Madden NFL 21

 PlayStation 4
User Score
0.3

Overwhelming dislike- based on 5792 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 85 out of 5792
  2. Mixed: 34 out of 5792
  3. Negative: 5,673 out of 5792
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  1. jikan2004
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    Ea reposted the same buggy mess and charged me 60 dollars. For which pisses me off. The fact that there will never be another 2k football game because of them makes me want to punch someone.
  2. waidwml21
    Aug 28, 2020
    0
    I wish meta critic allowed negative numbers Fix Madden Francine EA is a joke
  3. Cmortonwvu
    Sep 2, 2020
    3
    EA has taken what they learned from Madden Mobile and put it on a disc. It is nothing more than a money grab. I'm not paying money to open a pro pack. EA you have a ton of money, make a game, not a cash grab. I want to make me as a player, work, get drafted and be the best player in a league.
  4. KHEH32
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Only 5,000 characters? And to waste a precious 1 on a comma. I could write a book.

    This game is less than nothing. I expected nothing compared to the past 5 releases. It delivered less than that. Number 1, and most importantly- FRANCHISE MODE. You literally have a passionate fan base that invested their hard-earned money on your title for DECADES and we've been BEGGING EA to bring back    Only 5,000 characters? And to waste a precious 1 on a comma. I could write a book.

    This game is less than nothing. I expected nothing compared to the past 5 releases. It delivered less than that.

    Number 1, and most importantly- FRANCHISE MODE. You literally have a passionate fan base that invested their hard-earned money on your title for DECADES and we've been BEGGING EA to bring back features within that mode that made us fall in love with the game and continue our unreciprocated loyalty despite our pleas to improve franchise mode falling on deaf ears.

    Secondly, your launch was absolutely abysmal. I finally invested in MUT packs to stay competitive for once to get the best experience, and you FAILED. MiSERABLY. The one mode you pander to you can't even get right.

    Thirdly- what the hell is this Yard crap? It's atrocious. Your moms should slap you for investing all these "resources" you evidently don't have to improve Franchise mode and allocating them to this awful, unplayable, unfun, and unrealistic "simulation". EA has an exclusivity deal with the No Fun League to create a simulated experience, no? Where is this supposed "simulation"? I'll tell you where it isn't- it isn't in the mechanics, game play experience, or anywhere in MUT, the yard, or the hellscape that is your replacement of the already cringeworthy Story Mode.

    I'm wasting my time. If I could give this a -10, I'd give it a -100.

    #boycottMadden21    … Expand
  5. SaintsBoss88
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Game is the exact same with minor differences. Still so many glitches, not a finished product at all. The fact that they get away with this every year is despicable. I wanna see a lot more changes every year (10 times what we are getting now). Literally a group of 10 people can to all they've done in about a month.
  6. Vick7reed
    Aug 28, 2020
    0
    Better off just buying Madden 20 at this point. Its basically the same exact game with a few tweaks. Literally could not tell the difference between 20 and 21 in gameplay.
  7. hazelnutdragoon
    Aug 28, 2020
    0
    The free agents who were rookies last year have not been updated. Jesus Christ, what trash.
  8. SavagePanther1
    Aug 29, 2020
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game is atrocious. I’ll be fair I don’t have much of a gripe about the gameplay itself it’s not horrible I think a patch could tone down some of the deep ball interceptions cause right now corners win 90% of jump balls which isn’t realistic (hence the term 50/50 ball) and open field tackling is hard but it might just be because I’m bad and I love the yard....the rest of this game however should be thrown in the garbage and blow into pieces. Face of the franchise is without a doubt the laziest and most poorly written “story mode” in the history of gaming, you can’t change the difficulty so I just won every game 90-30 the story itself is incoherent garbage and whoever wrote and gave it the green check of approval should probably rethink their career choice, as of today you can only be drafted by the bears unless you pick where you go which is stupid, regular franchise is the same shallow trash mode it’s been for over a decade and as a mainly franchise gamer some of the common sense things that a franchise should have have been missing and continue to be missing which begs me to ask what exactly are the developers doing during the development cycle, answer clearly nothing at all. The menus are slow and laggy and just seem poorly optimized, there’s mouthpieces in the yard but not as an accessory for players in the regular game(explain that). All the legacy issues that have been in the past 4 Maddens are still here and I just don’t understand why they can’t seem to figure this stuff out and it’s not like they don’t know. All in all I love the yard and I have an online franchise so that makes the game fun so I can’t give this game a 0 but giving it anything more than a 1 just isn’t deserved in my opinion so a 1 it is! Hopefully the next gen versions of the game will be better but I have no faith in EA to deliver anything other than a flaming turd packed in a case with Lamar Jackson’s face on it.… Expand
  9. alexrmorris03
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    Got this on loan from a friend to avoid paying for what i inevitably knew this game would be. Absolute garbage. When will this ever change? Gameplay is unrealistic, X factors are overpowered arcade features, no creativity allowed throughout the barren features of this abomination, and to top it off the same old exploitative online gambling targeted towards kids. NFL, listen to consumers, iGot this on loan from a friend to avoid paying for what i inevitably knew this game would be. Absolute garbage. When will this ever change? Gameplay is unrealistic, X factors are overpowered arcade features, no creativity allowed throughout the barren features of this abomination, and to top it off the same old exploitative online gambling targeted towards kids. NFL, listen to consumers, i beg of you. Let 2K or anyone for that matter make a competing game. EA hasn't earned this monopoly. They are the worst elements of greed and the gilded age wrapped into a game developer. And the only way to check their power since the league and media wont is to NOT BUY THIS.… Expand
  10. Amazing_Bagman
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    No improvements, gameplay is the same, developers remain focused on micro transactions above all else. Game looks and plays just like Madden 16, 17,18,19 and 20.
  11. itchi25
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Madden has constantly disappointed the NFL fan base for years. Recycled content with little innovation beyond their singular focus on their money making MUT. Despite all of this, the newest iteration is an all time low of Madden. It truly shows us fans the true greed of EA.
  12. Buddy010
    Sep 5, 2020
    0
    Madden has remained the same with the same glitches that it has every year. There is nothing special about this Madden; it only backs the fact that EA loves money, and not those who support their creations. Madden needs to be rebranded in the same way that COD was by activision. It's the same game same broken schemes that everybody runs that's what makes this franchise so pathetic.
  13. OldSilentHill
    Aug 31, 2020
    4
    This is 21, which has a 20 banner next to the field, which has a 19 banner at the back of the seats, which runs on a 18 version, which is actually a 17 version patched.
  14. Steff86
    Sep 5, 2020
    0
    Another EA mess using the same assets as the last game and complete lack of polish. Another year of wasting money on the same players you paid for in the last game.
  15. OnlyOneHere
    Sep 4, 2020
    0
    This game is a huge steaming pile of garbage. This game is exactly the same trash as the past 4 Madden games. All the developers did is update the roster and slapped a 21 number on it. They didn't even spell some of the names correctly. The developers claimed that the gameplay mechanics are innovative, but there is no difference. If anything, it is worse with all the terrible bugs.

    The    This game is a huge steaming pile of garbage. This game is exactly the same trash as the past 4 Madden games. All the developers did is update the roster and slapped a 21 number on it. They didn't even spell some of the names correctly. The developers claimed that the gameplay mechanics are innovative, but there is no difference. If anything, it is worse with all the terrible bugs.

    The physics in this game are laughable. It is pathetic how insanely greedy and lazy these developers are. They are charging $60 for literally the exact same game. I don't recommend this joke of a game at all. This game isn't even worth 1 penny.    … Expand
  16. tacklinfuel
    Sep 9, 2020
    0
    * Same game as last year.
    * An amazing amount of micro-transactions for a game you pay $60 for. Enough is enough.
    * Players that don't even play in the league to promote some woke nonsense.

    Never again, I will never again buy a sports title from EA.
  17. Serenityinaz12
    Sep 10, 2020
    0
    Get woke - go broke. You put loser Kap in the game, take you L you absolute clowns.
  18. Fishstew
    Sep 2, 2020
    4
    Madden 21 is yet another EA Sports copy and paste attempt at simulation American Football. The large majority of players have always wanted a more fleshed out Franchise mode. But, alas EA never listens and wishes to further antagonise their loyal customer base.

    EA Sports have recently communicated that there will be some Franchise features added to a future patch with a road map    Madden 21 is yet another EA Sports copy and paste attempt at simulation American Football. The large majority of players have always wanted a more fleshed out Franchise mode. But, alas EA never listens and wishes to further antagonise their loyal customer base.

    EA Sports have recently communicated that there will be some Franchise features added to a future patch with a road map revealed on 10th September.

    That is all well and good! But why don't they simple put a better Franchise element to the game on release. What is this great desire to make people wait months for a patch, just to get game features that should be in the game from the start.

    60$ is a lot of money for people to pay in these extremely uncertain and troubling times. Not to mention the billions spent on micro-transactions each and every year since they were implemented.

    But EA just doesn't give two hoots about customer loyalty and all the years people have invested their money into their NFL simulation game doesn't mean anything to them.

    People shouldn't be using social media to display their anger towards EA, as this will always fall on deaf ears. They simply do not care especially those at the top of the tree in the EA corporation,

    The only way to hurt these people is to hit them in the pocket and deprive them of the billions in revenue they have enjoyed for years. It's no good buying Madden each and every year and then posting a negative review on Metacritic and trolling the developers on social media.

    You need to make a stand right now! Don't ever buy another Madden game made by EA Sports and give those hard faced executives a swift kick to their salaries and bonuses.

    Don't let the fact that EA will sack those very talented employees be the blackmail that makes you continue to support this below average game. Nobody likes to see talent people out of work and the EA executives know this is a big weakness for consumers who like to support video game franchises.

    I know many of you out there have invested lots of real world money into building your Ultimate Teams each and every year. But this is not an excuse to allow EA sports to deliver copy and paste Madden games for at least the last 5 years.

    Let this be the final year that EA gets away with hoodwinking you out of money.

    Vote with your wallet. Not with your social media accounts.    … Expand
  19. someactorkid
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Once again, EA demonstrates why the NFL needs a new company to take over the game license. This is, easily, the laziest full price "upgrade" in Madden's history. The so-called 'improvements' to the AI, the graphics, and other components are so small that I'm convinced they don't exist. What this game lacks in soul and effort, it makes up for in tired old modes that haven't changed inOnce again, EA demonstrates why the NFL needs a new company to take over the game license. This is, easily, the laziest full price "upgrade" in Madden's history. The so-called 'improvements' to the AI, the graphics, and other components are so small that I'm convinced they don't exist. What this game lacks in soul and effort, it makes up for in tired old modes that haven't changed in years, and a generic experience overall. If you've been waiting for a Madden with significant upgrades to jump back into the series for, this ain't it.… Expand
  20. Zorrothomas7
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    Same old same old money stealing game with a monopoly on the franchise, if you buy this game you need help.
  21. Wdranda
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    Garbage, no impact on gameplay for decisions made in face of franchise. An entire rehash of the old game with almost no new changes or additions. Was promised "change" to franchise mode but its literally just a recolor. With an insane amount of bugs.
  22. Nichcr
    Aug 29, 2020
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Really getting tired of it in the first week, hope my online leauges and the NFL can bring that want to play it back… Expand
  23. Oysters
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Spending $60 on this game makes Bella Thorns OnlyFans look like a steal. This game is the exact same as it has been for 6-7 years! Imagine going into a comma in 2014 and waking up to play Madden 21. How disappointing do you think that would be? They distract you with new game modes but in reality, they are just new avenues for them to take you (or your parents) money. Shame on EA and shameSpending $60 on this game makes Bella Thorns OnlyFans look like a steal. This game is the exact same as it has been for 6-7 years! Imagine going into a comma in 2014 and waking up to play Madden 21. How disappointing do you think that would be? They distract you with new game modes but in reality, they are just new avenues for them to take you (or your parents) money. Shame on EA and shame on the NFL.… Expand
  24. VertexMF
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    The game has crashed more than not when trying to load up or play any game. It's not a finished product
  25. Lukerozich
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Same as madden 15. Same as madden 16. Same as madden 17. Same as madden 18. Same as madden 18. Same as madden 20.
  26. blaise1234
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    This is the worst madden in 20 years I’ve played every one. I’m going to do everything I can to get a refund.
  27. Patriots1996
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    This is a perfect example of what a monopoly does to the quality of a service/product. Focus is on micro transactions and “improved” gameplay, which is non apparent. This is a copy paste game from previous years. Company does not listen to its fan base. Tried finding any positive out of this game but I fail too find anything. #fixmaddenfranchise #nfldropEA
  28. charliehatesea
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    NFL needs to drop EA. It's absolutely shameful that EA keeps getting away with this each and every year. Just proves how EA really does not care for their customers.
  29. Extendedm9
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    The same recycled game every damn year. Zero effort. Never buying another madden game.
  30. Robdawg11
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    So bad it’s basically just ea spitting in your face. and taking your money. Don’t understand how this little of effort is put into a game.
  31. Fig1918
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    Not much more than a roster change for the last 5 years or so, which wouldn’t be too bad if the game was decent, but every year the game functions worse. The game has been very bad for over 10 years now, hopefully the NFL wakes up and ends their exclusive contract one of these days.
  32. Harlan1995
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    This game is horrible. The franchise mode is the same. The gameplay is stale, and doesn’t feel fluid at all. The features are stale. They spent time on the stupid yard mode, when they should be focusing on the gameplay and cooler things for madden ultimate team and franchise. The ultimate team has been the same for 2 straight years. This game sucks
  33. GasMann
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
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  34. 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!
  35. Pwn3dbyth3n00b
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    At this point anything I say is just beating a dead horse. The how could you make a game be just a Roster update yet make it worst than the last game you just updating the roster from.
  36. sirjj25
    Sep 2, 2020
    1
    This series has gotten worse with every game to come out. I started playing in the late 90s and played every game though to 09. Then i jump in ever few years. The last game i played was 16 and some how its way better then this. Half the stuff i did in the older games aren't here, and stuff being shown off as new features aren't new at all. On top of that its gotten so heavily monetized,This series has gotten worse with every game to come out. I started playing in the late 90s and played every game though to 09. Then i jump in ever few years. The last game i played was 16 and some how its way better then this. Half the stuff i did in the older games aren't here, and stuff being shown off as new features aren't new at all. On top of that its gotten so heavily monetized, that my player would actually drop the ball, because the stats on his card were not good enough. This game is a money hole with feces on top, and its a game im proud i returned.… Expand
  37. Rboone13
    Sep 2, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Feels like a throwaway game. Misspelled menu words, long lagging load screens, minimal new features, NO changes at all to franchise for the 4th year in a row. Save your money and download an updated roster on Madden 20.… Expand
  38. Milliknows
    Sep 2, 2020
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Lack of innovation... I’m pretty good at the game and my friends always tell me to buy it just to play against them. But trust me don’t. Any game is good simply by playing with friends... even **** games like madden. Franchise mode again takes a backseat, very animations based gameplay, very buggy, clearly lack of even a hint of trying. If this doesn’t change soon. This will definitely be my last madden game idc how much I love football.… Expand
  39. maxschuster
    Sep 6, 2020
    0
    This game is atrocious. Do not buy. It is the biggest waste of money ever. Glitches everywhere, no improvement from Madden 16-20.
  40. XSHIMMYX
    Sep 19, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. When you see 2019 logos and your guy can’t carry a ball without glitching it makes sense he’s rusty.......wait, no he’s a professional that can carry a ball better than I can carry my baby. It’s broken and it’s trash. EA needs to stop sucking on its own teet and take a page out of the cdpr playbook! And actually give af!… Expand
  41. Gunmars
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    EA proves yet again they are just out to milk fanbases for money. All time and effort has, yet again, year after year gone into MTX endeavors. Anything outside MUT receives bare minimum attention and usually gets decent features cut to reintroduce back in down the line as "New Features". Madden 21 should be considered a marginal patch at best, not a 70 dollar product.

    I wish NFL would    EA proves yet again they are just out to milk fanbases for money. All time and effort has, yet again, year after year gone into MTX endeavors. Anything outside MUT receives bare minimum attention and usually gets decent features cut to reintroduce back in down the line as "New Features". Madden 21 should be considered a marginal patch at best, not a 70 dollar product.

    I wish NFL would reconsider their exclusivity deal with EA but it will still sell well and as long as NFL makes their money they don't care about terrible reviews.

    This along with EA sports titles can only be called one thing. They are con artists. Next thing you know Madden 22 they will be selling us on new features like "Better menu functionality" and "working gameplay!".

    EA has no more excuses. They have milked MTX and the same 60 dollar regurgitated games year after year. They have the manpower, financial ability and arguably the biggest sports league in the worlds backing. They can push out a massive new madden year after year, they could overhaul "story mode" and franchise mode, they can redo the entire game in a year if they truly wanted but they just don't because people still pay.

    We as consumers need to tell EA to go shove it, yet again. Only when we financially hurt them will they actually care and even that may not be enough to get a decent product.    … Expand
  42. frogwipe
    Dec 21, 2020
    2
    Honestly, this game isn't fun. I've spent about 6-7 hours with it and I'm bored out of my mind. There's is nothing immersive or engaging about the gameplay. Can't control the location of a pass, the button response on defense is abysmal (e.g. I push the jump/'defend pass' button and nothing happens), the kicking game will put you to sleep, and in general, there have been no innovativeHonestly, this game isn't fun. I've spent about 6-7 hours with it and I'm bored out of my mind. There's is nothing immersive or engaging about the gameplay. Can't control the location of a pass, the button response on defense is abysmal (e.g. I push the jump/'defend pass' button and nothing happens), the kicking game will put you to sleep, and in general, there have been no innovative changes to the core mechanics since I can remember and I've been buying/trying Madden nearly every year for 25 years. I think I'm officially done until they actually make changes and code in some fun.… Expand
  43. jj350
    Sep 10, 2020
    0
    This game deserves every bit of criticism it has received. An absolute joke that needs to get political.
  44. Brother3Wright
    Sep 13, 2020
    0
    As a professional artist and developer I’ve always had always hated, “it’s the same game with a new roster” argument. This year Madden added The Yard mode, which is a pretty fun arcade style mode...and that’s it. The Yard is packed with things the community has asked for with a TON of apparel options, and a full face creator! Too bad it’s all locked to this mode. For everything else, itAs a professional artist and developer I’ve always had always hated, “it’s the same game with a new roster” argument. This year Madden added The Yard mode, which is a pretty fun arcade style mode...and that’s it. The Yard is packed with things the community has asked for with a TON of apparel options, and a full face creator! Too bad it’s all locked to this mode. For everything else, it IS a roster upgrade.

    Don’t bother playing franchise, they didn’t even bother updating the commentary. The announcers still talk about Cam Newton getting his Panthers into the red zone, and how Patrick Mahomes hopes to make it to the Super Bowl some day.

    I’ve dealt with the small annual updates Madden has had over the years. Knowing how hard a year cycle is (It’s no joke it’s not easy). But I’m sorry this just isn’t an acceptable product. If I turned in this kind of work to a client and said “Sorry, COVID and all” I’d be fired. Let’s not even get into the glitches either.

    Like any player who just got a big payday, once EA secured another 5 years of exclusivity it just stopped trying. So now I’ll finally vote with my wallet. I’m not mad, just disappointed.    … Expand
  45. Gamer44
    Sep 4, 2020
    0
    Once again EA can't do a proper nfl game every year the game is the same apart from the updated roster.its time for the NFL to drop EA and look for another developer to take madden forward. EA is killing Madden
  46. Dr-Muhannad
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    Low effort and buggy for a full price release from a big publisher.
    Disappointing but this is EA by definition.
  47. ed809
    Sep 4, 2020
    0
    EA has been milking this cow for so long now, and NFL simply doesn't care about the fans. Monopoly it's not good for the consumer to receive innovation and improvements
  48. EvilMrJingles
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    A poor excuse for a game, recycled animations and assets, no significant gameplay additions, each iteration seems to have less and less features, absolutely zero polish (did they even play tested this thing?!?) and micro transactions galore on top of that?
    Thanks but no thanks.
  49. EverydayIDecay
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    There are still Madden NFL 20 banners in this game and contains a extreme amount of glitches! Almost unplayable. Also players are not even unique to who they are. There are barely any tattoos in the games and players don't limp when hurt. Wasted money. How is there positive critic reviews? Not deserving of there titles!
  50. Kilmeister
    Sep 7, 2020
    0
    CTRL-C, CTRL-V, That'll be $60 for the base game. Oh hey, review has to be 75 characters long... So now I've officially put in more effort than EA.
  51. cubsfan4life
    Sep 8, 2020
    0
    Please give up your exclusive license you have no interest in making the game good anymore. The laziness is evident when you find past logos in this game. The only thing greedy ea is interested in making is the gambling portion of this game good. Every year we lose features a game like 2k5 still has more features than this game shameful
  52. rAMZA
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    There is a simple solution to make this game better don´t buy games from EA, if you don´t buy they notice and have to make better games. it is your own fault.
  53. y2lamanaki
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    This game has become an entire abomination and should be discontinued. STOP BUYING!
  54. ManOfChap
    Sep 12, 2020
    0
    Game is trash. All EA cares about is microtransactions. No longer is the focus on Franchise Mode, all they care about is Greed & Ulitmate Team is nothing but Greed, pay to win BS. Thrown in a garbage story mode that offers a trash story & nothing new. EA has killed this franchise & NFL needs to make a change.
  55. The_Man_With_No
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Minus the minor changes (which we are all sued to by now), this iteration of Madden NFL is just garbage, it's broken despite them literally only updating the roster. The graphics look the same and it plays similarly to older Madden games minus the fact that it never F***ing works. NFL, please drop EA, we're definitely not going to have a full season this year so I was counting on this toMinus the minor changes (which we are all sued to by now), this iteration of Madden NFL is just garbage, it's broken despite them literally only updating the roster. The graphics look the same and it plays similarly to older Madden games minus the fact that it never F***ing works. NFL, please drop EA, we're definitely not going to have a full season this year so I was counting on this to not be trash, now I'm just left with a trash game that barely runs.… Expand
  56. Goo4you
    Sep 14, 2020
    0
    I don't play Madden. I didn't even grade this game, yet for some reason, Metacritic said I gave it a 9? I think I looked at the user reviews a bit about a week ago. I'm only writing this because it won't let me change my score from a 9 (or just remove any score from the totals). I didn't grade this, but I'm gonna give it a 0 because this is some shady crap coming from Metacritic and/or EA.
  57. mozzie71
    Sep 2, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A complete rehash of previous version but with way more bugs... Sideline players spilling onto the field... Generic white uniforms in cut scenes because the actual uniforms only rendered on one person. Players going through each other like Casper the ghost.… Expand
  58. titus619
    Sep 11, 2020
    0
    Same cash grab trash. My money MATTERS. Still playing NFL2K5. Recycled garbage every year.
  59. Redstripe420
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    This game **** sucks, only reason I buy is because I'm a football fan AND THEY'RE THE ONLY ONES WITH NFL LICENSE.
  60. Just_Jimi
    Aug 20, 2021
    0
    Physics removed, user control functions still removed so canned animations have taken over the game. I can’t help but think how Frostbite is the cause of a lot of this. I feel like I have so little control over anything now. They are heading in the wrong direction in every way except for finally giving Franchise Mode some attention. Game breaking glitches from 3-4 years ago are all stillPhysics removed, user control functions still removed so canned animations have taken over the game. I can’t help but think how Frostbite is the cause of a lot of this. I feel like I have so little control over anything now. They are heading in the wrong direction in every way except for finally giving Franchise Mode some attention. Game breaking glitches from 3-4 years ago are all still there including some new ones. They cannot add a single new feature without ridiculous bugs behind them. It’s not just hating Madden because it’s Madden, it’s just not a fun game to me for the most reasons above.… Expand
  61. Stars_Cream
    Sep 8, 2020
    0
    Hot steaming garbage. Take a knee madden, you and Kap can swirl the drain together. GWGB and all that....
  62. zamorian79
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    I don't buy the game every year, the last game I bought was Madden 17 and still it disappoint me. It is incredible that I l skipped 4 years and they deliver a worse game that the one I had years ago. Madden 21 is without any significant improvements, same problems, they recycle the same game, take features out, add a bunch of stuff that has nothing to do with football. Not to mention thatI don't buy the game every year, the last game I bought was Madden 17 and still it disappoint me. It is incredible that I l skipped 4 years and they deliver a worse game that the one I had years ago. Madden 21 is without any significant improvements, same problems, they recycle the same game, take features out, add a bunch of stuff that has nothing to do with football. Not to mention that the game is using the worst monetization system I've ever seen. They charge you upfront for a full game, and then lock everything behind microtransactions and packs that cost more and give you less than a season pass. It's an abuse, incredible how can get along with this.… Expand
  63. poe410
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    I’ve lost count on the amount of years that Franchise mode has virtually gone untouched. Absolutely ridiculous. Not to mention, Face of the Franchise’s storyline is corny as hell and so obviously thrown together at the last minute. EA does not care about putting together a quality product and hasn’t for years.
  64. KniHowChowCow
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    The game is a 60 dollar roster update. The face of the franchise mode is recycled and basically a 5 dollar DLC update to madden 20. The commentary is the exact same as previous years.... I got the 10 hour trial, and I have 6 hours of it left, won't be touching it again. This is awful.
  65. Travain
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    This game is a shame, EA is a shame, all is SHAME. Thank you for read this review.
  66. SIPPIO
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    I am sooo done with EA + Madden...
    My 3 Madden bros from back home went and bought BackwardsCompatable PS3s
    and i decided to do the same..
    My god how could Madden 2000's era be soo much better..
    **How ironic the Game always releases with -O- bugs in the money store...
    WE HATE YOU EA!
  67. peramoure
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Same cut and paste **** every year. Prioritize "lootbox" modes to make tons of money and screw the fans by *literally* CARBON COPYING the entire franchise mode 6 years in a row. I've bought Madden for 21 years. Never again.
  68. chucko97
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    Longtime madden player- overall football game player since 1990. This Game yet again is a carbon copy of laziness. Nothing is done with franchise mode. Same screen and nothing to get me excited. I wish the NFL would do something about this. I returned my copy already. Continue to play madden 19 since it’s literally the same thing.
  69. zlRYANlz
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    You'd be better off throwing $60 into a fire for more entertainment value than buying this game. #FixMaddenFranchise
  70. forgottenstar66
    Sep 4, 2020
    0
    Same thing over and over again full of glitches ea will never learn do not buy this game
  71. JBaldera27
    Sep 1, 2020
    1
    This game is objectively decent in terms of being an NFL game. However, as the ONLY NFL game for an entire console generation, they have barely innovated any features that relate to simulation football. While they have explored more arcade features and micro-transactions, the core gameplay and franchise simulation experience received minimal love. We can't even play with legacy teams likeThis game is objectively decent in terms of being an NFL game. However, as the ONLY NFL game for an entire console generation, they have barely innovated any features that relate to simulation football. While they have explored more arcade features and micro-transactions, the core gameplay and franchise simulation experience received minimal love. We can't even play with legacy teams like NBA 2K while the Frostbite engine is limited in replicating realistic football animations...because it's a game engine made for FPS not sports. I purchased Madden 21 against my better judgment to play CFM with friends, but the frame rate and animations are inconsistent. This feels like I'm playing a beta instead of a polished product, and for $60 during a pandemic I expect better. EA Sports has ignored fan input which is sad because the Madden community has been very vocal about features they'd like. The NFL should remove the "exclusive" license from EA Sports, as they have shown they don't deserve a monopoly on NFL fans with a half-baked product year-after-year.… Expand
  72. RuggedEmu
    Nov 11, 2020
    4
    This is the worst madden I’ve ever played, and I’ve been playing since the early 2000s. It’s buggy, the gameplay is bad, and the matchmaking always puts you against sweaties. It’s purely not very fun and clearly EA (unsurprisingly) only cares about people buying packs. Poorly done. Shameful, really.
  73. nonchalantgamer
    Sep 11, 2020
    0
    The reason I'm giving you this a zero is because this game is glitchy as hell and doesn't even work sometimes. When it works this game's like a 6. But I'm having so many troubles logging in and it keeps disconnecting me and when I went to go to EA help they couldn't help me sign in on Xbox so I literally spent $60 on a game that I can't fly now. ****
  74. Shender
    Sep 10, 2020
    0
    I dont rate games on here but I've never seen this in a sports game. I played for 10 hours and there is literally NO discernible update from last year. I played MUT last year and thought it was okay. I was even excited for this year but I'm glad I have EA access and didnt buy it because this is a worse game then last year. Exact same gameplay...worse menu's...worse card design...more bugs
  75. szogyenyi
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    If you think what EA does with MADDEN is ok... if you tolerate the constant cash grab what they make with ultimate team, while the game does not improve at all for years now... you deserve to be robbed. I can only hope they will lose the license with time, but since 2K is nothing better than Electronic Arts, the only thing we can do is to keep pressure on them. Please don't buy this game!
  76. cristiadu
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    Whoever says this game is fine is seriously deluded by EA. Want an honest review? People are scoring this 0 out of 10 because for the last 10+ years Madden has been removing features more than adding them (except for the Ultimate Team mode, I guess, so if you're into microtransactions go for it). So don't call this "hate" or "unfair" because it clearly isn't.

    We talked with EA, and EA    Whoever says this game is fine is seriously deluded by EA. Want an honest review? People are scoring this 0 out of 10 because for the last 10+ years Madden has been removing features more than adding them (except for the Ultimate Team mode, I guess, so if you're into microtransactions go for it). So don't call this "hate" or "unfair" because it clearly isn't.

    We talked with EA, and EA faked improvements for us (by saying they would improve and then actually not doing anything). We all tried multiple years to reach out to them and say "hey, maybe we can get features that were on Madden 12 (in madden 16/17/18/19/20), how about that?" and literally nothing happened. It was a pain to get the easiest minor feature for Franchise mode. Like honestly, if you judge the game standalone it is a worse Madden 20, so just buy an used Madden 20 if you still want to buy an NFL game because Madden 21 ain't it.    … Expand
  77. Kai82
    Sep 7, 2020
    0
    I know it is popular to hit on this game but it is deserved. They release practically the same game every year with marginal changes at full price. They even failed to remove some Madden 20 writings in the background this time. Also you get less and less. They removed so much features over the years. Just look it up because it is a long list. There are also many technical issues andI know it is popular to hit on this game but it is deserved. They release practically the same game every year with marginal changes at full price. They even failed to remove some Madden 20 writings in the background this time. Also you get less and less. They removed so much features over the years. Just look it up because it is a long list. There are also many technical issues and glitches (YouTube has some funny compilations). Even the critics agree that this is a problem naming it mediocre and lacking innovation. Then there are the money grabbing microtransactions or surprise mechanics. Did you hear the stories of children emptying the bank accounts of their parents or people spending thousands of dollars? This is or had become the purpose of these games and why EA is for many all that is wrong with the industry. Overall this is not worth your money and this business practices should never be supported. Because of these facts I lowered my rating to 0/10.… Expand
  78. Dynako
    Aug 31, 2020
    1
    I miss madden of old - its just become a broken shell of its former self and EA couldn't give 2 **** about it. I really hope they take this as a lesson but I think this franchise is over...
  79. Touchprotip
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    Monopolies create stagnation i just need a football game I can play this is ridiculous EA
  80. madden15
    Sep 19, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Worst Madden ever. Seriously a huge waste of money. I can’t believe they actually released this game. It sucks. And I’ve never complained about any madden before this so for me to go out of my way to rate this utter bs game is saying something. EA sports should give anyone who bought this a refund because this game is a joke.… Expand
  81. mslaughter35
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    One of the worst cases of copy-and-paste I have seen since the 2019 version of ANY EA sports game.
  82. the12thman
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    Another year and another Madden letdown. EA has stolen my money for the last time. $60 for a roster update and a game mode I have zero interest in. Shame on the NFL for letti g their fans down year after year with this EA exclusivity.
  83. PikaPika2
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    I cannot play this game. So many bugs, microtransactions at every turn, even the gameplay is just an outright downgrade from Madden NFL 20.
  84. TheGameCritic69
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    My god this game is booty, under no circumstances should anyone ever play this bruh
  85. Hi_Im_Jon
    Sep 4, 2020
    0
    I cannot speak on all the different modes because I havent finished the Face of the franchise mode yet and usually do that first thing. Unfortunately that mode has one disappointment after another! The mode starts you off in high school and you make your way up from there and they start off strong with a rival that you bicker and babble with but then everything crumbles, your rival decidesI cannot speak on all the different modes because I havent finished the Face of the franchise mode yet and usually do that first thing. Unfortunately that mode has one disappointment after another! The mode starts you off in high school and you make your way up from there and they start off strong with a rival that you bicker and babble with but then everything crumbles, your rival decides to join you at the same school to fight you for redemption and regardless of how well you do, the coach eventually gives the job to the rival either way and you can choose to change positions and stay (which isnt a realistic choice) or go to the nfl which is where I got excited. But instead of letting you play whichever games you want at that point it forces you to play your division rival over and over,. I literally played 8 out of 12 nfl games against the green bay packers. Here you would think the rival from college would get drafted and join your rival team....nope they never mention him again. They just give you some nonsense reason you should be excited to play the same team again. O this guy is hurt can you beat them while they are down a man? Obviously. Now the injured player is back and is talking trash so we replay the team again. I kid you not, one season I was only given the two games against green bay thinking they were huge games but, nope, we were 3rd in our division and they were 4th. It is like someone said "let's see how plain and generic we can make this game and still get people to buy it." I think the team that makes madden is literally 3 guys tasked with copying and pasting 95% of the code from the previous year and adding one new mode which does nothing but draws fans to buy to try and then leave disappointed yet again!… Expand
  86. KillerUnleashed
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    Micro transaction filled rehash of last year and the year befores garbage. This only continues because of everyone that keeps purchasing it and its packs and are the ones to blame for this.
  87. eduslater
    Sep 4, 2020
    0
    Bugfest, simply the worst. Gameplay is trash and scripted. The only things this game cares about are microtransactions.
  88. mauriongates
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. #FixMaddenFranchise meant absolutely nothing to EA and for years they've lied and promised that Franchise Mode would be their main focus. Every year we here "step in the right direction" and every year like clever politicians they continue to make excuses and lie about limitations in the game. We have mouth pieces and the game in Yard, but wait EA, did you not state this was impossible. They add all types of custom jerseys in this mode, but we haven't been able to create actually custom jerseys in the game for years. The Pro Ball was brought back last year after they lied about it being impossible to add in the game. How does a game on a game system two generations older (with less power mind you) have more features than current gen games. This is why NBA Live died. 2K may have their own version of MUT, but they also offer a Franchise Mode and GM Mode that is leaps and bounds ahead of what EA has to offer and it's free. Madden 21 is has a bargain bin version of a MyCareer, that really is downgraded version of Long Shot with a created player. You aren't the story, you're a prisoner of it. MUT is not a game mode I really care for unless I'm bored and I've never paid a dime to build a team. Superstar KO is the same and the only thing that has been added to the game is, cash grab, the Yard. EA Sport Madden is the ultimate con. After #NFLdropEA trended yesterday they being offer codes to the game. They owe the fans a free game since most of their money is going to come from MUT and the Yard anyway. EA continues to spit in the faces of its customers and lack accountability for all the lies the have told. My honest is advice is to keep playing Madden 20 or play far superior games like NFL 2K5, Madden 07/08, and for the Yard experience, play NFL Street. I can't tell you what to do with your money but, I will say, I'm definitely not spending my hard on cash on this scam.… Expand
  89. zachzwp
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    This scheme of copy and paste needs to come to an end. Stop supporting this trash and take the license away from this greedy company.
  90. MihaiKrieger
    Sep 5, 2020
    0
    This is a sacrilege. I only play sports game for educational purposes and fun, nor for competitiveness, but this is a spit in the face of not only madden fans, but spots games in general. Thank you EA.
  91. Kamarr
    Sep 11, 2020
    0
    Same game copy and paste over and over and over again all because because whales keep dropping funds into Mut which is actually destroying the madden franchise. Also Colin crappernick is in the game hes not an nfl player hes a pos just like this game.
  92. FrankaDankus327
    Nov 13, 2020
    0
    unplayable, broken game that has 360 graphics. your'e blasted with micro transactions and **** backyard football rookie rush is a better football game. the worst part is how it feels like madden 15 on ps4 with different rosters. avoid this train wreck and save your money. a better thing to do with your money would be to grab your cash and wipe your ass with it. you'd have a better timeunplayable, broken game that has 360 graphics. your'e blasted with micro transactions and **** backyard football rookie rush is a better football game. the worst part is how it feels like madden 15 on ps4 with different rosters. avoid this train wreck and save your money. a better thing to do with your money would be to grab your cash and wipe your ass with it. you'd have a better time looking at the **** stains on your money than playing 5 minutes of this game.… Expand
  93. BigBossHayabusa
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    This game is somehow worse than Madden 20. Simply one of the worst games ever made. #NFLdropEA
  94. mario999
    Sep 2, 2020
    0
    EA **** worst company on the planet, they can do nothing is all **** what they make. Only thing which matters for them is packs packs packs packs packs please don’t give them more money for anything. Fifa, madden all **** , they destroying everything. This game is a joke not a game, this game not even deserve a review. How in hell some reviewers give this game over 10points out of 100.EA **** worst company on the planet, they can do nothing is all **** what they make. Only thing which matters for them is packs packs packs packs packs please don’t give them more money for anything. Fifa, madden all **** , they destroying everything. This game is a joke not a game, this game not even deserve a review. How in hell some reviewers give this game over 10points out of 100. They are paid, only possibility.… Expand
  95. winzentween
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    People *mostly* rightfully complain about the lack of franchise mode and depth, but thats ok if there is really good gameplay... There isn't. The gameplay is super repetitive and you can see the same animations 8+ times per game, and they are the same animations from past Maddens, making it more repetitive. Your players will catch, get tackled, hurdle, get their ankles shattered, interceptPeople *mostly* rightfully complain about the lack of franchise mode and depth, but thats ok if there is really good gameplay... There isn't. The gameplay is super repetitive and you can see the same animations 8+ times per game, and they are the same animations from past Maddens, making it more repetitive. Your players will catch, get tackled, hurdle, get their ankles shattered, intercept passes, tightrope the sidelines, toe tap the sidelines, fall over, look like n64 characters on the sidelines, get stiff armed, block/block shed, and to be honest, do everything in the same exact way multiple times per game. The animations are not even close to real football, which would be ok if it was an arcade football game... It isn't. The animation based gameplay would be ok if there were many animations for certain player positions and scenarios... Not only "there aren't" but it would be super unrealistic to take the time to make all those animations. Which makes you wonder... why they decided to make the game with the Frostbite engine, with animation dependent gameplay in the first place. Another problem with the gameplay is that with it being animation based, there is no player "stick skill" or anything along those lines, because the entire game revolves around hoping you get the right animation. Jump balls are just saying "Wow I hope that corner grows 2 left feet and gets a bad animation" instead of something along the lines of "Wow I hope my 99 overall player has better hands than this 9th string JV corner". I shouldn't have to hope on animations when stick skill is a selling point. Players standing still can shake of a hit stick from a linebacker sprinting full tilt at them. The pass trajectory is awful, every pass is just a glorified bullet pass, I’m not sure why making the ball travel in a parabola is difficult, but (believe it or not) I don't design video games so I don't know. Linebackers no longer have a 9' 13" vertical when intercepting passes, which is a good change, but an unnecessary change if the pass trajectory had more of an arc instead of a laser. This poor gameplay would be ok if the depth of franchise and other modes made up for it... They don't (I’m starting to notice a trend here) EA has many ways to fix their game and either won't/can't for whatever reason, which would be ok if they told us the reason... THEY DON'T! We can't be understanding because they won't share anything for us to understand... Sheesh. I’m not a franchise guy but there are enough franchise guys that I think everyone understand the point. The #FixMaddenFranchise has been going around and what we got was potential patch notes that will probably never happen. The last thing I’m going to touch on is the NFL exclusive licensing. This is just a monopoly, thats it. This monopoly would be ok if Madden was an ok game... It isn't. Its just a bad product, there is no way around that. That would be ok if Madden was a bad product if there were other potentially better simulation NFL football games on the market... (You guessed it) There aren't because of the exclusive rights. The exclusive rights also makes this NFL fans only option, and thats not ok. The yard is cool I guess, but its monetized for no reason, Face of the Franchise isn't interesting and is dull. The two positives this game has is that its the only NFL game, and that The Yard is "cool i guess". Now I’m going to go buy All Pro Football 2K8 for $5 instead of this $60 "product". And Clint Oldenburg, if you're reading this, 2 is better than 1, but 0.4 is somehow worse than 1, this is a sign, READ THE FREAKING SIGN... sorry, if you for some ungodly reason, you read this, have a cookie... You deserve it! :) 0/10… Expand
  96. HeyTeddy
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    Terrible excuse for a game. It is unfinished & filled with glitches and bugs.
  97. Jake-Snake94
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Same rehashed nonsense year after year, its an utter embarassment. #selltheteam EA
  98. praisethesun11
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    Awful game series that is hell-bent on milking their fan base for every dollar they have year after year. Do not support this.
  99. Raveren
    Sep 8, 2020
    0
    It’s unfortunate how full of bugs this game is. It’s difficult to start games with friends, the menus have significant lag that can make it difficult to play and the fine tuning simply doesn’t exist.
  100. Eckogen
    Sep 4, 2020
    0
    Another Madden. Another copy and paste low effort cash grab. These games have the potential to be good if EA actually cared and tried.
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Awards & Rankings

4
#4 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2020

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
63

Mixed or average reviews - based on 29 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 23 out of 29
  3. Negative: 2 out of 29
  1. PLAY! Zine
    Oct 8, 2020
    40
    Madden NFL 21 is another blatant recycling of last year’s edition of the „simulation“ of the American football. Sadly, most of the modes remained the same. Gameplay received a few minor tweaks, and in the end it still persists as a cash grab not worth anybody’s time.
    Read full review
  2. LevelUp
    Sep 14, 2020
    70
    Madden NFL says goodbye to a generation with more questions than answers and with an uncertain perspective on what may happen in the years to come.
    Read full review
  3. Impulsegamer
    Sep 9, 2020
    70
    For NFL diehards, there remains hundreds of gaming hours at your disposal in Madden 21. These same diehards – much like players of EA’s NHL and Sony’s The Show – will be left with the impression they’ve played this game before, however.
    Read full review
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