Quick observations

I've seen the demo of the stadium creation...it's in there somewhere.

 

You might be right B, I havent checked through all of the menus yet. I just like to play.

 

Really? They touted the stadium stuff on a video blog on IGN.

 

is there "on the fly" audibles like 2 maddens ago? (holding down both triggers, and setting your audibles by picking the play specific to the button)

did they put in formation specific audibles? (changing the play without switching formations.)

...IMO, these were 2 great features taken out for the last 2 360 versions.

 

Yeah you could.

 

So far I'm liking the game, but passing is damn near impossible. The corners and safeties are always there. It must be the AI as the review showed said they are better offline than online.

All in all I love the game though. It seems a crapton faster than 07 was.

 

can't wait to play when I get home. . .I heard about the DB's. Do they have individual sliders like in 2K?

 

Just finished my first franchise game (an absurdly lucky 27-17 win over the Rams with the Panthers, on all-pro). The game feels really tight, not as cheesy as NCAA can be (in terms of defenders flying over and grabbing INTs and such), and I really like some of the new tackling animations (heck, the game overall looks fantastic, IMO). I couldn't really generate much offense (111 yds passing and 57 rushing), but hopefully that'll change as I get more used to it. So far I'm quite impressed.

 

You want to talk about no offense? Somehow, I managed a 24-10 win over the Jets with only 84 total yards of offense. Of course I picked off the ball 5 times and 2 were for TDs, but I gave up 300+ yards to the Jets.

 

I'm having a serious lack of offense problem in my 2nd game (vs the Texans, no less). I can't seem to complete a pass longer than 5 yards.

For whatever reason, the computer has absolutely been DESTROYING me with their #1 receiver in both games (Torry Holt in the first (something like 200 yds with 2 scores) and now Andre Johnson (5 catches for 141 yds and a score, first half isn't even over yet))

 

i just dominated the rrrraiders (no suprise). at the end of the game i was trying run the clock with a sqiub kick but i couldnt find it. not in the playbook i guess?

 

Yeah no squibs that I saw. The stadium creation is definitely there, heck its in the IGN review too. My first game, also on all-pro, was a 34-0 win over the Brownies. My D got one pick and a fumble recovery. I racked up around 350 passing and over 100 rushing. Then again, my D gave up a lot of yards but stopped them when it mattered. I gotta agree on the lack of cheesiness by the AI, but I have yet to play on All-Madden. The D definitely adjusted. They let Ocho Cinco get past them on one-on-one coverage a couple times early on, then they zeroed in on him with constant double coverage, which left TJ and some others open or in single coverage. Good stuff thus far. This may be the year that I play Madden more than NCAA.

 

After my 4th franchise game, I've come to the depressing conclusion that I absolutely f'ing blow at this game. The two games I have won have been from lucky defensive touchdowns, and the two games I've lost have been utter blowouts. Maybe I should stick with NCAA, because that at least gives me a faint feeling of being somewhat competent.

EDIT: It's official now, after a 41-0 loss at home to Tampa Bay. Another nice added bonus is that the AI apparently has a built-in "up yours!" mechanism, as TB was throwing downfield with 10 seconds left in the game.

 

How the CPU in this game? Is it like NCAA where you could be Cincinnati playing Indiana and Indiana will play as if they are USC? I'm about over NCAA it's not any fun unless I want to play my dynasty as a top teir team but I like to try and make a team good rather then just playing with a good team. The only thing keeping me playing is recruiting & the league. I'm thinking about selling NCAA for either Madden or waiting for NHL 08. Then again maybe I just suck at NCAA but it sure seems the AI is awfully cheap.

 

what ncaa difficulty are you playing on? I found all american has become super easy for me, but heisman is still a challenge. It seems madden is just as tough

 

AA on NCAA is a joke. Heisman is a world of difference, though I get pissed when a LB from Akron can catch my receivers from behind. Oh well. I'll prolly try out Madden on the highest difficulty tomorrow.

 

Through 5 games, I've accumulated an astounding total of 11 interceptions, 8 fumbles, and 10 drops. It's only been one night and I've just about given up on the single player of this game; it's just too frustrating and not enjoyable.

edit: okay, I know it sounds like I'm incessantly whining, but this just doesn't make sense. First I get a pass intercepted by the FS who literally just stands there (no movement at all other than his one arm) and sticks one hand up to snag the ball out of the air. Then, AZ runs the ball and fumbles, then the AZ TE picks up the ball and fumbles again, then Fitzgerald comes and swipes the ball up and runs about 15 yards past that point.

You guys who aren't having any problems on All-Pro, I commend you, for you are far greater Madden players than I am.

 

All Madden is killing me , poor Jamarcus had 6 INT's and 2 fumbles lost....... in the 1st HALF.

Walter came in and went 2-2 in passing , too bad the completions were to opposing DB's......


quick observations after 1st spin..

 

im not having int problems, but fumble all the damn time

 

I played a game on All-Pro vs the Redskins. I had 5 INT's and 3 I returned for TD's. I won 41-0 though not a lot of offense to speak of... I'm guessing a little over 100 yards or so. I did play Giotto online the very first time I played it and typical EA, the servers will require some tweaking. The game wasn't choppy or anything but it was noticeable slower than offline. We both seemed to have little or no trouble on offense but couldn't do much to stop each other. There were only a couple punts and drives ended as a result of a turnover or by us scoring. I'm interested in seeing how All-Madden plays online vs a human opponent. We need to test out a lot of settings before starting the league. Look for a feedback thread in regards to settings tomorrow.