This isn't the first time that Tiburon has tried to open up venerable series to newcomers-mention Gameflow to any longtime Madden player and watch as they roll their eyes-but it's by far the most successful. Credit goes not just to the skill challenges, which are entertaining and well-designed, but the new playcalling interface. In a rather novel move by Tiburon, Madden NFL 15 is capable of crowd-sourcing plays from the online community and collating them based on the situation. So if you're in 2nd and Long, for instance, you can see which play the community prefers and how often it's successful. The new interface includes a handful of in-game suggestions as well, but the community plays are by far the most interesting, and I often find myself going back to them when I'm looking to change up my playcalling a bit. In this instance, a little inspiration can go a long way, particularly given that learning when and where to use a play is one of the biggest hurdles for new players to overcome when trying to learn how to play Madden (I know it was for me back when I first started).

 

There aren't as many improvements on offensive as there are on defense, but they are as readily apparent. Most of them are in the area of play calling. In addition to previous ways of organizing plays, there are Coach’s Suggestions and Strategy. These play calling menus now tell you why the play is an appropriate choice. This is a fantastic addition to the game because it teaches you actual football strategies. Coach Stick, accessed by clicking down on the right thumb stick before the ball is snapped, shows offensive mismatches to help you prioritize receivers. Madden NFL 15 has far more realistic passing than previous versions of the game had; a scrambling quarterback now has an extremely low chance of throwing a completion. However, I did still see the occasional wildly inaccurate throw that you just wouldn't see in the NFL 15.

 

Other perhaps less noticeable upgrades can be seen in the Skills Trainer mode that teaches you some basic concepts in addition to in-game stick skills. The Gauntlet mode alone is a great way to learn what passing plays work versus certain defences. I highly recommend everyone spend some time in there. Another change is seen in the Connected Franchise mode which revamped the way your players earn XP; and Madden Ultimate Team is now a little more inviting to those who haven’t taken the plunge yet. Despite all the upgrades, Madden NFL 15 still plays, and feels largely the same. The “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach was taken yet again. Besides learning to navigate the new play calling screen, learning the new tackling mechanics and getting used to the new camera angles, Madden fans should be able to pick up where they left off and compete from the get go. I still have some difficulty learning some of the new ways to make pre-play adjustments and I am still getting used to the tighter defensive AI; otherwise, I am not having any issues playing the game. This is without question a no frills, no gimmicks Madden as there are no new modes to choose from. It remains clear the development team wanted to focus all their energy with modes that remain perennial fan favorites; those being Connected Franchise, and Madden NFL 15 Ultimate Team.

 

This all goes a long way in aiding EA's goal of making Madden NFL 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 NFL 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. When it comes to choosing a defensive play that works, you'll want to make sure coverage is out on all fronts. You don't want to stack up the front too much, as that’ll free up a number of receivers in the backfield, allowing the quarterback to move the ball with a simple pass play. Instead, examine the pass plays and see which ones have best overall coverage. Those are the ones to go with. If you're still confused what plays work best, don't forget the coach consultation option. They'll provide some strong basic tips as to which plays you should go with, and they usually end up being right. If you're still doubtful, running the 2 Man Under defensive play comes with a strong recommendation, because of its overall coverage.

 

If you miss a tackle, you may want to let the AI attempt to finish the play. If you switch players once you fall out of position, that split-second delay trying to get yourself reoriented to the new guy might cause you to let the opponent open up the gap further. What you especially want to avoid is switching characters and immediately diving: rarely is the new character you switch to going to be in a position to tackle from a dive. The AI is decent at tackling, so if your character misses, it’s just not worth the risk to try taking the control away from it.