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. Orlandop94
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    Absolutely terrible. Honestly pissed off that my wife bought me this as a surprise and now cant even get a refund. It's a copy and paste of the last 3 games which is NOT OK. How can you sell this to consumers and BLATANTLY lie about updates and additions that never come to fluition. EA is a terrible company who has absolutely no respect for its customers and dont even try to provideAbsolutely terrible. Honestly pissed off that my wife bought me this as a surprise and now cant even get a refund. It's a copy and paste of the last 3 games which is NOT OK. How can you sell this to consumers and BLATANTLY lie about updates and additions that never come to fluition. EA is a terrible company who has absolutely no respect for its customers and dont even try to provide quality experiences. This is the last madden I buy until SERIOUS game engine/ franchise changes happen.… Expand
  2. RyanDastardly
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    EA refuses to do anything ground breaking anymore with their games. If I had to compare EA to a crappy gaming company. EA is the new LJN! This game is complete garbage I will not be investing into any EA game until I see a change.
  3. Delta7681
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    EA hasn't improved the series in years, even before going to an engine that really isn't optimal for a sports game. Scripting plays and animations is terrible. They just don't put the work in to the game, usually resulting in a "madden journey" as one of the devs say. I didn't buy a game to have it be "finished" throughout the year after release. Nevermind the fact it isn't ever reallyEA hasn't improved the series in years, even before going to an engine that really isn't optimal for a sports game. Scripting plays and animations is terrible. They just don't put the work in to the game, usually resulting in a "madden journey" as one of the devs say. I didn't buy a game to have it be "finished" throughout the year after release. Nevermind the fact it isn't ever really finished because it's so broken from the start. I will not buy madden anymore until EA loses the exclusivity to a simulation football game, when they don't make a SIMULATION football game. "The Yard" isn't simulation, MUT isn't simulation. Madden is and has been trash for years.… Expand
  4. sukmyballs
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    The FitnessGram™ Pacer Test is a multistage aerobic capacity test that progressively gets more difficult as it continues. The 20 meter pacer test will begin in 30 seconds. Line up at the start. The running speed starts slowly, but gets faster each minute after you hear this signal. [beep] A single lap should be completed each time you hear this sound. [ding] Remember to run in a straightThe FitnessGram™ Pacer Test is a multistage aerobic capacity test that progressively gets more difficult as it continues. The 20 meter pacer test will begin in 30 seconds. Line up at the start. The running speed starts slowly, but gets faster each minute after you hear this signal. [beep] A single lap should be completed each time you hear this sound. [ding] Remember to run in a straight line, and run as long as possible. The second time you fail to complete a lap before the sound, your test is over. The test will begin on the word start. On your mark, get ready, start.… Expand
  5. augyrocks
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    This game is the last straw for madden for me. I have bought every madden sense madden 06 and every year it gets worse for my favorite mode. The last good madden was 10 and the last ok madden was 13, All I want is a good franchise mode that is a simulation game because that is what your license is EA. You may not care EA but you lost a loyal customer. I can not wait for the 2k game in aThis game is the last straw for madden for me. I have bought every madden sense madden 06 and every year it gets worse for my favorite mode. The last good madden was 10 and the last ok madden was 13, All I want is a good franchise mode that is a simulation game because that is what your license is EA. You may not care EA but you lost a loyal customer. I can not wait for the 2k game in a couple years.… Expand
  6. iCreate
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    This game is so bad that I have created a Metacritic account solely to give this game a 0.

    Mind you, I have been playing Madden since I was four years old. Madden 06 on the PS2 was the first that I remember playing with my dad in the apartment we had. Those times were great; if it weren't from those games back then, I might've never had that love for football that I have now. However,    This game is so bad that I have created a Metacritic account solely to give this game a 0.

    Mind you, I have been playing Madden since I was four years old. Madden 06 on the PS2 was the first that I remember playing with my dad in the apartment we had. Those times were great; if it weren't from those games back then, I might've never had that love for football that I have now. However, that was then, and now is now. to quote the great Angry Video Game Nerd: "This game **** sucks."

    I'm sure that everyone and their parents know that Madden 21 is essentially a get rich quick scheme of a game created by EA. Re-used assets, game-breaking glitches, and the same damn animations are what you are going to get if you purchase the game. Obviously, it seems that the developers at EA do not care about having a realistic football simulation, which is what Madden was and is supposed to be. Rather, they only care about making money, whether it be from Ultimate Team or The Yard, EA's attempt at rivaling 2K's attempt at a non-simulation NFL game that has not been released at the time of this review. And who can blame them? As many people have said before me, "without competition, people get lazy."

    What I have typed above has been said over and over by the (currently) 3,420 negative reviews of this game on Metacritic, as well as on online forums, YouTube, Twitter, and even by trusted gaming news outlets such as IGN. Many people have thankfully listened to the harsh criticism this year, and as such, most people have decided to not buy the game this year. In response, EA is currently trying to give free copies of Madden 21 away, not trying to take criticism from the people who are actually spending money on this garbage.

    Personally, I believe that EA has had too many chances to right their course to avoid where they are now. We know that EA refuses to listen to our take on the game and how it can be improved upon, or perhaps they just don't care. Who knows; Madden 22 might just be Ultimate Team only, and the rest of the game will be a static image of the executives giving us the middle finger. The Madden ship isn't just sinking: the ship is on fire, it's being raided by pirates, everyone has dysentery, and the developers are being currently being hit-sticked by Bobby Wagner. The only way we can fix this is if the NFL terminates it's exclusive rights contract with EA Sports. I don't know how they can do it, but they better.

    I will not be buying Madden this year, and I should not have bought Madden 20. I will being going back to Madden 18; I have a Cleveland Browns Franchise that is in the year 2047 and I will enjoy what little time I have left with Matt Keenum, Emmit Smith III, and the rest of the gang until the servers shut down later this year.

    To summarize, please do not buy this game. EA dropping the ball is a complete understatement. Play an older title on your Xbox One or PS4, or perhaps you can go out of the way and purchase an Xbox 360/PS3 or an OG Xbox/PS2 to experience a good Madden. Maybe Madden 06; when times were simpler.

    #NFLDropEA    … Expand
  7. M24
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    The game isn’t even finished franchise mode is just a patch they even messed up mut which I thought was impossible. There are way to many glitches in the game. This game is a worse dlc to Madden 20. If the whole franchise team worked on rise to fame that is a big disappointment they figured a way to mess that up
  8. B-Web
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Spoiler alert, this game sucks. I made a metacritic account just to give this game a 0. Do you want to know how to play madden 21 for free? Just continue to play madden 20 and then play The Yard on mobile. This game is a carbon copy aside from a few minor things and new abilities. Same elementary coding from the early to mid 2010s, animation and RNG based gameplay. Players still glitch through each other, There’s no AI to speak of because they do not adapt. PA crossers can beat most defenses if not user controlled. Imagine a real NFL team running the same play 40 times a game; I think after the second or third time, they’d adjust. Face of the franchise is the most shallow career mode in any sports mode aside from regular franchise. The writing is so cringy, I’d rather watch Scott’s Tots and Dinner Party from The Office than listen to the dialogue and the joke of a plot this game offers. One of the nicknames you can have for your team is “Super Duper Dub Club.” Really? I had to turn my PlayStation and go outside after I read that. The forced chemistry between Tommy Matthews and your character is bad enough to make me want to be sick. The guy was a jerk the entire game and then, because he has a bad heart, you were forced to build some stupid friendship with him. “That guy is your brother” no Reggie, he was mad that I told coach about his crappy heart And benched him. He then switches to receiver and then follows me to college STILL trying to win back his QB role. It’s just stupid, unrealistic, and boring. MUT is the same as last year and the year before that, etc. It’s a casino that kids use their moms credit card to buy packs. If you liked MUT before, you’ll like it this year and vice versa; again, this game is a copy paste. The Yard is the only bright spot and even then it’s just meh. EA monopolized the NFL Simulation license and then makes a strictly arcade based game mode. It’s just weird to me. They should focus on fixing gameplay and their simulation modes before adding a backyard football mode. Ffs, if you are going to make it so nobody else can compete with you in a specific field, you should have to have it damn near perfected and it could not be further than that. Franchise mode is shallow and stupid. The trade logic is ridiculously bad and I get bored after a season or two. All in all, I hope this is the worst madden ever rated so EA will hopefully be forced to fix their game. … Expand
  9. jrockefeller3
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    Same game as it was 5 years ago. Glitches everywhere. Disconnects online when I have an uber fast ETHERNET connection. **** EA games. Zero effort put into the game in the last half decade and the entire business motto is microtransactions for bums to beat you who don't even understand football. If I could give this game a negative rating I would. NFL needs to drop EA so 2k can make thisSame game as it was 5 years ago. Glitches everywhere. Disconnects online when I have an uber fast ETHERNET connection. **** EA games. Zero effort put into the game in the last half decade and the entire business motto is microtransactions for bums to beat you who don't even understand football. If I could give this game a negative rating I would. NFL needs to drop EA so 2k can make this game properly.… Expand
  10. agooding21
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    Awful game in the once great Madden series. The game is lacking features that were a staple of the franchise back in the PlayStation 2 days. Sad to see the selfish greed of EA has taken a once great football game, and turned it into a madden ultimate team focused money pit, for the few people that enjoy this poor excuse for a “simulation” football game.
  11. Ninerz4lyfe
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    Terrible game. Another half ass effort by EA. Just give up the license already let 2k and other companies take a crack at it. Unfortunately Madden is no longer the super fun game it used to be, it's just a buggy ass trash game with once again no improvements.
  12. DrSize711
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. same game as Madden 2010...........the only thing that has changed is the rosters and they are even slow updating the rosters...… Expand
  13. RodR83
    Aug 26, 2020
    0
    This is probably the worst madden I played in years and it’s Madden 20 with a updated rosters and a new game mode no one asked for EA should lose the NFL license after this. Only
  14. raidersgouldy
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    Honestly, don't know how this game was released in this state.
    The gameplay for the most part is actually decent. Not much has changed from previous years, but a few nice additions to the animations.
    Where this game really crashes it with it's bugs and lack of improvements to franchise mode. The game constantly drops frames on a pro and we rulings are completely wrong. Mist of the issues    Honestly, don't know how this game was released in this state.
    The gameplay for the most part is actually decent. Not much has changed from previous years, but a few nice additions to the animations.
    Where this game really crashes it with it's bugs and lack of improvements to franchise mode.
    The game constantly drops frames on a pro and we rulings are completely wrong.
    Mist of the issues can be fixed with patches, however the frame rate is that horrible at the moment it makes it unplayable.
    I tried my hardest for 10 hours    … Expand
  15. yurks
    Sep 3, 2020
    10
    Ich hatte schon viel Spaß an Madden 20 und finde das man schon Veränderungen sieht.
  16. Kschrader91
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. We just keep getting let down each and every year and this year is by far the worst yet and true slap in the face to us fans i do not recommend this game!… Expand
  17. ReturnOfTheBeam
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    Me and my G Izie play this everyday on that Paid 2 Play yadigg It has its flaws and not alot has changed. #DropEA NFL its time to give it back to the BITTY you heard Z
  18. Rookiekeeper
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    Ripped off ... Game has 'Madden 20' and ' 'Madden 19' logos all over the stadiums, pretty much telling you how much effort the devs have put in. Franchise is still ass ... Its pretty much Madden 15 ... Dont buy!!!!!
  19. Bingosemooch
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    NFL needs to drop EA sports. They haven't improved the game in years and somehow made it worse this time around. This isnt last years game with better graphics, it is a slap in the face to sports fans and gamers alike
  20. LuuTim59
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game might actually be the worst game I´ve bought. It´s not even that Franchise did not get any update, i would be okay with it if the gameplay feels good again. But the game just feels the same like last year and maybe even worse.

    The story of Face of the Franchise is atrocious. You have a starting QB with a serious heart condition? Good, put him at WR so he can get hit more. You and the Guy with his illness go to same college, he has to go to the hospital during the Championship Game. So you win the Natty, he´s in the hospital and guess what: He´s going to be the starter next season.

    Besides the story, how about the uniforms for your High School Team? Well EA just puts the same uniforms in as if you move your team in Franchise. Those are in the game since I started playing with Madden 25.

    Now you buy this game for I think 70€ to see that EA gives out free keys like Oprah. As EA I would simply be embarrassed to put out a game this bad. If 2k ever gets a shot to make a NFL game it will be better, there is no doubt in my mind.

    If the NFL even looks at this for 5 minutes they have to overthink whether or not EA is the right company. A company which puts out an unfinished game, promotes playing with serious injuries/illnesses and basically loughs at customers and people with honest feedback:    … Expand
  21. DerDean
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    It is the same game as Madden 20 with copy & paste bugs. Franchise mode didn't even got touched.
  22. Jose101010101
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    Madden 20 is the worst madden I’ve ever played, I’m a big mut guy and I’ve never seen how you got to spend 1000 bucks on this game to be competitive, last years game was bad but you could compete with a team of you just grinding the game and now since the meta is man coverage and speed you literally can’t win with a lower team. The gameplay is at its lowest #nfldropea
  23. jginge02
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    Madden 21 is the biggest joke of a game. EA Sports should be ashamed of themselves for even attempting to sell this game as a finish product. My first impressions of the game were as such:
    -It is an incomplete game
    -it is madden 20.5 - Franchise mode remained unchanged for the 5th year in a row, most game developers improve their game, EA seems to take stuff away until they find a way to    Madden 21 is the biggest joke of a game. EA Sports should be ashamed of themselves for even attempting to sell this game as a finish product. My first impressions of the game were as such:
    -It is an incomplete game
    -it is madden 20.5
    - Franchise mode remained unchanged for the 5th year in a row, most game developers improve their game, EA seems to take stuff away until they find a way to monetize it
    - You can’t play one game without experiencing one of their many game-breaking glitches

    Overall impression: DON’T BUY THIS GAME!!! This is the worst game EA Sports has produced ever! I’d rather play any other madden game, and I would have a blast doing it. EA needs to improve their game significantly.    … Expand
  24. Dtrtwing
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    Madden 21 a game with a roster update and for the most part horrid game. They didn't touch franchise mode. The main reason I wanted Madden. Beyond Broken, buggy no inovations.
  25. Miketraum86
    Sep 2, 2020
    0
    Spoiler alert!? If you’ve been playing Madden since at least 2014-it’s the SAME DAME THING. Cheap, generic, non-immersive. F*CK MADDEN & EA! Until this game undergoes a complete revamp and completely unrecognizable...won’t get a nickel from me! And I speak for the majority.
  26. Miniburger14
    Sep 2, 2020
    0
    Worst Madden I have ever played!!! Way too many glitches and a complete waste of money. #NFLDROPEA
  27. Mkalil
    Sep 2, 2020
    0
    Horrendous game. 0 content. It’s a fantasy card game at this point loosely based around the NFL. Don’t really get why they keep their license as players in the cards represent nothing of real life players. They’re made up by EA to bring in money.
  28. DebonairGaming
    Sep 2, 2020
    0
    Thank GOD I was able to play this game for free with the EA PlayPro. All EA games are going downhill and Madden has pretty much gone the furthest. If we were racing to the bottom of the barrel for worst game ever, Madden may have just hit pay dirt. I have a Upper-Mid tier Gaming PC and this game wont run on it. I have a 250mbps internet speed with $200 into my modem and router. I try toThank GOD I was able to play this game for free with the EA PlayPro. All EA games are going downhill and Madden has pretty much gone the furthest. If we were racing to the bottom of the barrel for worst game ever, Madden may have just hit pay dirt. I have a Upper-Mid tier Gaming PC and this game wont run on it. I have a 250mbps internet speed with $200 into my modem and router. I try to play the "Face of the Franchise" mode, and the game crashes to the main menu (5 times now) when I'm in the middle of the high school game. Now tonight, I thought I'd try to give it one last chance, and what do I get? The game freezes every time I try to load the last auto save before the game started. Tried it 3 times, froze every time. Thank you Madden for continuing to give zero sh*ts about your customers. I will NEVER by another EA game because their brand basically means Early Alpha as that's the state in which most of their games release. I love sports games, but MLB the Show is the only one that delivers quality game play and features that work. 2k and EA can both go kick rocks, you've ruined sports games for me and thousands of others.… Expand
  29. Savagematty
    Sep 2, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Spoil alert: this year’s Madden is an even bigger heap of flaming hot trash than last year. How that’s even possible is beyond my logic or understanding.… Expand
  30. Xaut
    Sep 2, 2020
    0
    Same old **** Fix Franchise mode and forget the dumb **** like the yard. Ugh.
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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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