Being the second Madden game to arrive on next-gen consoles, EA has interpreted Madden NFL 15‘s release as an opportunity to make some major improvements to its American Football formula. The results are worth being excited about.
Madden NFL 15 is the boldest release from the franchise we’ve seen in a while. While a thoughtful increase in visual fidelity was expected, what it does goes well beyond that, revitalizing parts of the game that have been crying for attention since the franchise’s inception. These changes come in the form of new mechanics that make gameplay more intuitive, as well as making players and stadiums look like their real-world counterparts. This will undoubtedly be the most authentic NFL game in history.
Related: Madden NFL 15 E3 Interview
We’ve built a gallery which explains everything you need to know about Madden NFL 15’s improvements in a concise format. Check it out below:
Madden NFL 15 Everything You Need to Know
-
Playing defense has been improved drastically
Since Madden's first relase, it's always been a lot more fun to play offense than defense. Truth is, it doesn't have to be that way.
EA has done some analysis and determined that, if anything, it's controlling defensive players that has always been the problem, not necessarily the nature of being on the opposite side of the ball.
To remedy that, controls for defensive players, from linemen to cornerbacks, has received a ton of attention. There are now a player lock camera so you can quickly hone in on a particular player, and even tackle cone so aiming your defensive player at an opponent is reliable. You may actually find that you prefer playing defense this time around.
-
More realistic behavior
In the past, Madden's players have always had an arcadish look and feel. That changes this year.
The most noticeable way EA's changes have impacted the game is in how A.I. quarterbacks behave. They'll read and react to defensive player movement more realistically, and show an understanding of defensive concepts. Basically, they don't look like robots anymore.
Players will also head track much better than before, and show contextual awareness. This results in them covering passes in a much more realistic manner. If you like throwing to the flats, you won't have to worry about a good pass hitting a tight end in the back of the head anymore.
These changes extend through zone and man defense, with a ton of emphasis on player ratings affecting their ability to cover defenders.
-
Next-gen presentation
Madden NFL 15 has done more than just improve the polygon count of players, and increased the resolution from last generation's releases. Dynamic video feed on stadium jumbotrons adds an authentic look and feel to the environment. Real halftime shows, and spotlight montages result in a realistic broadcast that NFL fans can admire.
You'll also be glad to hear that commentary has been improved noticeably. Jim Nantz and Phil Simms have recorded more than 80 hours of new commentary. The days of hearing Cris Collinsworth repeat himself endlessly with ridiculous comments about how the quarterback's wife is booing him in the crowd are over. Let's celebrate.
-
Welcome to The Gauntlet
In the Skills Trainer section of Madden NFL 15 there's a new feature: The Gauntlet. In this mode, there are 40 levels of challenges that await players. For every five levels you complete, a "boss battle" will be introduced, which presents a difficult and unique challenge. This mode is for the player who wants to test their skills, and if they do well enough, have something to brag about.
Beyond this, the Skills Trainer itself has undergone improvement, serving as a much more broad and polished mode where you can learn how to play, or just get better at the game.
-
Improve your playcalling
Traditionally, calling plays in Madden has been simple and quite featureless. This year, real-time information gives you the opportunity to strengthen your play with helpful information.
You'll be able to look at plays you've previously called, and see how your execution of them stacks against the rest of the Madden community. It'll also track how often you call certain plays, as well as how successful they were, so you can not only see what works best for you, but improve on your weaknesses.
