How the Madden NFL 23 Beta is Different to Madden 22
I spent a good amount of time on the Madden 23 beta, and I’m sad that I have to go back to ’22 for one more month. For the crowd saying, “It’s the same game with a newly updated roster,” I hate to break it to you, that statement is wrong. Here are my takeaways from the Madden 23 beta and how it contrasts to its predecessor.
1. Escape Artist/Movement
Escape Artist was the reason a lot of people loved or hated Madden 22. Players like Kyler Murray, Russell Wilson, and Lamar Jackson all had this ability. Boy, it gave me a headache whenever I played it. Essentially what the ability did was it gave a speed boost (almost like mushrooms in Mario Kart) and allowed the QB to run around like a maniac. It was so good because of the lack of awareness/crappy pursuit angles from the defenders. Escaping the pocket was very easy in Madden 22, and it was not as easy to do it without it.
However, in Madden 23, there was an outrage from the community. Everyone wanted it to be out of the game, and EA almost followed through. Instead of vaulting it in M23, they made it an X-Factor. Only Kyler Murray has it, and you have to get 6 rushes of 10+ yards to activate it. The pass rush makes it almost impossible to find.
Movement in Madden 22 was not amazing, but certainly could have been better. There were times where the user defender would be slow to get off his jump and be flat footed. In turn, he would not be able to cover the route from the receiving target.
In Madden 23, the movement feels a lot better than ’22. It’s not as “arcade feel” as Madden 20 and below, but it’s solid and better than ’22. I think the movement in ’23 will be more of a skill gap, the better players having more rewarding results. It’s certainly something you are going to have to get good at if you want to get stops.
2. Zones
Zones were another interesting point in the beta. Last year, you could put a zone on the field, and it would not react as it would in real football. Plays like PA Boot over out of Gun Bunch TE (with the right setup) can bomb any defense, due to a running back wheel pulling down zones.
In Madden 23, the zones are very responsive, and will react to routes way better than ’22. However, there would be a few instances where a zone can play a 2-yard hitch and a 10-yard out at the same time, something they should tune before the real game.
Pa Boot Over and Pa Post Shot (from Gun Tight Flex) are not as effective because the zones react differently and play more realistic. It’s going to be a methodical, checkdown type of year unless they turn down the pass rush.
3. Pass Rush
Pass Rush was somewhat different in the Madden 23 beta as opposed to Madden 22. In Madden 22, the pass rush was non-existent without DT double team sheds. It was hard to get to the QB in ’22, which is why people resulted to Cover 0 blitzing.
In Madden 23, it’s the complete opposite. Pass rushers get off their blocks a lot easier, making pockets collapse way easier. This is how it should be, as most OL’s will give between three and four seconds to release the ball in real life. Pass rushers like Aaron Donald, Khalil Mack and Von Miller will feast in 23, with pass rush abilities being awesome.
4. Precision Passing
Precision Passing was a very big plus in the beta. I labbed with it for 3+ hours in practice mode, and I feel as though I can hit almost any window on the field. Essentially to activate it you hold L2 and can press the button for power and move the left stick anywhere inside the reticle.
In Madden 22, there was a pass leading system, but nowhere as near good as the new one. I played an online game in ’23 and then one in ’22 — the difference is night and day. The top passers should love this new system, they can put the ball where they want. In the past, you could try and put it where you want, and there was a lot of RNG involved. Skill gap in passing will be immense this year at all levels of the game.
Obviously, it’s a beta, so there are going to be some bugs and other incorrect things. With the new passing system and zones reacting to the ball, I cannot wait for Madden 23 in August.
