I love the game, as long as the defenders react, attempt to tackle and properly follow through with their assignments. I just love playing online and having Webb get beat on a streak by Brandon Marshall. Or having Zach Miller run past Huff because he doesn't react. Let's not forget the times when my RB/WR run like their speed is 5 and get caught from behind by a 350lb NT.
My impressions: I have had the game since early release and have a very middle-of-the-road opinion thus far. Connected Career: I have been playing the CC as an Owner and IMPO it is the best mode offered in CC. Being able to handle the financial aspects of a team is awesome. It brought me back to last-gen Madden, which is a shame...shouldn't have had to wait this long for a mode such as this to return. My biggest issue with CC mode was the organization of the menu screens (Madden 13). It took a good chunk of time to learn the frustrating organization of Madden 13's CC menu's. Madden 25 has made nice stride is clarifying and organzing the different options for an Owner, Player or Coach. ONE TINY TINY THING: I do wish you could organize the draft order to your liking --I am not one to take the first pick and it would be nice to set myself up with say...the 10th pick for my offline CC. Graphics/Sound The Stadium sounds are crap, I'll spare the reader time by simply stating that. Seattle's stadium should be louder then any other stadium...I should be able to tell the diffence been a Jaguars home game and a Saints Home game --More importantly, the difference between a successful teams stadium versus a not-so-successful teams stadium. Graphically I feel like the Madden 25 took a slight step-back. QB's still have awkward long-sleeves that are about 6 inches longer than they should be. The Revoltuion helmets have never looked right and player models come off as bulky and square-ish. What happen to transition lighting? Gameplay This is where my opinion becomes 'middle-of-the-road. The running game has greately improved, blockers go to their appropriate level and instead of just missing defenders for no reason, defenders make moves to get around blockers. Throwing the ball is WAY TOO EASY --I shouldnt be throwing 81% for 340 yards and 3 TD's every game with Osweiler. Though throwing the ball is easy, it does become frustrating when a WR doesn't attempt to get two feet inbounds when making a catch on the sideline. Unlike NCAA, corners and safeties fail to pick balls off on the sideline as well. The defensive AI is not good, by any stretch of the imagination. Could be the fact that I am working with the worst LB'ing core in the game (NYG) and there are way too many holes in zone defense. This leaves players to play a lot of man coverage, which is only effective if you press. (I use the word 'only' aggressively, I know) Defending the read option is easier in Madden than NCAA...and it should be. Linebackers and ends pick up on the read options very nicely, either by eyeing and individual player or simply blowing up the play. I really wish that player awareness had more of an impact in the game. in previous madden's you could tell your defense to eye-in on a specific player in the passing game, this had the defense shift it's zone coverage to a particular player. The feature was awesome for online games 'ok you keep throwing broken arrow to your slot receiver. Eye him and the defense would most likely end up with a deflection or INT. This year that feature is very week...this allows for players to constantly run curl routes and flag-routes for the slot receivers. OVER ALL I like the game...not love, not hate, like. Being able to handle the financials of a team really excites me (maybe I am nerdy that way) Madden 25 does have some nice bright spots: Connected Career, and improved running game. The Madden series continues to be plagued by issues that sprouted at the start of this current-gen, and they were never fixed: Poor AI and some wonky animations and the loss a features that EA attempts to call NEW. MY score (out of 10) is a 7.0 --This is an average sports game; A fun sport game, but average none-the-less. I was hoping to see a great send-off for this current generation and much like early versions of Madden it leaves me thinking 'meh...ok.."
This game seems to be a step in the right direction, but still lacks a few minor details like individuality. One thing I've noticed is that sliders are still needed to get the feel of simulation, out of the box every quarterback has pinpoint laser like accuracy!
I think that Madden 25 is better than NCAA this year. And I never like Madden more than NCAA. Madden feels like you have more control of the outcome, where NCAA it seems like the other team can convert a 3rd & 20 anytime they want to no matter what you do. This year I would give Madden an 8 out of 10
Agreed, the rushing is better in Madden as well, can use your blockers better without losing all momentum when you get within a couple feet of them like NCAA
