Is this Franchise mode deeper than Madden? Not looking to play any games, just sim and play HC/GM

[Gunter McGunt]

Basically I enjoy the roster and financial management parts of franchise mode. Also preparing my team for each game like back in 2k5. The problems I had with Madden were

1) Sim stats were unrealistic (especially with running QBs) and

2) If i played the game myself, I could win with a high 70s rated team and it became a snoozefest the next season once those players improved to a high 80s rated team.

3) Finally, I felt 0 gain or consequence from the "GM mode" or w/e where I could set prices for tickets and merch. I would like for there to be consequences for being a greedy GM and vice versa. Otherwise what's the point!?


Is this game the answer to what I'm searching for? Please be honest as I don't mind waiting till next year to see if either this game or Madden actually gives me the Franchise experience I'm looking for.

Thanks!

[Ghostpro71]

Here's the problem. All the attributes for players are on a GRADE basis, instead of a 1-100 or 20-80 formula. So what you get is a bunch of players that are B's, B+'s, C's or even A's....etc. There's not much difference between 10 of the best RB's or the Top 10 QB's, there's not much difference.

That's the issue I have. Grades was a bad idea. I can understand a OVERALL grade maybe, but not for each individual attribute. This is why almost every other sports game goes on a 1-100 or 20-80 scale.

[GoalieG]

Originally posted by Ghostpro71:

Here's the problem. All the attributes for players are on a GRADE basis, instead of a 1-100 or 20-80 formula. So what you get is a bunch of players that are B's, B+'s, C's or even A's....etc. There's not much difference between 10 of the best RB's or the Top 10 QB's, there's not much difference.

That's the issue I have. Grades was a bad idea. I can understand a OVERALL grade maybe, but not for each individual attribute. This is why almost every other sports game goes on a 1-100 or 20-80 scale.

While I get what you are saying, theoretically, if there was a hidden number (so the sim engine used the number), then we'd just be getting a rough estimate of our guy's abilities. Kind of a partial fog-of-war. I have no idea if that is the case, but that could be interesting.

[fredreed2000]

Franchise mode in this game is very good when compared to Madden 2020. It is actually better then madden's franchise mode. I was just looking at It on EAsports and there are quite a few problems and glitches with Madden's franchise mode. Axis football 2019 is far better then Madden will ever be plus modding support is a big plus.

But Madden also doesn't have unlimited seasons which Axis football 2019 has. However since you need to be the judge on which football sim you like the most when It comes to the franchise mode. Franchise Mode is far deeper in this game then most football sims I have seen that have been out to date.

[Richard Kickem]

Let me preface what I'm going to say by letting you know that I cannot stand Madden, I don't buy Madden, and the garbage that is rolled out year after year virtually unchanged makes me sick as a sports fan and as a sports gamer who loves football.

That said, if you go into Axis looking for a "deeper franchise" than Madden, you're going to be sorely misled. There are no career stats (because reasons? i guess? The technology just isn't there yet TM. ) You cannot sort by any attribute category despite players having just as many attributes/attribute categories as Madden does. If you don't mind "OL" and "DL" just generally grouped all into one for no particular reason, LB not specified 'outside/inside', the list goes on.

I had really high hopes and this is the only football game I've purchased this year, but I only very marginally feel better about it than if I were to have slung 60$ in EA's direction. I like supporting the "little guys" and the people who can actually get things done, and push the envelope.

Honestly, I think they try to do entirely too much and come up short on virtually every front because they are stretched too thin.

The game's gameplay is shaky at best, and the sim engine/stats engine/ text sim aspect of the game is a cruel, painful joke. I still cannot get my mind over adding things that ultimately don't impact anything while very simple "depth related" things like year over year stats/ stat progressions, etc. are impossible to see.

Also, the rosters do assign a numeric value to the player attributes (visible in the roster editor from the main menu) but for whatever reason, when you start a franchise, it is not only LOCKED with a letter grade, but there is no option to switch between the two.

If you're looking for a good football text sim/GM experience, it's not here, may want to look at an older or previous version of Front Office Football.

If you just want to support the devs in hopes that any singular part of the game will be acceptable at some point in the future Axis 20 or beyond, then get this one.

[irishmafia2020]

I doubt this is deeper than Madden. It has a good deep franchise mode - but the above two posters make a good point - one guy loves Axis and declares the game to be better than Madden might ever be, and the other says -eh, it's okay, but not really very good at a lot of things. That's the point - the quality of this game lies in the eye of the beholder. Personally I really like this game, especially the franchise aspect, but I will say that it is no Madden killer. Is it perfect? Not at all, but i would buy it again next year with more improvements because I will get $30 worth of enjoyment from this version.

IMO it's an enjoyable game with some obvious flaws, and a few original tweaks that make it addictive in spite of those flaws.

[HarmfulEffect]

I have been playing for 3 years now in Axis and many more on Madden. I will be 100% honest because it's just my opinion. First, I will answer your questions.

1) Sim Stats - The time does a good job when it comes to this. I know they evaluate true NFL stats so that the numbers are realistic. However, i have also found that if i exploit the AI, the numbers will get skewed on my favor (at least my team) and the rest of the league continues to be realistic.

2) Playing the game yourself - Sadly, i have to report that Axis has the same issue. After playing for a few years, even now on the highest difficulty, i won the Cup with my team IF I play the game. We as humans tend to find weaknesses and exploits and abuse them. I have now started to rely on the AI coach to calling the plays and limiting myself to what my player is supposed to do and it has made a huge difference (ex: if i am told to cover a WR i dont blitz. I cover the WR)

3) GM Mode - This year Axis added a wide variety of upgrades to franchise mode. I can report that they do matter. They impact the way your players get hurt or not on the field. Your scouts determine whether or not you go blind into the draft. I cant recall if i have a per item price that I can set (since even in madden i never cared to go that deep) but you are provided with a financial report that shows the info. I can tell you this. I have read several posts about players complaining about running out of money. This game is not as forgiving as madden. There is no way to turn off the cap. You really need to watch your $$$. In madden players trade rookies and take a 5-10 million cap penalty and just move on. Here when you cut or trade a player, if he has a long contract it tells you, you are saving this much but are penalize this much. If you run out of money and cant hire a coach or player and you cant meet the minimum requirements to start the next game, welcome to bankruptcy and a new franchise cause this one is done.

That said, I enjoy the franchise play. There are some features I miss like year to year stats for players but for me it keeps me interested and engaged enough to make the purchase and support the devs. Also gives me a certain freedom that i can post stuff directly to the developer's community board and they listen. They have implemented some of my ideas already into the game. Just keep in mind, its a handful of employees so they have to select what to focus on each year. I have uploaded 2 videos on youtube of a rebuild draft franchise (rebuild a team trading only for draft picks) if you want to see the sim part of the game. Search for Axis Football 2019 and/or draft rebuild. It's not monetized content but i dont like spamming links.