Madden NFL 21

 PC
User Score
0.5

Overwhelming dislike- based on 361 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 361
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 361
  3. Negative: 345 out of 361
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  1. RyanRacer48
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    Rebranded Madden 20 with far worse music. This is a joke. EA needs to get out of the game, it used to say they were in the game lol. Serious not worthy of your money. Plus Ultimate team is pay to win.
  2. Skovard
    Aug 31, 2020
    1
    I give it a 1 for being the only football game that is worth playing. That being said, this is not worth buying. The only reason it will make money is due to being part of EA play and the online play. I tried it as part of my EA play subscription and actually cancelled my account. Not worth it any more if they are going to make games like this. I play this game for the franchise mode, butI give it a 1 for being the only football game that is worth playing. That being said, this is not worth buying. The only reason it will make money is due to being part of EA play and the online play. I tried it as part of my EA play subscription and actually cancelled my account. Not worth it any more if they are going to make games like this. I play this game for the franchise mode, but it has not been touched few several years. The game is identical to the past three years. Not worth buying. It is identical with a few minor tweaks that amount to a patch over Madden 20. Save your money and go purchase Madden 18 or even Madden 17. Other than the title and main menu, you are playing the same game.… Expand
  3. Mdan1424
    Aug 31, 2020
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Well what can I say, I am completely disappointed by the turn out of Madded 21. I saw so much potential from many years back, like create a team possibly coming back, or franchise actually letting you design a stadium and uniforms like 2K does in its NBA Series. Might I add that, they are far superior then Electronic Arts when it comes to sports games. EA has completely dropped the ball on this game, just rereleasing Madden 20 with new rosters and one new game mode called The Yard. The yard is sort of a backyard football type of vibe where you play to earn credits. Which in turn you can use to buy gear for your character. When I played a few games, which mind you were not easy, I noticed I would only get a few hundred credits here or there. Now not to worry, because EA has brought in microtransactions to save the day! Making all the clothing that is actually desirable completely out of range for the casual player to actually get anything worth while, EA expects you to pay for Credits which in turn you can use to buy your favorite article of clothing. It's mostly just a Cash Grab for EA, just like the past few years have been with every Madden game released from Madden 13 forward. Another "new" mode, which is just a rebrand career mode, is Face of the Franchise. Face of the Franchise isn't bad, but it honestly just feels rebadged from last year, some of the most crucial parts of your career, like choosing your new position, isnt even voice acted. Now they did try to take a step forward with you continuing your career after the draft. But it has you skipping alot of your games throughout your career. The most I've ever played in one Season is 4 games, two of them against your rival, and then two in the playoffs. Honestly it's just thrown together last minute and isn't really worth picking up if this is the mode you are after.

    Ultimate team is again the main focus of the game, mainly because EA wants you to buy packs to improve your team. Trust me when I say this, its exactly like Madden 20, but with new paint splashed around everywhere. They really want you to be in this mode, because they want your money more then your satisfaction, and honestly, after being ignored for years by EA, they dont deserve it.

    I'm not going to go into detail about Franchise mode, mainly because it's exactly the same as last year. Nothing has changed in Franchise mode except for the paint scheme.

    Gameplay is the same as last year, with some improvements that I can say have taken my frustrations away. Everyone knows about being sacked even though you threw the ball to your receiver. They finally added a throw out of sack animation to the same, and that has relieved alot of frustration from playing the game for me. It's just the first release so there are alot of glitches, as to be expected, but they didnt do alot to fix them in Madden 20, so I dont expect those to go away anytime soon in 21.

    Honestly, this game let me down, there was some positive, but alot, and I mean ALOT, of negatives in Madden 21. I'm giving this game a 1 out of 10, because it was just rebadged from Madden 20, 19, 18, 17, yeah you get the picture. I wont be buying another Madden game again. If 2K gets rights to start making NFL Simulation games, you best be sure, I'll be over there trying to get my hands on that copy.    … Expand
  4. WallyHoss
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Terrible! DO NOT BUY! This game has so many glitches and bugs. I get bored after playing for 5 minutes. I'm done with Madden games.
  5. tomtom1315
    Aug 30, 2020
    1
    This game is an absolute disgrace. 13 years old football games are actually better. I give 1/10 because why not. At this point my efforts at reviewing this game correlates with EA’s efforts.
  6. yeahnah69
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Each year it's the same old game with more bugs and microtransactions. This is what happens when there's a monopoly on an NFL game.

    #NFLdropEA
  7. relampago
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    o mesmo jogo de anos anteriores, é mais uma tentativa de apanhar o maximo de dinheiro possive com as Microtransações
  8. Keponlodin
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    This really probably deserves a negative 1.6 compared to literally any other game franchise progression. Granted, if this was the first iteration of Madden you had ever played, you may decide that it's a pretty game with mediocre arcade style mechanics. That being said, this is at least the 4th consecutive year EA has recycled most of the content (since the new engine basically) and onlyThis really probably deserves a negative 1.6 compared to literally any other game franchise progression. Granted, if this was the first iteration of Madden you had ever played, you may decide that it's a pretty game with mediocre arcade style mechanics. That being said, this is at least the 4th consecutive year EA has recycled most of the content (since the new engine basically) and only focused on how to maximize MUT pack sales. It's honestly disgusting for an NFL EXCLUSIVE LICENSE. #NFL take notice, the fan base is not happy. EA is awful at their job and you need to reconsider exclusive "simulation" rights, as EA doesn't even understand what "sim" means.… Expand
  9. Rabbott624
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Just play madden 20 there is no difference #fixfranchise #EASUCKS #MAdden21Garbage
  10. Boomax77
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Quite literally a copy-paste of the previous 5 Maddens. You're much better off just downloading an updated roster on Madden 20, there's literally no difference. EA's business practices are just despicable. Feeding its loyal customers a crappy copy-paste game for $60 every year should be considered fraud. It's Madden 20 with updated rosters and a dark theme. The only way for EA to learn itsQuite literally a copy-paste of the previous 5 Maddens. You're much better off just downloading an updated roster on Madden 20, there's literally no difference. EA's business practices are just despicable. Feeding its loyal customers a crappy copy-paste game for $60 every year should be considered fraud. It's Madden 20 with updated rosters and a dark theme. The only way for EA to learn its lesson is to not buy this game. They'll only listen when their bottom line starts to look bad.… Expand
  11. SpaceDanGaming
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    I was hoping the game would improve, I got the MVP edition from EA Play Pro and It's a huge disappointment. I'm even putting together a video on how BAD this game is.
  12. jaredthejet
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Worst Madden I've ever played, instead of fixing things the community asked for, they have decided to remove old features and dilute the game while pushing it as a new product, disgusting
  13. TBJ07
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    This game should have been made available for $15. It's a Madden 20 patch at best. Can't wait to see how that next gen port pans out. 2K where you at?
  14. ViralChain
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    I've been buying Madden since Madden 25. It's honestly the game that got me invested in football. And I've stupidly bought every madden since. I bought madden 21 yesterday while high on pain meds(surgery) so i would have something to play while stuck in bed. I would rather sit on my phone doing nothing than sit here and play the same s**t i've played the last 7 f****ng years with anI've been buying Madden since Madden 25. It's honestly the game that got me invested in football. And I've stupidly bought every madden since. I bought madden 21 yesterday while high on pain meds(surgery) so i would have something to play while stuck in bed. I would rather sit on my phone doing nothing than sit here and play the same s**t i've played the last 7 f****ng years with an updated roster and even worse interface. How is it a game in 2020 doesn't have seamless loading screens?? Some NFL players aren't even in the damn game??? Wasted resources on another stupid arcade game mode like they did last year. There have been no real improvements in years. I'm not buying this game again until they actually improve this game. #FixMaddenFranchise #NFLdropEA

    If i don't get a full refund i am going to raise all sorts of hell.

    7 years of being EA's victim, i'm not happy about this.    … Expand
  15. LaCourslight
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    I’ve been playing madden since 1998 and this is by far the worst one ever, not only has it really not changed from the last one more so than I’ve ever seen before, it’s a broken mess! Face of the franchise is not only extremely boring and buggy but it doesn’t give you any real consequence if you play good or bad, if you lose you’ll still get picked high in the draft and still be a topI’ve been playing madden since 1998 and this is by far the worst one ever, not only has it really not changed from the last one more so than I’ve ever seen before, it’s a broken mess! Face of the franchise is not only extremely boring and buggy but it doesn’t give you any real consequence if you play good or bad, if you lose you’ll still get picked high in the draft and still be a top recruit. Like give us some diversity in a story mode EA, Christ almighty!… Expand
  16. BeefSkittles
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Game is broken, boring and the same game. Reviewing on all platforms to make our voice heard! #NFLDropEA
  17. ben_durfee
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    stuff like madden taking the time to make mouthguards finally but then only putting it in The Yard, ZERO improvements to franchise( I don't care about the wildcard round updates and stuff, this is a simulation game, having accurate playoff brackets isn't a feature its a bare minimum expectation), game is still developed on frostbite therefore its a more scripted experience than a movie,stuff like madden taking the time to make mouthguards finally but then only putting it in The Yard, ZERO improvements to franchise( I don't care about the wildcard round updates and stuff, this is a simulation game, having accurate playoff brackets isn't a feature its a bare minimum expectation), game is still developed on frostbite therefore its a more scripted experience than a movie, face of the franchise is literally handed to you, you could do absolutely nothing and sit there with the controller off and still signed to a college and drafted. Ive played Madden since Madden 04, so from personal experience I can confidently say that Madden as a whole ever since they signed exclusivity with the NFL, has basically turned into that one person everybody knows who has completely let themselves go and blames all their problems on everyone else. I STRONGLY STRONGLY advise you don't spend a single dollar on this game or any future Madden title until otherwise, because outside of like 10 signature throwing animations (which they already used to have and had way more of), I genuinely cant tell the difference between this and Madden 18. EA has the resources to do SOOOOOO much better, but everyone knows they won't, and if you disagree then you clearly haven't been paying attention or haven't played madden long enough to know what a decent football video game feels like.… Expand
  18. Koala886
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Trash ass game. BUGGY AS HELL. ........................................ .......… Expand
  19. Jakeywakey911
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Having grown up playing most of the NCAA series and Madden series, it’s sad to see how bad Madden and EA have gotten each and every year. Madden 21 is no better, this game is a straight copy and paste from Madden 20, madden 19 and madden 18 and so on.... and the greed instilled in this company is a joke. Gambling and looting microtransactions used to lure kids into buying useless cardHaving grown up playing most of the NCAA series and Madden series, it’s sad to see how bad Madden and EA have gotten each and every year. Madden 21 is no better, this game is a straight copy and paste from Madden 20, madden 19 and madden 18 and so on.... and the greed instilled in this company is a joke. Gambling and looting microtransactions used to lure kids into buying useless card packs, gameplay bugged down by animations and it physics based gameplay, and the same legacy issues we’ve dealt with in gameplay since the Xbox 360 and PS3 days of madden. These developers don’t care, they make fun of their consumers and call them “clowns”, they laugh at the score on this site and they continue to ignore the changes and requests of what the consumers haves asked for, for the last 10+ years. It needs to change. The game is terrible, the gameplay is atrocious, the lack of attention to detail is a joke... EA and Madden have become an embarrassment. Do not support this company and do not buy this game or any EA game for that matter. They don’t care... spend your hard-earned cash elsewhere on a company that listens to it customers and fan base, like maximum football.… Expand
  20. as1463
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    I normally wouldn't be so harsh, but I (and a number of others) haven't been able to play the game consistently. There have been significant issues with stability and almost no feedback from EA regarding what should be a 5-alarm issue with their game. Despite being the most active issue on their support page, there has been almost no communication from EA regarding a fix [link omitted perI normally wouldn't be so harsh, but I (and a number of others) haven't been able to play the game consistently. There have been significant issues with stability and almost no feedback from EA regarding what should be a 5-alarm issue with their game. Despite being the most active issue on their support page, there has been almost no communication from EA regarding a fix [link omitted per site rules] Even worse, this issue was first over a week ago during early play. I strongly urge you to avoid purchasing until this issue has been confirmed as fixed.… Expand
  21. Chra
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    This game is so unworthy of being the only allowed "simulation" NFL game. It's filled with the same bugs as Madden NFL 20 while also adding new ones. The franchise mode has gotten 0 real updates.
    It's becoming painfully obvious that EA Sports isn't interested in anything other than milking their loyal customer base each and every year while pandering to the addicts who enjoy MUT.
    To    This game is so unworthy of being the only allowed "simulation" NFL game. It's filled with the same bugs as Madden NFL 20 while also adding new ones. The franchise mode has gotten 0 real updates.
    It's becoming painfully obvious that EA Sports isn't interested in anything other than milking their loyal customer base each and every year while pandering to the addicts who enjoy MUT.

    To sum up this game, it's a shameful display.    … Expand
  22. PaulBunyan84
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    Where do you begin when attempting to describe how disgustingly
  23. alexrmorris03
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    Same ol story year after year. Dont buy this and maybe EA will learn. Nothing ever changes. A message to the NFL: revoke EAs exclusive license! They dont deserve it. Allow a second publisher to create some semblance of competition
  24. EAAreEvil1
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    Unethical company. Aimed at vulnerable children with no concept of the value of money
  25. inoise
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    Remember, this is the only game that is licensed to make an NFL Football SIMULATION game and they completely disregard the one game mode that is meant to simulate the NFL. EA is laughing to the bank with your money and they do not care one bit, their work speaks for itself.
  26. rygu
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    EA never disappoints us when it comes to disappointing us.

    Avoid this junk at all costs even when it's 50% off.
  27. Kris511c
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    Not much to say, **** EA and all that.
    I wrote more in the ps4 copy review... just **** them... with a spike covered pipe.
  28. scubaxxdan
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The spoiler here is that you already knew this game was going to be trash and still spent your money on it. You get more out of burning $60 then you do buying this game.… Expand
  29. GT350_Kolton
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Oh hey, you wanted a new Madden game with loads of cool features and updates to Franchise mode? A well polished game with no bugs or audio issues? Were you super excited over the fact that this could be the one and it's finally on Steam and not that crappy Origin launcher!? Well guess what!? We'll take your money, you were wrong, and we'll see you next year!! $$$$$$$$$… Expand
  30. RiccsHUN
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    Very bad game. I won’t buy any EA games after this recycled ass game. Seriously
  31. AmusedAirplane
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    My opinion is pretty much what everybody else is saying. I grew up with the older Madden's like '08 and I could not be more disappointed with where the Madden franchise has gone. They gave up on their single player fan base. Ya know, the one that gave them so much success in the beginning! I'm done... done thinking "this is the year". I feel like a pre-2016 Cubs fan.
  32. erimsunlu
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    The exact same game as last years game and they dare to even charge money for it. I haven't seen anything worse for consumers than this in a good while.
  33. conan8425
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    This is Anthem in cleats.

    The rest of this review is to meet the 75 chara
  34. Swampage
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    They reused pretty much everything from last year. The game did not launch in a good state, constant bugs, crashes, driver issues. Lots of random loading screens for no reason, terrible animations, just an overall awful game. Buy the EA Pass and test the game if you really think you want it. Don't give them any money. Shame on the NFL for allowing this to continue.
  35. kjensen88
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    This is quite possibly the worst triple A sports title since the 16-bit era. EA should be absolutely ashamed at the product they created. This is nothing more than a low budget asset flip and it is abhorrent that the NFL allows exclusive sim licensing to EA.
  36. Solairi
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    This game has every issue from the last four maddens but somehow they added unique new ones to the mix this time like no yard lines on the field sometimes, no huddle makes the qb fumble and play break, no pressure on target pass into defenders chest from 97 OVR qb on ten yard pass. Oh and the damn game defaults to dx 11 so your first game just crashes till you search google and find outThis game has every issue from the last four maddens but somehow they added unique new ones to the mix this time like no yard lines on the field sometimes, no huddle makes the qb fumble and play break, no pressure on target pass into defenders chest from 97 OVR qb on ten yard pass. Oh and the damn game defaults to dx 11 so your first game just crashes till you search google and find out the default setting is wrong. Horrible game. do not give them your money. Buy nba 2k, a great game.… Expand
  37. VeryMediocre
    Aug 28, 2020
    0
    Once again Madden does nothing to innovative or improve in any meaningful way. If you want to save some money just download the updated roster for Madden 20
  38. FaZeMemeDaddy
    Aug 28, 2020
    1
    Saving grace is the ability to mod and change rosters on pc. Makes it semi-playable. The ignoring of franchise is indefensible tho
  39. Griefwastaken
    Aug 28, 2020
    8
    I know alot of people are mad with Madden franchise and rightfully so, but I think the base game, the yard, and the smoothness of gameplay are pretty good this year
  40. itwaslagiswear
    Aug 28, 2020
    0
    Worst madden to date. Loaded with bugs and crap gameplay. Bugs that existed in the last madden made it into this one because apparently the developers just ctrl+C and ctrl+V from one year to the next. Franchise is 100% the same as it was last year and new game modes with microtransactions are their focus... dont get me started on MUT... Save your money and dont support EA. #fixmaddenfranchise
  41. Sirap
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Bought it on steam, and it won't even load, probably gonna refund. Thank god Steam does that and isn't the cesspool that is Origin. Steam ftw refunds babyyyyyyy.
  42. wizard675
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Just use the madden 20 start today mod for the same exact experience, unless you want the yard which is full of glitches and microtransactions
  43. Toneloc18
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Thank goodness I got to sample this game with EAplay. I wouldn't drop $60 on this game if you own any other Madden game from the past 4 years. The only positive I can bring to the plate is the music (great playlist this year in my opinion). Most of the gameplay is similar to last year, with the most up-to-date mechanic (D-Moves at the line) didn't really change the way I play defense. MostThank goodness I got to sample this game with EAplay. I wouldn't drop $60 on this game if you own any other Madden game from the past 4 years. The only positive I can bring to the plate is the music (great playlist this year in my opinion). Most of the gameplay is similar to last year, with the most up-to-date mechanic (D-Moves at the line) didn't really change the way I play defense. Most of the strong plays from last year are just as lethal this year. Most of the updates for this "Simulation" Football game went to the "Arcade" football modes in MUT and The Yard. MUT I won't really comment on since it's not my preferred mode, but I'll probably just spend my time there collecting the same team I had for the past 4 years. The Yard is interesting, but I was immediately sapped of all energy when my games were struck with glitches, and consistent EA Server disconnections. X-Factors are still pretty powerful. Pray that you don't have to play Russell Wilson anytime soon, as he darts either left or right out of the pocket with Mach5 speed without his X-Factors even being active (superstar ability, I guess). Aside from a few GUI Updates to franchise everything is the same, dare I say, Madden 25 was better. I don't know how year after year EA can get away with owing the exclusive license to SIMULATION FOOTBALL, and only improve, or focus on the ARCADE aspects of this game. Face of the franchise has a storyline that makes no sense, and anything you do doesn't matter (I won't spoil it). I can't recommend that anyone who owns any other version of Madden buy this lackluster addition to the lineup. This game needs Anthem level of overhauls to make it worthy of a purchase this year, but hey at least can throw 21 slants in a row to Julien Edelman and still massacre Defenses.… Expand
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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
63

Mixed or average reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 5
  3. Negative: 1 out of 5
  1. PC Gamer
    Sep 9, 2020
    68
    2020 marks the third year Madden has been back on PC since the franchise's prodigal return to the platform in 2018. The novelty hasn't worn off for me yet. There is still something inherently weird and exciting about playing such a console-targeted franchise on my desktop; to type in my player's name and college with a keyboard. But that won't sustain many players for long. Madden is desperate for some new ideas, so let's hope some of 21's more exotic ventures foreshadow a more substantial rebuild in the future.
    Read full review
  2. Jeuxvideo.com
    Sep 3, 2020
    70
    In short, it's a drive where the saga has lost ground.
    Read full review
  3. PC Games
    Aug 28, 2020
    70
    Objectively speaking, Madden NFL 21 is not a bad game. It is a realtistic representation of the NFL, maybe even the best American football simulation out there. However, it lacks innovation on so many levels that players, who already own its predecessors, will really struggle to find a reason to pay another 70 bucks for it.
    Read full review
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