Madden NFL 12 (Xbox 360, 2011)

The last Madden I played was 2010, for the most part, the gameplay is unchanged from the Madden 10, however there are some key variations that make the experience much more enjoyable. On its standard settings, a single 4 quarter game can be played in about 30 to 40 minutes in Madden 12. Madden 10 (because of the halftime graphics, and other heavy nonsense) bogged the single gametime down to 45 minutes to an hour minimum. In a given sitting, now you can knock out 2 or 3 games comfortably, versus 1 to 2 games uncomfortably (this is my opinion).
Play calling is slightly more "automated". You can still pull up a full playbook as in the past, but the quick options for plays are to go with your "Gameplan" or a "Run" or a "Pass" play. These plays are generated in a similar way the Madden Suggests a few plays in the Playbook. On Defense I typically just pick the Gameplan, and on Offense I typically do the same with some minimal variation - it is very easy to call audibles, and change hot routes on the fly, so I find myself customizing the plays as I go, and not relying on the base plays all the time.
I've mostly played Franchise, but have played some Superstar and that mode is improved as well - instead of a Superstar perspective while playing, it matches other game modes. I've only played as a QB though.
Long story short, I think this is the best iteration of Madden yet. The scouting in Franchise mode is altered - makes it more difficult to scout more guys, but it also makes it more manageable and less cumbersome. Also, in Franchise mode there are now expanded rosters during offseason and pre-season. So feel free to draft a lot of rookies, and then just cut them as you go along (in the past in order to draft rookies you'd have to cut guys currently on your roster in order to sign them - no more).

I've been a longtime player and have been playing NCAA 12 since it's release. I like the play selection and gameplay better in NCAA 12.

Madden 12 seems to be designed with the casual gamer in mind with the dumb downed play selection. You can customize game menus and the playbook.

I enjoy the franchise mode the best. It is robust from the expanded rosters in pre-season, to scouting of the draft prospects throughout the season. I enjoy saving my draft classes in NCAA 12 and importing them into Madden.

Over all it's worth picking up if you can get the game cheap. Be aware that you will not be able to play online if you buy a used copy.

Great Graphics but lacks in several areas. One the franchise mode is still missing several elements. The game needs an extensive trophy room that you can work to achieve. The half time show is also nonexistant. and where is the extra point?? the kicking mode is also very poor and the audables and hot route tree is worse than its been in years. I am glad they are leaving out player special abilaties that they tried in madden 08. overall its a good game but EA sports need to add a few more features to make an awsome game.

Same old Madden that EA puts out every year. They pretend to have made improvements (like every year), but they're not noticeable or not there. And, same as always, Madden finds a few ways to drive you nuts. You can't change the difficulty for the "Madden Moments" game mode (it's too easy). You can't skip past the intro coin flip and announcer babble at the beginning of the game (and unless you're playing your rival, they have the same dialog. Every. Single. Game.). In Madden '12 you have the option to Auto-Sprint or, like in the old games, you can choose to keep control of sprinting. However, if you don't Auto-Sprint, you can't pull the ball down as a quarterback - instead you just drift to the line of scrimmage looking like you still want to throw the ball.

Game sucks. Don't waste your money.

I must say that Madden 12 is a great game. I would recommend it to people that love football games. There is a lot more you can do in the game mode such as Franchise and Superstar mode.I personally love the way they upgraded the tackling and trucking collisions. They also added a new player introduction. So again, if your deciding whether or not to buy to buy this game, think twice!!