Madden NFL 18 - Sponsored by the Tom Brady GOAT Tour

[Gray Fox]

Released 25th August.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PggyBaVRm_c


Also new seems to be their version of THE JOURNEY. They have called it LONGSHOT.

You take control of Devin Wade, a forgotten prospect on the road to hear his name called on NFL Draft day.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBZwjP6MpZo

Unfortunately as with FIFAs version, you are limited to only using Wade. There isn't any customisation. You are also limited to being a QB.


Lastly Ultimate Team returns. As part of the pre-order bonus you get to choose one Elite player for your team(as seen in image below). I'm not sure if you get to keep them for good, but if you get to, that's pretty good. I've seen some site advertise 5 packs with this bonus too, but I cant tell if that's accross the board.

https://images-eu.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/A165cyY-RjL._SL1500_.jpg

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I've ordered the GOAT edition although I wont be able to play until the 2nd.

[Dan]

I'll probably end up picking this up at some point, although I should really just skip this one as I've not played a whole lot of 17.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I played a lot of 17, although nowhere near as much as 16.

My jam was UT but they made so many bad changes that it pissed me off.

Also a little annoyed with this in regards to being limited as a QB in that journey thing. I loved doing a player career with a CB last year although it was slightly broken when I was the nickel CB. I found that I could just change to a blitz and I'd have a free run at the QB.

I think I got around 100 sacks in that season. Fun times.

[Dan]

Yeah, I forgot you can actually kinda get the camera set so the defence is at the bottom of the screen when you're a defensive player again. Might have to try a season as a FS & see if it's as good as my Madden 11 one.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I loved playing as a FS on Mut 16.

I went through Legends Sean Taylor, Career Tribute Woodson and then UT Boss Reed.

I was terrible at actually reading the game but they had so much pace and catching ability that I was accidentally baiting opponents into throwing at them. It was the most fun I've had on a Madden game I think.

I sold up my great squad for mediocre ones but with a stud FS.

www.muthead.com/16/players/17123-ed-reed

Edit: 97 speed, 100 acceleration, 90 awareness, 98 jumping, 97 agility, 92 catching, 97 spectacular catch, 85 catch in traffic, 95 pursuit, 97 hit power, 100 play recognition, 89 man coverage, 101 zone.

He also had the best traits too.

Boss Reed was like a corner, safety, linebacker and receiver rolled into one.

[Gray Fox]

Did anyone pick this up today?

I can't seem to find it cheaper than £49.99, so I've not jumped on yet.

[wullie]

Same. I didn't realise it was coming out so soon so was all ready to get it but £40's my limit. I'll hold off until the season starts and get it then.

[phonics]

That story mode looks so good it's almost worth it.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Second defensive snap on MUT this year:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccS6JO_wZpE

Ray :cool:

[Gray Fox]

Was that Winston trying to throw it away before he took the sack?

Impressed with the AI trying something like that if so.

[Dan]

Yeah, they've nailed Jameis by the look of it.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Team right now:

https://i.imgur.com/k34ZVWt.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/PZTXtZZ.jpg

I user Ray on defence and despite being a little too slow for a user with crap hands he's glitchy as hell. I seem to be averaging 0.8-0.9 interceptions a game in the solos, including the short ones.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I wanted to do a Ravens franchise but the official roster and none of the 4 custom ones that I downloaded are correct.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Yeah, they've nailed Jameis by the look of it.

Nailed the Jags too:

https://i.imgur.com/2Z4Jvtl.jpg

Also ended the game with a 91 yard pick 6, so spot on.

[Pleb]

Proper filthy team that Mahow.

What's your W-L in MUT at the moment?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I've only done solos thus far.

So 100% win.

[Browning]

I'm so tempted to get this but I'll wait for next year and make it an every other year thing. It probably isn't worth getting every year.

[wullie]

Unless the price drops somewhere fairly soon, I'm the same.

[Dan]

Yeah, it sounds like it's basically the same game (isn't it always?), and I only really play Franchise mode, so I probably won't bother with this one either unless I get it as a birthday present.

[Gray Fox]

I'd quite like it too, but not at £50.

With FIFA out too soon for the same money, I don't see it happening.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

They've also added MUT Champions so this will be a huge time sink along with FIFA.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEHv2KFlivs

What luck.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExRCSvgVdng

What spin.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufb-ok8LtNQ

What hurdle.

The 87 Randy Moss is a complete glitch at this stage.

6 foot 4 with 90 speed (only John Ross, FO Tyreek Hill and MUT Master Sean Taylor have more), 89 acceleration, 90 jumping etc etc.

http://www.muthead.com/18/players/20922-randy-moss/full-ratings

He's amazing.

[Gray Fox]

That first TD is the kind that breaks controllers. It's tempting to switch over to putting time into this for a year so as not to burn out on FIFA but we all know I wouldn't stick to it.

[Gray Fox]

Bit the bullet and having this delivered. Not sure if it'll get processed in time for tomorrow but I hope so.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Got excited when I saw that a new roster update was ready but the pricks still haven't added some players who actually made it to our 53 man roster.

Dickheads.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I also finished Longshot the other day.

The story is laughable, there's fuck all actual football playing in it and most of your playing time is comprised of QTEs.

They'd have been better sticking off just doing the NBA 2k route of some college stuff then you get drafted and can continue for a season or so.

[Gray Fox]

It didn't get dispatched today either. But will on Monday so I''ll have to wait a little.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPJBXd369fo

Glorious save.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Someone finally did a proper roster update and I've updated it a little bit.

They've nailed the Ravens though, second week of pre-season and I've already got 2 people injured.

Edit: And now Mosley out for 7 weeks :\

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I was foolish enough to make my Franchise games on the cloud so Irma is making them incredibly slow and I can't access MUT at all.

Sigh.

[John]

Can you not download the save and then switch off cloud save while that's going on?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

No, that would be too logical for EA.

When you select a cloud save there is no way to access it without internet access or have the ability to change it to an offline save.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Finished my first season and won the Super Bowl over the Falcons (always the bridesmaids) and just took part in my first draft.

http://eagamesblog.com/madden-18-cfm-scouting-tool-now/

I used this after scouting which helped a lot (protip: fill it in as the season is going along, I had to put in 90 players and I didn't have access to old draft stories) but I ended up trading constantly so only got in 3 picks.

The first is a 'Strong Arm' QB picked 31st who has an overall of 80 but has 93 throw power (-2 on Flacco), 87 short accuracy (-1), 84 medium accuracy (tied), 75 deep accuracy (-4) and 83 throw on the run (+4). Which is pretty damn awesome for a rookie.

The next two were RBs, the first was picked one spot after my QB and is a balanced guy with an overall of 77. The other was picked with the last pick of the 5th and despite only having a 64 rating he looks like Marshawn Lynch-lite with 87 trucking and a massive 91 stiff arm.

Next season I have 1 first rounder, 3 second rounders, 5 third rounders, 6 fourth rounders, 1 fifth rounder, 1 6th rounder and 3 seventh rounders.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

And now my roster is seemingly broken.

I sign loads of UDFAs (too many but I wanted to check them out and then cut), it then tells me to start cutting some so I do. When I cut half of the required I can no longer cut anymore so I back out. I then check my roster and loads that I wanted to keep have been cut by the AI with some added to my practice squad. I keep signing back those that I wanted, then I realise that my practice squad members are counting against my 53 as I only have 44 in my actual roster so cut them and it works. The next week my practice squad is filled up again but this time they are not counting against the 53 and I have to cut 9 from my actual roster.

Everything is on manual so I have no idea why the AI is messing with my roster and why the numbers are all screwed up now.

[wullie]

I'm in! Had £15 of free Amazon vouchers and got an email from PSN with a 30% off code the digital version so cost £26 overall. I just need to hope that it'll have downloaded before the Super Bowl now.

[wullie]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQOOFoHXfIs


Throwing so many stupid picks and the players tend to suffer from incomplete passes way more than before this game. Happy with this one though, the rare time it went exactly as intended. Hope they sort out the choppy replays.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTKNWQeoll8

Primetime :drool:

[Dan]

Madden 19 announced, and they're bringing back custom draft classes for Franchise Mode (https://www.gamespot.com/articles/madden-nfl-19-announced-with-ps4-xbox-one-release-/1100-6459205/) :drool:

New 'position archetypes' & progression too, so hopefully it's not shit. More to be revealed June 11th.

[Dan]

They’ve given a bit more info on the position archetypes in the MUT video, so we’ll now have specific spots for power back (presumably short yardage/goal line), slot CB, pass rush D-Linemen, slot WR & sub LB.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That is great.

[Gray Fox]

They've also announced they're getting rid of the player contract system.

[Dan]

I got excited for a second, thinking they were actually putting in a proper contract system for Franchise Mode, but that’s just for MUT.

Still, maybe they’ll sort it for CFM as well.

[Raoul Duke]

Is the career mode up to much on this? Or is it just an FUT-centric game like FIFA to flog virtual cards to people?

I hate playing idiots online so only really play career mode on FIFA, but considering this.

[Pleb]

It's more FUT than career mode at the moment aka FIFA.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The career mode is still good though.

[Dan]

It's way better than the Fifa version. The franchise announcements will be coming soon too, so hopefully they've made some more big changes to go with custom draft classes.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I had a shit bug that fucked up my favourite career though.

[Dan]

I actually played a CPU/CPU Saints franchise all the way through until rookies were retiring on 17 (which is what I still play). I think after about five years that cap stopped going up, meaning I was in 2032 with £182m cap, which is barely more than the current cap in real life :D

I really fucking hope they've got that sorted in 19 - the whole contract/cap system needs overhauling to be fair, as does scouting & the draft.

[Pleb]

NHL franchise mode is/looks far better than the Madden one so hopefully EA sorts it out by giving it a massive overhaul (I doubt it really but we can only live and hope).

[Raoul Duke]

It's way better than the Fifa version. The franchise announcements will be coming soon too, so hopefully they've made some more big changes to go with custom draft classes.

What are "Franchise announcements"? As in which teams are in the game?

[John]

What are "Franchise announcements"? As in which teams are in the game?

Career mode in Madden is called 'Franchise Mode' so presumably he means feature announcements for that side of the game.

The whole thing is much more polished than career mode in FIFA, and the organisation of the sport as a whole lends itself very well to a computer game. It's great fun starting a game, trading away anyone of value in your team for draft picks, then simming the first season and going for it in the second with a team of children you can develop as you wish. It still has that great growth system FIFA binned in about 2009 where the player earns EXP points and you use them to upgrade the attributes of your choice, so if you get a feel for a particular style of offence you can tailor your players to fit it.

[Raoul Duke]

Ah nice - that sounds swish.

The development on FIFA Career Mode is just a Numberwang simulator. Loads of weird and incoherent decisions about what you can/can't train. A shame as a well done version would be fantastic.

[Dan]

They've gone into a bit more detail about some of the Franchise Mode features today at E3.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK72iGS0_NQ

Madden 19 will be on PC, and they've also shown the player model for Shaq Griffen.

https://i.imgur.com/V3dtQaT.jpg

Trailer looked pretty dodgy, but then there's no actual gameplay so hopefully that's not indicative of anything.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aL2sgcbxlgw

Here's an article on it too. (https://www.gameinformer.com/preview/2018/06/09/finding-the-right-scheme)

[John]

Ah nice - that sounds swish.

The development on FIFA Career Mode is just a Numberwang simulator. Loads of weird and incoherent decisions about what you can/can't train. A shame as a well done version would be fantastic.

Madden has a similar training system, where you focus on certain players and can play or sim the actual drills. What you get out of it is more EXP though, rather than boosts to predetermined stats.

My one real gripe with it is that the awareness stat is the most important for pretty much every position and has a huge impact on a player's overall, but costs fuck all to upgrade on a young player. I tend to just let the EXP accumulate over the season and spend it all in one go before the playoffs, and more than once I've had a player jump twelve points in overall purely through hammering awareness alongside small boosts to whichever stats suit my style at the time.

[Giggles]

What sort of PC would you need to play this?

[Dan]

Here are the minimum specs. (“https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.usgamer.net/amp/madden-19-is-coming-to-pc-here-are-the-minimum-specs”)

Imagine the mods :drool:

[Giggles]

I think I'm above than most of them, but I don't know anything about graphics cards even though they're probably the most important factor. Is bigger number better?

[Dan]

I have no idea :D

I'd like to get a proper computer that could hold up to PC gaming, but I don't have room where I live now, and I'm too lazy to look for somewhere else, so laptop it is.

[Browning]

Have pre-ordered the new one. £50... mental but I guess that’s normal now. Been ages since I bought a game at launch on PS4.

Looking forward to doing another UT though.

[Dan]

Early access is out now, apparently. I'll probably pick the game up at some point before release date, especially as I'm off work next week.

If I had a computer that could run it I'd get the PC version, but I don't so Xbone it is.

[Giggles]

Early access is out now, apparently. I'll probably pick the game up at some point before release date, especially as I'm off work next week.

If I had a computer that could run it I'd get the PC version, but I don't so Xbone it is.

What does early access mean? Demo, or do you need to be a subscriber to something?

[Dan]

From what I can tell it's a 10hr trial for people with EA Access.

[Dan]

Pre-ordered this on Xbox. Still on 17 at the minute so I'll probably have a bit of catching up to do with some of the new game mechanics, but I'll mostly be playing sim franchise anyway.

[Gray Fox]

I've been told 18 and 19 are pretty much the same game in a different box. Though I often hear that about FIFA and it's always slightly different.

[Browning]

Find that hard to believe given the changes they’ve made to positions etc. This seems like the biggest change in years, but I’m no expert. Like Dan I last played 17 but I’m looking forward to a new UT.

[Gray Fox]

I meant gameplay, rather than the changes to MUT.

[Browning]

Well the positional changes should effect every mode, particularly franchise is seems. The gameplay hasn’t changed much ever since I’ve been playing.

[Dan]

I've seen some new animations for contested catches & it seems like receivers will hold the ball through contact a bit more, but otherwise I'm hoping the new running mechanics are actually noticeable.

I might give MUT a look given they seem to have done the same as Fifa & given offline players more to do, but otherwise it'll just be playing the shit out of franchise mode. Managed to get through about 20 years of a Saints slow sim franchise mode so I'll probably be looking to do something similar on 19.

[John]

I'd imagine it's the same in terms of which buttons you push and when,
but a review I read said the game play feels hugely different because they've changed and upgraded loads of animations.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

What are you lot playing on? Well will be?

If we have a few on PS4 (I doubt it) then we could do an online franchise.

[Dan]

Xbox :(

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Eat a dick.

[Browning]

PS4 of course.

[Dan]

Well if anyone wants to do a sim franchise on Xbox I'd be interested. Copy got sent out this morning so it should be here tomorrow - I'll play about in the skills trainer, take a look to see if That Franchise Guy has uploaded his rosters, then spend a while tweaking them even more.

I'm thinking Dolphins, Broncos or Bengals first for franchise, otherwise I'm thinking about doing an all-rookie team.

[Browning]

I’m considering Arizona as mine because they are probably the shittest team I somewhat like, especially after Fitz retires. Not 100% decided though.

[Giggles]

Is it from tomorrow I can buy this?

[Browning]

Friday, I believe.

Pre-ordered mine to a store to save money so no chance I get it tomorrow, but should be able to grab it after work Friday.

[Giggles]

Friday, I believe.

Pre-ordered mine to a store to save money so no chance I get it tomorrow, but should be able to grab it after work Friday.

Grand. Probably best I don't get my hands on it til after work Friday anyway. The Mrs is away at a hen all weekend too :drool:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I forgot to pre-order it. I'll get it sometime next week.

[Giggles]

I forgot to pre-order it. I'll get it sometime next week.

Can it not just be downloaded?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

It can but they usually charge extra.

I got it last year on download but that's because I ordered the hall of fame/deluxe/whatever last time round.

[Browning]

£60 to download Vs £50 in store for the standard edition. So stupid.

[Dan]

I got a copy from The Game Collection for £45. They probably sell the PS4 version for a similar price.

[Browning]

They do indeed. Shame I never heard of them before.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I got a copy from The Game Collection for £45. They probably sell the PS4 version for a similar price.
Yeah, I saw it yesterday.

I got 17 from them too.

[Giggles]

I'll have a quick look if I'm out and about Friday. What's missing from the Standard Edition then?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.reddit.com/r/MaddenUltimateTeam/comments/8m2zal/comparing_the_madden_19_editions_standard_vs_hall/

Basically it's for a heads up in Ultimate Team.

[Giggles]

Best I can get here is €62.99 in Smyth's toys. Not worth going to that hell for €7.

[Dan]

Got my copy, just been playing around in the skills trainer & practice mode so far - skills trainer doesn't look to have changed much, and it's not great at introducing the push the pile/hit the hole mechanics, which was what I was looking for. A bit of time in practice ended up being the better approach.

TFG has only got QB/RB done on his roster so far, so I'm probably to do a practice run at franchise with the Chargers to get the sliders set up properly. The early complaint I've seen is that run blocking is awful, so I've pre-emptively boosted that a bit to try to help out. We'll see what else crops up.

--

I like that they've added FM-eqsue options in the league settings menu for stuff like contract negotiations, training & scouting to allow you to decide what you want to do yourself & what you want to fob off to the CPU. Hoping they've sorted out the salary cap since 17 as it went up way too slowly & crippled you after 10 seasons when it basically stopped increasing at all.

Lighting looks a bit off - I'd already seen that the draft stadiums look like like shit as they're way too bright, but it seems to be an issue in general. My created coach looks like he's wearing a latex jumper in an office next to the sun.

---

Playing the first sim game it looks as though 9min quarters with no play clock runoff should get the numbers reasonably close to real life. I'm pretty happy with the running but I'd dropped QB passing to 45 for player & CPU which seems to be a mistake as Josh Rosen went 0/6 in the second quarter & was missing screen passes by five yards :D Then again Geno Smith has been tearing up the Cardinals so maybe I just need to tweak Rosen from TFG's rating.

I had two injuries in the first half at default injury (it's either 10 or 15, i think), and there's just been another one to start the second half. I can't tell if that means I need to lower them even more, of if it's just because I'm the Chargers.

The main issue I've noticed is that QBs run around in the pocket all the time & tend to roll out & throw every five or six passes, which looks silly. It sounds like this is the Madden 19 version of the bug from last year where QBs would just statue in the pocket & take loads of sacks if they had a specific trait. Players also do too many unnecessary cuts in the open field when they could just be running upfield, so hopefully these get patched out fairly swiftly.

They also seem to have gone crazy with development traits - almost every rookie that had a slight bit of hype has been given quick development, which is excessive to me, so I'll have to remember to go in & alter that at the start of every franchise mode to try to make it a bit more balanced.

[Giggles]

Downloaded but not allowed play til after midnight :mad:

[Browning]

I put in my pre-order code and it was confirmed but I haven’t got anything in UT for it. Any ideas?

[Gray Fox]

Do they have a Twitter help page or anything similar like a live chat?

[Browning]

Even if they did, I don't have Twitter, so that wouldn't be any good to me. Not sure if there is a live chat. This is annoying me though. Any idea Sir Andy Mahowry ?

Just bought a Canton pack for the hell of it. Got a Gold Urlacher and a Gold Carlos Watkins which seems decent enough for 8000 coins I guess.

Edit- OK, it wasn't, Urlacher goes for about 4000 and Watkins for around 1000. Maybe the other silvers I got might make up some of it though. Oh well.

Edit 2- Second Canton back yielded 3 golds, including Terrell Davis who goes for around 5000 currently. He's not as good as the Elite Ajayi I already have though, so not sure if I should just sell. The other golds were Claiborne (worth roughly 2300) and Brantley (about 1000). Decent especially as I got a fair few new starters.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

What was your UT bonus? It might be that they start from next week/few days.

[Browning]

A choice of one elite player (with one option for each franchise) and then 5 gold packs. Hopefully it’s something like that but I thought it was meant to be a start up thing. Not sure really.

What’s annoying me is about 80% if the players I have cannot be auctioned. I had 3 Urlachers before I used 1 in a set and couldn’t auction any of them, yet every other fucker is selling him.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The choice option should be instant IIRC from 18. Packs are a weekly thing.

Might just be the servers shitting themselves and it might take a bit to register. Could also try playing some solo challenges.

[Browning]

I’ve done a fair few challenges but still nothing.

When I put the code in it just came up to say Madden 19 pre-order bonus but I’m not sure it downloaded or installed anything. I hate the PS store sometimes.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Vick is getting added tomorrow, day 3.

That's got to be the earliest they've done so since he retired.

The amount of cards he gets (because they make so much money on him) is mental.

[Browning]

Just bought my first Elite pack for 50,000 and got about 19,000 worth of players.... fuck sake.

Probably won't be doing that again.

[Giggles]

That story mode thing is a bit mad.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

It was proper shit/lol last year.

[Giggles]

I don't know what has the muscle memory in me (maybe PS2) but I'll be a lot better at this when I don't press A every time I want to press X.

[Browning]

Mahow, hurry up and get this. I need a PS4 team mate for MUT squads, whatever that is.

Finally have a whole team of gold or better now. My C was the last remaining silver I couldn’t upgrade. Got over 60,000 coins and really tempted to buy an elite pack even despite the shit I got last time. It’s just more fun than the boring auction house.

I also need to work out the best thing to do with all my silver players- sell for coins, quick sell for training or put them into sets to get golds.

[Browning]

So I contacted EA regarding not getting my pre-order. They initially tried to fob me off completely by saying my receipt picture I sent them was not acceptable as it had no price on it and to contact them again when I obtained a new receipt. I told them I already had a second receipt but they said I still had to go away and come back. I refused and they reluctantly gave me a new code which I can’t add to my account because I already have one. I explained this and they provided a third code... when I explained again they told me it was Sony blocking it and to contact them and then they disconnected. Absolute shite.

[Dan]

That sounds about right for EA :moop:

I can’t get my sliders right for CPU v CPU sim - there are 5-8 INTs every game :D

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://forums.operationsports.com/forums/madden-nfl-football-sliders/

Just copy someone else's.

[Dan]

It's CPU v CPU though, so they tend to be set up differently. I think there was a thread there but no actual sliders, plus I kinda like fiddling with it myself. Gives me something to work on until TFG's roster is done.

I'm debating dropping it from all-pro to rookie, as I seem to remember that thread saying that rookie default worked pretty well for a placeholder. Will continue experimenting tonight once my housemate goes to bed.

EDIT: Just seen they have a couple of sim slider threads so I'll take a look to see what they're using.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Bought some PSN codes from CDKeys and the system is down :moop:

[Browning]

What system? UT has been fine other than asking me to log in at the start.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

For their keys.

It's now redirecting me to my order page without showing me my PSN codes.

Probably all because of the new fucking world of Warcraft.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

And finally it's working.

Downloading the game now.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Starting on all-pro against the HOF team with my 74 shitters.

They feel like they're running through tar.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Lost 21-0.

The final TD saw Davis break through, I stripped the ball and he just picked it up without stopping and carried it in.

[Browning]

What were you playing?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Solos against the featured HOF team.

[Browning]

Just finished the Team Diamond Solos after previously finishing the Campaign ones. Make sure you pick the Cowboys for your Team Diamond Elite pack Mahow, supposedly it's easily the best one to get. It gave me an 88 Tyron Smith who is supposedly worth around 170k, but I have no need to sell right now.

My Line Up after finishing both:

QB: Dak Prescott (81, Elite)
RB: Jay Ajayi (83, Elite)
WRs: Golden Tate (87, Campaign), John Ross (74, Gold), Terrell Owens (80, HOF) - Note, I could improve Ross to a 77 Dede Westbrook or Chris Godwin, but Ross is like cheating with his insane speed.
TE: Shannon Sharpe (85, Team Captain)
FB: Andy Janovic (78, Gold)
OL: Tyron Smith (88, Elite), Joel Bitonio (82, Elite), David Andrews (83, Elite), Brandon Brooks (85, Elite), Morgan Moses (78, Gold)

FS: Eric Weddle (81, Elite)
ROLB: De'Vandre Campbell (81, Elite)
MLB: Korey Toomer (79, Gold), Jaylon Smith (78, Gold)
LOLB: Connor Barwin (79, Gold)
SS: Tavon Wilson Sr (77, Gold)
CB: Marcus Peters (87, Campaign), David Amerson (78, Gold), Byron Jones (78, Gold)
RE: Trey Flowers (81, Elite)
LE: Adrian Clayborn (78, Gold)
DT: DeForest Buckner (83, Elite), Domata Pako Sr (77, Gold)

Still plenty I want to improve on, but not too bad so far. Make sure you pick John Ross if you ever see him in a gold pack. His pace alone bosses most challenges.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I'm going for chemistry right now so I've got like 20 players on Baltimore to boost shit. Although the weak link is RG3 who is surprisingly slow and painfully inaccurate.

And yeah, I actually used Ross quite a lot in my Franchise last year.

[Browning]

I've not really had any chemistry. I've got stage 1 Patriots chemistry right now, and think I've had the Rams and Ravens at some points. The Ravens/Dolphins RB you get for free could eventually be useful for you, but so far I've not got mine to be good enough.

The Shazier thing is pretty fucking stupid too. After all the solos I've done, I've only been able to get him from 70 to 71...

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I took Jay Ajayi 83.

I'll post my full team tomorrow.

Really want to hit the HOF stuff to fully upgrade Rod Woodson (who I gave Ravens chem too) as he's got the best traits of the HOF players including Big Hitter (Jalen Ramsay is the only other CB with it).

He's up to 85 but I need the collectibles now.

[Browning]

How did you get enough training points to get him to 85 already? I got Shannon Sharpe to 85 but it's cost me every training point i've earned so far.

Edit- I took Ajayi as well, but you get a special RB from the Dolphins/Ravens that you can upgrade using collectables. I think I've got mine up to 78... so still not enough to get past Ajayi, but eventually he might be.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I bought the digital deluxe and I had packs for last year or something.

Also, sign up to this:

https://www.easports.com/madden-nfl/mut-rewards

Every now and then they will give you rewards based on your level (determined by packs opened including shit you get for free).

[Browning]

Cool, I signed up. How do they give you the rewards?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

They'll just pop up in your unopened packs.

[Browning]

The difference Smith makes seems to be ridiculous. Running left is so much more effective than running right. I really should look at upgrading Moses.

I have so many spare Silver/Gold players and well over 100k in coins (maybe over 150k). I really need to decide what to do with it all.

I've started on the rookie gauntlet which seems annoying, but hopefully will be worth it.

[Browning]

Got an Elite Derrick Johnson for reaching level 24 and Vita Vea for completing half the rookie gauntlet. Not sure whether to get the CB or the MLB when I complete the second half.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

My team:

QB: RGIII (75 gold)
RB: Jay Ajayi (83, Elite)
WRs: Antonio Brown (89, Elite), Quincy Adeboyejo (66, silver), Golden Tate III (65, Campaign)
TE: Nick Boyle (74, gold), Jimmy Graham (83, Elite)
FB: Freddie Stevenson (61, Bronze)
OL: Greg Senat (67, Core Rookie), Cole Croston (68, Silver), Matt Skura (68, Silver), Jermaine Eluemunor (67, Silver), Taylor Hart (68, Silver)

FS: Glover Quin (83, Elite)
ROLB: Terrell Suggs (82, Elite)
MLB: C.J. Mosley (83, Elite), Ray Lewis (81, Team Captain)
LOLB: Tyus Bowser (72, Gold)
SS: Deshon Elliot (69, Core Rookie)
CB: Rod Woodson (85, HOF), Marlon Humphrey (79, Gold), Tavon Young (80, Elite)
RE: Bronson Kaufusi (67, Silver)
LE: Earl Mitchell (70, Silver)
DT: Chris Wormley (71, Gold)

Play a 3-4 with Ravens playbooks.

Also, I played some Longshot today and it's fucking mental. The coach and Colt's Sister are dicks, it's his last chance to get into the NFL and they're bitching at him to save the High School Football team and not be selfish. Fuck that.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Also, I've just seen Vita Vea's card and I need to get it pronto.

He's the best 3-4 Nose Tackle in the game right now. With the next closest being Linval Joseph who goes for around 150k.

[Browning]

Just pulled Elite Zuerlein from the Rookie Gauntlet :drool:

No more struggling on long field goals.

[Browning]

Rookie Gauntlet gets quite tough. I've just done the first 3 Gauntlet Matches and the 4th one is "Rush for over 100 yards, pass for 3 TDs, don't allow more than 3 points, score 28 or more points" and something else to do with not allowing yards. God knows that the 5th (final) one is. None of that is too difficult but the 4 minute quarter time makes it tough. You can turn off the acceleration but then the CPU just has more time to rack up yards against you and make you fail even after you got the 28 points and 100 yards....

I've not failed one yet, but I have come close.

Once the gauntlet matches are done though I will only have the Defense gauntlet to go (which I've left for last because it doesn't help me with the HOF objectives, of which I've completed 9/10 now).

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Just pulled 87 Reggie White who goes for about 75k :cool:

And now 82 Sean Taylor.

[Browning]

Pulled from what?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The inductee/canton packs.

Reggie White only went for about 36k which sucks. Bought Brandon Williams and Myles Garrett with the cash.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://youtu.be/rPy7djvIetM

Well played AI.

[Giggles]

I had a weird one earlier (don't know how to record clips). I was doing some play action play with the Seahawks and mashing around some pre snap stuff I did the 'reset play' thing. Snapped the ball and Wilson just turns and sprints back and I had no control over him. Eventually got control and had him dive to the ground bringing up 2nd and 42.

[Browning]

Just pulled an 83 Legend Champ Bailey. I assume that’s good.

[Browning]

Finished 60 of the 65 rookie gauntlet challenges (there's no real incentive to finish the final 5 as I'll only get a Gold for it) and chose Jaire Alexander is my second rookie. Even though I had Peters and Bailey, he is supposedly a really good rookie, and the LB isn't meant to be that good, even though I probably needed him more. I can always change it if needed. Alexander, Peters and Bailey is a hell of a 3 though.

It seems like I only actually play 1 MLB and 2 DTs, which suits me, but I can't work out why my MLB2 is on the field so often, as well as other back ups (like my LE2, and some of my back up CBs). Seems the game rotates players way too much.

Not much left to do in terms of Solos now so may have a look at this crazy career mode.

[Browning]

Jesus, this game has the Browns down to a T.

I realised there was an achievement for winning 20 games with a squad rated under 70 but that I only won 17 before my team passed that point. So I chucked together a team of shit, including many people playing out of position to get my rating below 70. I then took on the easiest challenges I have left which are the training camp ones. I got to the game Vs The Browns (Actually the 5th challenge but for the first 2 I was using a 70 rated team and I had to be under.... so they didn't count) and the challenge was you are trailing 17-21 with 3:30 to go and have to come back and win. I scored a TD and went for 2 (which was dumb but I wanted to stop playing so I would rather lose to a FG than go to OT) and I failed it. The Browns got the ball with about 2 minutes to go and needing a FG to win but they turned over on downs leaving me a short field. For some unknown reason Shazier then decided to play WR so obviously I had to chuck the ball to him and he caught a TD and this time we scored 2 so we lead 31-21. Their return man then fumbled the return (he caught and ran with it but then fumbled on the hit) leaving another short field for us to make it 39-21 with still about a minute to go. We got them to 4th and long which Tyrod picked up with a long run... only to fumble it. Time was running out but I just started chucking bombs, one of which Odell Beckham caught one handed for another TD as we beat them 46-21 (couldn't be bothered to go for 2 again). :D Granted it was on the easiest difficulty I believe, but yea.... only the Browns.

[Browning]

Bought a Game Changer pack (50,000) and according to the MUT Price list I got 50,300 worth of talent..... winning.

[Gray Fox]

You should really quit with the packs while you're ahead.

[Browning]

The actual football parts of longshot feel broken as fuck. If I throw to anyone who isn't Hopkins or Brown it's a drop.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

My Longshot is broken.

I'm at 91% and Devin (well the actual actor) is doing an interview for a TV show which Colt is watching and it always freezes at some point.

[Browning]

That was 91%?

I've passed that point, unless he does another interview.

It must be really short if that first interview was 91%. Good though, because I hate it. Was hoping the MUT rewards would be worth it, but nope.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Also I got some packs earlier and lucked out massively.

Got some legend players, some elite OL players, Shady McCoy and Hopkins. Team is now an 82 and I'll be buying a new 3-4 LOLB on the weekend with the money from the legends.

I also don't know if I should sell the players I have that don't make my team now because of the whole training thing. I probably should and then buy a load listed here:

https://www.muthead.com/prices/playstation-4

73 coins per training point for Ballage is pretty swish.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That was 91%?

I've passed that point, unless he does another interview.

It must be really short if that first interview was 91%. Good though, because I hate it. Was hoping the MUT rewards would be worth it, but nope.

It's an interview after his first start so you probably have.

The thing last year was short as well. The only player I use is Devin Wade's 81 as it's slightly better than Dak Prescott.

[Browning]

It is tempting to use the American Vandal guy at RB just for a laugh, but I can't be bothered. Can you actually win Wade's first start? I'm hopeless at this mode for some reason.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I did but I did restart a few times.

American Vandal :cool:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

New team:

QB: Devin Wade (81 Pocket Passer version)
RB: LeSean McCoy (83, Elite)
WRs: Antonio Brown (89, Elite), DeAndre Hopkins (88, Elite), Tyreek Hill (83, Elite)
TE: Greg Olsen (85, Elite), Jimmy Graham (83, Elite)
FB: Austin Hooper (74, Gold)
OL: Mitchell Schwartz (77, Elite), Roger Saffold (83, Elite), Mike Pouncey (78, Gold), Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (79, Gold)

FS: Lamarcus Joyner (85, Elite)
ROLB: Terrell Suggs (82, Elite)
MLB: C.J. Mosley (83, Elite), Ray Lewis (81, Team Captain)
LOLB: Demarcus Ware (85, Legend, Cowboys)
SS: Andre Hal (81, Elite)
CB: Rod Woodson (89, HOF), Casey Hayward (86, Elite), Marcus Peters (85, Elite)
RE: Myles Garrett (83, Elite)
LE: Brandon Williams (80, Elite)
DT: D.J. Reader (80, Elite)

[Yevrah]

Is it worth buying this solely for an Ultimate Team fix for a couple of months?

EDIT: What are the differences between this and FUT?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The Ultimate Team mode is huge in the game.

The main difference is that there are a lot more games you can partake it. There are some online modes but they know that the common person plays offline more. Those challenges are almost always not a full match and they are more scenario based.

Also there are a hell of a lot more promotions that go on. Barely a week in and we have the base players, legends, campaign, rookies, flashbacks, hall of fame, heavyweights, journey, limited edition, master, power up, diamonds, veterans etc. And they will continually add new ones too, especially when the season starts.

As there are more players the auction searches are a lot better too, you can search by overall, team, the card promotion etc etc.

Also no SBC's but there are sets which can require either certain players or any player of a certain team/promotion etc.

Oh and new to this year is that you can upgrade players, most will be to add a chemistry slot (which give boosts based on how many in your team have the same chemistry) but there are some that you can upgrade their rating too. There is no Team Chemistry as in FUT too.

[Yevrah]

I should really resist as I won't touch it as soon as FIFA19's out, but it does sound very good.

[Giggles]

Have any of you played an actual game of football on this or just binned wads of cash on cards? Surely a sticker album would suffice and be a lot cheaper then. Do they still make those?

[Dan]

I've played a season of CFM with the Chargers while I try to figure out sliders. That Franchise Guy's roster has come out now, so I'm just making a few tweaks to that then I'll get to setting up a proper CFM save.

[Giggles]

What are these sliders everyone mentions? I seen a load of slider things in stuff to download too.



.

[Dan]

They adjust the gameplay, so you can tailor the game to your skill level. There are human sliders & CPU ones, so you can make your run blocking better, or make it so that the CPU has better pass coverage & things like that.

[Browning]

Well... I just got my pre-order shit. What the fuck.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Getting so many errors which forces the game to close.

Can't play Terrell Davis's challenges and I can't do the third in the diamonds.

[Browning]

Strange, I haven't had any errors at all.

The pre-order stuff came too late to help me. Went for Elite Collins as he was the only guy who would get in my team.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZh28OclTzs

First 100 yard+ pick 6 of the year for me.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Fully upgraded Casey Hayward and Ray Lewis :cool:

I'll also have Deion Jones done when I can buy his regular card.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Just pulled a DRC platinum card which quick sells for 60k.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Did an NFL Veterans set in the hopes of pulling Suggs so I could complete his power up but instead I got my second choice in Marshawn Lynch:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjCYFONpTC8

He's by far the best power back in the game right now and power backs are absolutely fucking lethal, they just go through people.

Also, here's how to get a free pack which could be great:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oJEnED39Kk

Go to quick play against the Madden Elite, just do 1 minute long quarters and sim the game.

Edit: Two golds and 3 silvers for me, meh.

[Gray Fox]

Beast Mode!

[Browning]

Got an Elite Alex Smith who was 2 points better than Wade/Dak so I put him in. First game I threw 3 picks with him in the first half to be 0-10 down and Wade came in and lead us to a 16-10 victory. Second game (I forgot to remove him) Smith throws a pick on our first play and after they turn it into a TD Wade comes in at 0-14 and turns it into a 17-14 win. Never using Smith again, but gutted I can't sell him.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Wade (there are 3 versions) is actually really well rounded, especially the Elusive one which is the best:

https://www.muthead.com/19/players/50429456-devin-wade

He's one of the best mobile passers as well as being bang on the money at pocket passing (2 points less than Smith at pocket passer and west coast with 4 points less at the deep ball although he has a touch more throw power). At this stage mobile guys are probably best as the better technical passers are way too expensive.

Doing the rookie gauntlets but I've been struggling on the rushing ones but I've just found a technique using a wildcat formation on the Vikings playbook.

[Browning]

I've heard that suggestion, but honestly I just used HB toss and flipped it to the left because my LT was immense. Was super easy.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I kept seeing Lynch being taken down by 3 guys inside the final 5 yards.

[Browning]

Don't use Lynch, use Ajayi, he was easily good enough for me. I'm assuming Lynch is slower?

Oh, and spin move. I had to pull off like 3 of them per attempt.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I have the 86 Lynch:

https://www.muthead.com/19/players/60206-marshawn-lynch

He's amazing.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

New team:

QB: Devin Wade (81 Elusive version)
RB: Marshawn Lynch (86, Veterans)
WRs: Antonio Brown (89, Elite), DeAndre Hopkins (88, Elite), Tyreek Hill (83, Elite)
TE: Greg Olsen (85, Elite), Jimmy Graham (83, Elite)
FB: Patrick Ricard (81, Elite)
OL: Nate Solder (82, Elite), Kelechi Osemele (84, Elite), Mike Pouncey (78, Gold), Brandon Schreff (84, Elite), Jack Conklin (83, Elite)

FS: Lamarcus Joyner (85, Elite)
ROLB: Terrell Suggs (84, Power Up)
MLB: Deion Jones (88, Power Up), Ray Lewis (91, Team Captain)
LOLB: Demarcus Ware (87, Power Up)
SS: Andre Hal (81, Elite)
CB: Rod Woodson (89, HOF), Casey Hayward (87, Power Up), Marcus Peters (85, Elite)
RE: Myles Garrett (83, Elite)
LE: JJ Watt (93, Power Up)
DT: Vita Vea (87, Rookie Gauntlet)

Finally got Vea and I've been quick selling a lot of players (those who are 149 coins or less per training point) that were in my binder to get some of my power ups boosted. Had to spend some real money, grind solos and spend some coins to get all the collectibles to do all the Watt stuff too but he's fucking mega.

I've also got Hopkins's power up card but I need 291 more training points to finish him off.

Edit: Bought an 85 Champ Bailey legend card which is about 77 coins per training point. So Hopkins is now at 89.

[Gray Fox]

There's an eSports tournament for this going on. By the sounds of it someone stood up from the crowd and opened fire with a handgun.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Btw, tapping R2 makes your players go a lot quicker than just holding it for some stupid reason.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

So I've just spotted this:

https://i.imgur.com/eiRyN3c.jpg

They actually have pack probabilities. If this isn't in FIFA we riot.

[Browning]

Yea, I figured that was common knowledge.

Not really enjoying UT at this point though, just feels like there's no real way to upgrade my team without getting a bunch of training, and that seems hard to come by. May have to start a franchise.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I quicksold near enough everyone in my binder that I wasn't going to use for training.

I also use this:

https://www.muthead.com/prices/playstation-4

85 coins per training point is usually my margin when buying. I've also heard that a good time to buy is when new legends are released you can pick up 85's for around 25k (Baldwin, Jimmy Smith and P/K are usually the best) and they will quicksell for 375 points.

[Browning]

Yea, I probably should do that, but then I always think am I better off selling them to buy different players to use for training... and then I can't be bothered to do that.

[Dan]

MUT makes no sense to me. Not one for Longshot either.

I have, however, almost managed to nail down a set of CPU v CPU sliders that works pretty well. I've been tweaking That Franchise Guy's roster with some trait edits that were suggested on Operation Sports (shame TFG finished his roster before AP got added in, but nevermind), and also changed a few ratings & added a couple of players, so now I'm really just waiting for his 2019 draft class & the final rosters to get confirmed, then it'll be time to get started on a proper franchise.

Did a season with the Chargers, then a couple with the Redskins on my second test file, and now I'm on to v3 with the Titans, who have just moved to 3-2 on the season after beating the Bills 26-13. Typically the two losses were the two divisional games :moop:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Longshot is bollocks. The Devin Wade card you get for MUT (the elusive one, the other two suck) is pretty decent though.

I have now moved on from him though as I've completed the gauntlet and I've picked Baker Mayfield who is incredibly close to Aaron Rodgers's base card.

[Browning]

Supposedly Mayfield isn’t a great choice because of how many QBs the other modes give out, but I’m yet to unlock the one that gives you Wentz.

What is the best way to earn Gatorade tokens?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Can always re-roll with a gold token which I probably will when I go to Wentz.

Solo challenges, the gatorade objectives, cold hard cash or sniping the players on the auction are the only ways.

1 one of those players can be put in a set for 2 tokens but they go for about 13k a pop.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Done the diamonds and I decided to pick the Jaguars for every pack to try and get Ramsey and/or Bouye as I have their powerups.

Fuck all in the gold packs but I did get Bouye in the NAT Elite pack. His 85 (highest power up without the Elite) has been a brilliant CB4 for me. He's blocked about 6 field goals and got a fair amount of picks when he's been on the field. Up to an 88 now so he'll be my CB2, Power up Casey Hayward will be my CB3 and Peters Elite will be my 4.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MchjPo2dUdY

That knee flick up skill :drool:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Weekend League/MUT Champions is free to play this week as the qualification rounds were cancelled so decided to play my first online game. Guy was moving the ball quite well against me but only passes. After 3/4 I managed to pick him off but could only get 3 points. He went back on attack and I got a few sacks and then this:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YJqrBVEg8I

Landon Collins :drool:

He quit as soon as I scored.

[Giggles]

Madden reeeeally wants you playing Ultimate Team.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Because they make shit loads of money on it.

[Giggles]

I can't see anything other than it being completely pointless.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Been a while so here is my team:

QB: Baker Mayfield (87, Gauntlet), Patrick Mahomes (86, Rising Stars)
RB: Ezekiel Elliot (91, Power up), Saquon Barkley (88, Master), Chris Carson (86, Rising Stars)
WRs: Antonio Brown (93, Power up), DeAndre Hopkins (89, Power up), Tyreek Hill (87, Power up)
TE: Zach Ertz (88, Power up), Greg Olsen (86, Power up)
FB: Patrick Ricard (81, Elite)
OL: Jonathan Ogden (90, Power up), Garret Bolles (87, Rising Stars), Kelechi Osemele (88, Power up), Alex Mack (91, Power up), Marshal Yanda (87, Power up), Jack Conklin (83, Elite)

FS: Lamarcus Joyner (89, Power up), Malik Hooker (87, Rising Stars)
ROLB: Terrell Suggs (90, Power Up)
MLB: Deion Jones (88, Power Up), Ray Lewis (92, Team Captain), Ryan Shazier (84, Master), Dylan Cole (86, Rising Stars)
LOLB: Ryan Kerrigan (91, Power Up)
SS: Landon Collins (88, Power up)
CB: Rod Woodson (89, HOF), Casey Hayward (91, Power Up), Patrick Peterson (89, Power up), Marcus Peters (88, Power up), A.J. Bouye (87, Elite)
RE: Myles Garrett (83, Elite), Jonathan Allen (86, Jonathan Allen)
LE: JJ Watt (93, Power Up)
DT: Vita Vea (87, Rookie Gauntlet)

Currently at 88 overall with the following chems: Lock Down (tier 6), Zone Run (tier 5), Go Deep (tier 5), Pass rush (tier 5). I also have Ray Lewis with Secure Tackler, Watt and Suggs with Situational pass rusher and Casey Hayward with pick specialist.

I've currently done 148/173 towards the Journey so hopefully that will be done soon. I'll also have the second gauntlet soon (although I doubt I'll need any of them) and I'm currently hitting ultimate on Solo Battles including a 55-0 win with 5 interceptions against a Cam Newton led team on All-Madden.

Edit: Just replaced Garrett with Jurrell Casey (90, Power up).

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Highly doubt I'll stay here but:

https://i.imgur.com/EhtckE5.jpg

:drool:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

https://i.imgur.com/IOM5kOW.jpg

Woof.

[Giggles]

Seeing as 2019 was the only game I've came bought in the last 5 years that I didn't hate and actually played, has anyone played 2020 and is it worth a purchase over 19?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I have it and it's fairly different.

I can't really comment on Franchise mode as I only play the Ultimate Team.

Pass rushing is a lot more lethal now, aggressive catches have been tuned down, the game is a bit slower, QB wind ups are slower and they've tried to make different guys feel unique with X-Factor/Superstar abilities.

Pack pull rates in Ultimate Team are also vastly improved. I opened about 6000 total packs last year and didn't pull a single Limited card yet I pulled two in about 8 packs last night.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Here is my MUT team:

https://i.imgur.com/TVHTl2f.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/s1ocMgW.jpg

That Jerry Rice (with the double up X-Factor ability) is so fucking good.

[Giggles]

I have it and it's fairly different.

I can't really comment on Franchise mode as I only play the Ultimate Team.

Pass rushing is a lot more lethal now, aggressive catches have been tuned down, the game is a bit slower, QB wind ups are slower and they've tried to make different guys feel unique with X-Factor/Superstar abilities.

Pack pull rates in Ultimate Team are also vastly improved. I opened about 6000 total packs last year and didn't pull a single Limited card yet I pulled two in about 8 packs last night.

Cheers. I've zero interest in that ultimate team thing and just play exhibition games but it sounds like the gameplay is different enough to warrant a buy rather than just updating the rosters on 2019.

[Giggles]

The demo is 38GB :D

EDIT: Ah, it's a trial.


.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Madden 20 is free this weekend to celebrate the new season.

[John]

Free how?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Free how?

A trial.

https://www.polygon.com/2019/9/3/20841179/madden-nfl-20-superstar-ko-mode-release-date-ps4-xbox-one-pc

And anyone on those platforms will be able to check it out through a free trial of Madden 20 this weekend, with the full game available to try from 12:01 a.m. PDT on Sept. 5 through 11:59 p.m. PDT on Sept. 9. (Note that on consoles, the trial requires an active PlayStation Plus or Xbox Live Gold subscription.)

[Giggles]

I never even played 2 hours of the 10 hour trial. The slow QB wind-ups (Mahon mentioned above) make every QB like a third string college player and have ruined it.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Ultimate team online is also utterly broken due to the X-Factor abilities.

Also, O-Linemen stink.

[The Merse]

Enjoying the free weekend, playing as the godawful Dolphins. I like what they’ve done with Franchise since I last invested in it and the play the highlights or whatever it’s called mode works really well for me. Might have to invest in this.

[Giggles]

2019 with 2020 rosters is a superior game.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Yes it is.

[Dan]

Anyone been following Maximum Football 2019? Fully customisable rosters & teams with NFL, college & CFL rule sets, and a proper college franchise mode. It’s coming out for all the main platforms on Friday, so might have to give it a look.

I’ve been spending ages setting up a full 32 team control franchise mode with custom roster & draft classes on 2019, where I make all the roster moves for every team & watch games in CPU-CPU slow sim. After about a month of setting it up I’m finally about to actually start the 2020 season as the Lions :drool: