It is a fact: A new football season, a new Madden NFL. And it is also a fact that Electronic Arts’ Madden Series reaches his 30 birthday soon. It is also a fact, that they could include an innovative gameplay in to it without having any competition from developers like Visual Concepts with their NFL 2K or the Backbreaker. The big questions is: Can Tiburon Studio impress us with Madden NFL 17 once again? Our review will answer this question.
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We have to confirm that especially yearly published sport games have only small differences between each other. And yes, the Madden-Series is one of these. With every new console generation the developers try to update the game in every way. We noticed that Tiburon tries not only to update the graphics but also push the gameplay mechanics forward. Unfortunately, we have to say that only pro Madden gamers have noticed the differences like the the feeling of the gameplay. In addition to that, the developer took the problems and issues of the previous games into the next one like the weak commentators, consistently exploitable AI-Issues and a bad presentation of the match. What developers also like to do is to add a new gameplay mode from time to time. But there is also another side of the coin. An addition of a new mode happens not very often, so that players get the same gameplay modes again and again. This is the reason why the ratings of such games are not very different different to the previous one. But this does not mean that this game is not better then the Madden game before.
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We believe that there are good reasons that they do not switched to DICE’s Frostbite Engine. We do not think that Tiburon did it because they wanted to increase the graphics of the game so much. We noticed that they only updated them in a few details. We like it that the animations looks more naturally. We also like it that all the things that happens on the sideline are looking more cleaner. What we love is that even if in the most of the time the players wearing their helmets we can see from time to time their faces in some cutscenes. The high level of details let us recognize our Stars immediately. What we also like ist the the stadiums are also rich on details filled up with a great variation of people enjoying the game you play. Unfortunately, we noticed very quickly, that even of all great updates they added, there are still problems with the detection of collisions. This is not very tragik for the gameplay or even change anything. On the other hand that shows that Tiburon still has some work to do until they can use the whole power of the consoles with the Madden series. We have also to confirm, that this game has unfortunately a weak halftime show with only necessary repetitions.
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What we love is that they went a huge step forward with the game’s acoustics. Everything fits great together. This starts with the great new sound effects of the tacklings and ends with the awesome Soundtracks. The music combines under the theme football different Country or Rock tracks. We love how great the new Commentators duo harmonize together. Unfortunately, after a while they are fighting with repeat the same things but great is that it takes along to to it. In this time you get tons of successful analysis, saucy comments and some anecdotes that shows the great performance of the game. According to the developers, there will be more Commentators packages while the regular NFL season is running. We think that they should change the audience’s sounds very quickly. Unfortunately, it is hard to to hear what the referee have to say.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEmQEFCBp2c
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In the last few years they focused to increase the pass-gameplay. This year they updated the Rush/Run-Gameplay. We noticed very quickly, that in addition to the more naturally movements, the updated runs give us a great gameplay feeling especially when we run smooth through the defense-line to get some Yards. The standard option not only depends to the carrier of the ball. Because of this we get a great rhythm of the gameplay. It happens that a defender tries to get you to the ground. It is possible that in such critical situations a mini-game starts. That means that you get the opportunity to push a specific button to do some more inches. We love it that they add more stuff to force more activity from the player of Madden.
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We love it that the increase the activity of the defense line. The AI is much more smarter and with the focuses on the runs updated, which limits the runner. There are also Fumbles possible if you for example run near to the defence player. The developers redesigned the routines so that the defense line also fills the holes more intelligent. We like it that it is not possible anymore to to do touchdowns by only passing the ball with high level quarterbacks. This means that you have to play different moves. We do not understand why the players do not run automatically into the free places or to help the Wide Receiver. With new added options it is also possible to even block a Field Goal. Yes, there are so small AI problems with with all the updated stuff we as players get a great gaming experience. To get this great experience they also reduced the speed of the game. That means, that it is much easier to read the enemy’s’ tactics and to react on it. Especially in the excited time before the snap it is now possible to react. But the thing is, that it is only something for player that want to use the full freedom of the engine. Unfortunately, players that only want to play this game from time to time will not noticed all updates but we can confirm that the whole gameplay feeling is much better.
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We think that especially the Ultimate-Draft-Mode is something great for new players of this series. We think that it is nothing new but it is a lot of fun to play this mode. We also had a lot of fun with the other gameplay modes like the training, gauntlet und the connected franchise. This is all known especially by veterans of this franchise. Like we said before, we like to play all modes but wished at the same time we could play a simple season-mode in which we could play the whole 17 weeks with the same team in addition to the playoffs to reach the Super Bowl without loosing time on Drafts, Trades and other stuff. But we also have to confirm, that the improvements they did in the Franchise-Mode that we play this game more often than the last games of this series. Because of the so called Big Decisions which letting you for example add an injured players much quicker because you just need him. But players have to keep in mind that the injury can come back.
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The other thing that keep us playing is the Play the Moment. This allows a intelligent type of playing that helps to reduce the gameplay time. While you playing a match the game simulates a lot of defence, run and pass gameplays. According to your decision you can engage on certain points. It is possible for example to set all decisions for the attack. Or you only take control of the defence. The most exciting things are the in the most time intelligent set Red-Zone-Appearances. At this points you take control of the team especially in very critic and exciting moments. That moments are for example if you reach the endzone from the last 20 up to 25 yards. We think that especially the Connected Franchise Mode is for players that want to take control of a team as the owner. We think that this mode will motivate the players most to keep playing this game. And yes, you also can play the Ultimate Team again. Unfortunately, we do not like that this mode lives with the help of microtransactions. We think that it is very motivating to collect players and to build you team up and it does not matter if you play it online or offline. We love it that the online gameplay mode runs such good like you would play the game offline and this for years.
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The upcoming FIFA will use the Frostbite Engine and there are reasons why Tiburon-Studio still using the same power. Madden 17 is the best looking game of this series because discrete improvements in many different areas. Yes, there are still some issues, but the game looks fantastic. But the graphical updates are not everything that helps that this game is great. We love it how good the updated sounds are and the effects they added into Madden 17. The game’s Soundtrack is very diversified. Especially the new Commentators duo works great together and have tons of analyzes or anecdotes for us. We love it that they want to release commentators packages. We love it that they increased the mechanical gameplay. They focused with this years game more on the run gameplay. We also love it that they updated and added numerous new possibilities for the offensive and defensive gameplay. We also like it that they reduced the gameplay speed. All in all we can say that Madden 17 is a very exciting and great conversion of the spectacle called American Football. Yes, there are still a few problems with the game’s AI, but we believe that the developers are on a great way to solve it. The Online mode is such as great as the offline one, a great number of different gameplay modes. Tons of updates and a great gameplay feeling. This all helps that this game is according to us a must have for all football fans AROUND THE WORLD.
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