It’s Sunday morning, the first games don’t come on till noon, and your favorite team doesn’t play until three.  Madden 12 debuted on August 30 and has been raved about by critics since.

Only having played the game in two separate sessions, it’s evident the user is more manage-capable in franchise mode and online gameplay is as fluid as ever.  The new fluctuate rating system could become aggrevating, as rookies and young players’ ratings go up and down weekly, based on performance.  Besides that, the love for franchise mode is still on a very high level.  

Having played franchise mode since the early 2000’s, preseason games were without a doubt ‘simulation’ every time… until Madden 12.  This brought about cause of cut days and more involvement in the management side of building an NFL Franchise.  

As far as gameplay itself, it is more challenging and more fast paced.  The player speed ratings are proportionate to the players actual speeds (as always), but the speed of the entire game has risen.  

It is also evident that a good number one type receiver will be key to success, as well as a strong linebacking core.

Stopping the run is a little more challenging (and passing-easier) than Madden 11.  Madden 12 doesn’t strike at first glance as being the year remembered for defensive games.

Last of all, online runs the same concepts and challenges.  Online leagues are available again, and one-on-one gameplay tracks your career stats as a Madden 12 gamer.  Play hard or stay offline.