Madden NFL 15

 PlayStation 4
User Score
6.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 221 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 94 out of 221
  2. Mixed: 70 out of 221
  3. Negative: 57 out of 221
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  1. bacardi
    Sep 17, 2014
    10
    The game is perfect. Well made game. Strategy is good play.
    Bad review user is incomprehensible, Brain is Stone.
    Have u a Madden NFL 15, Best a select product
  2. BigBoyFloyd
    Aug 27, 2014
    9
    This game is headed in the right direction. If you haven't picked this game up in a couple of years or you are looking to get into Madden then this is the one you buy.

    While the game still lacks true WR/DB interaction, Madden NFL 15 DELIVERS on defense. I like to user my defensive lineman and they have made it possible with the new defensive lineman moves. The new tackle vision cone    This game is headed in the right direction. If you haven't picked this game up in a couple of years or you are looking to get into Madden then this is the one you buy.

    While the game still lacks true WR/DB interaction, Madden NFL 15 DELIVERS on defense. I like to user my defensive lineman and they have made it possible with the new defensive lineman moves. The new tackle vision cone will give you the help you desire but you better not miss! Zone defense has improved tremendously where before you would see a safety just stand around, now they go after the ball, even if they don't make a play I love to see the effort.

    If you are newbie to this game, I recommend Skills Trainer straight out of the box. It teaches you about basic football concepts that you will need in game especially if you like to play online. Also to take it up a notch try out the Gauntlet where you can have fun and still learn the concepts of the game.

    Connected Franchise Mode has had some upgrades this year that makes it more interesting to gain XP for your players and still give you that true GM experience. One thing that's missing is the ability to renegotiate contracts with older players. If I have a 35 year old Drew Brees who's on the decline, then he shouldn't still be getting paid like the young Drew Brees. This happens in the NFL every offseason where older players renegotiate their contracts or face being released.

    As I said before, Madden NFL football is headed in the right direction. From the intro with Cam Newton to Madden Ultimate Team, Madden NFL 15 is the game that true football fans will love and enjoy!    … Expand
  3. MarkA
    Aug 28, 2014
    9
    It's time for one of my favorite times of the year, Madden Season! With the cancelation of the NCAA Football series, it's feels like forever since a new video football game has been released. Madden NFL 15 is here with a host of new features I think every Madden fan can enjoy. Here are the different the modes in which you have to chose from.

    Play Now Madden Ultimate Team Connected    It's time for one of my favorite times of the year, Madden Season! With the cancelation of the NCAA Football series, it's feels like forever since a new video football game has been released. Madden NFL 15 is here with a host of new features I think every Madden fan can enjoy. Here are the different the modes in which you have to chose from.

    Play Now

    Madden Ultimate Team

    Connected Franchise

    Online Head to Head

    Practice

    Panthers at the Seahawks

    Skills Trainer

    The Gauntlet

    I will touch on a few of the things that really stood out to me on this year's version of the game.

    Graphics:

    Graphics wise, the game has never looked better. I'm playing the game on the PS4 and the graphics really blew me away this year. It's amazing just how far the graphics in Madden have come in just a few short years. If it looks this good now, just imagine how the game will look in five to ten years. It will come to the point where you won't be able to tell whether or not you are playing the game of Madden or watching an actual NFL game.

    Cameras:

    There are many different types of camera angles you can choose from this year. I'm sure you can find one of your liking if you play around with it long enough. As an old "Madden Head" I have always preferred the "classic camera angle".

    Defense in Madden 15:

    There has been a lot of work done on the defensive side of the game this year. You will really will have to be on top of your game when you are playing on offense, which is a good thing. As a longtime player of the Madden Series, it's good to see all the new changes on the defensive side of the ball.

    The Gauntlet:

    New to this year's game is the Gauntlet. It kind of reminds me a lot of the of the old mini games in the PS2/XBOX versions of the game. It's a great way to have some fun if you are not in the mood to play an actual game or just to sharpen your skills. I didn't think it would be something I would enjoy at first, but once you start, it's very addicting.

    New play-calling system:

    The new system lets you filter plays by Coach Suggestions, Formation, Concept, Playtype, Personal, Recent Plays and Supersim. I will be honest, it took be a bit to getting used to playing with the new system. It's not that difficult once you get the hang of it but once you do, I think you will enjoy it. It features a strategy pick based on what the defense likes to call, a community pick , a play on which gives you the percentage of how well the play has worked with other Madden players and your favorite pick, telling you how many times you have called the play.

    Kicking Meter:

    There's a new kicking meter this year and I for one, welcome the change. I hated the old way of kicking field goals and extra points. Like the new play calling system, it will take just a bit of getting used to but it offers a new a fresh, new experience to the game. Field goals are not an automatic thing in Madden NFL 15 like they were in the past.

    Skills Trainer:

    Skills Trainer lets a season veteran of the series or a newbie, who is playing the game for the first time learn the ins and outs of the game. It's a great way to get a "feel" for the game.

    Overall, this is not just a "$60 dollar roster update", as the game has been called in the past. Mind you, it's not perfect, does have it's short comings, but nothing to keep a person from buying it if you enjoy playing the game of Madden. It has something for everyone who has ever been a hardcore fan of the series like myself. As a guy who has been playing Madden, going all the way back to Madden 1992 on the Sega Genesis, it is a great addition to the series. I can see myself spending many, many hours playing Madden NFL 15. If you are a hardcore video football junkie like myself, I would consider it a must have for your video game library.    … Expand
  4. ALEXELWAY
    Aug 28, 2014
    9
    I would like to begin with saying this is probably the best all around Madden in quite sometime , there are no huge added features that are usually added yearly that take away from game play and other areas of need. The gameplay is very smooth , when you are on offense there it is very smooth with and easy to control where your going as opposed to the sometimes choppy or hard to controlI would like to begin with saying this is probably the best all around Madden in quite sometime , there are no huge added features that are usually added yearly that take away from game play and other areas of need. The gameplay is very smooth , when you are on offense there it is very smooth with and easy to control where your going as opposed to the sometimes choppy or hard to control usering on both sides of the ball. The AI actually helps you on defense for the first time in years , I do not feel the need to guess where I need to cover or watch my players in zones just sit and watch the offensive player go by with no reaction. The visuals are very nice from player models to stadiums.

    They have done a great job at making the Madden Ultimate team feature much easier and less time consuming , the menu's are much more user friendly ,the cards are much easier to collect and the solo's actually pay off coin wise.

    I have spent many hours now playing the game and me along with my core gaming friends have all enjoyed the game for the first time in years , I am not saying the game is perfect by no means but it is a very large step in the right direction focusing on game play , streamlined menu's and visuals that make you feel like your actually playing a football game.

    The only thing I can say personally I miss is some of the video game like animations that were not really realistic ,but if you want a realistic ,smooth playing game of football with (for the first time in years) AI that actually helps you out ,this is the year to grab a copy of madden.

    I only hope that EA will continue to focus on what we have been asking for years now, I feel the guys know what we as gamers have been asking for and gave us a great game , if this keeps up than football fans who like to game have a lot to look forward to.    … Expand
  5. Shaun_Mason
    Sep 2, 2014
    9
    Madden 15 is the best Madden to date on the field. Yes, you read that right, I said to date. Better than Madden 05, better than Madden 06. For the record, I think it's better than NFL2K5. Is it perfect? Far from it. Football is a complex sport, and replicating it accurately is far from easy.

    Is it really, really good? Yes it is. Let me start by saying that I'm difficult to    Madden 15 is the best Madden to date on the field. Yes, you read that right, I said to date. Better than Madden 05, better than Madden 06. For the record, I think it's better than NFL2K5. Is it perfect? Far from it. Football is a complex sport, and replicating it accurately is far from easy.

    Is it really, really good? Yes it is.

    Let me start by saying that I'm difficult to please. I want a game that looks, sounds, plays and feels like what I see on Sunday (and now Monday, Thursday and occasionally Saturday). Let's see how Madden 15 measures up against my criteria:

    Looks Like NFL Football - 4.5/5 stars.
    + Graphics finally look "next-gen" to me
    + The new camera work is fantastic

    Sounds like NFL Football - 2/5 stars
    + Crowd sounds the best it has in a long time.
    - Jesus H. Christ the announcing sounds like Sports Talk Baseball relative to the rest of the presentation

    Plays like NFL Football - 4.5/5
    + EA SPORTS has finally gotten game play tuned pretty well.
    + Players play more true to their ratings.
    + Love the new defense mechanics
    - Still some animation wonkiness.
    - No gang tackles still.

    Feels like NFL Footballl - 2.5/5 stars
    + The new half time show is great.
    - CFM feels so "unalive" at times.
    - I want a story, that's what is great about sports, the story.

    Misc Features / Modes - 4/5 stars
    + The game is fun, I like MUT far more than I expected.
    + CFM is the best mode in sports gaming outside of FIFA's "Clubs"
    - Some people are upset about the lack of Online Team Play

    Overall, I really like Madden 15. As far as I'm concerned, if you like football, Madden 15 is a must buy, even if it isn't a perfect 5/5 for me.    … Expand
  6. moss2chappy
    Aug 26, 2014
    9
    Id give this game a 8.5 out of 10 for a rating there has been huge improvements from previous years in both visual and gameplay aspects.

    Positives: The biggest difference is the improved defensive AI and how they play in both man and zone defense. You no longer need a fast quarterback to have success and with the new QB accuracy system guys like P. Manning and D. Brees are some of the    Id give this game a 8.5 out of 10 for a rating there has been huge improvements from previous years in both visual and gameplay aspects.

    Positives: The biggest difference is the improved defensive AI and how they play in both man and zone defense. You no longer need a fast quarterback to have success and with the new QB accuracy system guys like P. Manning and D. Brees are some of the best QBs in the game representing their real life success. Kicking field goals has been very easy in years past so the new kicking meter that makes it more difficult is definitely a huge improvement.

    Negatives: The crowd could use a huge improvement. From seeing the same fans every few seats to clothes that don't match the temperature overall the crowds in the game need a lot of work. A new feature that hasn't worked out smoothly is the new play calling system, the idea and concept of this system is nice, however it still has errors at a noticeable rate. Some of the issues that have harmed the games integrity in years past have returned such as gang tackling causing odd animations, too many dropped interceptions, and QBs breaking tackles left and right.

    Final Thoughts: This has been my favorite madden to date up to this point, there is still a lot of room for improvement for the game in the future but overall is a very fun game to play and is one that all football and madden fans will appreciate.    … Expand
  7. SIPPIO
    Oct 4, 2014
    9
    --MADDEN IS BACK! I didn't play it last year and barely madden13. I still bought it cause I'm almost 40. That means my generation buys it every year cause we always have :( ugh! Losers! But I swore last year was my last year, but it's a new console so it deserves a shot..
    ------IT DELIVERS------
    --it's SOOO ADVANCED compared to just madden12. I decided to go buy the guide so I can    --MADDEN IS BACK! I didn't play it last year and barely madden13. I still bought it cause I'm almost 40. That means my generation buys it every year cause we always have :( ugh! Losers! But I swore last year was my last year, but it's a new console so it deserves a shot..
    ------IT DELIVERS------
    --it's SOOO ADVANCED compared to just madden12. I decided to go buy the guide so I can master defensive adjustments.. Ya only get 2-3 seconds b4 the opponent hikes the ball and I'm always whacked out.. Back in the day triangle and down presses the box triangle right makes em tight cover and triangle and the position made em blitz or zone or double cover. I had that,, but I'm soooo lost,, I'm not even eff'n close to figuring it.. But I will! Either from playing or reading that guide. Like I said, I bought. Madden 92 when I was a teenager so of course I knew ALLLLL the ins & outs every year, and I'm a diehard BUFFALO BILLS FAN AND only play Buffalo. I'm used to mediocrity and a dolphin and jet sweep and a. Patriot split is like a Super Bowl for me baby..lol
    --Can you believe they realistically JACKED THE Bills 1st round pick in the draft.. Wtf! I know we traded it to move up for Sammy Watkins. So I had to restart and get our pick back..
    Username is Mcsipp
    --the presentation is great, announcers are the best since madden and summer all.. Dang it madden,, lay down you're voice already.. Even at 90 years old it would be awesome,
    ---music SUCKS!! It almost ruins the franchise mode or everything outside of being on the field.. Dude,,,it's non stop football instrumentals.. What the heck man.. madden soundtracks was awesome for years and years.. I would even listen to inner city rap,,and I bet inner city would listen to the rock. We'll,,maybe not but I still lived real music and the fact that it was outta my control

    ---fix the edit players!! Remove the option to edit the ratings= it's cheating... We would then even PAY$ for a roster update..meaning roster upgrades become special.. Now they aren't relevant and I haven't even gotten 1 yet(offline franchiser)

    --I gave it a 9 because the people who give a ZERO ARE TROLLS AND ITS A SHAME that this is allowed.. It's a fact that this game is between 7-9 every year. The presentation and graphics and mechanics do that. A 2 or a zero just means anger... There must be a way to fix this because it just means I can't rely on the user score and that's who's opinion I care about,,not some company who is paid to review games. So angry reviewers should put a 5 or 6 that shows dislike and the comments can explain why...

    Good job EA sports!    … Expand
  8. DSThom
    Oct 8, 2014
    9
    If you ignore the haters, you can enjoy the best Madden ever. Bonus if you love defense. Too many sacks but perhaps that's the price to be paid for toning down the pass-happy of previous versions. Big step up from Madden 14 and Madden 25.
  9. schwacko
    Aug 27, 2014
    9
    Not sure what people are expecting here, but this game is fun to play again. No the game won't get up and get you a beer, or do your dishes for you. What the game will do is simulate the NFL experience a lot better than it has ever done on a console. I've hated madden games for a long time, and have been crying to anyone that will listen that 2k needs to create NFL games again, but thisNot sure what people are expecting here, but this game is fun to play again. No the game won't get up and get you a beer, or do your dishes for you. What the game will do is simulate the NFL experience a lot better than it has ever done on a console. I've hated madden games for a long time, and have been crying to anyone that will listen that 2k needs to create NFL games again, but this game is honestly really good and the people that are giving it under a 7 are delusional and expecting an experience that we may have to wait another 10 years to get. The game is not perfect, but a whole lotta fun especially on the defensive side of the ball. If you like football get the game, if you like to complain about things not being perfect then wait 10 years for the xbox 3 or the ps6 whatever comes first… Expand
  10. DeathByRage
    Aug 26, 2014
    9
    Absolutely love the game. I bought the Madden 25 and took it back to Gamestop the very next day. Hated that game. Worthless. Bought Madden 15 in the hopes of something better. I could not be more surprised. I absolutely love the learning factor for it. My 13 year old son, just got into football and I can't wait to see what he learns while playing this. The Ultimate team is a GREATAbsolutely love the game. I bought the Madden 25 and took it back to Gamestop the very next day. Hated that game. Worthless. Bought Madden 15 in the hopes of something better. I could not be more surprised. I absolutely love the learning factor for it. My 13 year old son, just got into football and I can't wait to see what he learns while playing this. The Ultimate team is a GREAT addition. It's like I am playing Fantasy Football yet, I get to play my players rather than hoping they get play good in real life! I love this Madden. First one, besides MAdden 25 that I have bought since PS2 days. Madden was great then, it's even better now! Love it. Highly recommend it. Oh, and graphics wise, amazing.… Expand
  11. Kuifie_ZA
    Aug 30, 2014
    9
    I'm a huge Madden fan, and every year this time we all know it's football season. I was really looking forward to the new defense system and how it would look on PS4/XB1. Needless to say I am hugely impressed, the graphics are breathtaking and the gameplay is so smooth and effortless. The new "Pass rusher" is a great way to put pressure on the QB or to stop the run. I know this is probablyI'm a huge Madden fan, and every year this time we all know it's football season. I was really looking forward to the new defense system and how it would look on PS4/XB1. Needless to say I am hugely impressed, the graphics are breathtaking and the gameplay is so smooth and effortless. The new "Pass rusher" is a great way to put pressure on the QB or to stop the run. I know this is probably the best Madden in at least five years. I you love Madden or only pick it up every now and again, this is a must buy for any sports fan.… Expand
  12. Dirtnap
    Aug 27, 2014
    9
    Don't believe the haters, this year is a huge improvement in graphics, gameplay, UI, etc.. The biggest improvement are the graphics and the AI I also believe has improved. The game also seemed to flow better. I don't know of it was me but the games I've played almost seem to have a momentum that hasn't been there in the past.

    Training mode is a great benefit to get people up to    Don't believe the haters, this year is a huge improvement in graphics, gameplay, UI, etc.. The biggest improvement are the graphics and the AI I also believe has improved. The game also seemed to flow better. I don't know of it was me but the games I've played almost seem to have a momentum that hasn't been there in the past.

    Training mode is a great benefit to get people up to speed.

    Only negative is the commentators. I'm not a fan of commentators usually anyway so maybe this is a touch of realism I just don't appreciate.

    Everything said, this is the best sports game I've played outside of FIFA.    … Expand
  13. XeraXC
    Aug 31, 2014
    9
    This is my first Madden game since the old Mega Drive version, which is some time ago! Coming in with an open/ fresh mind, I was completely gripped by the game. Whilst the tutorials are lacking just that little more information (on play styles), you can't help but to want more and more from the game. The detailed graphics are great, although I have spotted a few graphical flaws/ bugs, itThis is my first Madden game since the old Mega Drive version, which is some time ago! Coming in with an open/ fresh mind, I was completely gripped by the game. Whilst the tutorials are lacking just that little more information (on play styles), you can't help but to want more and more from the game. The detailed graphics are great, although I have spotted a few graphical flaws/ bugs, it doesn't deter from the other superb features.

    The game, in my opinion, is well put together and easy on Madden veterans and new comers alike. I would have scored this in 8.8, but I will have to bring it to the closest figure, which is why I give it a clear 9. Definitely recommend.    … Expand
  14. Friendly
    Nov 6, 2014
    9
    Madden 15 Review
    Have you ever played madden 15? If you haven’t then go grab your money and tell them to go get you Madden 15, because it is the best madden of all time. This game is only available to Ps4, and Xbox 1, and Xbox 360, plus the Ps3. This is worth buying for multiple reasons.
    Some of the multiple reasons why madden 15 is one of the greatest of all time is that madden,    Madden 15 Review
    Have you ever played madden 15? If you haven’t then go grab your money and tell them to go get you Madden 15, because it is the best madden of all time. This game is only available to Ps4, and Xbox 1, and Xbox 360, plus the Ps3. This is worth buying for multiple reasons.

    Some of the multiple reasons why madden 15 is one of the greatest of all time is that madden, has upgrade the graphics, and the movement of the players to an outstanding level that will blow your mind. The graphics are outstanding and there are hardly any glitches at all, to ruin your game play. The graphics are very colorful and featuring a whole new type of nature, like showing the city, and its surrounding, and the place you will be playing at. The atmosphere is a whole new one as the coaches are almost similar to the real life ones, and the players equipment are more realistic to the real life ones. Also the new commentators have new lines every game to keep from not getting tired of listening to the same thing every times. Then the fumbling and the interceptions are, much more common compared to the other maddens. First of all if you are a quarterback scrambling, all the time then you are going to fumble the ball,because quarterbacks are not supposed to run. Also the interception rate has increased exceptionally so that it is easier to catch interceptions if you're on defense.

    The ultimate team has a whole aspect of playing it even more than you used to on madden 25. The new players and upgrades of new player provide additional help to you to beat other people and make it to the Superbowl. Since madden 15 is new there are rising stars, and breast cancer awareness cards to get you new players. Also since the movement is so much better you are able to have many options for touchdowns. Also they still have the mode where if someone quits you automatically win the game. Another achievement is that you get better experience points to buy you more pro packs and get more elite players. There is also a cheaper price on more expensive guys like Tom Brady.

    This is my examples of why madden 15 is one of the best of all time for multiple reasons. Leave a like at the bottom or leave a comment of what i need to do better, thanks for reading.    … Expand
  15. DRomeo916
    Nov 19, 2014
    9
    I hated this game at first but as I kept playing it and playing it, it got better and better. In order to have fun with this game, you have to know the defensive audibles or else you are f'd.
  16. Mattyice
    Aug 29, 2014
    8
    After the underwhelming and poor Madden 25, EA Sports stepped up it's game with Madden 15. The game features new presentation style, much improved visuals over Madden 25's next gen edition, new defensive mechanisms, and some other minor features that make the game worth playing. However, a few aspects, including the connected careers mode, need some refurbishing and feel identical to theAfter the underwhelming and poor Madden 25, EA Sports stepped up it's game with Madden 15. The game features new presentation style, much improved visuals over Madden 25's next gen edition, new defensive mechanisms, and some other minor features that make the game worth playing. However, a few aspects, including the connected careers mode, need some refurbishing and feel identical to the previous games. The commentary is just ok and the score is purely annoying and needs to be tossed for real music. However, Madden 15 is a worthy improvement over the previous few and is a fun game for both casual and hardcore NFL fans and gamers.… Expand
  17. JBHuskers
    Aug 29, 2014
    8
    Thankfully the first entry on the current gen systems in Madden NFL 25 was a solid entry compared to when the first Madden for 360 came out. That solid base helped EA build Madden NFL 15.

    The gameplay has seen a great improvement on the line, especially with the changes to the defensive line play. The timing on the snap and button presses to make a move are not overpowered and plays    Thankfully the first entry on the current gen systems in Madden NFL 25 was a solid entry compared to when the first Madden for 360 came out. That solid base helped EA build Madden NFL 15.

    The gameplay has seen a great improvement on the line, especially with the changes to the defensive line play. The timing on the snap and button presses to make a move are not overpowered and plays to the OL-DL matchups very well. Hearing the phrase Tackle Cone made me shudder a little bit, but it is not that gimmicky and intrusive. There are a few items that need to be tuned, or fixed with sliders, especially the QB accuracy. There also needs to be some work with the one-on-one deep ball interactions too. The problem here is a dominant WR should be able to pull down a few more balls over an outmatched CB more often than it does (which is hardly at all). With all that being said the game play is smooth and fun, and a few tweaks could make it the best in a while.

    One game mode that has seen drastic improvement was Ultimate Team. It was a complete pain in the butt to navigate, organize, and move cards in Madden NFL 25. The system has been drastically improved. You can move cards to a specific set just by looking at the card and not having to move it anywhere. It even gives you the possible sets you can put it in as well; which is nice. You can basically do everything from viewing the specific card menu. This literally saves hours of time of messing around with your cards. The challenges and online seasons are the same, but still great ways to earn coins, and EA will be adding new things throughout the year as the season rolls on.

    The Skills Trainer was overhauled and is a fun way to learn or hone your skills on Madden. There are some great in-game tips to help new players learn how defenses work and how to read them. Normally these type of skills trainers are dry and boring, but EA made them fun in Madden NFL 15, and it caps off with a mode called the Gauntlet. It's basically a skills challenge where you are trying to get to the highest level possible, and every five levels you have a "Boss Mode" challenge you have to complete; which provides you a challenge with some pretty over the top situations. It's made learning maden and honing your skills if you're experienced in it very fun.

    The new playcall screen is hit and miss with some people, but I like it. The only thing about it is that it takes up the whole screen basically so you don't get to see the players on the field in cutscenes and such. Not a big deal, but sometimes with the beauty of the game, it's nice to be able to see those players standing in the huddle. The new playcall screen gives you some great information in terms of average yards gained per play, the percentage you have used a specific formation, along with many other cool items.

    The Connected Franchise mode is still solid and has a couple of new additions with Game Prep and the addition of the confidence attribute. They add some nice depth to the game in terms of preparing your players for the real games, and also (especially on the QB side) it helps you with how to play the game similiar to the skills trainer with tips on how to read defenses and etc. Of course everything else that makes this mode so great is still in there to where you can battle with up to 31 other people for that Lombardi Trophy.

    Overall, Madden has taken a nice leap into the PS4/XB1 era. This game feels current gen and the fun factor is through the roof. As of today, August 29th, the online head to head games have been great in terms of connection and being lag free, and that is huge. I've heard from some friends that it was really smooth on release day itself; which only adds to the value. I'd roughly give this game around an 83-84 which translates to a 8 score here.    … Expand
  18. BigSmitty81
    Aug 30, 2014
    8
    (I'd give it 8.4) For years, Madden has been lacking a title that was a truly, definitive standout title that truly was a “next gen” title or didn’t beat the 2k football franchise. Well, while they haven’t achieved being the greatest football title in all the virtual world, Madden 15 in my opinion is by far the best title released to date and is truly a platform to truly build from. This(I'd give it 8.4) For years, Madden has been lacking a title that was a truly, definitive standout title that truly was a “next gen” title or didn’t beat the 2k football franchise. Well, while they haven’t achieved being the greatest football title in all the virtual world, Madden 15 in my opinion is by far the best title released to date and is truly a platform to truly build from. This game is a turning point as this is the pivotal title where the franchise can truly build upwards from as this game is a solid base to build from. Here are my thoughts on the gameplay elements in this years game:

    Passing Inaccuracies & QB AI: For years, in order to get that differential between great, average, and poor QBs you had to make slider set adjustments out the gate, otherwise you could take Jordan Palmer and he’s throwing with pinpoint accuracy as if he’s Peyton Manning or Tom Brady. Now with these inaccuracies in the game by default, you’re really going to feel a difference between your starter and your backups. Now, I do feel it does need some tuning as the completion and accuracy of the passes thrown has a tendency to be very high at times, so some slider shifting may be in order for now to assist with that matter. This is something as a nice addition, but they truly need to expand upon this going forward with distinct throwing motions, release points, trajectories and velocities (ie: Dan Marino threw low/mid-level bullets in comparison to Russell Wilson or Tom Brady). When it comes to the QB playing smarter, this game has it done the best of the Madden franchise. You’ll see QBs check it down when the option isn’t there. They’ll also tuck it and scramble if there’s no option available, or if they see that matchup or they have a great weapon on their team (ie: Jimmy Graham, Calvin Johnson, Brandon Marshall), they will exploit those matchups to the max. Just like I stated earlier, this also does need slider adjustment aid as the QB has a high tendency to just take sacks or won’t throwing the ball away when the options aren’t there. This is something that definitely needs to be patched.

    War In The Trenches 2.0: Since the removal of the D-Lineman moves after Madden 09, we’ve been taught to utilize trench battling moves solely on the analog stick, without any button input, even on hit stick tackles (which I’d miss due to these controls). Now it’s most definitely revamped with not only the re-introduction of your power & finesse moves having a dedicated button controls, but now you can steer the blocks to cause disruption on a passing play, or possibly clog a hole on a run play. They’ve also taken from the NCAA Football franchise with the jump the snap ability as well. What I like the best about it is that whether you get it perfect or late, it’s not a guarantee that you’ll beat the blocker at all times. It depends on the player skills and fatigue levels as well. This makes it more of a strategic chess match regarding how you play in the trenches now, as you can try to steer blockers into position and beat them at the last moment to get that sack, or possibly get a reach tackle instance trying to fight through that blocker. The other tutorial mechanic is the defensive “Vision Cone” which helps users become more comfortable playing other defenders (LBs, DBs and Safeties) with utilizing the cone to help with the proper timing of wrap tackling and hard hit tackles too.

    Defensive Coverage AI Refinement: I’ll state this, the defensive play in this game directly reminds me of Madden 2005, one of the best defensive AI efforts by EA back then. I definitely appreciate how the onfield secondary adjustments have been simplified to the extent of being able to press a button and flick the analog stick to make DB, DL, and LB pre-snap adjustments (still needs to get more like how APF 2k8 had them setup when making individual and group pre-snap audibles). The zone play logic and AI is A LOT SMARTER!!! You’ll have to really mix up your playcalling as the same year over year simplicity of route coverage has gotten tougher. DBs will break logically, and realistically harder on those passes and routes, especially the elite defenders like Patrick Peterson or Richard Sherman (curl routes will get picked for an easy pick six if you’re not careful). When you see your WR make that break and they have that opening available, you gotta have that timing down, as well as be mindful of the QB you’re using, as the skill ratings of your personnel is gonna be very vital here, so if the window closes, either check it down or throw it away. Don’t force it or you’ll definitely risk a swat or a well read ball for a pick.

    In conclusion here, I’m pleased to see this game truly evolve from it being about “how to execute in Madden”, to becoming “how to execute in football via strategies & concepts”. There's A LOT more work to do here, but the series is FINALLY progressing in the right direction.    … Expand
  19. Fu_l_-_-_l_
    Oct 7, 2014
    8
    Quick Review: "The game has no team play mode like Madden 25 so you can't play with your friends, MUT games are buggy and the match making system seems really **** up for me." Well I have invested an extra maybe 40 or 50 dollars in MUT and for the most part got ass packs. In MUT I always get matched against people who have like 85+ overall teams, it seems really unfair I don't feel like IQuick Review: "The game has no team play mode like Madden 25 so you can't play with your friends, MUT games are buggy and the match making system seems really **** up for me." Well I have invested an extra maybe 40 or 50 dollars in MUT and for the most part got ass packs. In MUT I always get matched against people who have like 85+ overall teams, it seems really unfair I don't feel like I ever have a chance to make the playoffs. Defensive reactions are inconsistent. Sometimes they get the best block sheds and other times they are scarecrows on the field. They did fix the QB scrambles and read options, now you can't spam it all game like M25 which is good.… Expand
  20. JohnWitten
    Sep 29, 2014
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Overall Premise: Build upon the annual sports juggernaut by adding and taking away some features that do and don’t work.

    Graphics and Sound: The visuals are definitely an upgrade from last year’s but the sound work still suffers from inconsistencies in play calling and commentary, despite sounding good quality wise.

    Playability and Entertainment: For the most part it is well-controlled and a step up from the last title and as far as entertainment goes it gets the job done and is yet another fine-tuned experience on the whole.

    Replay Value: Moderate.

    Overall Score: 8.5/10.0    … Expand
  21. jlol13
    Aug 26, 2014
    8
    (I'd score 8.5 if I could) I don't purchase a Madden game every year like the hardcore Madden players out there, but every few years I pick one up if it doesn't get bad press. That being said, I'm really glad I picked up this year's Madden.

    I have played quite a few hours and I really appreciate the newly implemented on-field mechanics. In the past, playing defense meant mashing a    (I'd score 8.5 if I could) I don't purchase a Madden game every year like the hardcore Madden players out there, but every few years I pick one up if it doesn't get bad press. That being said, I'm really glad I picked up this year's Madden.

    I have played quite a few hours and I really appreciate the newly implemented on-field mechanics. In the past, playing defense meant mashing a few buttons as a lineman and (after practice) switching to the secondary to try to intercept or deflect the pass (in the last version I played (13), the secondary players would spring up unnaturally while going for a pick and the ball would usually bounce off their hands for no apparent reason), followed by chasing down the carrier and nose diving into them (causing a transition into a tackle animation) or hit-stick them.

    This year, defense is much more fun and engaging. On the line, you need get the jump on your opponent's lineman by pressing (R2) at the right time after the snap, then wait for a button prompt (X or Square on PS4) to perform a swim or power move to get through and into the backfield. You can even push your blocker around then break away to take down the runner with a telegraphed tackle (a green cone gradient showing your tackle range and effectiveness). Also while hitting, you can tackle high, low, bowl over, or attempt to strip the ball by flicking the right stick in the corresponding direction then power hitting the carrier. In the secondary, instead of unnaturally quick jumps timed with the ball close by, you need to hold the jump (triangle) button while the ball is at it's peak. This makes sense because defenders need to SEE the ball and jostle with the receiver for positioning to make an interception.

    On offense, your QB has loft or bullet passes that can be placed in front, above, or below the receiver, giving your passer the chance to thread the ball or make sure it stays out of reach of those pesky linebackers over the middle. A major offensive improvement is play recognition, you can shift your O-line's protection scheme to pick up left, right, middle, or all out blitz packages. You can also take stock of your receiver's stats compared to their covering opponent, making it easier to exploit any weak defenders matched against your star receivers.

    The ball carrier has more ways than ever to help avoid and break tackles as well. For example, the (L2) button is like a technical modifier button. By pressing L2 and X right before being tackled, an animation will occur where the runner will spin out of the tackler's arms; L2 and flick right stick left or right and the tackler will try to wrap up the runner but fail because he springs to the opposite direction (juke). There are more but this review is already too long so I won't list them. All of these complex yet intuitive features add up to by far the best digital football experience to date.

    While everything is smooth and mostly bug free on the field, there are a few things that Tiburon can definitely improve upon in the coming years. Most obviously, the commentary in this game is very superficial. When compared to other popular sports titles like NBA 2K and FIFA, this game is lagging far behind. The play-by-play is bare bones, and instead of focusing on what happened on the field, the talking heads are usually making vague statements about a player's ability. LeShaun McCoy runs in for a 25 yard touchdown, breaking three tackles and making two defenders miss, and we hear about how McCoy is essential to the passing game. There seems to be a real lack of play analysis from the commentary here, but it is a minor scratch on the game's overall polish.

    While there have been a lot of steps forward in the career (superstar, franchise, owner) mode, I feel this is the only other portion of the game that is a step behind NBA 2K and FIFA. So far in my career (superstar) mode I haven't seen much interaction or advice from the AI coaches. There is a much-welcome XP system, but doing training drills and playing in games seems to amount to just that; practice, play, upgrade, repeat. I'm not sure what else could be added to spice up the system a bit, but hopefully there will be more to come later. (Note: If you are controlling an entire team, you'll need to allocate training time and XP for all of your players, so it is more complex and requires planning)

    With an A+ field game and sufficient enough game modes, this Madden deserves praise. If you haven't picked one up in a while, I'd definitely recommend giving it a try. If you buy it every year anyway, you won't be let down by this year's effort.    … Expand
  22. Shopmaster
    Aug 29, 2014
    8
    I give Madden NFL 15 an 8 out of 10. The changes they have made on both sides of the ball have drastically made this probably the most balanced and fun Madden since Madden 05 with Ray Lewis on the cover.

    I'm a gameplay guy so I'm not going to mention how good the game looks but rather how good the game plays especially on defense. In a time where Madden 25's outside run dominated,    I give Madden NFL 15 an 8 out of 10. The changes they have made on both sides of the ball have drastically made this probably the most balanced and fun Madden since Madden 05 with Ray Lewis on the cover.

    I'm a gameplay guy so I'm not going to mention how good the game looks but rather how good the game plays especially on defense. In a time where Madden 25's outside run dominated, this year the defense is more responsive and better equip to handle any offense out there. Madden 15 gives you the ability to control your defensive line like never before with new pass rush mechanics that make playing with a DE or DT very fun. I'm not one of those guys (like usering my LB or safety) but for those that do; which are a lot, they are able to impact the game. The defensive zones and man defense is a lot tighter. Last year out routes ruled the passing game and this year they can be easily defended with the new adjustments Madden 15 gives you in the coverage audible mechanic that covers outside, underneath, inside, and over the top. Defense is back.

    There are still some areas about Gameplay that need to be addressed. The lack of WR/DB interaction is lackluster, there is still no Man lock defensive assignments so you can't put Patrick Peterson on Calvin Johnson, no matter where he goes. There are also a lot of dropped interceptions as well.

    There was a big focus on pass accuracy to distinguish the top QBs from the low level QBs but I'm just not seeing it on All-Pro. I've seen Johnny Manziel go 15-17 for 250 and that should not be happening. On All-Madden however Johnny went 7-18 and just some really bad passes and that's how it should be in my eyes.

    Madden Ultimate Team is bigger and better than ever. The new layouts, UI, and quicker ways to do almost everything get you playing more than just sitting around fumbling with cards all day. I didn't like MUT that much last year because I found it too difficult to find collections aka Sets for my cards and it was just too much you had to do. This year it is so much more simplified. I can look at a card, compare it to the other cards I already, have, quick sell it, put it in the auction or trade, and even add it to a set all from 1 screen. This gets me in and out of awesome solo challenges and seasons. To be honest MUT really didn't change anything about how you play MUT, just made it easier to do things. You'll also notice right away pulling elite cards are going to come at a premium and will be hard to get. Last year about this time, a lot of people already had 99 OVR teams, the highest I've seen so far is an 82.

    Connected Franchise got some love, but still lacks the commissioner options and tools that the community really wants. With that said, the new Game Prep Mode is really good and is a welcome change from the practice scenarios of last year. In game prep you can work on an individual to gain more XP or work on someones confidence. Everything that happens to a player can affect his confidence. From moving up on the depth chart, to being traded, to not having a good performance in a playoff game. A player's confidence can affect a players' in-game performance. I like this a lot, this sort of replaces the hot/cold streaks. I like the new commissioner controls like being able to advance more than one week at a time, letting their be more than 1 commissioner that can advance weeks, but there needs to be more. Commisisoners need the ability to throw out wins and losses, manage an owners roster, and advance via the web or smartphone. Also need the ability to negotiate contracts.

    Overall I think this is the best balanced Madden since Madden 05. I'm really liking how the defense plays and the game is going in the right direction. Enjoy!    … Expand
  23. CaseyMosier
    Sep 6, 2014
    8
    I had moderately low expectations for Madden 15 after a shortened development cycle due to the late lunch of Madden NFL 25 on PS4/Xbox One. I couldn't have been more wrong. Madden 15 came strong with major graphical upgrades and presentation overlay focus. One look at Madden NFL 15 and you can see the difference from the previous edition. The detail in the players on the field isI had moderately low expectations for Madden 15 after a shortened development cycle due to the late lunch of Madden NFL 25 on PS4/Xbox One. I couldn't have been more wrong. Madden 15 came strong with major graphical upgrades and presentation overlay focus. One look at Madden NFL 15 and you can see the difference from the previous edition. The detail in the players on the field is simply amazing and VERY close to what we saw in the "in-engine renderings" from Madden NFL 25 at E3 in 2013. You can certainly tell that graphics were a huge focus.

    The ability to cycle through cameras on the field during gameplay also helps to show off the enhanced graphical details in Madden NFL 15. As a long time user of the classic camera, I found myself using the new "Zoom View" more and more. It's a great way to see all the improved player details. Combine that with the many new stat overlays and replay camera angles and this game almost looks like a completely new title.

    The defensive upgrades are sorely needed after the offensive showcase that was Madden 25. This year the buttons have been re-mapped for defensive line play which puts the bullrush and swim moves on the Square and X buttons respectively. Also added is the ability for user controlled defensive lineman to steer the offensive lineman. Both of these additions work VERY well and thus far I haven't seen them be too overpowered which is very surprising. On lower difficulty levels you receive a prompt for a button press which you must time correctly to have a chance to pull of the moves effectively.

    Improved coverage in the secondary and the underneath defenders is also very welcomed. While it isn't the upgrade we all want with completely adaptive AI, it does a much better job of stopping the same plays over and over. The coverages are much tighter in both man and zone coverage alike. You can still find ways to confuse the zone coverage by flooding the zones but that is a part of real football. It certainly isn't as easy as last year.

    We also get to see tons of new animations that were able to be unlocked with the new QB Accuracy changes. QB Accuracy can now lead to very poor throws ranging from balls thrown behind or just in range of you receivers to wildly inaccurate throws that end up in the middle of nowhere. These throws depend on your timing when throwing a pass, footwork of the QB when attempting a throw, and most importantly, the accuracy of your QB.

    The plethora of animations unlocked by the QB inaccuracy are a part of the effort catches by the receivers. With the ball now able to go in a much wider range around the receiver you will see many catch or attempted catch animations you havent' seen before. That will make for opening up the passing game into a completely different looking animal than we have seen before. While many of the concepts are the same, the animations themselves bring a fresh look to something that had gotten stale.

    The kicking game also got some much needed upgrades. The kicking meter has changed once again and we finally have a much more difficult kicking experience. Also changed is the distance at which you can successfully make field goals. You get a much shorter range more difficulty accuracy system makes the kicking game less automatic which is a GREAT thing. The only issue I have is that it seems a lot easier than the early builds I played. I know the majority of the community doesn't want it to be difficult, but many of us football purists love realistic aspects like that.

    CFM is the mode I was most excited about with Madden NFL 15. It is by far the mode that I play most every year. So how did it turn out this year? Very good! While I wanted to see coordinators brought in this year, I could understand with a short dev cycle why they didn't make it in.

    What I am extremely happy to see is the new player confidence system. What player confidence gives us is simple: It gives us hope! Hope that finding ways to diversify players and make the experience more dynamic. Player confidence makes a huge difference in the game mode and how we spend our time each week preparing for the game. Do we want to progress our players by gaining extra XP or do we want our team strong for the playoff run by boosting their confidence. The system itself works very well and combats the common complaint from last year about being able to make your entire team "80+ Overall". Also new this year are random draft classes. While I haven't been able to spend a whole lot of time with them, what I have seen works very well. Player ratings look pretty good in terms of having their attributes in line with what you would expect for each position. This is another bittersweet addition as I would much rather be able to create my own draft classes.

    Madden 15 is the biggest/best football game we have ever seen. Hands down.
    Full review:http://www.virtualsportsnetwork.com/wordpress/2014/08/21/vsn-reviews-madden-nfl-15/    … Expand
  24. AzureEffect
    Dec 4, 2014
    8
    Don't be fooled; Madden 15 is the BEST Madden put out to date; now that may not say much for individuals who are huge 2K fans and have been displeased with Madden since feeling "shafted" with Madden 06. Defense receives its much needed attention over Madden 25 to where it's actually FUN to play defense and it hasn't been that way since the introduction of the "Hit Stick" in Madden 05. TheDon't be fooled; Madden 15 is the BEST Madden put out to date; now that may not say much for individuals who are huge 2K fans and have been displeased with Madden since feeling "shafted" with Madden 06. Defense receives its much needed attention over Madden 25 to where it's actually FUN to play defense and it hasn't been that way since the introduction of the "Hit Stick" in Madden 05. The game opens with a beautiful immersive experience with Cam Newton as you take over in a "scenario" where the Panthers are taking on the Seahawks in the NFC Championship and you have to guide the Panthers to the win in the final minute. Madden 15 takes another huge step in teaching football concepts with the skills trainer which is huge in teaching the masses how to read defenses, route combinations, passing & running drills. The game teaches how to beat Cover 2, Cover 3, Cover 4, Man which are necessary tools when competing online and reading the complex defenses in the NFL. The legacy issues are still present as they are in all sports games that come out yearly as there are always pressure to put out a new game and sometimes legacy issues are put on the back burner. The negatives about this game are still "player movement" and the physics engine still needs major refining as players still trip (not as much as Madden 25) and fall like they are flimsy as opposed to the gladiator/warriors we see on Thursday, Sunday and Monday. The Franchise Mode or CFM has great additions but it's still not as "immersive" as I would like. No Post Game Show, No Weekly Wrap Up, a bare bones halftime show; all need to be implemented and improved as NFL2K5 is still the king in this arena 9 years later! This game is headed north and should garner an even higher score next year but it still has a ways to go. Game needs realistic implementation of penalties, WR/DB interactions, correct challenges, weather affecting the game; etc. Madden Ultimate Team is this games shining moment as its updated almost weekly and it has great immersion with all the player cards they put out, past and present. Madden has the potential to take down NFL2K5 as the most complete Football game we have ever seen but it's going to take that innovative push for Madden 16 & Madden 17. I would still love to see competition as you always run faster when someone is chasing you but this game is a solid purchase and worthy of the 8 rating its received.… Expand
  25. CrAsH2014
    Sep 17, 2014
    8
    People who complain about this game, probably suck and dont know anything about football. Okay not that i got that out of the way, realisticly how many times do you see a deep pass in football? 2 maybe 3 times for each team? I like the fact you cant throw deep passes all the times. That is more realistic than throwing deep pass again and again and again. Madden 25 you couldnt stop thePeople who complain about this game, probably suck and dont know anything about football. Okay not that i got that out of the way, realisticly how many times do you see a deep pass in football? 2 maybe 3 times for each team? I like the fact you cant throw deep passes all the times. That is more realistic than throwing deep pass again and again and again. Madden 25 you couldnt stop the offense. Madden 15 actually gives you the ability to stop the offenses which i like. You can still throw deep passes but must pick your spots when you do it. I think the game is moving in the right direction. Of course i wish WR's would put up more of a fight when running routes and catching passes, but the defense is better, you actuallly have to read coverages and act like a QB to succeed which i really like. People who complain, like i stated earlier, probably just try to throw deep all the team and get picked off then get mad without even having a gameplan. Good game, still has its flaws but is moving in the right direction. I also like the zoomed in camera angle it really shows off the players. Graphics are also really good… Expand
  26. WTM412
    Aug 27, 2014
    8
    Bought for ps4 yesterday. After 8 hrs of sitting at my computer at work, I was excited yet hesitant to get started. I am very happy with the graphics. The game play is much smoother than 25 and a bit more realistic... That being said, I still feel EA has a long way to go to be consistent and revive their Madden brand. I am one of those who **** about the cleats, one armed sleeves andBought for ps4 yesterday. After 8 hrs of sitting at my computer at work, I was excited yet hesitant to get started. I am very happy with the graphics. The game play is much smoother than 25 and a bit more realistic... That being said, I still feel EA has a long way to go to be consistent and revive their Madden brand. I am one of those who **** about the cleats, one armed sleeves and gloves. I would love to see an update that would fix those minor details. Tacking is something that you have to get used to since the way you tack has changed. Getting off of blocks is something that will take time to master also.... In the end, the best madden so far. Hope to see some simple updates in the near future.… Expand
  27. SupaCoop
    Aug 27, 2014
    8
    I haven't bought a Madden game in five years. This is one of the best Madden games I have played in a while. My only gripe is they don't let you customize your player's face in connected franchise mode. This Madden feels more realistic. I'm glad they improved the defense instead of like a lot of the previous games where everyone could break tackles easily. You had to score 30+ plusI haven't bought a Madden game in five years. This is one of the best Madden games I have played in a while. My only gripe is they don't let you customize your player's face in connected franchise mode. This Madden feels more realistic. I'm glad they improved the defense instead of like a lot of the previous games where everyone could break tackles easily. You had to score 30+ plus points just to be competitive.… Expand
  28. twc004
    Oct 6, 2014
    8
    This game was a lot of fun initially, but then I started to notice the distinct flaws in the game itself. First off, we are still dealing with "realistic" issues. I am tired of seeing Calvin Johnson matched up in coverage with a 5'11" corner and watching him get bullied. Also, I think that EA is all about their money. If you are willing to spend the money, you can have a great ultimateThis game was a lot of fun initially, but then I started to notice the distinct flaws in the game itself. First off, we are still dealing with "realistic" issues. I am tired of seeing Calvin Johnson matched up in coverage with a 5'11" corner and watching him get bullied. Also, I think that EA is all about their money. If you are willing to spend the money, you can have a great ultimate team. They need to find some kind of way to level the playing field, in that regard. I do think that the games presentation is beautiful this year and the game has a lot of potential going forward. It still has a lot of issues on the surface to fix, though.… Expand
  29. madden15
    Sep 29, 2014
    8
    Game is okay but Im not happy about the lack of focus on details such as the Patriots home uniform. The lining on the side panels is supposed to be red, not white!
  30. masudaly103
    Oct 9, 2014
    8
    Another year, another Madden game. After giving it a week and exploring every feature possible, I would say if you're a die hard football fan, you must give it a chance. This time around, EA has finally focused on the gameplay factor and it can be clearly seen. 'Realistic Gameplay' should be the tagline for this game. However, the glitches (when your QB is taking a snap and your guard runsAnother year, another Madden game. After giving it a week and exploring every feature possible, I would say if you're a die hard football fan, you must give it a chance. This time around, EA has finally focused on the gameplay factor and it can be clearly seen. 'Realistic Gameplay' should be the tagline for this game. However, the glitches (when your QB is taking a snap and your guard runs right through him, for example) are a turnoff, not a surprise since it's an EA game. However, a very good effort in making the game visually realistic as well as having a realistic gameplay experience, this game gets an 8/10. Try it out and you won't regret it.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

36
#36 Best PS4 Game of 2014
44
#44 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2014
75
#75 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2014

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 37 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 37
  3. Negative: 0 out of 37
  1. Games.cz
    Apr 7, 2015
    80
    You can’t find a better American football game. Not because there is not another game, but mainly because this one is pretty damn good. It looks great, sounds great, and plays great.
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  2. LaPS4
    Feb 4, 2015
    90
    Madden NFL 15 does justice to one of the most well-known sports both in the USA and all over the world. A huge simulator full of options and playable modes that will take you straight to the Super Bowl in the University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale (Arizona).
    Read full review
  3. Everyeye.it
    Dec 1, 2014
    85
    For those who are not familiar with football, it won't be easy to learn the basics, but there's a ton of fun to be had for everyone else.
    Read full review
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