Madden 13 Demo Impressions

Madden 13

Preseason games are underway and the new demo for Madden 13 is out. The NFL season is just around the corner. Along with the excitement for the new season comes the anticipation for the latest installment of the hit NFL simulation.

The demo for Madden 13 is now live and available for download on Xbox Live with PlayStation 3 and PS Vita versions expected to release later today.

Unlike previous demos, four teams are playable. Gamers can choose between two NFC matchups: the New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers or the Seattle Seahawks at Washington Redskins.

While each new version of Madden brings changes, the NFL also is bringing some tweaks to the field this season. Nike has taken over as the official provider of uniforms and gear this season. The uniform changes are most apparent with the Seahawks and Redskins, which is probably why they are featured in the demo.

Gamers also get their first chance to take control of rookie sensation Robert Griffin III. The mobile quarterback is immensely popular in Madden so RG3 is a welcome addition to the league for gamers.

EA Sports has turned on the hype machine for the latest version of Madden, as usual, but this year brings welcome changes rather than the useless technical features from previous versions. The biggest additions to Madden 13 is the improved presentation and the advanced tackling animations.

The changes to the presentation are obvious from the start. CBS broadcast duo Jim Nantz and Phil Simms bring their voice talents and digital presence into Madden 13. For the first time in years, commentary in Madden is not terrible. They are even seen in a short pre-game sequence setting up the game in the press booth.

Unfortunately, commentary is also not great. Instances in which the commentators use general terms rather than using specifics serve as reminders that it is still a video game and cannot live up to it’s real life counterpart. For instance, Nantz and Simms frequently use “the running back” instead of calling Marshawn Lynch by name. The commentating is a major step in the right direction for the franchise. Hopefully, future titles can build on the improvements.

Madden 13

EA Tiburon has expressed excitement regarding the game’s new tackling system. Animations have been added and improved. Based on the demo, too many animations might have been added. When defensive players are making a tackle, they seem stuck in between animations. It is almost like they are not sure which way to make the tackle. Often times, it looks like players are just running into each other when contact occurs. Unfortunately, big hits are few and far between.

Gameplay is simply more Madden. The demo offers more of the same great gameplay the Madden franchise is known for. Playing against the 49ers defense is much more difficult than the Seahawks. Passing is improved to add better trajectory. It is easier to throw a ball to the right spot for the receiver or lob it over defenders. However, there does seem to be a shorter window for hitting open receivers.

Overall, the demo shows off an impressive build of Madden 13. The game is shaping up to be a solid improvement over Madden 12 and another step towards perfection for the franchise. The full game will be available August 28.

Ryan Bloom

Ryan Bloom

Associate Editor at Gaming Illustrated
Ryan Bloom is a writer and avid gamer from Santa Ana, CA. He received a B.A. in Communications with a minor in American Studies from California State University, Fullerton in 2010. Follow him on Twitter @BloomsTweets.
Ryan Bloom

@BloomsTweets

Associate Editor, News & Preview Lead, Game Reviewer for @GamingIllustrat, professional writer and multimedia journalist
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  • Stu

    The demo is terrible… The infinity engine is a gimmick just like EA as a company lately… I mean seriously EA needs to scrap this engine and make a smooth running football game like it used to be back in the early ps2 day’s… It’s time for competition to be back in the NFL market place… seriously…

  • Owen

    the Vita demo is pretty bad. Constant frame rate drops, glitchy animations between plays. It will not be worth it’s asking price. Wait a year till you can buy it for $2. Might not even be worth that.

  • TJ

    Coaches models look like the guy from beetlejuice with the shrunken head.

  • WJ

    Didnt like how I cant move my defensive players in a position that I like on the field. I move them, they move back to their original position. Other than that, fairly impressed.

  • sdslikk

    The game seemed too fast, the collision detection is a lil off. I hope the regular game is better.

  • Bc

    I did not hear any improvement with the audio. Generic comments, incorrect play by play, boring “they will now punt..”. Nobody cares about seeing announcers in a booth!! I saw some of the same tackling animations from last year. I broke some tackles but it wasn’t anything I actually did, it just happened. Off field graphics are still horrible (crowd, sidelines etc). Madden was never able to capture excitement of a big play- or understand strategy or situations which 2k did very well to make u feel as if u were experiencing a real life nfl game. 2k understood how to buildup excitement during a drive (crowd noise, player reactions, commentators) and also deflate the entire situation at the appropriate moment (a failed drive or missed opportunity) madden 13 still doesn’t get it. Some plays look GREAT yet some
    Appear awkward which ruins the overall experience. During Some plays, the physics engine works (RB trips over a player), yet others, a player may appear to bounce off another player and flail around in an unnatural way. Every year it’s consistently hit or miss, without giant leap forward. Special teams is still boring, transitions between animations are unnatural, commentating doesn’t excite, stadium noise remains unchanged, penalties are a non factor as usual (holding, roughing passer only)

  • Boodro

    I really don’t understand what all the fuss is about. This “physics” engine may give the game a more polished feel, but it barely has any effect on the gameplay because the run animations and foot planting are so poor. As a result, there is virtually no momentum or user cutback ability, which is essentially the whole beauty of football. And since momentum does not translate well, the user essentially has no control over whether a tackle or tackle breaking animation takes place. Its great that Barry Sanders is in the game, but whats the point if the game can’t even emulate a simple cutback? Way to go EA. You bought yourselves another year because it seems like you’ve once again fooled much of the community, at least for a few months.