Madden NFL 15

UPC: 014633733068

Platform: Xbox 360

Publisher: EA Sports

Developer: EA Tiburon

Category: Sports

Style(s): Football (American)

Synopsis: The biggest name in video game football returns for another season of gridiron action with updated rosters, improved presentation, and a new emphasis on defensive options and control in Madden NFL 15. Players can now deploy an expanded set of pass rush maneuvers, make use of new man- and zone-coverage schemes, and use the new tackle cone to decide whether to execute conservative or aggressive tackles. Other new features include pre-snap movement and block shedding techniques along the defensive line, a new playcalling system, and more realistic passing accuracy and catch animations.


Game presentation has been altered dramatically, with dynamic new pre-game and halftime shows, and six new pre-snap camera angles designed to evoke the feeling of classic NFL Films productions. The Connected Careers and Connected Franchise modes return to let games guide players or teams through seasons of online or offline football action, and Madden NFL 15 also aims to help players hone their basic skills with the expanded Skills Trainer, and the new Gauntlet mode. The Skills Trainer now includes lessons in strategy as well as technique, and in Gauntlet, gamers take on 40 different challenges, including boss battles. The Ultimate Team mode also returns for those who like to mix card collecting with their football action. ~ Christopher Brown, All Game Guide

Controls: Joystick/Gamepad

The ideal scenario for an annual sports game release is for the developers to overhaul the graphics engine, record new audio and animations, add multiple new play modes, improve the computer AI, update the rosters, and refine the controls. Of course, this can't always happen because of time (the pressure to release a new game within 12 months) and money (managing a fixed budget). So developers typically hone in on one or two major areas and do whatever fan-requested changes can be done in a reasonable amount of blood, sweat, and tears. The problem facing yearly franchises such as Madden is the perception that full admission price is being charged for the equivalent of rearranging the seats, repainting the end-zones, and reheating the nachos.

Madden NFL 15 generally looks, sounds, plays, and "feels" like earlier versions. Phil Simms is still spewing out generic "observations" disguised as analysis. The running, kicking, and passing games aren't significantly different than in previous years. The play modes are nearly identical. That's not to say there aren't improvements to the game, but they fall under the category of expected additions rather than genuine surprises. So, with their limited time and resources, the developers' focused on two key areas in Madden NFL 15: online and defense.

Head-to-head seasons are now supported, as is a connected franchise supporting up to 31 friends online. Madden NFL 15 also relies heavily on the dynamic nature of the "real" NFL season with its online challenges, which has you trying to re-create memorable moments from each week's NFL game. Yet one of the best new features is a seemingly minor one: the game's seamless online component shares and displays community data on the percentage of plays called and their overall success against other players. You are always free to select your own play, but it's a great tool for those learning the ropes to see which plays are typically called in different situations by the community at large.

The Madden Ultimate Team mode, where you build a custom team from card packs, has an improved interface and is more streamlined so you can focus on playing the game instead of fiddling with the menu screens. Madden Ultimate Team is once again one of the best reasons to play the game, as it's addictive and wholly satisfying for those who enjoy the mix of card-collecting, battling a mix of computer- and human-controlled teams, and building a powerhouse team from scratch.

Gameplay changes are mostly related to enhancing the defense, which was a weakness in Madden NFL 25. New to Madden NFL 15 is a defensive player lock option, which fixes the camera on a specific player, allowing you to focus on making a big play. Those who like to pressure the quarterback will appreciate the more responsive pass rushing moves, which involve timing-based actions to swim or spin past an offensive lineman. Quality of life improvements include the option to instantly run the clock down to 10 seconds instead of having to wait as time runs down.

The only "new" play mode is the Gauntlet, which is more or less an offshoot of the skills challenges that comprise the tutorial mode. It's amusing to see how far you can progress (you must complete a progressive series of challenges in a limited number of attempts), but it's certainly not worth buying the game over. Problems with Madden NFL 15 stem from some AI issues, which include coverage breakdowns, blown assignments, and computer-controlled quarterbacks that complete way too many passes. Animation hiccups happen quite regularly, to the point where the ball or players look like they are doing weird twitches, electric slides, or even the occasional disappearing act.

None of the changes seem all that impressive on a line by line basis, but taken as a whole, they do improve the game over its predecessor. Madden NFL 15 is one of the most balanced, better playing Madden games in an annual series that would benefit greatly from a two-year development cycle to offer the most bang for the buck, especially since the base game could easily be expanded to offer roster updates, new player ratings, and other additions while players wait for the next official release. Nonetheless, Madden NFL 15 is still very much worth owning simply for the Madden Ultimate Team mode and quality of the connected online experience. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

the game requires Joystick/Gamepad.