While Madden NFL still doesn’t stand anywhere near being a graphical benchmark of the day and age, it has come a long way in improving not only its gameplay, but its visuals too.

(Xbox One) While it’s not a common sight, there are times when player models don’t interact with other game assets as they should.

"The Xbox One version of the game has some issues with maintaining frame rate consistency but it does not impact the gameplay to any experience jarring degree. Nonetheless, it's noticeable at times "

The game may very well have come leaps and bounds ahead in graphical terms, but the fact that EA was basing the graphical improvement as its selling point was quite ridiculous. As the latest game in the series, it is taken for granted that the game will look better than its forerunner. NFL 15 runs at 60fps on both the current gen consoles.

The Xbox One version of the game has some issues with maintaining frame rate consistency but it does not impact the gameplay to any experience jarring degree. Nonetheless, it’s noticeable at times . The Xbox One version of the game also seem to have better lighting to it which lends it a rather richer look while the PS4 version of the game has a suppressed look to it.

Preference of one over the other is more a matter of choice than of which platform renders the environs better. Multi-sample AA seems to be in place with both the platforms doing their best to keep the jaggies at bay. There isn’t any instance where you would end up grumbling about the poor implementation of anti-aliasing.

(PS4) The game is amply detailed and yet leaves us wanting more in terms of texture mapping, especially when it comes to players and team members since they’re the ones who have received utmost attention from the devs.

"The developers have paid attention to extra field assets including crowds, cameramen, benched players and the stands. The crowd has a variety of raiments that it dons and while their reactions are variegated too, there aren't too many of those. "

There were reports of the PS4 having some major frame rate drops during online play; the culprit was stated to be the ongoing maintenance of the PSN. Apart from this, there seem to be no differences in the game on the two consoles. The game features 3D grass which really makes the playfield a fine place to be in.

The developers have paid attention to extra field assets including crowds, cameramen, benched players and the stands. The crowd has a variety of raiments that it dons and while their reactions are variegated too, there aren’t too many of those. This results in numerous files of sitting spectators doing the same action at the same instance; it’s still fun to watch though.

The sidelines have the cameramen and reporters who don’t move much but still have been given ‘enough’ detailing to make them seem an almost active part of the game. The benched players and coaches are given as much attention as the players on field; with great textures, good shadow mapping and varying reactions to changing situations in the game, they really add to the experience of the game.

(Xbox 360) The Xbox 360 version of the game does have slightly lesser gamma correction than the PS3 version.

"The current gen platforms have ambient illumination and excellent shadow mapping which is bound to impress you. Reflections have been worked upon as you’ll see from the unrelenting shine from all helmets on your screen. "

Player models in the game are realistic and greatly detailed although they lack the ‘next gen hair’ thingy that was rather rad in MLB 14. Other than that, the devs have taken care to even include tattoos of players who don one. One of the most significant improvements in the game across all platforms has been that of lighting. The current gen platforms have ambient illumination and excellent shadow mapping which is bound to impress you.

Reflections have been worked upon as you’ll see from the unrelenting shine from all helmets on your screen. Even seat in the stands reflect light and the dynamic shadows of the game help give the stadium a realistic look. Anisotropic filtering on the new consoles is quite standard and nothing to boast about since the active playfield is not that huge.

Player physics are quite good but sometimes you will come across instances when the physics goes spelunking as player’s legs go through other players’ faces and torsos or where the impact of charging player seems unnatural. These minor hiccups aren’t too frequent and do not pose a problem as such, but they are irksome.

(PS3)

"The old gen of consoles share the same story as is with every other game that is released on them. Their potential having been tapped completely, differences hardly remain. Frame rates are consistent at 30fps and do not drop much on either of the systems. "

The old gen of consoles share the same story as is with every other game that is released on them. Their potential having been tapped completely, differences hardly remain. Frame rates are consistent at 30fps and do not drop much on either of the systems. The game has nice 3D grass on the older generation too which makes the game look excellent, although the lack of dynamic shadows makes it seem tepid in comparison to the new gen consoles, but that’s expected.

Player models are pretty good, but player animations and movements are not very fluid and they feel blocky in comparison to the new gen consoles. Reflections are also something that gamers might appreciate but they are limited to a few in game assets. Anti-aliasing is not any good but they are at par with the console hardware.

Crowds in the stand have very little variance and their reactions to game situations are unchanging and carried out by almost everyone at the same time in the same manner. The team members on the benches too lack fluidity in their reactions to changing game situations but the texture quality is quite good when it comes to other games of the genre. It’s still not like FIFA 14, but it’s close.

Madden NFL 15 has received the developer’s close eye and the results are visible. The game doesn’t manage to set any new graphical benchmarks, – not even in the sports genre of games – but then again, we get gleaming helmets.

EA has recently announced that following the running back’s release from the Baltimore Ravens and indefinite suspension from the NFL, Ray Rice will be removed from Madden NFL 15 later this week. Rice was embroiled in controversy when surveillance footage emerged of Rice hitting and knocking out his current wife Janay Rice.

An EA Sports rep stated to GameSpot that, “With Ray Rice’s indefinite suspension from the NFL, he will be removed from Madden NFL 15. This roster change will take place by this Friday.”

Despite his wife defending her husband’s actions, there has been a strong backlash against Rice on just about every imaginable front. This is especially so considering the incident wasn’t fully explored when it occurred and the surveillance footage had only recently been released by TMZ. Given all the controversy and the nature of Rice’s crime, it only makes sense for EA to make this roster change.

Your thoughts? Let us know below.

Furthermore learn how to Jump the Snap, Use Defensive Player Lock, Stop Outside Runs, Stop Inside Runs, Stop Throwing Interceptions, build Ultimate Team, Use The Defensive Line Power Move, Win with Johnny Manziel, Use the Finesse Move, Stop the Read Option, Shut Down Mobile QB’s with New Contains, Stop the Run, Tackle, Read Defensive Coverage, Pass Accurately and Use CoachGlass.

The game is now available for the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Xbox One. The game is published by EA Sports and developed by EA Tiburon.

Best Players for Madden NFL 15 Ultimate Team:

Best Bronze Cards:

Madden NFL 15 Ultimate Team: Earning Gold/Coins Faster/Farming:

Complete collection sets.
Weekend deals in the market and keeping an eye out for supply and demand.
Opening up packs.
Invest your time playing solo challenges.
Sell your Badges, specially the bronze ones.

How To Get a Free All Pro Pack

Tips and Tricks:

How to Jump the Snap

How to Use Defensive Player Lock

How to Stop Outside Runs

How to Stop Inside Runs

How to Stop Throwing Interceptions

How to build Ultimate Team:

How To Use The Defensive Line Power Move

How To Win with Johnny Manziel

How To Use the Finesse Move

How To Stop the Read Option

How To Shut Down Mobile QB’s with New Contains

How to Stop the Run in Madden 15

How to Tackle

How to Read Defensive Coverage

How to Pass Accurately

How To Use CoachGlass

How To Reach Level 34 video guide:

Check out the video guide below to know how to reach level 34. This will also help you unlock Ran the Gauntlet achievement and trophy.

Strategy Drills all Gold Medals guide:

This will also unlock the Prepared for Anything achievement and trophy.

Achievements and Trophy Guide:

Going For Gold:

Earn gold from a drill inside the Skills Trainer.

Offense 101:

Earn at least one bronze medal in all Basic Offense drills inside of Skills Trainer.

Getting Defensive:

Earn at least one bronze medal in all Basic Defense drills inside of Skills Trainer.

Read Your Keys:

Earn at least one bronze medal in all Football Concept drills inside of Skills Trainer.

Ahead of the Curve:

Earn at least one bronze medal in all Advanced Offensive Drills inside of Skills Trainer.

Checkmate:

Earn at least one bronze medal in all Strategy Drills inside of Skills Trainer.

Verizon Offensive MVP:

Score 55+ points in a game (No SuperSim or Co-Op).

The New Breed:

Score a rushing and passing TD with a QB in a single game (no SuperSim, or Co-Op).

College Influence:

Score a TD on an option play (no SuperSim, Skill Trainer, Practice, or Co-Op).

That’s the Concept:

Pick a Play by Concept from the Playcall screen.

Bird’s Eye View:

Change the Gameplay Camera to use the All-22 Cam.

Giver:

Post a piece of content to Madden Share.

Taker:

Download a piece of content from Madden Share.

Feedback:

Rate a piece of content you’ve downloaded from Madden Share.

Winners Win:

Win a Play Now Game.

Snickers Satisfying Comeback:

Comeback and win when trailing by 17+ points (No SuperSim or Co-Op).

Take A Week Off:

Earn a first round bye in Ultimate Team Seasons.

Seasoned Veteran:

Win a MUT Seasons game.

Seasons Postseason:

Make the playoffs in Ultimate Team Seasons.

The Bright Lights:

Make it to a MUT Seasons Super Bowl.

Accomplished:

Complete a MUT set.

You Have Your Own Style:

Build a MUT team with a team style of at least 20.

Making It Work For You:

Build a MUT team with a team style of at least 50.

Double Trouble:

Build a MUT team with two team style of at least 60.

Master Negotiator:

Win a MUT auction.

Makin’ a Livin’:

Win a MUT Solo Challenge.

This Team Is Going Places:

Build an 80 rated MUT team.

Easy Peasy:

Create a MUT team.

Ryan Tannehill Legacy Award:

Using a created player, coach, or owner – surpass a legacy score of 40.

CJ Spiller Legacy Award:

Using a created player, coach, or owner – surpass a legacy score of 400.

John Harbaugh Legacy Award:

Using a created player, coach, or owner – surpass a legacy score of 1,150.

Pete Carroll Legacy Award:

Using a created player, coach, or owner – surpass a legacy score of 2,150.

Larry Fitzgerald Legacy Award:

Using a created player, coach, or owner – surpass a legacy score of 4,500.

Dan Rooney Legacy Award:

Using a created player, coach, or owner – surpass a legacy score of 6,075.

John Madden Legacy Award:

Using a created player, coach, or owner – surpass a legacy score of 10,100.

Otto Graham Legacy Award:

Using a created player, coach, or owner – surpass a legacy score of 14,400.

Reggie White Legacy Award:

Using a created player, coach, or owner – surpass a legacy score of 18,650.

Vince Lombardi Legacy Award:

Using a created player, coach, or owner – surpass a legacy score of 23,700.

Note: This guide will updated once we have more information about the game.

Despite there being no Battlefield: Hardline this year – which essentially means no Premium service shilling – Electronic Arts is hopeful that it can generate $1 billion in revenue from its downloadable content this year. Bloomberg reports that the company expects this revenue to be across its entire games portfolio for the financial year (which means Hardline will eventually find its way through when it releases in early 2015).

The game will be picking up the slack are Madden NFL 15, FIFA 15 and other EA Sports games chiefly because of Ultimate Team mode. According to EA corporate communications representative John Reseburg, revenue from real money spent on Ultimate Team mode for Madden NFL saw a 350 percent increase in the quarter ending June 30th this year compared to the same quarter last year.

Even without DLC, EA still has some fairly major releases before the financial year concludes including Dragon Age: Inquisition. Will it meet its $1 billion goal? We’ll find out in the coming months.

The argument could be made that I’m not the best person to be reviewing this game, and I would have agreed before I played it. However after spending about 14 hours with the game I can say that going in with a fresh perspective may have made me enjoy the game more than I would otherwise.

"However after spending about 14 hours with the game I can say that going in with a fresh perspective may have made me enjoy the game more than I would otherwise."

That isn’t to say that the “same game every year” reputation is unearned, after 26 entries into the series and being a game based on a real sport with set rules, it makes sense. Games like Blitz and Backbreaker try to mix it up by being more of an arcadey experience, but without NFL licensing who cares? People want to play as their favorite teams and players, simple as that.

If you’ve played Madden in the last few years the gameplay of Madden 15 is going to be standard fare. EA has been putting emphasis on defense this year, which many have felt was a lacking aspect in the series. After talking it over at length with Madden fans, I get the feeling that the changes are largely superficial. They don’t actually change the dynamic all that much. Added to that are the new camera angles for the defense, which seems like a larger improvement to me.

With that said, I can’t help but feel like having an alternate view for the defense after 26 entries is pretty poor. The problem is that Madden has no competition, and it has stifled the growth of the series since 2004. Unfortunately this wont be changing anytime soon so players looking to play a football videogame have no other option.

" EA has been putting emphasis on defense this year, which many have felt was a lacking aspect in the series. After talking it over at length with Madden fans, I get the feeling that the changes are largely superficial."

The tutorial in Madden 15 does a pretty good job of explaining mechanics and concepts to new players. I can honestly say that I would have been completely lost without it, and it made the game seem more accessible than it has been before. I remember sitting down with my brother in Madden 10 and being so overwhelmed with the mechanics that I didn’t have any fun at all. I asked him if there was a good way for me to learn the game and he just chuckled.

I spent most of my time with the game playing a connected franchise with my own created player. I started off as a late round draft pick QB with low expectations on the Texans, but quickly outranked the old QB in stats by the end of the first season. I didn’t make the playoffs that season but the experience I gained was invaluable. I learned the strengths and weaknesses of certain plays and certain players and shaped my strategies around that.

Going into the second season I was pretty pumped up. I had the game simulate the off-season so I could get right in and start playing. My performance was night and day compared to my first season, and my player was noticeably better at certain things due to having been leveled up with EXP gained. I eventually went 12-4-0 and won the AFC Championship, which meant I got to play in the Super Bowl.

" The tutorial in Madden 15 does a pretty good job of explaining mechanics and concepts to new players. I can honestly say that I would have been completely lost without it, and it made the game seem more accessible than it has been before."

Unfortunately I didn’t win the Super Bowl against the Vikings, but the score was 27-31 so it was pretty close. If only I could have pulled off that last touchdown from the 10 yard line… But I digress. This was an extremely fun experience to have with the game and the feeling of being an underdog coming up and getting to play in the largest sporting event in the USA? Probably one of the best gaming moments for me so far this year. But I am reminded by the fact that for long time fans, this feeling has become commonplace or non existent at all due to franchise fatigue. Its certainly not a new thing for the series by a long shot, and I was only affected this way because I haven’t ever gotten to a Super Bowl in Madden before.

Like most EA Sports titles these days, Madden 15 has a mode heavily based on monetization through micro-transactions. I won’t go on a tangent about the damaging nature of such things in a full priced title (especially in an annualized series) right now because this isn’t the place for it. However the mode is pushed on the player in most of the load screens, and can even take an advertised spot in up to four of the menu spaces at any given time. This is the most uncomfortable thing about it, because it almost felt like they wanted me to play that mode more than the main game. You can imagine the reason why that might be the case.

" Like most EA Sports titles these days, Madden 15 has a mode heavily based on monetization through micro-transactions."

Overall Madden 15 seems like its exactly what you would expect to get from a new entry in the series. A few upgrades here and there, new roster lists, and prettier visuals. When it comes down to it, I found it fun to play when I was in a game. The menus are kind of a mess and can be somewhat confusing for newcomers, but they are easy enough to learn.

Unfortunately the experience was a bit soured by the relentless pushing of the Ultimate Team mode. Bottom line is, if you haven’t played Madden in a few years it might be worth checking out again on the new consoles, but if you are someone who bought the last entry and are satisfied with that, maybe wait.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 4.

Madden NFL 15 was showcased at EA’s E3 media briefing and we got a look at some of the new gameplay mechanics. The idea this time was to create a more defensive-heavy style of play to allow players to have a better fighting chance during games. Check it out above.

Madden NFL 15 will use the Ignite Engine but release for the Xbox One, Xbox 360, PS3 and PS4. It will be available on August 26th for North America and August 29th in Europe. What are your thoughts on the gameplay? Let us know in the comments below.

Overall, EA’s media briefing was a significantly different approach to Microsoft’s, as it focused more on behind-the-scenes development and discussions with developers. Hilariously, this resulted i key titles like Criterion’s next project and Mass Effect 4 not having any gameplay footage. Did you enjoy the media briefing though and if so, why? You can let us know your thoughts below.

Update: Added Screenshots

EA and EA Sports have announced that this year’s installment of the popular Madden NFL franchise will be released in August. Madden NFL 15 will be out in Europe for the Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3 and PS4 on August 29 of this year.

The game, according to EA Sports, will feature “the most immersive defensive gameplay control in franchise history” with improved gameplay in several aspects of the game and enhanced presentation that shall, ideally, prove to build on what we’ve seen in past iterations. This means that Madden NFL 15 will include everything from new, dynamic camera angles and cutscenes to half time and pre match features.

EA Sports has also released a short, thirty second long video for the sports simulator. The trailer shows the digital growth of Carolina Panthers’ defensive player of the year Luke Kuechly in the series’ installments through the years, with the latest upgrade to be revealed in June, according to the trailer.

Stay tuned for more updates.