On Tuesday, Madden NFL 12 will be released unto the world.
At this point, the skeptics will ask something like "What's the point?" After all, isn't it the same thing every year?
I know this because I've been there myself. While it's nice to have a new Madden, it oftentimes does seem like I'm paying $60 for the same game every year.
This year, though, things are supposed to be a little different. From the sound of things, the folks at EA Sports have made several changes that are going to make the game worth both your time and your money.
For a rundown on those, let's turn to the reviews.
While we all know that the game is going to look better from a graphics standpoint every year, one of things that caught the attention of IGN.com's Jack DeVries is the improvements that have been made to the game's AI (or artificial intelligence if you're not into the whole brevity thing).
As DeVries notes:
The AI upgrade changes nearly every player reaction. Dozens of different options are available ranging from how quickly a QB will throw the ball away, to whether a player performs better in the clutch, to how hard a DT hits. It's a simplified version of "tendencies" used in other sports games, and it adds a new level of depth to the game.
And so on, and so on. The point is that the game is much smarter. Instead of a simplified version of the real thing, steps have been taken to make sure gamers are playing something that actually feels like the real thing.
It's not all about the AI in that regard. Despite the fact Gamespot.com had some criticisms of Madden 12, the site conceded that one of the biggest upgrades in this year's addition can be found in the tackling animations:
Players are no longer sucked into each other, which makes lining up a big hit when you're on the defensive side much more empowering, and evading an eager defender while on offense is even more satisfying now that you're rarely subjected to unfair takedowns.
Because both of these things have long been among my own biggest gripes about Madden every year, I for one find this to be a huge relief.
As far as game modes go, gamers will probably be saddened to hear that EA Sports didn't make any big changes to the online portion of the game. But as noted by Joystiq.com's Mike Suszek, they did make some cool changes to the much-celebrated "Franchise" mode.
Specifically:
Franchise mode's more noteworthy additions add excitement to the offseason general manager process, such as a new rookie scouting system and free agent bidding. Scouting a handful of players out of the upcoming draft class unlocks a few stats at a time, leading up to a more tense, exciting drafting period.
Suszek then notes that he had some trouble with trusting the game to sign rookies for him, but I trust that won't be a problem for those who really like to get into their franchises.
On the odd chance you're a gamer who actually demands to see major improvements in presentation, don't worry. EA Sports took care of that too. To give you an idea, I'll let Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Brandon Galvin explain.
Thanks in large part to EA Sports' decision to use the music from Inception, Galvin notes several times that the opening montage of the game itself is "epic." In addition, he notes that the different camera angles in this year's game "make you feel like you?re watching a real telecast."
And of course, there's the attention to detail to consider:
When Nick Barnett makes a tackle he?ll throw down his patented double sledgehammer celebration. When Hines Ward comes up with a big third down reception, you?re going to know it because he?s going to sit on the turf and pump his fists.
By now, you probably get the gist. While this is a small taste of the things that were added to this year's Madden, you can see that some pretty glaring issues were addressed. The game itself is more realistic on a variety of different levels, and the extent to which a given gamer can truly immerse him or herself into the game is considerable.
In other words, it's worth playing. And if you're a gamer, what more can you ask for?
Ramon Ramirez Sergio Romo Brian Wilson Eli Whiteside Mike Fontenot Brett Pill
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