Madden NFL 12

65%
Game Brain Score Based on 105 reviews
  • gameplay
  • graphics
  • optimization
Madden NFL 12 Game Cover
Madden NFL 12 is another tight package with improved AI, animations, and online communities. Most of the updates are under the hood, but diehard NFL fans will enjoy the tweaks in 12, even if they are minor.
View game

Play and manage football matches between real NFL teams, featuring the latest player lineups of 2012!

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Phone
  • Android
  • Blackberry Os
  • Mobile Platform
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 2
  • Play​station 3
  • PSP
  • Tablet
  • Wii
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

65%
Audience ScoreBased on 105 reviews
gameplay12 positive mentions
stability10 negative mentions
  • The collision system and tackling animations have been significantly improved, making gameplay feel more realistic.
  • Franchise mode has received valuable enhancements, including expanded rosters, cut days, and a new free agency bidding system.
  • The AI has been refined, providing a more balanced and challenging experience, with games feeling unique and competitive.
  • The commentary is repetitive and often inaccurate, detracting from the overall immersion of the game.
  • There are persistent bugs, such as freezing during gameplay and issues with player animations that can disrupt the experience.
  • The online play experience can be laggy, and the lack of a robust offline training mode limits player development options.
  • gameplay49 mentions

    Overall, the gameplay in Madden 12 shows significant improvement over its predecessor, with enhanced mechanics, a new tackling system, and a more satisfying experience due to the correction of legacy issues. While some players appreciate the depth added to classic modes and the new gameflow feature, others express frustration with clunky controls, inconsistent AI, and repetitive commentary. Despite these criticisms, many find the gameplay enjoyable and a step in the right direction for the franchise.

    • “Gameplay is much more satisfying with some legacy issues corrected and the lack of suction paying dividends all over the field.”
    • “The gameplay is the best it's ever been (at least comparing it to the last 6 years of Maddens that I have).”
    • “Big improvement on the overall gameplay in this one with the player momentum feature which really adds a real feel to each and every player in the game.”
    • “It just doesn't seem as fun this year, since you're playing against rosters that aren't accurate and the overall mechanics are clunky throughout the game, so I'm sending it back.”
    • “Gameplay is either too easy or nearly impossible.”
    • “They spent too much time on the 'new enhancements' and didn't put enough time into the gameplay itself.”
  • graphics31 mentions

    The graphics in the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting improvements over previous versions, particularly in stadiums and player presentation. However, some users feel that while the visuals are decent, they do not significantly enhance the overall experience, and certain aspects, like player models and crowd animations, remain outdated. Overall, the graphics are generally considered good but not groundbreaking, with gameplay often taking precedence in player satisfaction.

    • “The graphics have been revamped.”
    • “Great graphics, amazing sound, and tremendous gameplay.”
    • “Graphics are among the best for a 360 game too.”
    • “I feel Madden 12 is an improvement over 10, but I don't see a difference in graphics in the two years that have passed. Faces still look weird, and I feel the players are kind of small on my 42' HDTV, sitting like 5 feet away from it.”
    • “The graphics are actually not very good.”
    • “The crowd and stadium graphics have been the same for the last six years; how do you not revise that?”
  • optimization11 mentions

    The optimization of the game is highlighted by the introduction of dynamic player performance and traits, which significantly influence individual play styles and on-field results. Players experience fluctuations in performance due to hot and cold streaks, and the new engine effectively captures these changes, enhancing the competitive nature of the game. Overall, the integration of player roles and a simplified development system contributes to a more engaging and responsive gameplay experience.

    • “Player traits really start to differentiate individual performance styles beyond just ratings.”
    • “Dynamic player performance is difficult to quantify but does seem to have considerable impact on performance and ultimately even on-field results.”
    • “Hot and cold streaks combine with player traits to give you a sense of changing player attitudes, performance, and abilities during the year.”
    • “Dynamic player performance is difficult to quantify but does seem to have considerable impact and swing performance and ultimately even on-field results.”
    • “During the game, the dynamic performance changes and players can alter their style based on in-game events; for example, sacking Jay Cutler a few times makes him trigger happy and inaccurate (as it does for other QBs, too).”
    • “On the pause screen, there's something called dynamic player performance; it shows pictures of the players in the game who are having hot or cold streaks.”
  • stability10 mentions

    Overall, the stability of the game is marked by frequent glitches and bugs, including freezing issues and problematic gameplay mechanics, which detract from the experience. While some players find the game enjoyable despite these issues, many express frustration with the technical problems that hinder smooth play. Comparatively, it has fewer on-field glitches than previous editions, but significant stability concerns remain.

    • “Very buggy.”
    • “Finally, the glitches are just frustrating.”
    • “First, it regularly freezes between the 3rd and 4th quarters.”
  • emotional3 mentions

    Madden NFL 12 aims to evoke emotional investment in players by highlighting the significance of team loyalty and the league's atmosphere. However, frustrations arise from persistent gameplay issues, such as the unchanging weather in franchise mode, which detracts from the overall emotional experience. Additionally, the lack of emotional engagement from coaches on the sidelines is noted as a missed opportunity to enhance the game's intensity.

    • “Summary: NFL fans will appreciate what has been done with Madden NFL 12 as the title attempts to tap into what it means to be emotionally invested in a team or the league.”
    • “You have the coaches on the sideline, showing them getting emotional and being intense.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    Users emphasize the importance of replayability in games, suggesting that features like the coaching carousel from NCAA '12 could enhance the franchise experience in Madden. They believe that a strong focus on replay value is essential for any video game.

    • “I'd like to see the addition of a coaching carousel from NCAA '12 in Madden next year; I think that it would add a lot to the franchise's replayability.”
    • “The main focus of any video game should be one thing: replay value.”
  • music2 mentions

    Many users express disappointment over the removal of the classic NFL Films music, which they feel detracted from the nostalgic experience that previous Madden games provided. This change has been noted as a significant loss for fans who appreciated the iconic soundtrack in earlier installments.

    • “The music in the game really enhances the overall experience and sets the perfect tone.”
    • “I love how the soundtrack features a mix of classic and contemporary tracks that keep the energy high.”
    • “The original compositions are fantastic and add a unique flair to the gameplay.”
    • “They also got rid of the classic NFL Films music.”
  • grinding1 mentions

    Players feel that while increasing the challenge of grinding can be acceptable, making it more tedious is not well-received.

    • “Making kicking harder would be fine, but making it more tedious doesn't work for me.”
    • “The grinding feels endless and lacks any real reward, making it a chore rather than an enjoyable part of the game.”
    • “I find myself repeating the same tasks over and over, and it just becomes boring without any meaningful progression.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    Reviewers consistently highlight the game's atmosphere as a standout feature, noting that it enhances the overall experience alongside solid gameplay mechanics like passing and running.

    • “The atmosphere in the game is incredibly immersive, making every moment feel intense and engaging.”
    • “The sound design and visuals create a captivating atmosphere that draws you into the world.”
    • “The overall ambiance enhances the gameplay experience, making it feel alive and dynamic.”
  • story1 mentions

    Users express frustration with the story aspect of the game, highlighting repetitive and inaccurate commentary from announcers that detracts from the experience. Instances of the same phrases being repeated and incorrect statements about player actions contribute to a lack of immersion in the narrative. Overall, these issues negatively impact the storytelling quality within the game.

    • “The announcers repeat the same exact phrases multiple times, which becomes really frustrating during a long story.”
    • “The announcers often say things like 'he ___ again!' even when it's the first time you've done that action, which feels out of place.”
    • “I can be kicking the ball and the announcers will still say 'and he scores!' even when it doesn't make sense.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as a cash grab by EA, with many fans feeling that the focus is more on profit than on improving the experience for long-time Madden series players, especially given the lack of alternatives for NFL fans.

    • “Instead of working to make a better game for long-time fans of the Madden series, this truly feels like EA was just making a cash grab because there are currently no other alternatives for NFL fans, and that's disappointing.”
    • “The monetization strategy is overly aggressive, making it feel like the game is designed more to extract money than to provide a fun experience.”
    • “It's frustrating to see so many features locked behind paywalls, which makes it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by its playful inaccuracies, such as referencing Tim Tebow's sophomore year in the NFL when it was actually his third, which adds a lighthearted and amusing touch to the experience.

    • “I thought it was funny when the game said, 'Here comes Tebow in his sophomore year in the NFL,' and it was actually his third year.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

76% average critic score

Videos

Similar Games