If last week the article was critical
of Madden's Franchise flaws, and EA's unwillingness to improve their
game over a decade and a half, this article will affirm that Madden
is good at what it does, simulate football. Madden 20
plays well and looks good doing it. The movements on the field look
fantastic, with realistic and diverse interactions between
characters. Characters bump into each other with realistic
reactions, and the contact between the players varies depending on
the specifics. The gameplay remains largely the same as previous
Madden games. This is both a criticism, because EA hasn't
drastically improved their game, but also a compliment, since the
gameplay has always been excellent.
Madden 20 includes a host
of settings to personalize a game style. One setting effects the
reality of game-play. The options of Arcade, Simulation, and
Competition, allow for over the top action to a realistic recreation
of NFL football. The difficulty setting alters the skill of the AI
controlled characters. The specific differences between Rookie, Pro,
All-Pro, and All-Madden aren't explained, but the effect is obvious.
Though I haven't played Madden in over a decade, the difficulty
levels of Rookie and Pro were too easy. Only the most difficult
teams in All-Pro offer a challenge, while the weaker teams are easily
shoved aside. Anecdotal evidence from the internet says there's a
massive difference between All-Pro and All-Madden. Many players on
Reddit compare the All-Madden AI to a cheater.
In addition to the realistic and
difficulty settings, Madden 20 allows the player to
alter character performance with sliders. One set of sliders adjust
the skills of the player's team, like QB accuracy and fumbles.
Another slider does the same for the computer's team. Sliders can be
adjusted to make any aspect of the game easier or more difficult. In
four seasons I only used two. When I first started playing it seemed
like Wide Receivers drop the ball too often. Even my star wide
receiver, with a 99 rating in Catch, Catch in Traffic, and
Spectacular Catch regularly dropped passes on Pro difficulty (N'Keal
Harry from Tom Brady). On the other side of the ball, the computer
controlled characters intercept throws like superstars.
With an All-Pro difficulty, AI controlled CBs with a 85 rating
regularly intercept throws from my 89 rated QB to my 98 rated WR in
one on one coverage. Some interceptions are my fault, but not most
of them. The time when the opposing cornerback reached through my
WR's torso to make the interception is not my fault. Nor are the
dozens of interceptions the AI retrieved off tipped balls that my
highly skilled WRs had failed to catch. For two seasons I adjusted
the slider to allow my team to catch balls easier, but eventually set
it back to normal. I turned down the ability of the computer to
intercept passes.
One of the largest weaknesses of the
computer is its inability to run the ball. The computer doesn't
perform poorly, but not at all. My team regularly holds RBs rated in
the 90s to less than 10 yards per game. while I rush for a 100 yards.
After 14 games in my current season (All-Pro, Simulation) my team
has only allowed 417 rushing yards. The the next best rushing
defense surrendered 1112 yards. I don't mention this to imply that I
am good, because I'm not, but to marvel at this broken aspect. My
passing defense is number one too. The disparity isn't as large,
2643 yards, to the next best of 2997 yards. It's possible part of
the problem is a disparity in team strength (my team is rated 88, and
most opposing teams are 82) This hypothesis is difficult to confirm,
as Madden 20 restricts the player's access to league
data. The player can't check the rating of teams in Franchise mode,
except for their upcoming opponent.
In addition to the larger successes and
failures of gameplay, Madden 20 includes a number of
small issues and features worth a brief mention.
Though the two sportscasters who
comment on the match do repeat themselves, they are as engaging as
such a system can reasonably be. Players can mute them if they find
them irritating. They provide live stats for each game, but if the
player saves mid-game, Charles and Brandon are very confused when
they return. They'll quote outrageous mistakes like “This
Quarterback has gone 7 for 7”, even when he's attempted six throws,
and only completed two.
If I remember correctly, and I could be
wrong, I remember the interfaces and menus for Madden 06
being faster, easier to use, and more efficient. I also think there
was more information available in stats and whatnot, but again, can't
confirm, as I no longer have access to the old game.
In scouting, it seems like Madden
20 offers too many points for scouting in Franchise mode. The
player can scout every character that matters. With all the points
available the player can review at least the top ten players for
every position.
Madden 20 is missing a
number of features. The game doesn't allow the player to save a copy
of their franchise team to play with in exhibition mode. This
feature in Madden 06 allowed the player snapshot their
team each season, and play it against other versions of their team.
Nor does Madden 20 offer the ability to create a new
character in Franchise mode. It does allow the player to edit any
existing character.
It seems like Madden 20
dislikes power running backs. In Madden 06 strong
running backs overwhelmed defenders with the hit stick (also called
truck stick). Madden 20 favors Agile RBs with the juke
and spin abilities more effective than breaking tackles. Madden
06 had these as well, but seemed a better balanced running
game.
In conclusion, for those who have
enjoyed Madden in the past, and no longer have a console to play it
on, it's a relief that it is finally back on the PC (It was actually
Madden 19 which returned to computers, but I didn't know that at the
time). Older gamers will find the experience nearly identical, but
with better graphics, less easily stats, and new skills, like Super
Star abilities. The modes are the same, as is the general game. But
this is also a devastating critique. EA has used its monopoly to
sell the same game year after year, for over a decade in a half. The
differences between 06 and 20 are insignificant. The only real
changes are visual. For those not interested in hero worshiping
professional athletes Madden 20 will serve as a good football game
for the next half decade, at least.
I'll check back in a decade for Madden
30.
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