While they improved gameplay they completely gutted Franchise Mode to bare bones and pushed the focus of the game to their money making pay to win Ultimate Team

The transitional improvements if you will probably will seem more gradual to people who buy the game every year or even every other year or so. The realism it provides may even very much so impress people who owned last year's madden anyway. The bottom line is that the all new infinity physics engine works well for the most part and is arguably the most significant update or addition to the franchise in years but is no saving grace for how bland the game may seem to a casual gamer like me who is not in it for the Connected Careers mode. Needless to say, the physics engine does more than just make the game LOOK more realistic. It makes you play football smarter and tests your reflexes like it would an actual ball carrier running up the middle of the field in between huge 350 lb offensive linemen. Offensive linemen will be in your way sometimes. It could be a matter of whether or not you react fast enough to jump over a downed defender so you don't stumble over him. This in turn makes the running game more difficult, but it's realistic and will give you more of a challenge when deciding to run the ball for gains. What's not realistic though, which happens to make the passing game more much more difficult than it has been in previous years, is the likelihood/frequency of the interceptions in this game. On the All-pro difficulty at least, defensive backs, (and sometimes linebackers,) are SO prepared before the snap that it's as if they know where your receiver is going to run ahead of time. Even with the total control passing that was seemingly boasted about but hardly at all explained, you absolutely can NOT throw the ball over the coverage in this game. In fact, the interceptions are so common in this game that your receivers, (even with inside positioning), will sometimes deviate from their route and allow the defensive back or linebacker to step in and pick off your pass. This is no joke. I even have seen a linebacker partially move THROUGH my running back and pick off my pass which completely contradicts the new physics engine all together. Luckily for us gamers who want a much more realistic, reasonable football gaming experience, the difficulty sliders can be adjusted to your liking. Once the game plays out how you want it to, there's not much to complain about here just in terms of gameplay. Sure, the physics engine is not visually perfect by any means, but, it's the first year for this. EA has plenty of time to polish and fix any and all bugs seen in the game such as players stomping on others after the play, ball carriers holding the ball behind their back awkwardly while being tackled, and more, like they should. Like some others have said, it's a step in the right direction. Full disclosure, this game is NOT missing a franchise mode like some others have said. Franchise mode along with a few other features have been "funneled" in Connected Careers, where you can control a coach or player. By controlling the coach, you play out the games of the season like you normally would in previous maddens, (you just have more control over the head coach is all.) The commentary may seem a bit repetitive for the most part, but I've played the game well over a dozen times by now probably and STILL occasionally hear Sims and Nantz say things I've never heard before. Some may complain that they may contradict each other or conflict with what just happened on the field, but, like the physics engine, it needs to be POLISHED. Don't fix what isn't broken, just polish or tune up what's working for the most part but is just shy of flawless. is there enough to enjoy in Madden 13 that 25 shouldn't even be considered until it's perhaps half price? Maybe. What I miss from the franchise the most though is mini camp which not only lets you practice several aspects of the sport but also makes you motivated to practice well and long enough to achieve as many gold medals as possible to prove you're working to your full potential and are properly rewarded. This aspect of the game may seem mostly important to causal gamers who don't have the time to commit to a franchise/connected careers at first but may be missed by the more avid gamers as well who expect nothing less than the complete package which is missing here. EA sports puts so much effort into the gameplay that they seem to overlook the "bells and whistles" which may make the game that much more interesting and more well rounded.

Each year the guys at EA attempt to take the Madden series further into the minds and bodies of NFL players, and for me MADDEN 12 is definitely another step in the right direction. This time they’ve also brought in the BIG GUNS from the likes of Green Bay Packers’ Clay Matthews, New Orleans Saints’ RB Reggie Bush, and St. Louis Rams Quarterback Sam Bradford to name but a few. New features include the all new DEFENCE COVERAGE which sees tackles only beginning upon close contact (forget those superman impressions from previous games), while additional team members can now join in the action, adding more momentum to get that all important take down. Newly balancing aspects show a greater attention to detail in physical movements and collisions, but while this technology has improved in MADDEN 12 it’s still easy to get “lost in the pack” on run plays. Loosing your player in the crowd and reverting to caveman like button bashing to try and find a free player can cause a disruption to the flow of the game at times. Another major focus in the new game is the FRANCHISE MODE, undertaking fans views, comments and suggestions from the community in roughly 25 new features and improvements. Madden 12 Game ReviewThese range from Week on Week ratings which change, as it suggests weekly, (like other EA titles such as FIFA), cut days on expanded rosters, rookie scouting and taking up to 75 young players into your camp for your selection and progression. FREE AGENT BIDDING is a gripping and fast paced bidding system allowing you to choose from the free agents most likely to help you in your quest for silverware. This time player roles have also been integrated back into franchise mode edging an even deeper element to an RPG experience. It’s not perfect. I was disappointed to see the CREATE A SUPERSTAR mode missing in MADDEN 12, something I think would have expanded the game play and life expectancy of the game, but I am pleased to report Xbox LIVE play has improved. Playing ‘real’ opponents online removes the AI logic adding an edge of unpredictability to games (and fun too), while jitters and bugs, connection times and lagging issues seems to be a thing of the past, leading to an entirely more enjoyable experience. Overall there is still more than enough good stuff to warrant further investigation into the franchise and MADDEN 12 is best played with friends on a Saturday night in, to an early morning sunrise session tackling the season with glorious victory.