Madden 09 is out...

[oznerol]

I'm not having a problem with the CPU AI, and I play with the Jets. Actually All-Pro is pretty easy. I might need to step back into All-Madden.

I've found a bunch of issues, though.

First off, under game-skill - there's a choice for "game-style". Advanced is the default setting I think, but even that is pretty retarded. I like hardcore mode as it removes all of the stupid filler, takes away the "weapons" icons, and just makes it a better experience. Problem is, they apparently think if you use hardcore you don't want to celebrate TDs, as the endzone "blue zones" are out. Also, if you play on hardcore you won't see the "back track" feature the game has. I turn off the rewinds anyway, but the back track would be interesting sometimes.

Second, I played with rewinds on once, and there is a massive glitch - if you choose to rewind a play, and then immediately after the booth reviews the play you just rewound, for the next play everything gets messed up - players line up wrong, everyone is offsides, the ball is spotted wrong - it's just a giant mess. Turn off the rewind feature, it's retarded.

Third - don't use the Madden skill. Seriously, just don't. It breaks the game. Your O-line will turn into complete idiots, and your DBs will have no awareness at all. I hate artificial handicaps, and that is essentially all this is.

Also, a funny thing happened - the CPU got the ball back and drove down the field with maybe 1 minute left in the half - they get a big gain for a 1st down, go out of bounds, and what do they do? Punt on 1st and 10, of course. I got the ball back with 45 seconds left. Retarded.

Aside from the overall bugginess of it, I am really, really enjoying it. The gameplay is just top-notch. It's the best Madden since probably 2005.

Oh, and Head Coach 09 - holy balls, that is crazy bad. I got a few easy achievements and then took it out of my console, probably to never be touched again. Seriously, if a lot of that game's features were incorporated into Madden franchise mode, it would be insanely awesome. But as a standalone game, it just doesn't sit well.

 

[darkeneddays]

There are some things in this game that make me want to toss my controller across the room. The big one for me is the receivers complete lack of awareness to the sidelines. All of them keep running full stride right out of bounds instead of dragging a toe or planting 2 feet inside. Virtually every out route, corner route and throws to the flats end up with the receiver rolling right on out of bounds. In order to complete those passes it seems like you have to throw the ball much sooner than you would like. Hell even this years NCAA football had this part right.

The madden IQ sounded great to me at first but it quickly got old. I have always sucked on pass defense so I figured this would level things out for me. Instead, I'm defending the pass a bit better but the AI completely shuts me down on offense. I run for 1-3 yards at best and end up having 2-3 interceptions per game. Some of my INTs feel like they were programmed to go straight to the defensive backs because the ball wasn't even headed towards my chosen receiver. The ball "velocity" also ticks me off. My choices are to throw a bullet in a straight line, meaning the 6 guys the ball passes by all have a shot at picking it off, or toss a lob which takes so long to get the the receiver that by the time the ball gets there, there are 3 DBs on the guy. I'll get Plax with a 1on1 on some no-name corner, audible a fade route and somehow have 3 dbs on him by the time the ball gets there.Kinda reminds me of Tecmo Bowl

The running "feels" more realistic but the blocking is pathetic and way too many AI defenders get arm tackles. Those arm tackles might not be so bad if I was using a finesse back but it's hard to imagine Brandon Jacobs getting dropped at the line of scrimmage by 1 arm of a DT. The o-line doesn't help much either as they can't seem to hold a block worth a damn.

After cutting off the "my IQ" difficulty and going with All-Pro it's been a little better but some of the issues are just poor design that you would think they would have ironed out by now. But hey, when you got the exclusive NFL license, who cares, people will buy it anyways because it's not like there is any other NFL game to compete with.

 

[RS8]

Originally posted by: darkeneddays
There are some things in this game that make me want to toss my controller across the room. The big one for me is the receivers complete lack of awareness to the sidelines. All of them keep running full stride right out of bounds instead of dragging a toe or planting 2 feet inside. Virtually every out route, corner route and throws to the flats end up with the receiver rolling right on out of bounds. In order to complete those passes it seems like you have to throw the ball much sooner than you would like. Hell even this years NCAA football had this part right.

I've actually lost my last online match this way, 4 & 10, receiver decides to do absolutely everything to not catch it in bounds, play gets reviewed since it was under 2 minutes and I'm done for.

Online scrubs are the worst. Nothing like going for onside kicks whenever possible. They should've done something about not being able to call it consecutively after you completely fuck it up the first time.

 

[StepUp]

Is the update available that puts Favre on the jets?

 

[darkeneddays]

Originally posted by: StepUp
Is the update available that puts Favre on the jets?

Yes. For some reason though, in order to update the roster, you need to join an online game. (At least on the 360 anyways). Just choose a quick online match and back out after the update goes through.

 

[RS8]

It's good to see people abusing the instant catch a ball glitch as soon as you hike the ball.

 

[murphy55d]

Turn off Madden IQ and use Heelfan71's sliders from Operation Sports. Here they are:

Skill Level: Custom
Minutes per Quarter: 10


Passing 10
QB Accuracy: 35
Pass Blocking: 70
WR Catching: 45

Rushing 7
Broken Tackles: 70
Run Blocking: 70
Fumbles: 50

Pass Defense 6
Reaction Time: 100
Interceptions: 20
Pass Rushing: 100

Rush Defense 16
Reaction Time: 0
Block Shedding: 30
Tackling: 30

Special Teams
FG Power: 30
FG Accuracy: 20
Punt Power: 45
Punt Accuracy: 45
Kickoff Power: 45


Penalties: All set to 100

 

[Stuxnet]

I followed someone's lead and set my settings to All Madden instead of My Skill, and the games are much better. Using My Skill, my IQ flattened around 520. Going to All Madden, my IQ has climbed 100 points overnight. No more constantly getting sacked FTW.