Madden Improvements

[Zimmer4141]

I don't know how many other people play Madden here, but there are still a couple of things that bug me a lot about Madden.

-The kicking game has to be fixed. Every kickoff can be kicked through the endzone with every kicker, and you can easily make a 60-63 yard FG with almost any kicker in the game.

-No vision field at all for Defensive backs. Here is the example I am talking about. I had 4-wide, 2 to the left, 2 to the right. Outside receiver is running a streak, slot receiver is running an out. Defense is in man coverage. At point A, Defensive back turns his back to run with his receiver. When Defensive back is at point B, I throw the ball to the slot receiver who beat his man at the break. The Defensive back who had his back turned turns around, steps in front of the out route, and picks the ball off.



Also, make highlight stick less powerful. Whenever there is a runningback one on one with a cornerback in the flat, the RB breaks the tackle almost 100% if the user uses highlight stick properly.

[Dudd]

Yeah, fixing the db vision should be the number 1 priority. It pretty much kills intermediate routes since you can't throw timing routes since defensive backs break on the ball just as well if not better than receivers. Same thing in NCAA, way too many linebackers just making ridiculous plays running with a tight end and then being able to turn, find the ball, and then make a leaping interception even though they were a step behind and had their back turned to the qb.

[JaredL]

I agree with the second thing big time.

I'm also not 100% sure about it but it often seems like the DBs also move too quickly relative to the speed of the ball. I often have deep passes at the sideline broken up by a safety who was in the middle of the field when I release the pass. Even if they started as soon as it was released I don't think in reality they could cover that much ground while the ball is in the air. I don't think the receiver and corner even run that far.

[Zimmer4141]

One more thing. Punt coverage is absolutely awful. If you setup PR Middle and make the first guy miss, it's an easy 20 yards more after that. I don't know exactly what makes it unrealistic, but it should be fixed.

[littlekeed]

Does the CPU kicker still never miss? I didn't buy this year's version.

[Nez477]

They need to change a lot to make me buy it in the future

1) Have an option in Superstar mode where you ONLY play the plays where your superstar is on the field.... simulate through the rest

Seriously, I would buy the game 100% with just this fix... I want it to be more realistic in my progression as an NFL player and if I"m a DB, there's a reason I decided to be a DB... I don't want to play offense (ldo). Model it after MLB The Show.

2) As mentioned, the passing game is absurd

- DBs have a pass trigger and when the ball is released they automatically know EXACTLY where it is going. Period.

- Reward timing routes better... for gosh sakes no matter if I time a route PERFECTLY, the DB makes the necessary adjustment

I mean, in general, receivers have the advantage of knowing where the ball should be thrown, the defense shouldn't

3) As mentioned, kicking is teh suck

I draft in a fantasy draft the kicker last

Training Camp+One Season = 90 rating easy

I think it should be a multibutton combo type thing, maybe like a Dance Revolution where the more accurate you are with the pattern the more accurate your kick is.... and the button combo is random and harder from farther away

4) I don't like the running system much anymore, and it 176% rewards finesse runners over backs like Stephen Jackson

I mean, Jackson is a top 5 RB easy, but you CANNOT use him in Madden. He gets the handoff, and due to him not being a 95 speed guy he gets wrapped up by 3 guys before you can do anything

I mean, there are exceptions obviously, but, this is how I feel

5) MORE PENALTIES: I know this is a weird request, but seriously the penalty system has been the same for like 10 years.... make more random penalties and make it more realistic, it's not a difficult request. I know it doesn't seem fun to have a random defensive holding call when you hold them on 3rd down, but how do you think Tom Coughlin feels?

I don't know, I didn't buy 2008 after reading reviews that nothing really changed or got better, and in order to buy 2009, I need some kind of improvement in the gameplay in general... it's been the same product for years

Theres my laundry list

[prohornblower]

Yeah the DB thing kind of sucks but I don't mind it. My DB's are always picking off passes. So I can't have it both ways. Basically get a lead, then start throwing a lot of Cover 2's in there. Spread the LB's wide and tighten up the DL. Force him to throw it (they probably already are b/c they're losing) and eventually he throws into a DB or LB.

Pretty much any DB I draft within the first three rounds turns into a 90+ within 2 years. Then they ask for more money and I trade them away for like a 1st and 2nd rounder. My whole goal in Madden Franchise is to create value. I'm about half-way though and I already found that I've traded so many good players away after making them good, that it makes the game more challenging for me. My owner profits are ridiculous though, because I trade players when they get too expensive and I RARELY renegotiate a hold-out. lol. In my current season, I'm 7 games in and I've already traded away such good players that in next seasons draft I get a 1,1,1,2,2,2,2,2,3,3. lol 10 picks in the first 96 draftees. And many of those picks are going to be the top 1-4 of the corresponding round. This will be the most ridiculous draft I've ever had though.

My complaint is when there is a fumble, my players almost NEVER seem to jump on the ball. They always recover their fumbles. Also, what's with the Challenges? They are ridiculous. The challenges go the CPU's way WAY more often than my way. And I'll go back and watch the replay to see if they got it right and it's absurd how wrong they get it sometimes.

Just stop wasting my time with these lame challenges and give the CPU the ball. Too much false hope!

EDIT: Another complaint. When trading, so many of the teams are capacity on their rosters, so instead of trading a stud for a 1st, 2nd, and 4th rounder. I have to drop the 4th rounder and select a crappy player to take in return. They are always like a 70 with 1 contract year left. But I'd obviously have the extra draft pick than some useless bum.

[dawade]

Madden has put me on tilt.

I'm going to buy NBA 2K8 tomorrow.

[aislephive]

Madden hasn't made any significant improvements in years, I don't even know why I bothered buying it this year, I played it like twice and got bored out of my mind and haven't played it since.

[Nez477]

Rented Madden 08 and NCAA 08 for kicks over thanksgiving

NCAA 08 is way better, although the turnovers are still disgusting... had 7 fumbles in my last game, ugh

But recruiting is fun, the option still kicks ass, and in general I feel I have a little more control with my strategy to which the defenders aren't gods