Madden 11

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='heapitup247' timestamp='1281646100' post='449273']
Everything except the gameplay itself is improved. I love Gus Johnson. Graphics are better, and the overall experience is better, but I feel like Madden took steps to make it more fun for the casual madden player, not the people who get it every year and play in tourneys like myself.
[/quote]
I'm not even a hardcore gamer, I'd call myself more of a moderate gamer where I like hardcore elements while also appreciating anything that's not too big of a time investment. I'm fine with changes like Gameflow, but there was no need for them to add things like the Strategy Pad, which is more confusing than the old audible system ever was. The accelerated clock makes the CPU snap the ball much too fast, no matter the amount you choose to run-off. I'm just disappointed that EA Sports has taken so many steps to catering to the casual audience rather than sticking to the same hardcore fanbase that'll buy it every year. Casual fans will buy it every other year blindly because of its permeation into pop culture. Hardcore fans will usually buy it no matter what.

[clayton89]

yeah when i play defense it feels really weird, ive always been good at defense, i usually allow around 10-14 points but now im giving up like 30-40? lol, and does anyone know when the next roster update will be?

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='clayton89' timestamp='1281659238' post='449502']
yeah when i play defense it feels really weird, ive always been good at defense, i usually allow around 10-14 points but now im giving up like 30-40? lol, and does anyone know when the next roster update will be?
[/quote]
They said it should be shortly before the start of Week 1, probably Thursday (the kickoff special) or Friday before NFL Opening Sunday.

[XxSizzleXx]

If you guys are having trouble on D try not to use the hit stick as much. I've been using it about half as much as I did in Madden 10, have to adjust or keep getting shredded.

[H8R]

I was a hit stick monster...not soo much any more.

[Marc2k6]

[quote name='H8R' timestamp='1281666730' post='450062']
I was a hit stick monster...not soo much any more.
[/quote]
Yeah you were a hit stick monster for sure. I would just dive on the ground instead of letting u hit stick me any more, it was getting ridiculous. LOL

[Marc2k6]

[quote name='Perfekt' timestamp='1281638750' post='449186']
i was about to post the same thing. you can swat the ball like its nothing but you cant pick the ball or play any real defense. i hate the new running and kicking system.
[/quote]
The kicking game is a total flop!

[Clutch Ravens]

Just about every "Feature" they've added this year feels like it's some sort of stupid gimmic that you should be able to turn off. Why, instead of improving the core of the game, do they add these silly features that make the game less realistic and more irritating?

Could they swap the NCAA and Madden crews for a year? Or better yet, sack the entire Madden crew because they have quite obviously never seen a game of football in their lives.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' timestamp='1281659126' post='449491']
I'm not even a hardcore gamer, I'd call myself more of a moderate gamer where I like hardcore elements while also appreciating anything that's not too big of a time investment. I'm fine with changes like Gameflow, but there was no need for them to add things like the Strategy Pad, which is more confusing than the old audible system ever was. The accelerated clock makes the CPU snap the ball much too fast, no matter the amount you choose to run-off. I'm just disappointed that EA Sports has taken so many steps to catering to the casual audience rather than sticking to the same hardcore fanbase that'll buy it every year. Casual fans will buy it every other year blindly because of its permeation into pop culture. Hardcore fans will usually buy it no matter what.
[/quote]
I agree Im tired of EA catering to the casual football fan, they should know where their money comes from and the actual football fans that buy Madden annually.

[XxSizzleXx]

Crushed a group of 3 last night on OTP. Me and my buddies were the Ravens against the Eagles. I was using the Wideouts and controlling the Linebackers on D so I could pick the defensive calls. We trounced these guys 62-17. They just couldn't do anything on Offense which turned into a slaughterfest.

[TheRavenouseD2008]

ran into an issue mine is freezing mid game found out this game on 360s is causing lots of issues wit the console guess EA are the 360 killers as advertised wonder if sony paid them

[PuRock]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' timestamp='1281639883' post='449203']
I hate the new kicking system but [b]love the new running system.[/b] Gameflow isn't bad, but it'd probably be better if I had time to actually sit down and determine my favorite plays in each situation. Gameflow for defense is much worse than Gameflow for offense, however; I've found I've had to call my own plays most of the time on defense if I wanted to stop anything.

Once they bring back the old audible and pre-snap system, then I'm good with the controls. Otherwise, the Strategy Pad is still frustrating, even after a couple of games of practice.
[/quote]

I really like the new running system. Sometimes you get heavy fingers in past years and it becomes a habit of holding down sprint while neglecting the actual run.

Now there is no sprint button, which is great, and you really have to focus on the blockers and you think more about the jukes, etc. Good upgrade.

Also you run, run and run and eventually you'll break a good long run. I feel it much more realistic then past years.

[TheRavenouseD2008]

I do love the sticks cause juking stif arms spins are all in 2 buttons not 8 RT is now just to hold on to the ball in a crowd lol

[BohBalmerOsbohs]

[quote name='Give it to Clutch Clayton' timestamp='1281692604' post='450521']
Just about every "Feature" they've added this year feels like it's some sort of stupid gimmic that you should be able to turn off.[b] Why, instead of improving the core of the game, do they add these silly features that make the game less realistic and more irritating?
[/b]
Could they swap the NCAA and Madden crews for a year? Or better yet, sack the entire Madden crew because they have quite obviously never seen a game of football in their lives.
[/quote]

Because its easier then building a new Open source of the game and starting over. Which they should in my opinion. and in turn the customer thinks there getting more.
Madden has been like this for a good 7 years now. They want to get the most out of the consumer while doing the least development. While the older NFl games like gameday, ESPN, were totally improved and Different every year.

[TheRavenouseD2008]

Keep in mind the 2k series did not have ESPN when it started on the dreamcast, with that in mind also remember the developed originaly for 1 console , plus one other note the 2k series lost the ability to liscense thnx to the players union influenced by john madden , can some one say wet turf

[H8R]

Dude, i'm on a loosing streak. They take away my hit stick and boost button. I'm not really liking this game too much to be honest .....IMO they took a big step back.

[theFRANCHISE]

Though I'm getting better at learning the nuances of the game, this year's edition is an even bigger reminder of how much I suck at it. I don't mind how it's challenging me on All-Pro more than in years past, but I hate when stupid things happen beyond my control. Pass protection shouldn't be so porous, run-blocking shouldn't be so piss-poor, and getting penetration when you're on defense shouldn't be such a chore if defenses in real life do it all the time. Though defensive lines do not get sacks on every play, there shouldn't be this disparity between how effective the AI is at these fundamental elements of the game versus how you perform yourself.

[XxSizzleXx]

I disagree on the step back. Take some time in exhibition and pat down the new running system. This took my some getting used to but after getting better and better at it I am loving this new running system, it's so fluent and looks much more realistic. The physics in this game are like 5x better. I haven't done a head to head yet only been doing the OTP.

[PuRock]

[quote name='XxSizzleXx' timestamp='1281904320' post='452029']
I disagree on the step back. Take some time in exhibition and pat down the new running system. This took my some getting used to but after getting better and better at it I am loving this new running system, it's so fluent and looks much more realistic. The physics in this game are like 5x better. I haven't done a head to head yet only been doing the OTP.
[/quote]

I agree. Like anything new, everybody hates it. But overtime once you get use to it, its actually pretty good.

I love the running game. Didn't like the missing truck stick, but looking back kinda glad they got rid of it. It was kinda of getting ridiculous. Overall I feel like the gameplay is more real.

[FlaccoFlicker]

im not a casual player of madden but far from being a pro and I have really enjoyed the new game.I usually can play pretty well but suck against playing an actual player

[Clutch Ravens]

I was liking the new running system until I put up 400 rushing yards on the Dolphins with the Bills. C.J Spiller had 200 special teams yards on top of that and 200 of those rushing yards came from Josh Johnson (the Buccs back-up) on 10 carries. It was on All-Pro since I only got it yesterday and find the running game to be rediculous, particularly the QB running game.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='PuRock' timestamp='1281904455' post='452030']
I agree. Like anything new, everybody hates it. But overtime once you get use to it, its actually pretty good.

I love the running game. Didn't like the missing truck stick, but looking back kinda glad they got rid of it. It was kinda of getting ridiculous. Overall I feel like the gameplay is more real.
[/quote]
Def love the running game as well, guys hold blocks, block who they should be. Play calling is also a huge part of this game, take the time to develop a game plan if you use the GameFlow thing, if you dont focus on the situation and formations for play calling, cuz you actually need to blitz to stop the run.

[XxSizzleXx]

I forgot to mention if you move the ALL of the sliders in CPU skill to around 70 (give or take 5 points) it will make the game much more enjoyable as far as gameplay. It just seems to make everyone smarter and play as they should. People who are having trouble on All-Pro should especially look to do this. Like I said it makes the gameplay more enjoyable

ADD IN - It's fun being Chris Johnson online in OTP, you can just toy with people because he is so fast. Angles play a huge part in this game.

[H8R]

What I H8 is WR's breaking tackles ohh soo easy. I think they need to find a balance between offense and defense and not favor one so much. Mean while, I've lost 7 in a row. LOL

[D_UP]

This years madden is a joke...the game has been dumbeddown.The defense is nowhere to be found, whem suggs and lewis are being tossed around like ragdolls then there's a problem. I'm completely unhappy with this years game prob won't play til the idiots at EA make patches to fix their mess.

[theFRANCHISE]

After spending a good hour or so toying with the Gameplan, Gameflow is much more effective for me on offense than before. I'm having a much better time with the game now that I've got a good mix of plays I like to run in certain situations. I suppose a lot of my earlier difficulties on offense had much to do with not mixing up my playcalling as much as I should've; where I could run the same play only two or three plays apart, it almost seems as if I have to wait a bit longer before it works again since the defense is a little bit better at recognizing my old "money plays." Furthermore, I didn't have as much balance with run and pass as my Gameflow dictates, so the defense continually played pass since my offense was too pass-heavy.

I'll have to go mess with the defensive Gameplan later, but at least that's one gripe that's been addressed. I still dislike the time I had to spend in order to make Gameflow effective for me, but at least the payoff was worth it. It also [i]does[/i] cut down play time significantly when coupled with the accelerated clock run-off, yet it still feels like a full game. Once the patch comes out to bring back the old pre-snap system, I should be good to go.

[PuRock]

So I was playing some Madden yesterday. I guess I'm dealing with a lot of injuries on my team. Because when I was on defense I intercepted the ball, yes! It was Boldin intercepting?!? WTH is he doing out their as a DB?

[Perfekt]

i took off gameflow only because i found it very ineffective for me. i have not played online yet but will sometime this week.

Pu i feel you man. The game against the Jets Flacco got injuried for the season and now i been running with Smith. I hate the fact of how often players get injuried. Oh yea an they made Bulger terrible even tho you would expect him to be decent. The lost against the Steelers that i took he threw 5 ints.

[H8R]

Question: Does everyones playart show ALL the time and can OTHERS see it? I was never sure of this?

[Perfekt]

mine shows all the time unless im playing against someone on the same xbox. i dont think it shows for the player your versing online tho.

Did anyone else get scared the first time they had their mic on and heard them talking in your ear?