Your thoughts on the first big Madden NFL 18 feature news

The first news on Madden NFL 18 rolled out late last week and brought some significant details to digest. Much more will be coming out of E3/EA Play next month, but in the meantime there were a number of intriguing features revealed.

Frostbite Engine

See stunning new stadium exteriors surrounded by vast cityscapes and watch the spectacle of NFL game day come to life in our most photorealistic game to date. All-new firework displays, player run-outs and stunning weather elements deliver Madden like you’ve never seen before.

Story Mode

As seen in the teaser trailer that accompanied all the news, Madden NFL 18 will be introducing a full-blown Story Mode for the first time in franchise history. Expectations should be similar to FIFA 17, where a pre-built character was guided from his early years to reaching the Premier League and going through the ups and downs of a season. The trailer shows the Madden character looking out at Lucas Oil Field, home of the NFL Scouting Combine.

Play Styles

EA will now be able to tailor different types of experiences with Madden’s gameplay, rather than having to balance the game to try and satisfy everyone all at once which is simply impossible.

Arcade
Action packed excitement filled with spectacular plays and scoring with limited penalties.

Simulation
True to player and team ratings using authentic NFL rules and gameplay. (Franchise default)

Competitive
Stick skills are key, earn big rewards for your skill or receive bigger penalties. (Online Default)

Gameplay

Target Passing
For the first time ever, no longer are you tied to throwing at your open wide receiver. Throw to who you want, in the exact spot on the field with all-new Target Passing, giving you, ultimate control over where the ball is thrown.

Coverage Assignment
Know your job in pass coverage with an on-screen, real-time UI system informing you of your coverage assignment in pass defense.

Coach Adjustments
Customize the AI to fit your game plan and make situational changes to your strategy on the fly as the game demands it.

Play Now Live

Play the best real-world NFL match ups each week! Take the field with your favorite team or play the best weekly matchup using live updates containing the latest rosters, custom commentary and up-to-date stats from NFL.com then continue your season all the way to the Super Bowl from Play Now.

Return of Online Team Play?

Capabilities listed for Madden NFL 18 through official retailers show online multiplayer supporting 2-6 players when those have shown only 2 players in the years since Online Team Play was killed off. Its return would likely be under a different name and could be structured more similarly to EA Sports Hockey League in NHL – it would not be back the same as it was before. Regardless it’s encouraging for those who have hoped for team play to return in some form.

Vote in Poll Below

Of what is known so far, or those which indications clearly point to them being officially unveiled at a later date, what are you most looking forward to with Madden NFL 18?