Madden NFL 15 Review
Welcome to our CHEATfactor Game Review of Madden NFL 15. We review the game and then factor in how the available cheats affect the overall game experience.
 

Reviewed on: Xbox One
Developer: EA Tiburon
Publisher: EA Sports
Rated: "M" for Mature

 
CHEATfactor Game Review
by Joe Sinicki
Presentation 8/10 
Madden NFL 15 is easily the best looking sports game to ever hit the market. Stadiums, player models and weather effects are incredibly detailed and take advantage of the new gaming hardware.
Gameplay 8/10 
Though it lacks any big new feature, Madden 15 does a fantastic job in recreating the drama of an NFL Sunday. Sadly though, the game still suffers from some of the issues that has haunted the franchise for years.
Lasting Appeal 7/10 
Everyone plays Madden for a seemingly different reason, and regardless of what that is, you're sure to find what you like here - it just hasn't changed much since the last go-round.
Overall 8/10 
This year's game delivers a slightly retooled and fine tuned version of the game we saw last year, but it's frustrating that some of the franchises' nagging issues have not been resolved.
CHEATfactor 0/10 
 

Fourth and goal on the snow covered one yard line. One second to go on the clock. Last game of the season, down by three. My center hikes the ball to me and I quickly hand the ball of to my running back Eddy Lacy, who plows through the pile and score the gaming winning touchdown in dramatic fashion. Perhaps even more important, it puts us in position to win the division and go into the playoffs - all we've got to do is hope that we're lucky enough that the Lions lost. Did they? I don't know, let me back out of the game and go into the menus to find out. Madden NFL 15 does such a great job recreating the drama and action of the NFL in most cases that it's incredibly apparent when the game breaks from that immersion. It's undeniably the best pro football game you've played in recent years, but it's also very similar to every pro football game you've played in recent years.

"...this year's game lacks any real new big feature to sell the game."

 
   

Though it's the first game to really take advantage of the new gaming hardware, this year's game lacks any real new big feature to sell the game. The closest is the game's new focus on defense, which does go a long way to make this a more well rounded game but it's likely not enough to change anyone's opinion on the franchise if they're not already sold on it. Key among these defensive changes is the new camera mode, which literally flips the game around completely and has you facing down the quarterback rather than playing from your opponent's point of view. You'll then try to break past the blockers with a fun little quick time game that actually requires some practice to master. Perhaps most important though is the new tackling mechanic, which actually gives you a choice in how you attempt to take down the ball carrier. You can attempt to tackle at different heights and with different momentum, but you'll suffer the consequences if you don't make the right choice.

This all goes a long way in aiding EA's goal of making Madden 15 the most realistic football sim on the market, and they're widely successful. Games are much better paced and the slightly more zoomed in offensive camera feels much more intimate and let's you get closer to the action. Even the play call system has been given a overhaul, making it make more sense and dialing you into the Madden community at the same time. Not sure what to call? The play-call screen shows you what other Madden players have called in the situation and how successful its been. Madden 15 goes a long way to not only give you the game of football but show new players why they're making the plays that they are.

And speaking of realism, can we talk about how grew this game looks on the newer game hardware? Players, stadiums and weather effects look incredibly detailed and as much like they're real-life counterparts as they ever had. Well, the major players do. While you'll recognize high profile stars like Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers and Adrian Peterson, most of the lesser known talents; and even some of the bigger names have generic faces that sort of look like them if you squint. While the on-field action has gotten a slew of new animations, certain ones feel rushed, like when the ball carrier gets tackled and they seem to lose all control over their limbs and just fall lifeless to the ground. It was also peculiar when I was playing as my beloved Packers on offense and Aaron Rodgers had just completed a pass and was in the huddle but when the camera panned to head coach Mike McCarthy, Rodgers was standing right next to him...cheering on the offense.

"The commentary in Madden has always been an issue..."

 
   

A new halftime show has been added to this year's game and it's a great addition and definitely adds to the realism but it too feels limited. Madden 15 does so much to immerse you in the NFL experience but it stops short all to often. Why not show the scores from around the league? If I'm in a chase for the post season, it'd be really cool to keep an eye on the other games in my division but instead it feels like I'm the only game going on in the league and I have to wait for the game to finish to see how other games played out.

The commentary in Madden has always been an issue for most fans of the series and this year is no exception in fact, it could be the worst it's been in the history of the franchise. Jim Nantz and Phil Sims return and call each game with the fervor of a explaining the sport to a kindergarden class. There's little small talk here between the two and they just rattle off random lines that sometimes pertain to the action on the field and are more often than not seemingly pulled out of thin air. Eddy Lacy had rushed for over 100 yards by the half of one game and they were talking about how the ground game just "wasn't working for me" wait, what? I seriously also heard them say "This is a great win for that one team" after a game once. Really? That one team? Be ready to turn off commentary and hope for a change in the booth next year.

Year after year the one question everyone wants to know with Madden is simple, is it worth buying? This year that's not that easy of a question to answer. Is it a great representation of pro football? Of course, but so was last year. This year's game delivers a slightly retooled and fine tuned version of the game we saw last year, but it's frustrating that some of the franchises' nagging issues have not been resolved. If you're an NFL fan who has been waiting all year for the season, you can't go wrong with Madden NFL 15, even if it feels like a replay of last year.

 
 
CHEATfactor
 
As of this writing there are no cheats available for Madden 15. Stick with Cheat Happens for more as they become available.