Madden NFL 12

Although Madden NFL 12 presents some new AI issues, it resolves many AI failings and gameplay shortcomings that have plagued the franchise for several years.

Small visual shortcomings and some audio annoyances might keep Madden 12 from being 100% on top form, but with the crazy amount of content and nearly endless gameplay possibilities, these seem like minor grievances.

One of the best Madden experiences yet, even if the fabled presentation doesn't seem as strong as before. If you've wanted to get into the series before but haven't, now's the time. [Issue#209]

Despite the remaining core gameplay issues and the poor commentary, Madden NFL 12 is a great title. While superstar mode needs some work and online franchise could use some love, offline franchise is simply fantastic and is well worth dozens of hours of your attention. If you enjoyed Madden NFL 11 and are a fan of franchise mode, this game is a must.

When you start building a game on such an impressive foundation you're guaranteed to have a quality product in the end, but the longer you play it the more the issues become bothersome. Just like the NFL rookie class of 2011, it should have spent a little more time in training camp.

Madden NFL 12 doesn't break a 90-yard run past Madden NFL 11, but it does make sure that the route it runs is tighter and a lot more fun. With a deeper Franchise mode, a great online community option and better AI and collision, Madden NFL 12 offers a well-rounded football experience.

It could - probably should - look better, but it's ridiculously deep and authentic with loads to do, both online and off. [Nov 2011, p.101]

Even though NFL 12 doesn't exactly outclass its predecessor, It's still better than NFL 11. Improved drafting and the new collision system are fine additions to the NFL legacy, but some more changes would have been nice.

Madden 12 does a lot of things very well. I can say without hesitation that the new and improved presentation, animations, movements, and overall NFL atmosphere of the game are enough to warrant the new purchase. Superstar mode was a bit of a disappointment for me, but I cannot justify too much of a hit due to this, as Franchise mode is the cream of the crop for Madden fans – and Franchise mode really does shine. If you are a Madden fan and/or football fan, don't hesitate to pick this one up.

All in all, Madden NFL 12 lives up to its franchise's basic standards as a hard-hitting realistic football game. Besides all the new fancy updates and sparkly things that dangle on the screen, loyal Madden-ists and newcomers can enjoy mostly everything Madden has to offer.

It's a solid game but one which bears too many similarities to previous versions for us to wholeheartedly recommend it.

Electronic Arts has improved Madden NFL 12 at some crucial points with the additions to the Franchise mode and the addition of online communities. Even though we would have liked some more improvements, Madden NFL 12 is the best American Football game out there.

Madden NFL 12 changes, just a little. It's faster, smarter, more realistic and its defensive AI is improved. If you are a football fan, you'll play and enjoy yourself for another year.

If there's one thing it can't be accused of, it's playing it safe. [Oct 2011, p.110]

Beats its predecessor in every way, delivering top-notch performance and presentation tweaks to bring you what you see on game day every Sunday. Crisp graphics, huge amounts of gameplay options, and a thriving online community are the perfect game-winning play that Madden needs to stay relevant.

Only buy Madden NFL 12 if you're a hardcore football fan. You'll find everything you're looking for in a pigskin simulator and then some. The casual fan will likely ignore most of the new features in favour of just tossing the ball around for some NFL action, which will be just as well served by any other previous Madden title for a fraction of the price.

Even though there are major improvements the game still needs work. When one of those (the new camera angles) reveals glaring problems (crowds, cars, cheerladers) it seems counterproductive. Still, it's Madden and it's a whole lot of fun.

The improvements to Madden NFL 12 are small, but they're spread over every facet of the game. Madden fans are getting a tighter, more finely tuned game.

Compared to most games on the market, Madden NFL 12 is fantastic. But, what Madden is always compared to is last year's model. And in the end it's the same old game, with the same old caveat. If you have Madden 9, 10, or 11, you don't need to worry about 12.

Just isn't a significant upgrade by any stretch of the imagination, despite some noted enhancements. They ignore things like crazy ball physics and collision detection problems, and opt for changes that are just plain bizarre. I liked the increased AI, the strategic demand, the cool animations and sweet visuals, and better tackling mechanics. I really liked all that. But the rest feels either dated or uninspired and in the end, I just don't have much fun with this year's entry.

Madden NFL 12 is another tight package with improved AI, animations, and online communities. Most of the updates are under the hood, but diehard NFL fans will enjoy the tweaks in 12, even if they are minor.

Few offseason improvements mean that Madden 12 is another fun but flawed entry in the stagnating series.

It's disappointing that many of the new features fail to bring value to the table, but elements like last year's excellent motion system are at least in place to make the game exciting from moment to moment. Although I wasn't in awe of the new player hot/cold streaks, I liked the player roles and how they changed from year to year and gave your players a career progression arc. Other bright spots are the online communities that help weed out the riff-raff from your online multiplayer (thanks to stronger griefing rules), and the accompanying leaderboards also offer a larger structure to the experience. This is especially useful since the online franchise feature is still a bust.

There's a lot to like here, and I think the game could be great in a year or two, but the quality level simply varies too much. If you're a Franchise nut who's been aching for a broadcast look and better visuals, you're in luck this year. Those seeking a significantly improved on-the-field experience, well, hey... be thankful that you can watch the NFL on Sundays.

Madden NFL is as gratifying and frustrating as ever.

The biggest problem for Madden at this stage in its existence, though, is that it seems to lack a clear direction or vision of what it should be. Instead, it's listing back and forth, rudderless, between attempts at being a serious simulation and trying to attract a more casual audience, and it's not doing great service to either.

Not many innovations compared to last year's editions. Madden NFL 12 still remains a good simulation with most of what the sports' fans are looking for. With a better implementation of impacts with improved animations and prettier graphics, this version is an honest update of the license, without prompting '11 owners for a necessary purchase. Only beginners will appreciate the Gameflow feature, which improves the accessibility of the game.

It's probably the lack of competition for the Madden series that starts to make it look old and outdated. The core game still offers good fun, but besides new rosters, you can just as well stick with last year's edition.

Perhaps more than any other long-running series that has featured on the current generation of hardware, Madden NFL 12 has that classic end-of-console-era feel to it. The team have seemingly stopped trying to improve the game in any major way and are waiting for the next generation to take things to the next level.