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. PaddyP508
    Aug 28, 2020
    0
    It's the same recycled crap they put out every year, it's a roster update with a tacked on crap arcade mode because 2K is now allowed to make an arcade NFL game and EA is shook from that. The gameplay is scripted garbage just like it has been for a while now, the player likeness is still not very good at all and franchise mode is basic and uninteresting. This game is absolutely terribleIt's the same recycled crap they put out every year, it's a roster update with a tacked on crap arcade mode because 2K is now allowed to make an arcade NFL game and EA is shook from that. The gameplay is scripted garbage just like it has been for a while now, the player likeness is still not very good at all and franchise mode is basic and uninteresting. This game is absolutely terrible and the only morons that like it are the ones that spend real money on packs for MUT mode. EA is awful!… Expand
  2. 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.
  3. waidwml21
    Aug 28, 2020
    0
    I wish meta critic allowed negative numbers Fix Madden Francine EA is a joke
  4. 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.
  5. 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
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. hazelnutdragoon
    Aug 28, 2020
    0
    The free agents who were rookies last year have not been updated. Jesus Christ, what trash.
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. 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.
  14. WebHeadedHero
    Aug 30, 2020
    5
    I have a low bar for EA’s Madden but I genuinely feel insulted by how bad this game is. I will not be purchasing next year.
  15. 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.
  16. 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.
  17. Dingus113
    Sep 5, 2020
    7
    I think most of the people reviewing this game haven’t played it. There are gameplay improvements which are noticeable and welcome additions. Personally I haven’t experienced many bugs. I have had a few crashes though. The Yard is very fun and a good addition. Franchise and MUT are both unchanged. Overall, the game is pretty good and fun, outside a few minor bugs.
  18. Kaaskaaskaas
    Sep 4, 2020
    10
    Great characters and story. I felt really connected with the main character troughout the story. The combat is great too. It does need more microtransactions, i want to lose even more money. Right now i have lost my house, my car, my family and my dog because i had to sell/ they left because i spend all my money on madden. Great fun!
  19. Bmoore2k6
    Aug 27, 2020
    5
    Honestly, it doesn’t even deserve a 5. It’s quite obvious they put minimal effort into improving this game, and was completely okay with releasing it with the dozens of glitches and bugs that came with this game. The Yard is different, it’s just okay..... but it’s another way EA is trying to make more money off an already overpriced version of Madden 19. Funny thing is. When 2k comes outHonestly, it doesn’t even deserve a 5. It’s quite obvious they put minimal effort into improving this game, and was completely okay with releasing it with the dozens of glitches and bugs that came with this game. The Yard is different, it’s just okay..... but it’s another way EA is trying to make more money off an already overpriced version of Madden 19. Funny thing is. When 2k comes out with their arcade style NFL game, it will more than likely be more realistic than EA’s “simulation” game. This game is an absolute joke and should be an insult to not only NFL fans, but the players as well. This is so far from realistic. EA only cares about money and it shows by the minimum effort they displayed. I want my money back. No patch can recover this game.… Expand
  20. dillydilly2_
    Aug 30, 2020
    6
    It’s a solid game like it is every year, but the franchise mode is so disappointing, and overall the game is pretty much the same. Adding “The Yard” is cool I guess, but Madden needs to give it’s fans a real reason to spend 60 bucks on the game besides roster updates. Giving this game a “6“ is being generous
  21. 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
  22. IIISabot
    Sep 8, 2020
    10
    I'm giving this game the rating it deserves at a big fat 10. It has achieved something that is frankly not very easy. EA has yet again managed to dupe billions of dollars from you people into buying a game despite their "stellar" reputation with copy paste sports games. And year after year I get to see all of you complain about how it's **** Yet year after year you buy it again? Why wouldI'm giving this game the rating it deserves at a big fat 10. It has achieved something that is frankly not very easy. EA has yet again managed to dupe billions of dollars from you people into buying a game despite their "stellar" reputation with copy paste sports games. And year after year I get to see all of you complain about how it's **** Yet year after year you buy it again? Why would they change anything? They don't have to, you all will buy it anyway lol. If I could copy paste a game year in and year out and get millions of people to buy it, your damn right that's exactly what I would do. So I'm not disappointed I'm incredibly impressed at EA. The kings of video game capitalism! I'll see you all next year for madden 22 when we go over this again.… Expand
  23. Football2k17
    Aug 30, 2020
    8
    I encourage anyone basing whether or not they get the game just off of these reviews to at least try the game for themselves. The franchise community is upset (reasonably so) and they won't be happy regardless of what the game is like until they get the features they want. Props to them for fighting for what they feel like they deserve but at the same time i don't personally believe theyI encourage anyone basing whether or not they get the game just off of these reviews to at least try the game for themselves. The franchise community is upset (reasonably so) and they won't be happy regardless of what the game is like until they get the features they want. Props to them for fighting for what they feel like they deserve but at the same time i don't personally believe they are leaving reasonable and honest reviews.

    A game shouldn't get a 0 unless it literally does not function at all which 100% is not the case. There are definitely bugs and other things that could be improved but here is my honest review of the game...

    I think the addition of "The Yard" along with SuperStar KO from the previous Madden was a good addition in that it allows a fun casual gaming experience where you can just kickback and have fun. I think some of the new animations put into the game have been great so far and have been a breath of fresh air after seeing the same animations all year in Madden 20. The tuning of the user defender has definitely made defense more difficult but at the same time it opened much more passing lanes and requires the defender to think a little more on defense than in previous years. I also like the addition of the zone drop adjustments. I feel like it helps give the defender more control over the cpu defenders and once people get a hang of them, I think it will help prevent constant crossers or similar routes from constantly being open. There were a lot of small things added that I think help improve the game compared to last year like new ball carrier moves and move animations, ability to throw before getting sacked, tuning of contains, nerfed blitzing 7 players, etc.

    As for cons of the game, my absolute biggest complaint is the testers of the game. I think the game would be so much smoother, less bugs, and better overall if EA would select a few people from each sub community in Madden and have them test out the game. The people who play hours a day and create content for the game will know much better of what to look for bug wise than any game tester would. There are definitely some bugs in the game (that I don't understand how they were even created) but it was just released and as long as they are fixed promptly I'm not going to complain too much about it. I think pass rush will need tuned but I have a feeling its bad right now to help prevent last years defensive meta from being prevalent again this year. Another thing that needs to be improved is the CPU pursuit angles, often times they will take bad angles which usually takes that defender out of the play. I only speak from my personal experience and strictly game play since I don't play franchise much but I have seen their complaints and I do think EA should add more features, I think it would help make some of their fan base happier and it will make the franchise experience better for the players. In the past EA has had a bad habit of making the game worse throughout the year via their updates. If they can avoid messing up the game while fixing the visual bugs, I think this game has the potential to be one of the best Maddens in recent years. Currently I like the game gameplay wise, just needs cleaned up (which brings me back to my point about having actual Madden heads be the ones to test the game),

    I give it an 8/10 at the moment but obviously that could go down depending on future patches.    … Expand
  24. Mpinter9
    Aug 28, 2020
    9
    As a pro Madden player, yes go look me up my name is D3liveranc3, we are often the most critical of Madden. I will say that this year is probably the best this game has been at launch in awhile. Sure there may be some visual bugs or small details to iron out, but the actual gameplay feels great this year and that is what people should be focusing on. New intelligent features like zoneAs a pro Madden player, yes go look me up my name is D3liveranc3, we are often the most critical of Madden. I will say that this year is probably the best this game has been at launch in awhile. Sure there may be some visual bugs or small details to iron out, but the actual gameplay feels great this year and that is what people should be focusing on. New intelligent features like zone drops to help show your ability to out think your opponent is an amazing addition to the game. Superstar abilities have been tuned to provide more realism and more skill gap into the game. Madden 21 has the potential to be one of the best in franchise history. Definitely give the game a try before you write it off, the rating score on metacritic does this game no justice.… Expand
  25. Mnoric
    Sep 3, 2020
    8
    TL;DR: Not perfect, but the best Madden I've played in years.
    I don't understand all the hatred for this edition. Yeah, it's not perfect, but this is the first time I've actually enjoyed playing Madden in half a decade. Maybe it's because I basically just play offline Franchise and Face of the Franchise, but it feels like they finally fixed the problem with receivers dropping the ball    TL;DR: Not perfect, but the best Madden I've played in years.
    I don't understand all the hatred for this edition. Yeah, it's not perfect, but this is the first time I've actually enjoyed playing Madden in half a decade. Maybe it's because I basically just play offline Franchise and Face of the Franchise, but it feels like they finally fixed the problem with receivers dropping the ball every time someone breathes on them within 3 seconds of the catch. I also haven't had the usual problem of getting ahead in a game only to have my sure-handed HB fumble, other team runs back for TD, fumble the ensuing kickoff and they recover, random intersection on my next offensive play because apparently Aaron Rogers can't throw the ball 15 feet accurately, and now I'm suddenly down 14 four minutes after I was up by 14.
    I watched a video about all the features they have removed from Madden over the years, but honestly the only one I cared about at all was the Retired page after each off season. The rest were all things I didn't care about anyway. The biggest feature I would like to see added is a good play design feature and playbook maker. Yes, I know they have had a crappy play design feature in previous editions, but it was so terrible that I didn't even miss it.    … Expand
  26. SlushJL
    Aug 30, 2020
    10
    I love this game but it has some flaws they can fix,like the glitches,please fix the big ones,no need to fix the smaller ones at all! I love EA!
  27. jbpalmr
    Sep 2, 2020
    10
    Honestly, people just hate on EA to be difficult, but 2k wouldn't do any better. I deleted Madden 20 from my console because it truly sucked. Madden 21, on the other hand, has greatly improved physics, ai, and animations and a super clean UI. Graphics look fluid and realistic. It can be buggy at times but I have confidence in EA to patch it.
  28. boesterle
    Aug 31, 2020
    8
    Solid game, feels new in the game play. UI may be the same but it just feels better to play. The yard is an awesome addition. Just remember that they are probably working on the PS5 versions to be great and that's why most of the UI and game are generally the same.
  29. ComicFanBook
    Aug 31, 2020
    8
    Love the game, really big improvements in gameplay from last year. Idc about franchise so all these neg reviews about nothing changing means nothing to me. Big improvements on how ball carriers feel, running has been balanced way better, QB throws are ramped up and throwing out of sack feels better, so there's chance to fail and chance to win those high-risk/high-reward circumstances.Love the game, really big improvements in gameplay from last year. Idc about franchise so all these neg reviews about nothing changing means nothing to me. Big improvements on how ball carriers feel, running has been balanced way better, QB throws are ramped up and throwing out of sack feels better, so there's chance to fail and chance to win those high-risk/high-reward circumstances. Suicide blitzes are punished now with better blocking logic. I flubbed a few kicks already and it forces users to be a bit more tactful and mindful of using the meter - small change, i know, but it does raise the skill ceiling. Loving the juke combos and chaining them together, also like that being showboat-y can easily be punished with getting rocked and losing a fumble. The def line mechanic is really nice. If you put pressure on opponent by allowing clouds to drop back (in gameplay menu) and user'ing the defensive line you can put pressure on QB or force your opponent to make blocking adjustments, then user back/switch players and punish by user'ing linemen or safeties, etc. Overall the animations feel better and it's a solid improvement. It just amazes me at all the neg reviews, really. 0 out of 10? Really? zero? Holy moly.. people aren't judging the game at this point, they're simply getting out frustration and anger, taking that pent up quarantine energy out anonymously over the net.… Expand
  30. Benthebowler
    Aug 31, 2020
    8
    Great game im not a ea critic who gets payed im just saying its a great game great features. Only problem is in franchise mode before a lot of plays it glitches for 2 seconds witch its never done before but great game
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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.
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