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. Jasonarnold
    Aug 29, 2020
    2
    I know people usually say man is just copy paste but holy **** this year is literally just copy paste once again franchise mode wasn’t even touched instead they dedicated their resources to a horrible new mode called the yard and face of the franchise that has a worse story than the last of us part two are used talk to text that’s why there’s no punctuation or why there is probably grammarI know people usually say man is just copy paste but holy **** this year is literally just copy paste once again franchise mode wasn’t even touched instead they dedicated their resources to a horrible new mode called the yard and face of the franchise that has a worse story than the last of us part two are used talk to text that’s why there’s no punctuation or why there is probably grammar shoes don’t buy this game… Expand
  2. Galahad7
    Sep 2, 2020
    2
    Same tired lazy copy and paste an insult to the fans. I doubt the NFL will drop EA because they lost their balls a long time ago.
  3. Rowdoss
    Aug 26, 2020
    2
    The fact that gameplay is solid, and arguably as good as the franchise has ever been in that regard, can no longer gloss over the fact that this game is so far behind its peers. The broken game modes no one seems to ask for. The prioritization of money making modes over the basics. Madden has NEVER released with this many bugs and glitches. This is especially egregious due to the fact thisThe fact that gameplay is solid, and arguably as good as the franchise has ever been in that regard, can no longer gloss over the fact that this game is so far behind its peers. The broken game modes no one seems to ask for. The prioritization of money making modes over the basics. Madden has NEVER released with this many bugs and glitches. This is especially egregious due to the fact this year sees the introduction of an arcade mode (laughably broken at release) in a year a rival publisher has gained rights to make arcade NFL games while EA Sports remains the exclusive simulation license holder. EA has chosen to put its eggs in someone else’s basket while taking a hammer to its own. The end product this year shows. And is the worst Madden in 14-15 years.… Expand
  4. eirik_
    Aug 26, 2020
    2
    EA needs to change their game on the most fundamental level. Franchise mode has long been ignored, FOTF is predictable and poorly acted/written, and even a whacky fun mode like the yard can't change the buggy, scripted football game EA releases year after year.
  5. Kalofel8
    Aug 26, 2020
    2
    The NFL needs to pay attention. I haven't reached this point yet but my friends won't watch games with me anymore. They were big madden players and because the game gets worse and the NFL keeps signing new deals they have slowly stopped watching games.... Putting a bad name on the NFL.
  6. Speagle77
    Aug 26, 2020
    2
    This game is sloppy and seems very unfinished. The bugs in this game make it unplayable in most of the game modes. Face of the franchise is a disaster that tries to mold together multiple corny storylines and stale jokes. Not to mention your stats don’t matter as the story line stays the same no matter what you do. The only reason I gave a 2 is because the yard panned out to be a fun andThis game is sloppy and seems very unfinished. The bugs in this game make it unplayable in most of the game modes. Face of the franchise is a disaster that tries to mold together multiple corny storylines and stale jokes. Not to mention your stats don’t matter as the story line stays the same no matter what you do. The only reason I gave a 2 is because the yard panned out to be a fun and enjoyable aspect however the bugs and desync problems make it impossible to complete multiple games. Overall this game has been on a downward slope for a long time and we’re finally seeing it crash and burn. Save your $60 please.… Expand
  7. mrdande
    Aug 30, 2020
    2
    The game does have some minor improvements like smoother gameplay but for the most part, the game has been left unchanged. There has been an increase in overall bugs as a matter of fact.

    Face of the Franchise Mode includes additions in story and depth but there has been more bugs because of it. You can only get drafted by the Bears (unless you cheat and manually pick your team) and your    The game does have some minor improvements like smoother gameplay but for the most part, the game has been left unchanged. There has been an increase in overall bugs as a matter of fact.

    Face of the Franchise Mode includes additions in story and depth but there has been more bugs because of it. You can only get drafted by the Bears (unless you cheat and manually pick your team) and your play card displays the wrong archetype you chose and the wrong college you picked to attend. There are new storylines but it is not realistic at all. The mode is raw but not polished.

    The new mode, "The Yard," is a good addition to the otherwise bare game and it does offer some fun gameplay but unfortunately, the mode does have some gameplay bugs. The grass field can disappear at times and the ball can glitch out. One can wonder if the mode was only added to combat 2K's new arcade game coming out next year.

    Franchise mode is an exact replica from last year with no changes except for UI and a recolor.

    Overall, the game like every other madden in the last 10 years has very minor improvements and is nothing different from the rest. The Yard and Face of the Franchise are fun gamemodes but they are not polished and they suffer from bugs all over the place. I do not recommend a buy unless it is on sale.

    Pros:
    Smooth gameplay
    The Yard
    Additions to FOTF
    Cons:
    Unpolished
    Tremendous amount of bugs
    FOTF is unpolished with too many bugs
    Cheese plays still prevalent    … Expand
  8. EightyOne
    Aug 28, 2020
    2
    Since signing an exclusivity deal with the NFL EA have essentially mailed it in every year and 21 is no different. The game is a buggy mess with awful gameplay and why that surprises anyone I really dont know.
    What really grinds my gears this year is actually the addition of a new mode - The Yard. This is no more than a half baked attempt to pull the rug from under 2Ks feet and bears no    Since signing an exclusivity deal with the NFL EA have essentially mailed it in every year and 21 is no different. The game is a buggy mess with awful gameplay and why that surprises anyone I really dont know.
    What really grinds my gears this year is actually the addition of a new mode - The Yard. This is no more than a half baked attempt to pull the rug from under 2Ks feet and bears no relation to the simulation football game EA are contractually obliged to make. Now we have 3 crappy arcady mini games aimed at children and worse still, designed to take additional money off them through microtransactions. That in a year made harder than most, EA synically decided to point whatever resources it had available at yet another half arsed cheese fest tells you all you need to know. Shame on you EA and shame on the NFL for allowing them to get away with it.
    Of and Face of the Fanchise is **** awful.    … Expand
  9. texsuber2000
    Aug 28, 2020
    2
    Once again not worth I went against my gut feeling of not buying but thought "The Yard" could and would justify my purchase sadly the decision I made was wrong. To have a # about franchise mode and for it to still not be touched is quite frankly reprehensible. Madden is literally making me hate the NFL the game has been on the market unopposed and year after year the developers gives meOnce again not worth I went against my gut feeling of not buying but thought "The Yard" could and would justify my purchase sadly the decision I made was wrong. To have a # about franchise mode and for it to still not be touched is quite frankly reprehensible. Madden is literally making me hate the NFL the game has been on the market unopposed and year after year the developers gives me the middle finger. That said do what you want I recommend you dont buy this newest installment, if I could get a refund I would. I am so done with Madden for this generation and next until competition is introduced I will not purchase another Madden game period. And to think that no other game developer cannot make a simulation game to compete is like getting a lottery ticket and getting 4 of the 5 numbers you need.… Expand
  10. Jleyyyy
    Aug 28, 2020
    2
    Same game as last year with no updates to franchise mode. Face of the franchise is extremely cringe Worthy. I personally do not enjoy the yard but understand some people might. I do actually like superstare KO but just like franchise nothing new. Save your money.
  11. Buckeyebrandon
    Aug 28, 2020
    2
    The past four iterations of Madden have added little outside of some experimental game modes that go on to be replaced with another experimental game mode the following year. This year is more of the same. This is Madden 20 with updated rosters and a game mode where you play five on five. It is essentially a mini game where EA hopes you will spend real cash to buy cool visors and swag. IThe past four iterations of Madden have added little outside of some experimental game modes that go on to be replaced with another experimental game mode the following year. This year is more of the same. This is Madden 20 with updated rosters and a game mode where you play five on five. It is essentially a mini game where EA hopes you will spend real cash to buy cool visors and swag. I think EA has finally betrayed its loyal yearly buyers long enough that we have had enough. For the first time in as long as I can remember I will not be purchasing Madden.… Expand
  12. Jershy88
    Aug 28, 2020
    2
    The gameplay is pretty solid. The graphics are good. You can tell the developers know how to make a wonderful football game, they are just capped by the EA conglomerate. I can pick up any madden game released over the last 10 years and get the same general experience, and unfortunately in come cases a worse experience. It’s a shame we are stuck in this same yearly ritual of being let downThe gameplay is pretty solid. The graphics are good. You can tell the developers know how to make a wonderful football game, they are just capped by the EA conglomerate. I can pick up any madden game released over the last 10 years and get the same general experience, and unfortunately in come cases a worse experience. It’s a shame we are stuck in this same yearly ritual of being let down by a football game, when clearly other titles have advanced insane amounts with no real competition. Madden should be a dope game. It’s just not. It’ll get boring soon. My PS4 will collect dust, then I’ll get excited again next June for M22. Wow - that was more depressing than planned … Expand
  13. arn_mdk
    Aug 29, 2020
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Glitches everywhere in the game. My favorite mode franchise has been untouched. Added a broken story mode that lacks depth. Few improvements but the bad outweigh the good.… Expand
  14. Shy_glizzy
    Aug 29, 2020
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game is ass do not waste your time on this game the National Football League needs to rip up their contract that they have with EA Sports because this game is garbage.… Expand
  15. Nightmeer08
    Aug 29, 2020
    2
    Rating it a 2 because only 2 things have changed that makes this game worth buying. The yard is kinda cool, not really my thing but it’s not bad. Moderate changes to face of the franchise make it a little more worth playing. But that’s it, the rest of the game is literally copy and paste. And as someone who plays sports games every year, no other game copy and pastes like madden does. NHLRating it a 2 because only 2 things have changed that makes this game worth buying. The yard is kinda cool, not really my thing but it’s not bad. Moderate changes to face of the franchise make it a little more worth playing. But that’s it, the rest of the game is literally copy and paste. And as someone who plays sports games every year, no other game copy and pastes like madden does. NHL lately has been doing this, but madden has been going too long giving people the same game.… Expand
  16. Vikkark
    Aug 30, 2020
    2
    Somehow worse than madden 20. All problems it had intensified. Sims bad, career mode is bad, the whole game is a just the shell of madden 20 with a few updates
  17. InsertCoolUser
    Aug 30, 2020
    2
    Same game as madden 20, but with more microtransactions, Franchise mode still sucks and hasnt been updated in almost a decade. If you have madden 19 or 20, just download the rosters and draft class. Your wallet will thank you.
  18. Zombied_YT
    Aug 30, 2020
    2
    Same game same for the past 4 years it’s so bad the glitches are annoying the face of the franchise is to short ultimate team is a cash grab and franchise mode is still unrealistic
  19. Hiddenintheleaf
    Aug 30, 2020
    2
    This ia a 65 dollar roster update
  20. RorySP
    Aug 31, 2020
    2
    It’s funny, I used to look forward to the new Madden game every year when I was a kid. The Madden’s of the mid 2000s were some of the my favorite games I ever played. I’m not sure exactly when it started, but the game has, in my opinion, finally deteriorated to the point where it’s unplayable. It’s essentially a roster update. They didn’t even bother to change anything but the color schemeIt’s funny, I used to look forward to the new Madden game every year when I was a kid. The Madden’s of the mid 2000s were some of the my favorite games I ever played. I’m not sure exactly when it started, but the game has, in my opinion, finally deteriorated to the point where it’s unplayable. It’s essentially a roster update. They didn’t even bother to change anything but the color scheme of the menu! It’s laughable. Pains me to say this, but NFL should look to get out of whatever exclusive deal they have with EA so they can find someone actually interested in making a good game. Kick Rocks EA… Expand
  21. Tiredofmadden
    Aug 31, 2020
    2
    Look at this BS! Now there bribing us with free games. This game simply does not deserve the LISCENCE it’s that simple. They got greedy because they did not have anything to worry about an absolutely no competition back when 2k was out they actually made good games but ever since they took the exclusive rights they’ve been making the same game only with a roster update. Cmon guys don’tLook at this BS! Now there bribing us with free games. This game simply does not deserve the LISCENCE it’s that simple. They got greedy because they did not have anything to worry about an absolutely no competition back when 2k was out they actually made good games but ever since they took the exclusive rights they’ve been making the same game only with a roster update. Cmon guys don’t fall for this. This can’t be it keep it trending. One day I WILL have a good football game #NFLDropEA #FixMaddenFranchise… Expand
  22. Maverick55
    Aug 31, 2020
    2
    Same thing every year - will not be buying for the 4th strait year. I play the demo and am unimpressed. I go into the demo with high hopes just to play the same game it has been for years. Sad too as I’m a huge gamer and even bigger football fan.
  23. papap0st
    Aug 31, 2020
    2
    This game is a technical mess full of glitches and bugs. There is 0 attention to detail as there are plenty of misspellings, wrong info, and copy/paste everything.

    Some improvements come in the form of general gameplay improvements. But the technical mess of everything around them overshadows anything positive. Misaligned players, broken plays, etc. I've experienced more issues in 2    This game is a technical mess full of glitches and bugs. There is 0 attention to detail as there are plenty of misspellings, wrong info, and copy/paste everything.

    Some improvements come in the form of general gameplay improvements. But the technical mess of everything around them overshadows anything positive. Misaligned players, broken plays, etc. I've experienced more issues in 2 weeks with this game than I did all of last year.

    Don't even waste your time in the "career" mode. The developers clearly didn't.    … Expand
  24. JoeMDemajio
    Aug 31, 2020
    2
    I was really hoping for something new. But aside from remaining the same it also feels like it's regressing. I feel bombarded with all the additional payments, I just want to play a good football game.
  25. Jarmikou
    Sep 1, 2020
    2
    It’s honestly just the same game as last year with a different cost of paint. You can even find old assets from the last game in this newest one like before. It’s not worth 60 dollars nor 50 or 40 and shouldn’t even be sold as a newest entry on its own. Like I mentioned before, same game but with a few new changes.
  26. KyleGP
    Sep 3, 2020
    2
    Unimproved gameplay makes for the repetitive tackles, glitches, and animations you have been accustomed to for the passed 4+ years. Blocking logic is maybe the worst it's been in years. Clipping is still overwhelmingly prevalent. Face of the Franchise is horribly cheesy and poorly written. Franchise mode hasn't even made a small step forward. The Yard is a new/different Superstar KO, whichUnimproved gameplay makes for the repetitive tackles, glitches, and animations you have been accustomed to for the passed 4+ years. Blocking logic is maybe the worst it's been in years. Clipping is still overwhelmingly prevalent. Face of the Franchise is horribly cheesy and poorly written. Franchise mode hasn't even made a small step forward. The Yard is a new/different Superstar KO, which neither have any barring on the core gameplay that so badly needs attention. Microtransactions are a cancer consuming every "new and exciting mode". I really could go on but I'm already tired of saying the same things every one else is saying. Really the worst thing about this game is that the developers have such a disconnect with the Madden fan base and do not care to hear input. They think people are over reacting and bombarding them with negative reviews. No. We are angry at the clear lack of effort and POS of a "simulation football" game we have been force fed because of an exclusive rights deal. Executives at EA need to put a little bit of that microtransactions money into creating a new engine. The fact that a football game uses a first person shooter as their base physics engine should be all we have to know about EA and their logic.… Expand
  27. calebcoker
    Sep 4, 2020
    2
    Let me start by saying that I really liked Madden 20 I thought it was a good step in the right direction for EA, although it didn’t fix franchise mode it had a lot of neat additions like Superstar KO and Face of the Franchise which let you play as a college team. So considering all that I was very excited for Madden 21 I was hoping it would take an even bigger step in the right directionLet me start by saying that I really liked Madden 20 I thought it was a good step in the right direction for EA, although it didn’t fix franchise mode it had a lot of neat additions like Superstar KO and Face of the Franchise which let you play as a college team. So considering all that I was very excited for Madden 21 I was hoping it would take an even bigger step in the right direction but I hate to say this is definitely not the case. Everything is almost an exact copy and paste with new rosters. Franchise is still worse than Madden NFL 04 which came out 17 years ago. The only new thing they added was The Yard. I was very excited for this game mode, but it was a huge disappointment. It just feels like a worse version of Superstar KO. Speaking of Superstar KO it is exactly the same except that it added one new team to play as. Franchise, Exhibition, and MUT are also all exactly the same. Face of the Franchise is almost the same except they replaced the college teams from last year with new ones and this year it starts in the high school playoffs. The narrative is exactly the same that you come off the bench and know one knows who you are and win the game. The only difference is that it starts in High School instead of College. It added a lot of quality of life improvements and the presentation and gameplay feels a lot smoother but none of that justifies the $60 price tag when all of this should have been a free update for Madden 20. I also think that the main menu is worse than the one in Madden 20 I hate they way all the logos blend in with each other in that awful font when in Madden 20 all the game mode logos looked unique. This game doesn’t even have an opening sequence like past maddens. (Like how in Madden 20 when you first boot up the game you play the Pro Bowl) Instead when you first boot up Madden 21 you design your character for The Yard. This is extremely disappointing. So if you were thinking about picking this game up I’d recommend buying Madden 20, waiting a couple weeks for it to go on sale, or buying it used on Ebay in a couple months.… Expand
  28. Swolebody
    Sep 9, 2020
    2
    I haven’t played madden since M16 and almost all of the issues that drove me away from the game before still exist today. I’ll start with what’s most annoying to be personally. The menu screens, especially for Ultimate Team are so god damm slow. Free games like America’s Army Proving Grounds and Realm Royale have faster response times in the menus. It’s **** ridiculous the amount of timeI haven’t played madden since M16 and almost all of the issues that drove me away from the game before still exist today. I’ll start with what’s most annoying to be personally. The menu screens, especially for Ultimate Team are so god damm slow. Free games like America’s Army Proving Grounds and Realm Royale have faster response times in the menus. It’s **** ridiculous the amount of time it takes to load when simply going from the lineup screen to the auction house. And same with the pause menu in game. That combined with many bugs, unrealistic player movements, a lack of content in ultimate team, constant server outages, and the ridiculously bogus balance between the highest overall players in the game against low gold cards in solo challenges. Cards with 70 speed are somehow catching up to receivers and running backs with speeds in the high 80’s to 90’s. As for mut points and packs, I don’t have a problem with micro transactions. I have a problem with micro changes being made to the game every year that don’t affect the realism of the gameplay. When professional football players analyze the game and conclude the movements are completely unrealistic (especially linebackers and offensive lineman) to how an actual NFL game would go is all the proof you need to know the last many maddens are not at all an accurate football simulation. And EA sports can go **** themselves. NFL drop EA off the highest cliff you can find.… Expand
  29. Easyshmoney
    Sep 9, 2020
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I bought Madden thinking that the negativity was all hype. My honest opinion is this game is a hot mess. Glitches, poor animations, where the players get locked in.… Expand
  30. twalk9
    Sep 10, 2020
    2
    Only thing that kept it from being a 1 or 0 was the fact you could switch to RB or WR on face of the franchise. Other than that, game was like being at a five star restaurant expecting filet mignon and getting a microwaved Dog turd on a silver platter. Expected this billion dollar company to come out with a video game that would even closely resemble any of the products 2k has made forOnly thing that kept it from being a 1 or 0 was the fact you could switch to RB or WR on face of the franchise. Other than that, game was like being at a five star restaurant expecting filet mignon and getting a microwaved Dog turd on a silver platter. Expected this billion dollar company to come out with a video game that would even closely resemble any of the products 2k has made for basketball, but all i got was a glitch-filled, cookie cutter story in face of the franchise and a not-even-a-little-fun game mode called “The Yard”. NFL, please #dropEA… Expand
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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.
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  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.
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  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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