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. 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.
  2. 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
  3. 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....
  4. 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
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Travain
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    This game is a shame, EA is a shame, all is SHAME. Thank you for read this review.
  8. 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!
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. zlRYANlz
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    You'd be better off throwing $60 into a fire for more entertainment value than buying this game. #FixMaddenFranchise
  12. forgottenstar66
    Sep 4, 2020
    0
    Same thing over and over again full of glitches ea will never learn do not buy this game
  13. 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
  14. 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.
  15. 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. ****
  16. 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
  17. 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!
  18. 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
  19. 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
  20. 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...
  21. Touchprotip
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    Monopolies create stagnation i just need a football game I can play this is ridiculous EA
  22. 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
  23. 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.
  24. 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.
  25. 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.
  26. TheGameCritic69
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    My god this game is booty, under no circumstances should anyone ever play this bruh
  27. 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
  28. 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.
  29. eduslater
    Sep 4, 2020
    0
    Bugfest, simply the worst. Gameplay is trash and scripted. The only things this game cares about are microtransactions.
  30. 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
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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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