User Score
3.5

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 164 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 164
  2. Negative: 99 out of 164
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  1. Aug 24, 2017
    10
    This years Madden has some pretty groundbreaking change. Considering previous titles and features, this is one of the more packed feature sets in probably a decade. MUT squads, Longshot, and Play Now Live, all together with a new engine make this the most desirable Madden in years. Definitely worth acquiring.
  2. Aug 22, 2017
    10
    Amazing Graphic, good gameplay. good presentation.. Animations look good but need to be revamped.. Block Mechanic is great.. running game is pretty good.
  3. Nov 13, 2017
    8
    I'm a first time madden player.
    Pros:
    - graphics are great.
    - longshot is fun if you don't over analyze
    - beating your friends online is fun
    - gotta use strategy and planning
    - don't care about MUT

    cons:
    - gameplay physics could be improved (e.g. players running into each other during crossing routes, and fight for interceptions are terrible.)
    - online rage quitters
  4. Nov 14, 2017
    10
    This game is awesome. Brilliant story mode. The best Madden I’ve played ever. Long shot worth the price of the game. So realistic with the new frostbite engine.
  5. Sep 15, 2017
    10
    First of all I only give 10s for worth it and 0s for not worth it. Madden finally gave me enough user options to win my favor. There are still many faults with this game and I blame the new pretty engine on most of them. However, there are so many sliders provided to adjust your experience that I can no longer claim that this game is not worth it. I hate that I can no longer playFirst of all I only give 10s for worth it and 0s for not worth it. Madden finally gave me enough user options to win my favor. There are still many faults with this game and I blame the new pretty engine on most of them. However, there are so many sliders provided to adjust your experience that I can no longer claim that this game is not worth it. I hate that I can no longer play coverage like I used to before the Frostbite engine showed up and that whoever I control is a liability on defense. That said, they have added and EXP slider that allows even the worst franchise to quickly develop into an All-star squad. Being able to take a average player who I am a fan of and turn them into a Madden Great was lost in the last several years and has returned. Please do not be too quick to judge this game. If you hate a certain aspect of the game, like injuries or penalties, see if there is an option to fix it before you judge. Expand
  6. Sep 14, 2017
    8
    Madden NFL 18 Longshot
    Making me care for something I otherwise wouldn’t
    Madden 18 calls itself the madden for everyone... and after hearing such great things about its story mode I put this statement to the test... and I wasn’t disappointed… Longshot is essentially a 4 hour interactive movie where you play as Devin Wade, a former Texas Longhorn Quarterback who walks away from football
    Madden NFL 18 Longshot
    Making me care for something I otherwise wouldn’t
    Madden 18 calls itself the madden for everyone... and after hearing such great things about its story mode I put this statement to the test... and I wasn’t disappointed…
    Longshot is essentially a 4 hour interactive movie where you play as Devin Wade, a former Texas Longhorn Quarterback who walks away from football after his father dies and comes back for redemption... as he sets out to get drafted by the nfl…
    And some execs come knocking to give you the opportunity of a life time to join their reality show longshot to get you out into the public eye, get coached by a legend and increase your shot of getting drafted
    I personally have no interest in football period… but I loved practically every moment of this campaign
    There is a dash of gameplay here but for the most part youll be making dialog choices improving or decreasing your standings in the eyes of nfl scouts.. As anything you do or say can perceive how the public sees you…
    though your choices in the game are a bit of an illusion... your standings are effected… but the game still sets out to tell you its story with minor tweaks based off of what you choose, wit h3 alternate endings based on these choices and your in game performance…
    These are the parts, surpsise.. I didn’t like that much…
    There are multiple choices questions and quick time events to boost your performance and iq score…
    which I didn’t mind too much, but every once in a while you’re thrown into a game to come back from an upset, or sometimes just throw down on the field with different rules tied to runs, passes, and downs…
    thankfully the game does a great job at helping football noobs like myself understand what to do, spoon feeding your scenarios before you have to actually play a little bit…
    and how you do in these moments effect your chances of getting drafted..
    These moments are enjoyable and a nice break from the story...
    But they aren’t deep and I can understand madden fans being disappointed with the story…
    But as a game for everyone as it claims... I was completely fine with how little playing you actually end up doing here…
    I sorta started to get the feel of being a star quarterback…
    but the system even with its arcade feel never quite clicked with me…
    I had a hard time throwing the ball to the right person without that person then just dropping…
    and playing defense I was just awful locking myself in defense stances... I still managed to get through these sections and get lucky a few times to come out on top boosting my scores...
    The story here though, the characters, the writing, the comedic moments, the ups the downs, its all great..
    Its compelling from start to finish
    everyone has a bit of charm to them, from your best friend, to the slimy producer
    I enjoyed the entire supporting cast...
    This really was a great experience…
    Is Madden 18 worth picking up just for this touching story mode though?
    I believe so.
    And luckily for you if you’re a fan of storytelling but not so much football... sports games end up in the bargin bin way quick... so if oyu see a sale snatch it up..
    But hopefully EA wises up and releases this as a standalone
    I give Madden NFL 18’s Longshot
    an 8.5/10
    Expand
  7. May 29, 2018
    10
    Very good game, got Madden from a promo and I am enjoying it every night, Excelent Graphics and gameplay, new modes that are very nice too but mostly MUT, so you won't regret if you buy this.
  8. Oct 23, 2017
    8
    The game is like any other Madden game. Madden 18 however has much better and realistic graphics than the previous titles. Madden games will be fun if you are a fan of football, simple as that. The one real problem I have with this game is the Longshot game mode. When I heard that Madden was going to be receiving a story mode I instantly thought of a MyCareer mode that you would see in 2K.The game is like any other Madden game. Madden 18 however has much better and realistic graphics than the previous titles. Madden games will be fun if you are a fan of football, simple as that. The one real problem I have with this game is the Longshot game mode. When I heard that Madden was going to be receiving a story mode I instantly thought of a MyCareer mode that you would see in 2K. One with customizable characters and positions. It is not that. Longshot is one of the worst things I have ever played. The characters are shallow, the voice acting is horrendous, and the story is comparable to a diabetic dog turd. In the game mode you never actually play any football. It is all quick time events and stupid trivia. Devin Wade, the main character, is not likable at all. All of the surrounding characters are incredibly annoying, especially the shows producer. Every time that cretin talks I grimace. Longshot is an abysmal attempt at a deep, story driven game mode. Don't play Longshot. If it wasn't for that awful game mode I would have given the game a 10 because rating it a 9.5 is not possible on this website.
    Madden 18 - 9.5
    Longshot - 0.0
    Expand
  9. Aug 8, 2018
    8
    I was a bit late to the party this year picking Madden 18 up in April 2018.
    A bit of a Ho-Hum entry this year.
    Longshot, whilst a different take on "Career Mode" didn't do it for me and became a bit of a chore. Franchise, there still are a lot of creases that need ironing out, along with more options and ways to customise the experience. MUT is a lot of fun and is where I spend/spent
    I was a bit late to the party this year picking Madden 18 up in April 2018.
    A bit of a Ho-Hum entry this year.
    Longshot, whilst a different take on "Career Mode" didn't do it for me and became a bit of a chore.
    Franchise, there still are a lot of creases that need ironing out, along with more options and ways to customise the experience.
    MUT is a lot of fun and is where I spend/spent most of my time (without spending a cent too by the way).
    Graphically its a huge improvement (obviously) due to Frostbite.
    On MAJOR niggle I have with all Maddens is the load times. EA needs to find away to speed things up.
    I will be buying Madden 19 and am looking forward to it as much as ever.
    Expand
  10. May 10, 2018
    10
    This game is amazing and Madden overall just gets better and better each year, those who are leaving bad reviews are just sheeple who buy into the "same rehashed game every year" BS or they just suck at the game...
  11. Aug 16, 2018
    8
    Decent, nothing groundbreaking. Franchise needs to be more realistic. Superstar mode pretty fun
  12. Oct 21, 2019
    10
    Great game. Easly tô play in defense. Great gameplay and grafichics. Mucho beter than Madden NFL 19/20
  13. Feb 4, 2023
    10
    Madden NFL 18 was a standout title in the long-running Madden franchise. With its advanced graphics and immersive gameplay, it easily stands as one of the best sports video games of all time. From the lifelike player models to the realistic stadiums, Madden NFL 18 transported players directly into the heart of the NFL. The gameplay was smooth and intuitive, offering a challenging yet fairMadden NFL 18 was a standout title in the long-running Madden franchise. With its advanced graphics and immersive gameplay, it easily stands as one of the best sports video games of all time. From the lifelike player models to the realistic stadiums, Madden NFL 18 transported players directly into the heart of the NFL. The gameplay was smooth and intuitive, offering a challenging yet fair experience for players of all skill levels. The addition of the Longshot story mode was a great touch, providing players with an engaging and emotional storyline to play through. The games online multiplayer was also top-notch, offering a deep level of customization and intense competition. Whether playing against friends or battling it out in ranked matches, the online multiplayer in Madden NFL 18 was a true test of skill. Overall, Madden NFL 18 was a triumph in sports video game design and set a high bar for future titles in the series. Whether you're a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the Madden franchise, this game is a must-play for any fan of American football. Expand
Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 40 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 34 out of 40
  2. Negative: 0 out of 40
  1. Oct 5, 2017
    85
    The Madden series is iconic in the world of sports gaming. Regardless of your reason for playing, you can't go wrong with Madden NFL 18 because it's the ultimate NFL simulation experience on the market. This year's iteration brings dramatic changes in the form of an interactive movie, but there's something here for everyone, whether the interest is in MyTeam, online play, the MUT system, the competitive scene and community, or the superstar career mode.
  2. Sep 12, 2017
    90
    Madden 18 is the best installment of the series in the last years. Very solid and with stunning graphics thanks to the Frostbite engine. Great both for the veterans of the genre and for the newcomers.
  3. Sep 11, 2017
    78
    This year in Madden they really stepped up their game, ‘Long Shot’ is one of the best things Madden players have seen in a while, and many players wanted it. ‘Long Shot’ had its many faults but going forward in the next few Madden’s the Career Mode will get better and it will be more interesting. Lovers of Madden should get this game because it has many new additions. If you haven’t got a Madden in a while it’s a good idea to get this one. But all together, Madden 18 is a good game with many new perks, and it’s headed in the right direction.