Madden NFL 16 Community Impressions

[JAFranz33]

NFL season is here. Madden is back and maddening as ever...

When I first played the game on release day, I felt a breath of fresh air, as I do every year when Madden comes out. The anticipation of a new NFL season and a new NFL game can, in a way, deceive us from reality. I loved M16 for the first 5 or so games I played and I thought maybe this will be the year I purchase it again (IF they fix the CFM bugs).

That feeling faded out rather quickly.

The first things that stood out to me was the mundane running system. Running the ball is flat out lifeless and stale. Maybe it's the lack of "moves" you can pull off, maybe it's the patty cake OL/DL interaction, but running stinks. I love running the football, but not this year. There is no dynamic to it. Most of the time you will gain 2-5 yards. Very few 10+ yards gains, and very few stuffs in the backfield. I can sum the running up as this..****n a straight line as far as you can until you get tackled. Very few "holy cow" moments happen after handing the ball off, even with elite running backs. Yes, go ahead and tell me I can change the sliders, but I am reviewing this game based on how it plays out of the box, not to mention sliders aren't available online.

To the next thing. The unresponsive controls. I have been in great position with a DB, ready to make a nice swat or INT, and guess what happens when I push the button? Nothing! This doesn't happen all of the time, but it happens enough to frustrate me. The same thing goes for the hit stick, and for the right stick on offense. Many times, it does nothing at all. I hit Shady McCoy on a flat route, he caught it and had one on one with a defender who was easily 2-3 yards away from him. I hit the right stick to juke...nothing. He gets tackled like he WANTED to be tackled. There is no elusiveness from players who should be elusive.

Once again, crossing plays, and any type of pass down the middle of the field is overpowered. Safeties do not have any urgency in closing out on receivers. Defenders play their zones way too deep and don't pass them off correctly to the other defenders, so, if you know the defense is in zone, find that sweet spot and it's a money completion almost every time.

Players feel too much alike. I have played play now games, draft champions, CFM, MUT, and there is hardly a difference between someone like Sam Barrington and Ray Lewis. The only players I ever fear playing against are the elite WRs and CBs (and sort of the QBs, but I'll get to that). I don't fear playing against players like Luke Kuechly or Justin Houston, because they don't do jack ****, even on all Madden.

Blocking is terrible. I threw a screen pass and had 3 OL whose job was to block the 1 defender in the area, and that one defender went untouched for the tackle. That might happen once in awhile, but guess what? It happened again later in the game. Player awareness is not good.

Running up the middle is awful. The defense doesn't collapse on the ball carrier the way that they should. Running up the middle usually ends in a one on one tackle in Madden, rather than a collapsing gang tackle, like IRL.

This is all just on the field problems, I won't even go into the off the field issues, such as the confidence issues making players overpowered, the regression, draft classes not being tuned to the official roster.

I give Madden a 4/10.

The biggest problem that will plague this series is that they need to cater the game to casuals and young people. The devs are forced to make the game play in such a way that any 8 year old who's a fan of the NFL can pick up the game and play it. This hurts the "sim" nation, but we all need to understand why.

The positives are that the game looks great. Lighting is fantastic. Player scans are for the most part really good. More animations are nice.

[Skyboxer]

Figured I'd give my quick thoughts after a good amount of time with the game.

We all know about the CFM issues etc.. That is a real bummer and frankly very disappointing. It is what it is so we'll see how long it takes the fixes to come.
On the gameplay side.. this is one of the best Madden's ever IMO.

Been messing around with settings getting a set I like and I have seen all types of games and outcomes.
Passing and running have been a blast with knowing your strengths and weaknesses on O and D.

Nothing like a great play call to destroy the opponent's O play or a great run by your RB to take it to the house.

I'm confident a slider set will be made to really nail down the gameplay.
I'm strictly a no switch guy and so far the aggressive catches by the CPU haven't been as bad as I thought it be. Still needs turned down a tad though.

Pass rush is weak but I haven't tried 0 pass block yet which is my next item oj to do list.

The issues with D cam have kept me away from that view for the most part but still play it when I lock on a D player.
Played a really fun MUT game(First time I've really played MUT) with Candyman even though I lst due to my kicker shanking a 40'ish long fg at the end Lol...

Anxiously awaiting the bugs fixes and I can start a real CFM AND our League can get going.

Bottom line for me is the gameplay shines and is FUN.
Yes there are bugs that need addressed bit the openness of the devs is a refreshing aspect of EA and I applaude them for that.
I don't excuse the bugs but every game has them and as long as they get them fixed I'll be happy.

Still need more CFM depth AND special teams need some love

As is: 7.5-10
When fixed: 8.5 - 10

[ajblithe20]

Don't want to post a full blown impression right now but I have noticed a lot of comments about "running being boring." I can't disagree more. The running actually sticks out to me this year as being very fun. I've had plenty of variety. But I felt like in years past running the ball was always a 5+ yard gain or stuff in the backfield. Maybe I'm wrong but I see a lot more short gains in the real NFL then anything else, and so far that feels accurately represented in this years game.

[bowld]

I am enjoying the game so far except for the crazy amount of aggressive jump ball catches when playing online. Seems everyone I play does nothing but toss up bomb after bomb the entire game and it gets old quick. Hopefully they can tone these down with a new tuner set and we will be good to go

[bkrich83]

Quote: Originally Posted by gunnnaGB

Penalties is horrible and non existing for online play BUDDY and it don't make any since why #Fail

They did it for online play on purpose because the online community didn't want them.

[JKSportsGamer1984]

Quote: Originally Posted by JAFranz33

NFL season is here. Madden is back and maddening as ever... When I first played the game on release day, I felt a breath of fresh air, as I do every year when Madden comes out. The anticipation of a new NFL season and a new NFL game can, in a way, deceive us from reality. I loved M16 for the first 5 or so games I played and I thought maybe this will be the year I purchase it again (IF they fix the CFM bugs). That feeling faded out rather quickly. The first things that stood out to me was the mundane running system. Running the ball is flat out lifeless and stale. Maybe it's the lack of "moves" you can pull off, maybe it's the patty cake OL/DL interaction, but running stinks. I love running the football, but not this year. There is no dynamic to it. Most of the time you will gain 2-5 yards. Very few 10+ yards gains, and very few stuffs in the backfield. I can sum the running up as this..****n a straight line as far as you can until you get tackled. Very few "holy cow" moments happen after handing the ball off, even with elite running backs. Yes, go ahead and tell me I can change the sliders, but I am reviewing this game based on how it plays out of the box, not to mention sliders aren't available online. To the next thing. The unresponsive controls. I have been in great position with a DB, ready to make a nice swat or INT, and guess what happens when I push the button? Nothing! This doesn't happen all of the time, but it happens enough to frustrate me. The same thing goes for the hit stick, and for the right stick on offense. Many times, it does nothing at all. I hit Shady McCoy on a flat route, he caught it and had one on one with a defender who was easily 2-3 yards away from him. I hit the right stick to juke...nothing. He gets tackled like he WANTED to be tackled. There is no elusiveness from players who should be elusive. Once again, crossing plays, and any type of pass down the middle of the field is overpowered. Safeties do not have any urgency in closing out on receivers. Defenders play their zones way too deep and don't pass them off correctly to the other defenders, so, if you know the defense is in zone, find that sweet spot and it's a money completion almost every time. Players feel too much alike. I have played play now games, draft champions, CFM, MUT, and there is hardly a difference between someone like Sam Barrington and Ray Lewis. The only players I ever fear playing against are the elite WRs and CBs (and sort of the QBs, but I'll get to that). I don't fear playing against players like Luke Kuechly or Justin Houston, because they don't do jack ****, even on all Madden. Blocking is terrible. I threw a screen pass and had 3 OL whose job was to block the 1 defender in the area, and that one defender went untouched for the tackle. That might happen once in awhile, but guess what? It happened again later in the game. Player awareness is not good. Running up the middle is awful. The defense doesn't collapse on the ball carrier the way that they should. Running up the middle usually ends in a one on one tackle in Madden, rather than a collapsing gang tackle, like IRL. This is all just on the field problems, I won't even go into the off the field issues, such as the confidence issues making players overpowered, the regression, draft classes not being tuned to the official roster. I give Madden a 4/10. The biggest problem that will plague this series is that they need to cater the game to casuals and young people. The devs are forced to make the game play in such a way that any 8 year old who's a fan of the NFL can pick up the game and play it. This hurts the "sim" nation, but we all need to understand why. The positives are that the game looks great. Lighting is fantastic. Player scans are for the most part really good. More animations are nice.

Are you sure you're playing Madden 16? Lol. In all seriousness, I do agree about players feeling too much alike. This is one area that Madden has always suffered in. I shouldn't be able to pull of the same moves with my 4th string RB as I can with Adrian Peterson smh. EA needs to really work on differentiating how players animate. The trait system is a good start but it definitely still needs improvement.

As far as the other issues you mentioned, we must be playing different games because I'm not having any of those problems with exception to the blocking. Blocking & line play is still not where it needs to be. I agree with that.

[JAFranz33]

Quote: Originally Posted by JKSportsGamer1984

Are you sure you're playing Madden 16? Lol. In all seriousness, I do agree about players feeling too much alike. This is one area that Madden has always suffered in. I shouldn't be able to pull of the same moves with my 4th string RB as I can with Adrian Peterson smh. EA needs to really work on differentiating how players animate. The trait system is a good start but it definitely still needs improvement. As far as the other issues you mentioned, we must be playing different games because I'm not having any of those problems with exception to the blocking. Blocking & line play is still not where it needs to be. I agree with that.

Give it a couple of weeks. This happens every year. Once the honeymoon phase is over, you will see more reviews similar to mine.

[roadman]

Quote: Originally Posted by JAFranz33

Give it a couple of weeks. This happens every year. Once the honeymoon phase is over, you will see more reviews similar to mine.

That might be true in past years, I just don't see it happening at this end for me on 16.

The running game is better this year, the CPU QB's play like they do on Sunday's, penalties have been added, the sliders work as advertised and the WR/CB interactions were a nice welcome.

To each their own.