Making the Most out of Madden NFL 12's Muddled Franchise Menus

[Old School SD Fan]

C'mon Chris, write about the wacked out player models/gear the incoming rooks sport. Think of the visuals!

[Beeks]

I just don't like how it exits back to the Game of the Week screen every time you finish doing something... It should just exit back to the menu... other than that, I don't really care.

[raguel]

I don't know if anyone else has pointed it out, but under the coach menu, one can edit the off/def playbooks.


My main problem with the menus is a "legacy" issue, there should be a "skills" tab for players in the "free agents" option.

[Sabredj]

I have never been so disappointed with Franchise mode as much as this year, and it begins with the poor menu design and clunkiness of it all. It ends in a total lack of immersion because each game feels like a play now game. As eccentricmeat said above NCAA 12 had great menus and at least it has different text sections/news items that hyped the week, connected the goings on of the season, and mentioned players who had led their teams etc... The Madden team has managed to suck the life out of one of my favorite modes. I'll be exchanging this soon for one of the many November releases.

[PacMan3000]

The menu's don't bother me in the slightest. I actually think the little menu that expands into several bigger menu's is pretty cool.

What bothers me is how they break down the ratings in this game. I hate scouting a rookie/NFL prospect, for example, and having to scroll and scroll and scroll and scroll all the way to the right to find out his PASS BLOCK rating. Or his injury rating.

I can't stand how when I want the tackle or power ratings for an LB prospect, I have to pass junk like his KAC or CARRYING ratings. They're so not relevant, and would save time if the rating categories were broken down into what mattered for a player's given position, rather than some random free-for-all.

And if they could put that information in a nice, easily packaged place, that'd be even better.

[raguel]

Quote: Originally Posted by PacMan3000

The menu's don't bother me in the slightest. I actually think the little menu that expands into several bigger menu's is pretty cool. What bothers me is how they break down the ratings in this game. I hate scouting a rookie/NFL prospect, for example, and having to scroll and scroll and scroll and scroll all the way to the right to find out his PASS BLOCK rating. Or his injury rating. I can't stand how when I want the tackle or power ratings for an LB prospect, I have to pass junk like his KAC or CARRYING ratings. They're so not relevant, and would save time if the rating categories were broken down into what mattered for a player's given position, rather than some random free-for-all. And if they could put that information in a nice, easily packaged place, that'd be even better.

I have to agree with this. Even if they keep these ratings, they should at least be kept in some sort of logical order.

Menus also seem to be a bit slower. Problems accessing the database I suppose.

[JerseySuave4]

Quote: Originally Posted by C the Lyte

2k's right-stick crap is way worse than this.

are you kidding me? NBA 2k12 has the best menu in a game. Right from the main menu you have all of your stuff set to jump right in. 1 button can load up your association, or your My Player or a quick game or the legends feature all just with a 1 button push. Then if you want the full menu you flick the right stick and there it is. And the menus are fast and easy to scroll through. Plus the layout isn't boring like Madden & NCAA Football. I wish EA had a menu like 2k12 for their football games.

Since i don't really play Madden i don't know about their menus as much but i know NCAA Football's menus are sooooo slow to navigate through. You notice the menus when its as bad as NCAA Football's is.

[JerseySuave4]

Quote: Originally Posted by EccentricMeat

The funny thing is, NCAA Football 12's Dynasty menu and layout are IMO perfect! Why can't EA just copy that over to Madden for next year? I pray that they do. That, and make Free Agency a lot like NCAA 12's recruitment, and the game would be amazing! OH, and leave UDFA's out, if you're not gonna put in the time to actually make sure that it works and is useful. The most troublesome and worthless "major" gameplay addition in gaming history. /rant

i disagree, NCAA's menus are the worst. The layout would be ok if things moved quick but they are so slow navigating through the menus especially in a dynasty. Plus they're really boring and the menu music is awful.

[knighthawksfan]

Quote: Originally Posted by dukebeatsuncagain

People really complain that much about the menu in this game? Wow. People will find any reason they can to complain about a game I guess. I would say there are thousands of things more important in my life than the menu of a video game.

I agree with you on that

[C the Lyte]

Quote: Originally Posted by JerseySuave4

are you kidding me? NBA 2k12 has the best menu in a game. Right from the main menu you have all of your stuff set to jump right in. 1 button can load up your association, or your My Player or a quick game or the legends feature all just with a 1 button push. Then if you want the full menu you flick the right stick and there it is. And the menus are fast and easy to scroll through. Plus the layout isn't boring like Madden & NCAA Football. I wish EA had a menu like 2k12 for their football games. Since i don't really play Madden i don't know about their menus as much but i know NCAA Football's menus are sooooo slow to navigate through. You notice the menus when its as bad as NCAA Football's is.

Alright maybe "way" is a bit overstating. However, the Y or Triangle button is used menu wise in other games to some degree. The right stick method in 2k, is not (at least not to my knowledge). As for the "best in a game", I believe that is a bit of an overstatement as well. Very awkward.

Bottom line, EA AND 2K should change this going forward.