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. playmaker405
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    EA continues to ignore the fan-base. They have less features than the version of the game that is now 13 years old. The fact that EA is just providing free copies of the game does nothing for the community and actually decreases the value of the game. This makes me feel even worse about spending $60 on the same game I bought 4 years ago.
  2. PSNOverXboX
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    Same old same old EA who don't innovate.

    "2 is better than 1" as Clint from EA said when they got a 2 star review
  3. Crookbaron
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    Absolutely the same game as last year but only with more errors to spelling names and even team names the NFL needs to drop EA. Do not buy this game!
  4. Al_Beastmode
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    Lack of innovation! Game makes small minor changes year by year but not enough to warrant 60 bucks. Franchise has been the same since M18-19, laziness as the Súper bowl has the 54 logo and icon in game. Numerous glitches that existed in M20 return (what a surprise) to M21. Even the money-maker, Ultimate-Team, is a sloppy rehash of last years mode. EA has stated they “want” to fix franchiseLack of innovation! Game makes small minor changes year by year but not enough to warrant 60 bucks. Franchise has been the same since M18-19, laziness as the Súper bowl has the 54 logo and icon in game. Numerous glitches that existed in M20 return (what a surprise) to M21. Even the money-maker, Ultimate-Team, is a sloppy rehash of last years mode. EA has stated they “want” to fix franchise and treat the game as a live service game, if that’s the case then stop charging us 60 bucks every year and instead make every year a DLC and keep building off of one game since they’re very, VERY intent on using the SAME franchise mode year after year. I know 2K is just as bad when it comes to micro-transactions, but atleast they have their franchise mode down, they hardly ever have to change it because it’s already perfect. Madden on the other hand, seems like they’ve been slowly taking content out since M08. Will not buy next year, if there even is one with the exclusivity contract coming up… Expand
  5. bell97
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    This is literally the worst game I’ve ever played in my 22 years on planet earth.
  6. Nacdon
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    Absolutely horrible game. Extremely buggy and not at all worth $60. Please save your money
  7. TRAPDADDY
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    Literally trash. I made an account just so I can downvote this game. Shame that EA is allowed to do this to customers.
  8. VixXXXX
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    #NFLdropEA Metacritic and Madden have BOTH lost their way. They continue to lose the trust of their supporters/fans day in and day out. Madden NFL 21 makes the top 10 worst games of all time, look like a gold mine. Congratulations for being worse than BIG RIGS and WORSE than LJN games. That is quite an accomplishment. DO NOT PAY ATTENTION to any positive or mixed reviews. They are all LIES!
  9. HuskyCruxes
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    We didn't get a new madden this year. We got a patch that we had to buy. There are some gameplay improvements to make the moment to moment gameplay slightly better. But that is litteraly it. Nothing else changed. I know that the development was impeded by the rona. But litteraly everyone has challenges. Great games have even been released during covid. If you're an offline player, playWe didn't get a new madden this year. We got a patch that we had to buy. There are some gameplay improvements to make the moment to moment gameplay slightly better. But that is litteraly it. Nothing else changed. I know that the development was impeded by the rona. But litteraly everyone has challenges. Great games have even been released during covid. If you're an offline player, play another game. Don't buy this. If you like to play online with your favorite teams, well you still shouldn't buy it. This product isn't worth your money or your time. #nfldropea… Expand
  10. midgarddk
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    Do not buy do not but do not but do not but do not but do not but do not but do not but do not but
  11. tacotacotaco001
    Sep 2, 2020
    0
    #fixfranchise has to be one of the most important statements a video game community has gotten behind. Ever since features started getting stripped out of the franchise from Madden 09 on wards fans have been yearning for the old game play, with the updated graphics. This year added something special though, a buggy mess. Do not buy until they deliver a product that they used to produce in 2007!
  12. cables85
    Sep 2, 2020
    0
    Embarrassing that it was someones job to sign this off as part of quality control. That person should be walking out with their P45 (English document for when you have been fired or moved on from a job). For too long have EA been thieving peoples money. PLEASE ROT. They are the COVID-19 of videogames.
  13. PHH1103
    Sep 2, 2020
    0
    Nothing new. Gameplay worse than Madden 20.
    Also i played the trial a few days befor release and every second solo challenge the game freezed... maybe it got better after release, i dont know.
  14. maak27
    Sep 2, 2020
    0
    Words can't describe how god-awful this game is. They would have been better off literally just re-packaging last year's game in its entirety. Somehow, they took all of the garbage that was wrong, re-packaged it, and took out the things that actually worked. Who does that???!!! Save your money. Do not buy this flaming turd of a game.
  15. airbizcut
    Sep 6, 2020
    0
    This game is the same as 20, 19, 18... Pretty much the minute they introduced microtransactions they haven't done squat to improve the actual GAME THAT WE WANT TO PLAY. Effing football, we don't do this to collect MUT cards or do any of that other crap. If they want to prey on children, make a MUT mobile game or something. Stay clear of Madden.
  16. AlchemicalVibez
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    Madden was completely recycled, just a roster update and the patch today completely broke the passing game play on both sides of the ball. I've been playing since 2001 but think I'm done.
  17. Bstrong56
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    Worst sports game in history. Really so many glitches and just a copy and paste of games past. #NFLdropEA
  18. Elidagoat99
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    just terrible, the exact same guy for the past YEARS!! EA is just stealing at this point
  19. gibberishdump
    Sep 4, 2020
    0
    lol u might as well spend your money on the exact same tv you bought a year ago
  20. LawlPwned
    Sep 4, 2020
    0
    I never, ever make accounts for review sites. I'm the type of person where I don't leave comments, I don't participate online but I made a Metacritic account solely to smack this game on the mouth. I downloaded the trial through EA Play and I don't know what I expected. This franchise has been the same series for 5 whole years. I'm tired. I'm not doing this anymore. This game gets a zero.I never, ever make accounts for review sites. I'm the type of person where I don't leave comments, I don't participate online but I made a Metacritic account solely to smack this game on the mouth. I downloaded the trial through EA Play and I don't know what I expected. This franchise has been the same series for 5 whole years. I'm tired. I'm not doing this anymore. This game gets a zero. I want more than this piss poor copy and paste effort of a game.

    It's the equivalent of a a rundown barn with animal fecal matter everywhere, chipped paint, broken windows, cobwebs everywhere and their idea of sprucing up the place is painting the front door.

    Don't buy this game. Please don't do it. This isn't worth your money. If you really want to waste it, just send it to me, donate it to charity or I don't know man, go buy yourself a nice lunch. You deserve better.    … Expand
  21. johnstocker37
    Sep 4, 2020
    0
    disgrace to nfl. boycott this **** company. they don’t give a **** about their customers
  22. ikbulldog
    Sep 4, 2020
    0
    Save yourself some cash and get Madden 19. Changing the font does not warrant a $60 price tag. You should be ashamed EA. Your CEO is a dork.
  23. TsunamiDonnie
    Sep 5, 2020
    0
    Worst $100 ever spent... gameplay is fun but the neglect to the servers and insane amount of bugs that plague this game is unforgivable... Especially after as much headache as I put up with last year... absolutely no point in playing FULL games when I repeatedly get booted from the servers and lose all rewards... this game is absolute
  24. PassRusher56
    Sep 6, 2020
    0
    EA is the worst gaming company in existence.
    EA is the worst gaming company in existence.
  25. Rybotech
    Sep 7, 2020
    0
    This game hasn't improved in years. Features are continually removed. Franchise more is a joke. I'm stopping giving ea my money.
  26. BasedWindu
    Sep 7, 2020
    0
    This game is horrible and that is an understatement. I actually did ultimate team for the first time in 5 years. They got what they wanted and still I can't find it within myself to play this game because the gameplay and CPU intelligence is so poor. DO NOT BUY THIS GAME
  27. RaphaP3
    Sep 8, 2020
    0
    this game is not good, it's full of bugs, casino-worthy micro-transactions, and is the same thing as Madden NFL 20, bad game, bad money, bad all.
  28. Champ266
    Sep 8, 2020
    0
    I took a year or two off of Madden because I was tired of the same tired gameplay, bugs, and poor graphics. To my disappointment, this year is no different. In fact... it's worse. Where do I even begin?
    I feel like the difference between difficulties is the rate that my QB throws interceptions and the rate my defenders drop interceptions.
    My entire offensive line experienced injuries    I took a year or two off of Madden because I was tired of the same tired gameplay, bugs, and poor graphics. To my disappointment, this year is no different. In fact... it's worse. Where do I even begin?
    I feel like the difference between difficulties is the rate that my QB throws interceptions and the rate my defenders drop interceptions.
    My entire offensive line experienced injuries over the course of four franchise games. Two linemen experienced torn labrums - but it cut to a graphic of the player just standing there perfectly fine... this feels like a regression.
    I feel like RNG or luck plays too much of a factor in gameplay. I feel like there are fixed chances for elite players to drop easy passes. This is not a fun mechanic.
    There's so much more, but why should I invest more time into a game the developers spent no time improving? This franchise is in desperate need of an OVERHAUL. The fans deserve it. We made you a multi-billion dollar franchise. Like Bill Belichik would say... DO YOUR JOB!    … Expand
  29. adrenblast
    Sep 9, 2020
    0
    I quit buying Madden a few years ago but caved in because of the addition of the Huskers. In three years the mechanics, graphics, and game play have not improved or are worse. The glitches are mind-numingly common and Face of the Franchise is a poorly written and underdeveloped part of the game. I would sooner tickle Colin Kaepernick's overrated woke anus than buy another Madden game. #NFLdropEA
  30. M16Joe
    Sep 9, 2020
    0
    If you want to use a controller that isn't an Xbox controller. Good luck. Keyboard controls are atrocious. Controls on a Steel Series Stratus Duo are all messed up and its unplayable.
  31. SHIIIFTy_K
    Sep 10, 2020
    0
    If you desperately need to play a football video game then play the last one you bought. Don't waste your money. Game is a POS.
  32. tjgreen
    Sep 14, 2020
    0
    Laughable is the only word to describe how bad this game is. Clipping on every play, huge bugs and glitches, the field doesn't even load constantly. PLEASE DO NOT BUY!!!!!!!!!
  33. ItsPritiAss
    Sep 15, 2020
    0
    It's basically Madden 20 only it got worse this time:

    The gameplay is completely unrealistic and always scripted with very poor animation. So it can often happen that a tackle animation is carried out, although the defender is still stuck in a block of an O-Liner or WR, and this then slips through the O-Liner just so that the tackle animation works, which is simply illogical . The    It's basically Madden 20 only it got worse this time:

    The gameplay is completely unrealistic and always scripted with very poor animation. So it can often happen that a tackle animation is carried out, although the defender is still stuck in a block of an O-Liner or WR, and this then slips through the O-Liner just so that the tackle animation works, which is simply illogical .

    The physics has nothing to do with realism or a football simulation. One can also say: the players do not understand the basics of football.
    In addition, the game has more bugs and glitches than ever before in a Madden title. And unfortunately you can also see that EA makes zero effort to improve / repair the game, let alone to feed Madden with new features (Classic franchise untouched for 8 years).

    This year's Face of the Franchise mode is hideous, filled with bad animations / interactions of the characters, with gruesome voices and the story itself just doesn't make any sense!

    The only thing that shows potential in this game is this year's The Yard mode, but this is also often not playable at the moment (the playing field turns white, as if aliens are ruling the world). If it works perfectly, it's also a lot of fun, but then it's a lot like arcade.

    This is by far the worst Madden I've played in the last decade. Do yourself a favor to not buy this crappy game! EA doesn't earned it for this crap!    … Expand
  34. calaford
    Sep 15, 2020
    0
    Complete trash. 100% copy of the previous year. Zero focus on improving FRANCHISE mode in a game that has a license for football SIMULATION. But all the focus is on MUT and the YARD that aren't simulation and focus on microtransactions. Complete joke! Come on NFL - #dropEA #EAneedscompetition Every year we all have hope - and every year our hopes are dashed by a greedy company with zeroComplete trash. 100% copy of the previous year. Zero focus on improving FRANCHISE mode in a game that has a license for football SIMULATION. But all the focus is on MUT and the YARD that aren't simulation and focus on microtransactions. Complete joke! Come on NFL - #dropEA #EAneedscompetition Every year we all have hope - and every year our hopes are dashed by a greedy company with zero interest in improving the game.… Expand
  35. Sea24n3
    Sep 17, 2020
    0
    Ima get to the point, people are playing nfl 2k5 other than this game. That game came out in 2005. This game came out 2020 August. Game has too many glitches. The preview trailer shows so many cool things about the yard and fixes and amazing stuff. So i got the MVP version. $100 to EA for a game i havent played for 2 weeks
  36. BroCody
    Oct 4, 2020
    0
    Has not improved what so ever. Awful glitches, unrealistic player movement, awful AI blocking, and near impossible to pinpoint a pass to make real life catches yet this is supposed to be a football simulator. Never in my life have I seen seen a linebacker dive from the other side of the hash marks to block a **** pass. It's like I'm facing off against superman. EA should lose the right toHas not improved what so ever. Awful glitches, unrealistic player movement, awful AI blocking, and near impossible to pinpoint a pass to make real life catches yet this is supposed to be a football simulator. Never in my life have I seen seen a linebacker dive from the other side of the hash marks to block a **** pass. It's like I'm facing off against superman. EA should lose the right to make madden after never improving this game.… Expand
  37. jlstimme
    Nov 10, 2020
    0
    I am so sick of trying to find a balance of sliders/settings to actually get a realistic football game out of this crap. The sim engine itself is garbage and has bugs that haven’t been patched in years. Franchise mode (Only reason I bought the game) has no depth and hasn’t been changed at all! Now EA is promising to go back and add some features to franchise mode. These features aren’tI am so sick of trying to find a balance of sliders/settings to actually get a realistic football game out of this crap. The sim engine itself is garbage and has bugs that haven’t been patched in years. Franchise mode (Only reason I bought the game) has no depth and hasn’t been changed at all! Now EA is promising to go back and add some features to franchise mode. These features aren’t even that good and should have been included at launch. Not to mention they’ve been very vague on the time table for these changes.

    As someone who owns Madden 17-21, I feel like I’ve been really ripped off by EA and their scramble to add new features will not change that. This is why no one should have exclusive rights to these sports games. Last Madden I ever purchase!    … Expand
  38. MikeWill2424
    Dec 4, 2020
    0
    Just a joke of a game. Terrible EA high ups broke Kraelo... the best community manager in the sports gaming world.
  39. Duckylol
    Dec 30, 2020
    0
    Madden 21's Franchise Mode is one of the most awful things I have ever seen the game is a scam and its pay to win please do not buy this.
  40. ImJustHonestMe
    Jan 4, 2021
    0
    I pity you if you play this game regularly. I had a hard time enjoying *any* part of this game. Franchise mode feels barren and empty, the yard is a flashy boring-after-5-minutes type game, MUT is glorified gambling for children, and the actual gameplay? I cannot tell you how many times I have tested a 99 overall qb (the best you can get) throwing to a 99 overall wr against a 70 overall cbI pity you if you play this game regularly. I had a hard time enjoying *any* part of this game. Franchise mode feels barren and empty, the yard is a flashy boring-after-5-minutes type game, MUT is glorified gambling for children, and the actual gameplay? I cannot tell you how many times I have tested a 99 overall qb (the best you can get) throwing to a 99 overall wr against a 70 overall cb and having animations, not skill or ratings, decide the matchup.

    Madden 21 is a joke of a game when it comes to competitive human vs human matches because of how little your skill or knowledge of the playbook matters when facing one another. It matters if Madden 21 decides you get the correct animation or not.

    I pray that EA get's its exclusive license removed at this point, because without competition this game series will and already has become ****    … Expand
  41. Maddensucks69
    Jan 9, 2021
    0
    EA is absolutely the worst developer of simulation football games. Sponge Bob square pants? Are you **** kidding me? Who in the **** ever wanted that garbage in a madden game? Who in gods name makes these decisions? Go **** yourself EA
  42. pyrocatnip
    Feb 11, 2021
    0
    The gameplay can be fun at times, but it is also full of glitches and crashed more often than not. EA continues to churn out essentially the same game every year with very minor improvements. Madden has stagnated for years and this game continues to show that off completely. The game has a STRONG focus on micro-transactions in Ultimate Teams. If you do not want to play MUT, well, that'sThe gameplay can be fun at times, but it is also full of glitches and crashed more often than not. EA continues to churn out essentially the same game every year with very minor improvements. Madden has stagnated for years and this game continues to show that off completely. The game has a STRONG focus on micro-transactions in Ultimate Teams. If you do not want to play MUT, well, that's too bad because Madden 21 does not offer much more than a super shallow Franchise mode, a stupid Superstar KO mode, and the Yard.

    You can try to play a franchise, and it can be fun, but in the end it does becomes extremely repetitive and mind numbing.

    Madden 21 does do a few things right:
    1. Being able to run down gameclock is a nice feature
    2. Being able to create a playbook from existing playbooks is good, but it would be better if there was an option to create your own plays, at least for offline.

    The worst part is that EA has a total monopoly over official NFL football games, as well as exclusive broadcasting rights with ESPN. Unfortunately, the presentation in 21 is the exact same as in 20. Madden 21 also does not have a very good career mode. The one it does have it stupid, and shallow. Sure, you can put your player into a franchise mode, but that is absolutely not a fix. At that point, you are playing franchise mode with a code of player paint. Playing through the college games is kinda cool, but the whole face of the franchise mode just drags on. Madden 21 franchise mode is not at all detailed enough to be a compelling play for more than a few hours. Features from past games are still absent and there is no depth to this game mode at all.

    If you do not want to waste thousands of dollars to play the only really competitively viable mode in this game, then that sucks because that is really the all the games has. Sure, MUT is cool in theory, but the fact that EA has put such a high emphasis on this game is the real problem here. The fact that ONLY EA can make a fully licensed football game is a disgrace to say the least. There is absolutely nothing new about this game whatsoever. It is literally just a roster update that costs full price.

    If you haven't bought a Madden game in a while, and cannot get your hands on good past Madden games, maybe buy Madden 21. And if you do, DO NOT BUY MADDEN 22. Just buy one and keep it for long time. Otherwise, you will be continuing to line the pockets of EA executives who only care about preying on children in MUT. Or you could buy one of the older Madden games from Origin. Just whatever you do, do not encourage EA to continue thinking that the current model is somehow okay. We need to stop buying these games every year and not use MUT anymore. If we do that, maybe EA will change, and maybe Madden will get better.    … Expand
  43. Ecamsan007
    Apr 7, 2021
    0
    Playing this game I can definetly tell that the developers never actually spent any time playing this game themselves. If they did they would not release this garbage. Did no one at EA play one franchise mode? It won't stop signing players even though the assist is off. Cornerbacks catch better than wide receiversToo...? Suoersim is broken too, it will randomly jump to a different downPlaying this game I can definetly tell that the developers never actually spent any time playing this game themselves. If they did they would not release this garbage. Did no one at EA play one franchise mode? It won't stop signing players even though the assist is off. Cornerbacks catch better than wide receiversToo...? Suoersim is broken too, it will randomly jump to a different down different yards to first and screw me after my team makes a big stop. If I close slow to go back to medium or fast mode on super sim 100% of the time it will just jump to a alternate version of what could've happened and it is always a situation that screws me. I'm sure the developers, if they were to read this wouldn't even understand the bug I'm pointing out because like I mentioned l, they very obviously don't care about their own game enough to play it for themself and see these very large very obvious game breaking bugs they released. Madden is always a game I remember fondly but this is sad to see where it's headed.… 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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