Improved - but it's still the same story of flashy additions not well done and glitchy, weak gameplay. I'm glad I rented
The graphics are amazing. Let's get that out there. They improved the graphics and I loved the graphics anyway. Still, I have to give them credit on that front. It looks amazing, guys.
Thank you also for limiting fumbles. It's probably not as realistic with so few fumbles, but I like the system just as it is. With games going so quickly, I'd rather that both sides only have the extremely rare fumble.
I like the quick substitute system - probably my favorite addition in this year's game. Quick, easy, and effective.
Some of the problems (and there are a LOT).
1) Every opposing quarterback is the same. I typically play in coverage and can do pretty well on my side of the ball. However, the cpu usually finds someone open and almost never seems to throw it anywhere but between the numbers. Tom Brady and Brooks Bollinger are equals in this game - it's that simple. Oh, and every team seems to throw it a minimum of 80% of the game.
2) Forget running the ball. Your offensive line hates you, and the same swim move fools your guard on 50% of run plays which means you just get to watch as your RB gets leveled.
3) When catching the ball, it doesn't always have to be a spectacular catch. So many times I'll hit my guy right in stride. Instead of just catching and running, they have to leap in the air or lay out for the ball which slows them way down. I've lost touchdowns countless times because of this.
4) What's up with the offensive lineman mini game? You can't NOT reach all-madden level on there. You don't need to block anyone. Oh yeah, except for when your RB inexplicably runs backwards or into lineman when he has a clear path to the endzone...it's just weird...and poorly done.
5) Why does the CPU often just run east/west on the field. I don't want to stop a team on 3rd down because of a glitch. Sometimes the CPU will just catch the ball and run out of bounds for no particular reason...maybe they're just thirsty???
6) PLEASE EA!!!! PLEASE!!! Stop having wr's and rb's running out of bounds on routes to the flats? And stop having the qb's lead them out of bounds! It takes away a HUGE chunk of the playbook.
7) EA Backtrack only works about 60% of the time. Overrated new feature.
8) Why would I rewind?
9) Too many user dropped passes. Reduce dropped passes a LOT in next year's edition.
10) When I intercept a ball with Charles Woodson, why does he suddenly struggle to outrun the center? I'm not exaggerating - the center is just about as fast as my db's when I intercept. Why?
11) If you want to know what else is wrong with your game, I can submit a detailed report. I doubt you care. You screwed me a couple years ago, when you shipped me a faulty game (as in, it simply didn't work). When I returned it per your instructions, you made me pay for your mistake by paying all the shipping and calling some obscure number 17 times to get my money back for the game...yes - I bought it from the EA store, so this is relevant to EA.
I rented it this year and I'm glad I did. I won't by another Madden game until it's done right. Glitches and a few problems with the game are common. And I know that my preferences may not always be included because they can't please everyone, but I think they know they put out the same game again and I refuse to support this. According to recent reports, it appears others feel the same way. It's fun watching big arrogant companies take big hits though. Sony certainly took one and how many software publishers are hurting? Poor products and a train wreck of customer service never seems to translate well into business endurance. Just ask GM...ok - random rant over. I will continue to petition that others get the NFL license when EA is done screwing this up...