No matter, I'm sure it will be a HUGE seller and the young market of Madden Ballers who worship every release will be thrilled, I'm happy for them. I'm just a little more discriminating about what sports games I'll play, I'll try them all and play the ones I like best, even if they're on old consoles.

[Skyboxer]

Ian get player lock in Madden 2011 please

[nosaints26]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ian_Cummings_EA

The demo is definitely on Slow.

I personally love the speed of it and think it's more realistic. Plays smoother and it's a lot easier to make reads on both sides of the ball. Could use a little speed up but I'd play it this way all the time when the final copy releases.

[Football4Natic]

Quote: Originally Posted by tanis38

Just played the 360 1 minute demo. Wow. Why even bother releasing a demo with 1 minute quarters? You cannot get any feel for the game. You can't run the ball because if you do the half will end before you get four plays off. You feel rushed and I couldn't even enjoy the cut-scenes after plays because they would kill the game clock. I would prefer a demo of just ONE, 5 minute quarter, than four, 1 minute ones. From what I got to experience (which was basically a two-minute drill) I saw some things I liked, but seriously guys, one minute quarters is just annoying and a terrible way to show off the "much improved" gameplay.

why would they not release a 1 minute demo. I dont get why people moan about it.

Is a demo and is free for you. They do not have to release anything if they do not feel like it

When you see a movie trailer.. Do you get 5 minutes of movie time

And the fact that they got paid big time by Gamestop to have the exclusive demo to boost their sales

why would EA then put a free demo out that is longer then a minute so people would not go get the longer demo and have to reserve

Is common sense...

[DGuinta1]

Quote: Originally Posted by Senor Nascar

Ian, Is there a difference in build between the Giants/Cowboys and Steelers/Cards demos???

Do tell. Good question.

[Football4Natic]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ian_Cummings_EA

The demo is definitely on Slow.

Ian I got both demos on 360 and to me the 1 minute demo seems faster and smoother all around then the gamestop demo

Even the pass rushers are more finely tuned then in the demo for gamestop

there has to be a diff between both besides teams and quarter lengths

Is the 1 minute build the latest one or are they both the same

[tj1182]

What was the point of pre-ordering for the code to get the demo, when the demo is available on the dashboard?