We have already done a hands on article about Maddens new Vision and Precision passing. If you didn’t see that one you can read it
here.
In this article we will talk about the other new features that
EA has added to the offensive side of the ball. You can discuss this preview on our
forum.
The first feature is called Smart Routes. When I first heard about this new feature I knew I had to try it and it worked great. What it allows you to do is force your receivers to run their route beyond the first down marker by calling an audible at the line of scrimmage…. it’s actually a hot route audible that replaced the “Quick Screen” hot route (triangle and then down on the right thumbstick). It works great and is something that was very needed on 3rd down plays. To often do you have a third down where your receiver doesn’t make the first down because his route didn’t take him that far.
Getting bombarded with nano or enhanced blitzes? They have now added slide protection for the offensive lineman. The feature wasn’t totally in the game when I played it but from the sounds of it it’s going to be great. What it will allow you to do is if your getting hit with blitzes up the middle you can pinch your lineman in and vise-versa with the outside. I’m not sure if you can go left and right with it that will be something that we will have to check out I am hoping this helps eliminate guys from calling one defensive play all game.
They have added the Truck Stick which is similar to the defensive hit stick of last year. You will flick the stick to make your player lower his shoulder and run over a defender or pick up a few extra yards. At the time I played the game it wasn’t sure if you would have to flick the stick in a certain direction. If Madden follows NCAA and adds jukes onto the stick then my assumption would be that you would flick the stick up to create the animation.
Fatigue progression has been added so now instead of a player resting and coming back in 100% his peak fatigue number will lower over the course of the game. So even though you rest your RB for a series of plays in the 4th quarter he may only come back at 90%. The higher your players stamina rating is the less they are going to be affected by this. So if you have one of those running backs that seem stronger in the 4th quarter than in the first. While the defensive lineman tire down throughout the game he is always going to have that edge on them. If you have players that tire easily then you will want to make sure you manage there playing time well.
I saw some cool animations while playing the game. A very cool new celebration is you can now do a dive & roll into the endzone when you have a breakaway. Another is you can now quickly fall to the ground after a catch to avoid a big hit. If you have watched Torry Holt and Issac Bruce play much you will know what I am talking about. It’s something like the QB slide only for receivers and with a different animation. They have also added what I would call a “taking the legs out hit” so if you hang a receiver out to dry and leave him up in the air he could take a big hit.
Here are some other things that have been added
- the bump and run has been reworked but I’m not sure to what extent
- head tracking has been added for WR’s
- 35 new formations
- when you fake the snap count at the line the screen will now zoom out like it does when the ball is actually hiked
