Madden 18: Longshot

Well it's that time of year you guys, when you invest your hard earned dollars into the annual Madden, NBA Live, or Call of Duty game.  Tbh developers get guaranteed money each year from these franchises.

This year Madden is biting NBA 2K and NBA Live by trying to incorporate a storyline into the mechanics of learning the gameplay.  Longshot mode is what EA is calling its single player mode.  Longshot follows the life of Devin Wade, a college player that quit after his 3rd college game due to his father's death.

Devin entered the NFL combine as a second chance or redemption to go pro.  A Hollywood producer takes advantage of Devin's misfortune, and the producer uses Devin's story for his tv show Longshot.  I know you are wondering how does this affect you?

As the player, you take control of Devin on the tv show Longshot.  Each week the producer gives you a set of challenges that also help you learn the basic control of Madden 18.  The storyline is decent and controversial depending on the choices you make.  Longshot has a moral compass, so the negative or positive choices you make do have an impact on your performance and draft selection.

Here are a few new features that Madden 18 will have regardless if you play the Longshot storyline:

THREE WAYS TO PLAY

OFFENSE, DEFENSE, OR HEAD COACH

Combine rosters with two friends to create your MUT Squad and make an impact on the game by selecting one of three roles: Offensive Captain, Defensive Captain, or Head Coach.

Choose offense and bring in your MUT offensive and special teams players or pick defense to use your defensive MUT lineup. If you play as the Head Coach role, manage the clock and select the stadium and uniforms from your Madden Ultimate Team.

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COACH ADJUSTMENTS

Customize the AI to fit your game plan and make situational changes to your strategy on the fly, as the game demands

MADDEN MECHANICS: TARGET PASSING



NFL quarterbacks like Tom Brady have an uncanny ability to throw with precision. The Target Passing feature gives users that same ability with an advanced mechanic that simulates that control with a graphical target. Users can finally see their intended passing target while placing it anywhere on the field.

The control scheme is intuitive, providing a straight-forward way for users to place the ball in the most advantageous place. The better players are at utilizing the Target Passing mechanic, the more efficient and tactical they will become at picking apart coverage. The ability to visualize the placement of the ball exactly where you want offers another level of user control.

Target Passing breakdown:

• See exactly where the ball is going to go before the throw
• Lead shallow routes up the field before reaching the sideline
• Place the ball between zones, forcing your receiver to throttle down
• Lead the ball to where only your receiver can get it
• Throw timing routes before the cut or even while your receiver is being pressed

Using the target passing mechanic:

• Select your primary receiver: Pre-play, activate coach cam with RT/R2, and press the button of the desired receiver to make him the Primary Receiver on the play.
• Bring up your target: After the snap, hold LT/L2 and your target will come up as your Primary Receiver.
• Move the target: Use LS to move your target. As your target changes the QB will turn to face the target.
• Switch Targeted Receiver: While holding LT/L2, press the button of a receiver other than the receiver that is currently targeted, and the target will switch to that receiver.
• Throw to Receiver: Press the button of the receiver icon that is displayed. Use the same throw mechanics for lob, touch, and bullet.
• Neutral Target Passing: If you release LT/L2, then it becomes Neutral Target Passing. This allows you to press the button of the desired receiver and throw to him immediately instead of having to switch the target, then throw.
• Turn Off Target Passing: Simply press LT/L2 again and you turn off the Target Passing mechanic.

Note: Now that Target Passing is on LT/L2, low pass controls have changed. You now hold LB/L1 to activate the high low modifier, and push LS up or down to throw high or low.

MADDEN NFL 18 GAME STYLES

There’s a lot that’s new for Madden NFL 18. Longshot brings a new story mode never before seen in Madden, and the franchise is now powered by the Frostbite game engine to up the visuals to new heights. But now it’s time to talk nitty-gritty. Let’s talk game play.

To deliver a more immersive experience to a variety of gamers, Madden 18 features three new game styles; Arcade, Simulation, and Competitive.

Arcade is the high-octane version of Madden. This game style delivers a fast-paced, exciting style of play where high scores and spectacular catches are the norm and penalties are very limited. The user-controlled player is the “boss” and will feel like the most powerful player on the field. This mode is perfect for the gamer trying to get in a quick, casual, and action-filled game.

Simulation is the authentic NFL experience. This is the game style plays true to player and team ratings and NFL rules. This game style includes all supported penalties, injuries, and other random outcomes you see every Sunday. The players on your roster and the schemes you employ will be critical to success when playing Simulation. This is the game mode for players that are fans of football and want to play a game that’s true to that form. Simulation is the default style for connected franchise mode.

Competitive is all about head-to-head competition and tournament play. This is where user stick-skills are king and certain outcomes will be heavily weighted based on game situations and ratings thresholds. Penalties are limited, there are no injuries, and random outcomes are rare. Executing gameplay mechanics and making the right reads dictate success when playing Competitive. EA competitive gaming events and ranked online game modes will be set to this style by default. Be ready for some trash talk, for this is where the Madden hardcore reside.

Game Style Breakdown

ARCADE

• User-controlled pass rushers frequently beat their blocks
• User Hit Sticks and Strip-ball attempts will be highly successful
• Spectacular catches occur frequently, especially by elite players
• Broken tackles and ball carrier fake-outs are commonplace
• Chance of throwing interceptions as a user is lower
• Can kick longer field goals and there’s higher chance to block kicks when on defense.

SIMULATION

• Expect the unexpected – even highly-rated players have a slim chance of failure on occasion
• Injuries and penalties occur at a rate on par with real-world NFL statistics and data
• Players with elite ratings will be successful far more often than those with ratings below the elite level
• New pass inaccuracy system allows more realistic performances from lower-rated quarterbacks
• Fatigue and stamina have bigger impacts on gameplay.

COMPETITIVE
Going for an interception with a wide open defensive player who has a good catch rating leads to a significantly-lower chance of them dropping the ball

• Throwing from a clean pocket with the QB’s feet set reduces the chance of an inaccurate pass, providing they have a good pass accuracy rating based on the throw type and that you’re not using any passing mechanics
• There’s a significantly lower chance of a dropped catch when a receiver is considered wide open and has a good catch rating
• There’s a decreased chance of offensive wins in multiplayer catch outcomes, such as throwing to covered receiver
• Only AI players with the big hitter trait can hit stick.