Review - Madden 25by Rob Anderson
Format Reviewed on PS4 |
Creator; Ea Sports
Publisher; Electronic Arts Formats; PC, PS3, PS4, XboxOne, Xbox360, |
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I love sports games. I buy a new Madden Football every two or three years.
For the last 25 years EA has been providing a new football game to the world. Along the way the game has brought us numerous changes - some good, some not - and some great innovations. This year's entry, Madden 25, is the first on the PS4 and I jumped at the chance to play. EA Sports has added the new "Ignite" engine for its sports titles and the difference is very noticeable. When a ball carrier slams into a defender, the game engine runs the calculations as it happens to determine which player hits the turf. This is a very welcome change from the predetermined outcome of 'offensive player has ranking X' and 'defensive player has ranking Y', bigger number wins. |
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Graphics:
Pros:
The PS4 version has fantastic graphics. While no one is going to be fooled that the players on the screen are real, EA has harnessed the power of the next generation systems to up the player detail level. Player uniforms take on the turf as the game goes on, character movement is fluid and the animations change almost seamlessly.
Cons:
Opposing players can still seem to come out of no where. This is more common on deep pass plays where a defender either appears from across the field in a display of super speed, or the graphics engine is just having trouble drawing everything as it needs to. This did seem to be less of an issue on the PS4 version than the demo I played on Xbox 360, though the issue persists.
Pros:
The PS4 version has fantastic graphics. While no one is going to be fooled that the players on the screen are real, EA has harnessed the power of the next generation systems to up the player detail level. Player uniforms take on the turf as the game goes on, character movement is fluid and the animations change almost seamlessly.
Cons:
Opposing players can still seem to come out of no where. This is more common on deep pass plays where a defender either appears from across the field in a display of super speed, or the graphics engine is just having trouble drawing everything as it needs to. This did seem to be less of an issue on the PS4 version than the demo I played on Xbox 360, though the issue persists.
Gameplay:
Pros:
The gameplay is a huge improvement over previous iterations of Madden. The new physics engine takes some getting used to, but it is an adjustment I am happy to make for the increase in realistic feel. Player size and speed are taken into account when you try and make a quick cut to make or evade a tackle. There feels to be little delay in the input from the controller to the action on the screen other than the time you would expect it to take a 250 pound person running in one direction and starting in another direction.
As mentioned before, the new engine also allows for real time calculation of each hit on the screen, making for more varied play outcomes. How fast your running back hits the hole is as important as how high he is rated and how fast the defender is coming at him. No two plays feel alike…… almost.
There are plenty of game modes to keep you busy and I recommend the skills trainer, even if you are a hardened Madden vet, as a lot has changed in the control scheme.
I am leaving out the Connected Franchise mode for a later review as some of the details need far more scrutiny than a top down review can provide.
Cons:
The famed Madden "Money Plays" seem to still be present. I know that if I really need a first down while playing as the Seahawks that I can call one play from the Singleback set and get my big gain nine out of ten times. Defenders do seem to have rockets attached tot heir shoes, sometimes, flying in from across the field to make a big play at the last moment. I also occasionally get the feel that I'm just "supposed to lose" one when the AI team that hasn't been able to complete passes over 10 yards all game suddenly completes two or three big plays in a row and scores. I get the ball back, am forced to punt and the whole thing repeats.
Additionally, your AI controlled blockers, when trying to run the ball, still need a bit of help noticing the 300 pound guy right next to them while they also miss the block on the linebacker right in front of them. This was something that was reported as improved, though I have not seen a difference since Madden '11.
Pros:
The gameplay is a huge improvement over previous iterations of Madden. The new physics engine takes some getting used to, but it is an adjustment I am happy to make for the increase in realistic feel. Player size and speed are taken into account when you try and make a quick cut to make or evade a tackle. There feels to be little delay in the input from the controller to the action on the screen other than the time you would expect it to take a 250 pound person running in one direction and starting in another direction.
As mentioned before, the new engine also allows for real time calculation of each hit on the screen, making for more varied play outcomes. How fast your running back hits the hole is as important as how high he is rated and how fast the defender is coming at him. No two plays feel alike…… almost.
There are plenty of game modes to keep you busy and I recommend the skills trainer, even if you are a hardened Madden vet, as a lot has changed in the control scheme.
I am leaving out the Connected Franchise mode for a later review as some of the details need far more scrutiny than a top down review can provide.
Cons:
The famed Madden "Money Plays" seem to still be present. I know that if I really need a first down while playing as the Seahawks that I can call one play from the Singleback set and get my big gain nine out of ten times. Defenders do seem to have rockets attached tot heir shoes, sometimes, flying in from across the field to make a big play at the last moment. I also occasionally get the feel that I'm just "supposed to lose" one when the AI team that hasn't been able to complete passes over 10 yards all game suddenly completes two or three big plays in a row and scores. I get the ball back, am forced to punt and the whole thing repeats.
Additionally, your AI controlled blockers, when trying to run the ball, still need a bit of help noticing the 300 pound guy right next to them while they also miss the block on the linebacker right in front of them. This was something that was reported as improved, though I have not seen a difference since Madden '11.
Sound:
Pros:
The sound quality in Madden 25 is pretty good. There are not many improvements in this area. Each quarterback sounds the same calling an audible or the snap count, the hits sound like hits and the applicable grunting noises from the linemen during the start of each play are still there. Stadium sounds (music, etc.) do not seem to have changed much in the past several years.
The announcers try to sound relevant to the action, though there is only so many times I can hear that one announcer speak to someone before the game… Each year I get to the point where I just have to turn off the commentary because it is so repetitive , I have not got to that point yet.
Cons:
That point is coming…. Soon.
Pros:
The sound quality in Madden 25 is pretty good. There are not many improvements in this area. Each quarterback sounds the same calling an audible or the snap count, the hits sound like hits and the applicable grunting noises from the linemen during the start of each play are still there. Stadium sounds (music, etc.) do not seem to have changed much in the past several years.
The announcers try to sound relevant to the action, though there is only so many times I can hear that one announcer speak to someone before the game… Each year I get to the point where I just have to turn off the commentary because it is so repetitive , I have not got to that point yet.
Cons:
That point is coming…. Soon.
Overall:
Overall, I enjoy Madden 25. The biggest problem I have had so far was the Remote Play with the PS Vita. The additional buttons needed (L2, L3, and R2, R3) map to the touchpad on the back, which can be pretty unresponsive. The AI still needs to get smarter when it comes to blocking, and I'd really like to not sit there after a play thinking "Well, I guess I'm just supposed to lose this game". Some small tweaks will make a big difference.
Overall, I enjoy Madden 25. The biggest problem I have had so far was the Remote Play with the PS Vita. The additional buttons needed (L2, L3, and R2, R3) map to the touchpad on the back, which can be pretty unresponsive. The AI still needs to get smarter when it comes to blocking, and I'd really like to not sit there after a play thinking "Well, I guess I'm just supposed to lose this game". Some small tweaks will make a big difference.
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Good - Visual upgrade is amazing, Gameplay Updated
Bad - AI still needs to become Smarter, |
3.5/5 |
Game bought by Reviewer
Images - from Publisher
Images - from Publisher
