When booting up Madden NFL 15 for the first time, there will be a mandatory install, just like any other next generation game. While players are waiting for the download to complete, the game will allow players to relive one of last year's most exciting and important drives in an NFC showdown between the Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks. Madden NFL 15 immediately shows off some improved presentation features in the game including enhanced graphics and an NFL Films introduction to the brief demo. Players take over in the game as Cam Newton and the Panthers offense, so players will see some of the new offensive features including vastly improved play calling as well.
Madden NFL 15 uses data gathered from users and the community to help assist with play calls for certain situations. The game does this in several different ways to give players many different options when calling plays. One set of play calls is based on the success the current player has had while running the play in the current down and distance, while another will present play calls that the entire community in Madden NFL 15 have found to be helpful in the current situation. The game also brings back features such as sorting play calls by intended targets and a few other options. These features allow players to more quickly jump into a new playbook and learn which play calls they enjoy from the collection, but most players will go back to the tradition method of calling plays as soon as they find a few play calls they enjoy in the book.
Players can immediately jump into games, online play and other modes after booting up Madden NFL 15 for the first time, but there are a couple of new modes that will help players learn the game. The Skills Trainer has 50 different tutorials that will train players in everything from properly using the new Acceleration Burst to learning how to read and throw passes into a zone defense. Players can also head into the new Gauntlet mode to challenge ever increasingly difficult objectives that tests all a player has learned in the Skills Trainer and playing the game. Players likely won't spend a whole lot of time in either mode, but they both offer a good way for non-experienced players to learn the game and the sport.
Offense didn't receive the only improvements, and in fact, there are a ton of new defensive features that completely changes how players will approach Madden NFL 15. For starters, the player AI has been drastically improved to allow players with high ratings in awareness and other statistics to play like the superstars they are. Players will find new controls on defense as well. It's important to square up for a tackle and use the right analog stick to ensure a ball carrier is being targeted with the current player in the new game. Additionally, players in the trenches will use face buttons to perform power and finesse moves to disengage from blocks or steer offensive linemen around the field. One other big change is the new defensive camera that flips the action around to allow the player to see the whole defensive side of the field while centering in on the ball carrier or quarterback. The new camera angle is a welcome change to be sure, but it also takes a lot of time to adjust to.
Connected Franchises returns in Madden NFL 15 to allow player to live out multiple seasons as an established NFL star, owner or coach. Players can also choose to create custom players and employees to enjoy the game mode with. The mode hasn't received many changes this year, but it does benefit from the improved presentation that is seen in other game modes. The game has plenty of different interactive elements, special pre-game commentary and halftime shows featuring host Larry Ridley to add some flair to important matchups. Player confidence and game prep offers gamers a way to get the best performance out of their players in games, but it's not necessary to engage in these tasks, and many gamers will overlook these changes entirely.
Madden Ultimate Team or MUT returns in Madden NFL 15. This game mode allows gamers to open up packs of player cards and use the cards to construct teams to use in games. The game mode hasn't changed a lot for the new release, but it's worth noting there are preorders that allow players to earn up to 30 packs of MUT cards to use in the game while supplies last. Other than some minor changes to the auction house and updates to player cards, this mode remains essentially the same, and gamers will have already made up their mind whether they enjoy the mode or not before ever installing their new copy of Madden NFL 15.
The visual presentation of Madden NFL 15 has improved in the new release. Additional animations have been added to compliment the new control schemes. These animations include new catch movements that are traditionally seen with less accurate quarterbacks, new tackle animations that helps emphasize the importance of executing proper tackles and more. The game isn't without some problems, and most of these stem from the same visuals. It's not incredibly rare to see players glitch through other players after plays, to see the ball perform some unnatural action or some other hiccups, but these occur so far and few between, that players will hardly mind. Overall, Madden NFL 15 is the most visually impressive football game EA Sports has released, and gamers will be happy to have the new title on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One this year.
Madden NFL 15 makes a few improvements on offense but features a defensive overhaul to compliment cover boy Richard Sherman. The new game is a lot of fun and adds a few new features and game modes, but is a much more polished football simulation when compared with last year's version of the game. Fans will no doubt rush out to purchase the new game, but the perennial Madden NFL haters will need to take notice to this year's release and consider taking home a copy of Madden NFL 15 for themselves. The next generation version of Madden NFL is well worth owning and shows a lot of promise of what could be next for the franchise. Pick up a copy of Madden NFL 15 in stores August 26, 2014!
Madden NFL 15 is now available for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One and can be purchased for $59.99. Madden NFL 15 is rated E by the ESRB. For more information on the game, check out the official Madden NFL 15 website.
Game Features:
- Online Multiplayer 1-2
- Improved Defensive Controls and Camera
- New Playcalling System
- Return of Madden Ultimate Team
- New Presentation Features
Game Information:
Developer: EA Tiburon
Publisher: EA Sports
Platforms: PlayStation 4 & Xbox One (reviewed)
Release Date: August 26, 2014
