Madden 15’s Defensive Play Keeps You Coming Back

Madden 15, the latest version of Madden franchise has been out for about three weeks now. Though it’s easy for the honeymoon period to wear off during that time, there has been one significant draw that keeps me playing it: defense. In particular the new tackling mechanics and options. Factor in the new block shedding and defense in Madden has gone from somewhat boring to something awesome.

The old cliche of “defense wins championships” may or may not be true, however defense in this year’s version is by far the most fun it’s ever been in any Madden game. There are three new tackling options in addition to the normal tackle, dive and hit stick tackles. The introduction of the so called “tackle cone” plus the addition of the ability to perform a precision, aggressive or conservative tackle feels like it had been missing for years. The tackle cone can be toggled on or off at your leisure, but it is something I’d recommend leaving on in Rookie, Pro and All-Pro. It is turned off by default in All-Madden and it’s easy to turn back on in the settings. Keep the cone on until you get a better sense of timing for when each version of the tackle would be best, given the circumstances.

Game developer and publisher EA has a brief explanation available on their youtube channel, though it doesn’t do the full in-game action justice. 

What the variation of the precision, aggressive and conservative tackles really brings to the table is an element of excitement on the defensive side of the ball I felt had been lacking. In older football games, be it Madden or NCAAF, I would strictly play as a defensive lineman or rarely as a blitzing safety/linebacker. I never dared venturing into the coverage aspect of the game in man-to-man or even zone. With the new tackling I’ve played almost exclusively zone coverage (sometimes with a safety spy), roaming the middle of the field in anticipation of a pass. When you see the opposing quarterback throw one over the middle, I just about lick my lips in anticipation of an aggressive tackle or big hit.

The very nature of an aggressive hit is a bit of a gamble, due to the fact you leave yourself exposed for a well timed juke by the ball carrier. On more than one occasion I’ve dove at a ball carrier to only come up grasping empty air. It’s a high risk, high reward play that can lead to creating turnovers or giving the opposition an open lane to the endzone. Even with the risk, the fun of putting an aggressive tackle is a refreshing addition to the game.

When I do go back to my roots of defense, playing defensive end, the new block shedding and arsenal of D-lineman moves have completely revamped both pass rush and run defense. The instant the ball is snapped, if you’re on point with your timing, you’ll receive a small speed boost (think of a speed boost in Mario Kart for timing the green light correctly, only with 300 pound men instead of dinosaurs and mustachioed brothers. That speed boos has been the difference between me getting a sack or a tackle for loss or being a non-factor that down. Instead of the old days of mashing the stick and buttons like a five-year-old in a Street Fighter game, Madden 15 allows the player to perform power moves like rips or speed rushes like a swim move or spin. To say this is an improvement from past versions of the pass rush would be greatly underselling the new features.

Between the full overhaul in the defensive line and the new tackling mechanics, this is absolutely the most fun I’ve had on defense in any football game. Although there is a lot to learn about timing with most of these new features, I was able to quickly pick most of them up — the aggressive tackle is still only about a 70% success rate for me, but I could just be bad at the game — after going over the new defensive drills. At the time of writing Madden 15 is still going for the full retail price of $59.99 at Gamestops, Targets and Wal-Marts, however Best Buy is having an online sale, marking it down to $39.99. Even at the full retail price I’d be willing to purchase the game again, at 40 bucks it is a steal.