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. Neo_
    Aug 30, 2020
    1
    Ea is a piece of crap company that makes crap products year after year and hide it with expensive advertising pathetic.. the NFL needs to terminate their contract with garbage can EA don’t buy this game if you played madden 06 then you’ve already played this game
  2. BigRed_cg
    Aug 30, 2020
    1
    I've been playing Madden since 2004, and unfortunately this game over the past 4 or 5 years has just become so bad. It is like each year you pay $60 for basically an updated roster. Im giving it a 1 score because the gameplay is a bit more realistic to me. I truly hope they add updates to franchise and the game as a whole during the 21 season as they stated. But my hopes aren't high.
  3. Thouck61
    Aug 30, 2020
    1
    This game is garbage. Full of bugs and game breaking glitches. Little to no changes from last year as far as franchise mode goes. The yard has been added but is not fun and frankly not what the community has been asking for. It’s unbelievable that EA still has their exclusivity license after years of the same old crap. Stick to literally any other madden you can get your hands on andThis game is garbage. Full of bugs and game breaking glitches. Little to no changes from last year as far as franchise mode goes. The yard has been added but is not fun and frankly not what the community has been asking for. It’s unbelievable that EA still has their exclusivity license after years of the same old crap. Stick to literally any other madden you can get your hands on and download the current rosters from file share, and you’re not missing out on anything. Please don’t give this greedy company your money. The only reason I am giving this a 1 is because the gameplay does feel slightly more realistic compared to last year, but this does not warrant purchasing the game. EA needs to make a SIMULATION football game, like they have been given the exclusive rights to do and stop trying to make an arcade football game just to compete with a game 2K hasn’t even put out yet.… Expand
  4. BigBrain7
    Aug 30, 2020
    1
    Sports games for 2020 are down bad literally a copy of madden 20 with a couple of features to it game designers are lazy
  5. TaysomHill7
    Aug 30, 2020
    1
    EA screwing over gamers again. Updated rosters with some new tweaks in gameplay. The 6v6 is kind of fun but this game is not worth $60. Not to mention all the bugs. Spend your money on something more worthwhile.
  6. nltsaved
    Aug 30, 2020
    1
    Same ol same ol. Nothing new under the sun here. Typical madden you expect the graphics to just drop your jaw at this point and it disappoints every year. Its just the same game. It will be the same experience on Xbox series X and Ps5 the graphics should be way ahead of repast gen but it won't be. They need to do just updated rosters for a year a so they have time to make a better gameSame ol same ol. Nothing new under the sun here. Typical madden you expect the graphics to just drop your jaw at this point and it disappoints every year. Its just the same game. It will be the same experience on Xbox series X and Ps5 the graphics should be way ahead of repast gen but it won't be. They need to do just updated rosters for a year a so they have time to make a better game every other year or every 3 years come with the explosive new everything while simply doing roster updates and tweaks.… Expand
  7. TeeWats22
    Aug 31, 2020
    1
    Only thing new about the game is the yard.. It’s Madden 19+ the yard.. Players disappear, freeze, players also move drunk after a interception.. I could go on but I know others said more #NFLDropEA
  8. Joshua1488
    Sep 3, 2020
    1
    FACE OF THE FRANCHISE: 2/10
    Not the real Superstar Mode but also the Longshot Mode with awful dialogues and glitchy and ugly characters in some of the scenes. Face of the Franchise is not a Superstar Mode, it's a Longshot Mode.
    FRANCHISE MODE: 4/10 The gamers most important mode that we play and EA Sports don't care about most of the Franchise's features and now, and another one by DJ    FACE OF THE FRANCHISE: 2/10
    Not the real Superstar Mode but also the Longshot Mode with awful dialogues and glitchy and ugly characters in some of the scenes. Face of the Franchise is not a Superstar Mode, it's a Longshot Mode.

    FRANCHISE MODE: 4/10
    The gamers most important mode that we play and EA Sports don't care about most of the Franchise's features and now, and another one by DJ Khaled.

    The Yard:2/10
    Disappointed mode that the gameplay is the same and not arcade-y but also scripting piece of whatever. That mode is the MUT style for microtransactions. Mouth guards,visors,uniforms,and helmets are now monetized.

    MUT:0/10
    Card design is awful,monetization again,and big NO-NO for football game.

    Gameplay: 1/10
    The gameplay is smooth but the AI is brain dead and also scripting and awful gameplay without reading the NFL playbooks or NFL rulebook.

    Graphics: 6/10
    EA Sports cares about the graphics but the 4 or 5 faces is the same and the larger nose is uglier than 4 or 5 faces.

    Superstar KO Mode: 5/10
    A little bit adding new abilities and the rest is the same. But the only problem that it removes because there is not KO abilities for kickers and punters.

    Presentation: 2/10
    It's the same again.    … Expand
  9. Arctirius
    Aug 31, 2020
    1
    This game isn't really a Game more like an update with additional DLC. All they did was add the yard. It's pathetic how big EA is yet they release a bug ridden game year after year.
  10. Cworz
    Aug 31, 2020
    1
    Madden 21 is just painful to experience. AI continously makes poor decisions. After injuries the cut scenes show the injured player celebrating. Franchise is a disaster, and has zero trade logic. Only bright spot is when you shut the game off. Overall poor quality product.
  11. Ike49er
    Aug 31, 2020
    1
    I played this game over my friends house because I refused to buy it this year and I am so glad I didn't. We played this game for about an hour and had to stop. Why is the NCAA 14 game play better than this slop. Bring that title back or can 2K jump in and make a game or how about using the FIFA game developers to run this game. So frustrated
  12. BirdLaw
    Aug 31, 2020
    1
    This game follows the long long of outright horrible madden NFL games. This buyout of the NFL license is anti-competitive, and thus anti-American. I have never been so dissatisfied with a company's weasly actions. They couldn't compete with 2K and so used daddy's money to beat out th competition. This game is ANTI AMERICA.
  13. njmittz
    Aug 31, 2020
    1
    I’ve been buying this game for 11 years now and since Madden 12 I’ve been growing increasingly disappointed with each new iteration. While I think The Yard is fun and gameplay is better than M20, this game was not a finished product at launch. So many bugs and glitches, some are new, some are carryover from last year (ex: “Drag to reorder”). I imagine QA was adversely affected by theI’ve been buying this game for 11 years now and since Madden 12 I’ve been growing increasingly disappointed with each new iteration. While I think The Yard is fun and gameplay is better than M20, this game was not a finished product at launch. So many bugs and glitches, some are new, some are carryover from last year (ex: “Drag to reorder”). I imagine QA was adversely affected by the pandemic but that is no excuse for having the same glitches as M20 and the worst part, which is the total neglect of franchise mode. It’s appalling that I could do so much more in franchise mode 10+ years ago than I can now. It’s incredible to me that NCAA Football was made by the same studio and publisher as this game. The difference in quality and depth is astounding. EA execs are the problem, not the developers, who have their hands tied year after year. Don’t buy this disaster of a sports game. #NFLdropEA… Expand
  14. Gearhead711
    Aug 31, 2020
    1
    EA continues to get lazy with every aspect of madden beyond MUT. Engine is bad, graphics are bad, commentary is re used and they haven’t even updated some basic things like calling players rookies who are 2nd year players. I could sit here all day about the issues with this game. Second year in a row I won’t get madden after my EA access 10 hours. Save your money
  15. Wewinners890
    Aug 31, 2020
    1
    This is horrible! It’s been the same game since madden 15 with a few updates. It’s not a simulation at all! Then they add these non simulation games like superstar k.o, MUT, The Yard. And this is all they work on!! But they barely work on the mode that is ACTUALLY SIMULATION OF THE NFL, FRANCHISE MODE. I’m simply just tired every year I really do hope for a new good football game but EAThis is horrible! It’s been the same game since madden 15 with a few updates. It’s not a simulation at all! Then they add these non simulation games like superstar k.o, MUT, The Yard. And this is all they work on!! But they barely work on the mode that is ACTUALLY SIMULATION OF THE NFL, FRANCHISE MODE. I’m simply just tired every year I really do hope for a new good football game but EA fails to give a good product. It’s not only madden players complaining! Even when I go to sims you have sims
    players complaining about how old games are better than sims 4 because EA makes everything dlc. You got. FIFA players complaining because it’s the same game every year as well. The only actual good game you guys have is nhl and ufc!! #NFLDropEA #FixMaddenFranchise    … Expand
  16. westchuck1
    Aug 31, 2020
    1
    I paid $60 for this? Feels like nothing more than updated roster, Franchise Mode is complete garbage, Face of the Franchise is also terrible!! And then there's the gameplay which constantly glitches out. I've missed more FG and XP because the kick meter freezes and then works again. Animations are nothing more than rehashed from last year. Commentary is literally the same as last year's.I paid $60 for this? Feels like nothing more than updated roster, Franchise Mode is complete garbage, Face of the Franchise is also terrible!! And then there's the gameplay which constantly glitches out. I've missed more FG and XP because the kick meter freezes and then works again. Animations are nothing more than rehashed from last year. Commentary is literally the same as last year's. What the hell does EA do with a years development time? Bring back 2K please!… Expand
  17. Venomnous
    Aug 31, 2020
    1
    They are lazy. A monopoly sitting on their butt. Even in their most popular game mode they do not fix a game mode breaking glitch a week after “official launch” In squads if you try to throw a pass in the gun, no play action it will kick you off qb and cause havoc on offense for you as your teammate takes over unaware of what’s happening. To top that off the ultimate team mode content isThey are lazy. A monopoly sitting on their butt. Even in their most popular game mode they do not fix a game mode breaking glitch a week after “official launch” In squads if you try to throw a pass in the gun, no play action it will kick you off qb and cause havoc on offense for you as your teammate takes over unaware of what’s happening. To top that off the ultimate team mode content is diminishing each year. They take out competitive master and are slow with promos. Which is extremely disappointing because there was such a lack of content at the end of the year for madden 20. The same thing will probably happen again if not sooner. This is to not even mention franchise mode which is a copy and paste each year. #NflDropEA… Expand
  18. RoRo_99
    Aug 31, 2020
    1
    Ea fails us yet again. Game is lacking the innovation the consumer base desires. As a football fan I find it difficult to purchase madden despite me only buying every 3 years to make up for lack of innovation.
  19. Maximillian12
    Aug 31, 2020
    1
    Madden 21 has been a major disappointment for me, especially because EA actually responded to criticism about franchise mode and acted as if they were going to fix it. Instead it’s exactly the same. The relocation teams have actually been the same for the last 5 Maddens and that’s something literally everyone complains about but EA just doesn’t care. They added nothing new to the draftsMadden 21 has been a major disappointment for me, especially because EA actually responded to criticism about franchise mode and acted as if they were going to fix it. Instead it’s exactly the same. The relocation teams have actually been the same for the last 5 Maddens and that’s something literally everyone complains about but EA just doesn’t care. They added nothing new to the drafts or the off-season process. they didn’t fix trading and free agency. The career mode still doesn’t compare at all to 2k’s and is extremely boring and easy. The Franchise mode overall is still way worse than NCAA 14’s, that was released 7 years before this game. There are a few new animations but still none of them actually feel natural. They add 3 new tackle animations every year and after two weeks of playing you basically know what it’s going to look like when your guy gets tackled. Same thing for catches, broken tackles, sacks, jukes, stiff arms, hit sticks, etc.The game has boiled down to being able to control way less than you’re actually just watching when you play Madden. And it’s because it’s all built on the frostbite engine which is specifically made to produce first person shooters and not football games. however because it’s cheaper than designing your own engine, EA uses Frostbite. NFL 2K5 and All Pro Football 2K8 designed engines specifically for simulation football games and they both look and feel way better/smoother. I was initially excited for the yard because I thought EA was finally going to replicate NBA 2K’s extremely popular Park mode. Instead it’s another arcade mini game very similar to the superstar mode. You can fully upgrade your character in a week and then at that point you catch every ball with one hand no matter how covered you are. The only reason I even gave them 1/10 is because i’m grateful they’ve finally made a game so bad that the NFL is going to have to drop EA and we’ll finally get what we want, a real simulation football game that doesn’t spend all their effort on finding ways to add micro transactions.… Expand
  20. DrewVonFeldt
    Aug 31, 2020
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The gameplay has certainly improved slightly but the lag in the menu needs to stop. Whatever 5 year old you hired to edit New jerseys onto players needs to be fired and the game actually needs to see improvement. What it will most likely come down to is you guys will have to take a year off like you did with NBA Live to actually improve the game.… Expand
  21. fearlessprice
    Aug 31, 2020
    1
    Been the same game every year with microscopic changes. Its a shame that madden has become such a bad game.
  22. SuperiorDrinkin
    Aug 31, 2020
    1
    Year after year they keep making promises and then mocking the consumer when we are let down. But we are not consumers. At this point we are investors in EA but There is little to no return. So many of us are just let down and can no longer support this game. The amount of issues this game stills has is astonishing. Do Not buy this game.
  23. Adamthetiger
    Sep 1, 2020
    1
    Copy and pasted game from madden 20 with the bare minimum roster updates. Same glitches, same gameplay, same MUT BS, with new menu screens and new bad music. Face of the franchise is incomplete at launch and severely glitched, and normal franchise mode has received 0 updates. Real disappointment.
  24. Pootisbird01
    Sep 1, 2020
    1
    I really wanted to give this game a good score considering all that has been happening. However, I'm sorry to say that the "haters" are right. I played this game for around 7-8 hours and played ESPN NFL 2K5 immediately after. I can say with 100% certainty that NFL 2K5, a game that came out 15 years ago, provides a more realistic, bug-free, & enjoyable experience. Going back to Madden 21,I really wanted to give this game a good score considering all that has been happening. However, I'm sorry to say that the "haters" are right. I played this game for around 7-8 hours and played ESPN NFL 2K5 immediately after. I can say with 100% certainty that NFL 2K5, a game that came out 15 years ago, provides a more realistic, bug-free, & enjoyable experience. Going back to Madden 21, the yard is pretty fun and is the only reason I even give this a 1, MUT is still just a glorified casino, Franchise mode hasn't changed in the past 5 years, and the Face of the Franchise is less realistic than a WattPad BTS fan fiction. The game play is the same as always except now it has even more glitches. Speaking of glitches and mistakes, the player showcase loading screens are full of typos, bad photo-editing, and straight-up false information. If you want to get a realistic and fun football game, ESPN NFL 2K5, All-Pro Football 2K8, or NCAA Football 14 are all far better products than Madden has been since 2010.… Expand
  25. Zackrj
    Sep 1, 2020
    1
    EA has used the words “Innovative new gameplay mechanics” to describe their new changes to Madden 21. I have played each madden for the last decade and I can promise you we are seeing the same mechanics since Madden 25. Madden has taken a fall from glory ever since it’s change to the Frostbite engine, an engine used for 1st person shooters mostly, so it is very animation based. You usuallyEA has used the words “Innovative new gameplay mechanics” to describe their new changes to Madden 21. I have played each madden for the last decade and I can promise you we are seeing the same mechanics since Madden 25. Madden has taken a fall from glory ever since it’s change to the Frostbite engine, an engine used for 1st person shooters mostly, so it is very animation based. You usually always see the same animations over and over in a first person shooter, but that doesn’t matter that’s not the focus of the gameplay. But in Madden you are seeing animations that have been constantly in the game since Madden 13. Everything feels scripted, nothing feels smooth. Every cut, juke, spin move you make feels pre determined and it us just not fun to look at or play. Tackling is still another huge problem. Same animations over and over along with the same catching animations as well. Players are constantly clipping into one another. There has been no new changes to Franchise mode, the mode that used to be the glory of Madden. It has been the same for the last 3 years. You can still see banners in the game for Madden 20 and Madden 19... Garbage game, do not buy. #MaddendropEA… Expand
  26. Mg44
    Sep 1, 2020
    1
    Just a roster update with a worse gameplay experience that I’ve seen in a while from Madden. I’ve actually gone back to playing ‘20 and downloaded the updated roster because of how frustrating it is to play this game. The suction tackling is worse, the frame rate drops at the worst moments(during a kick). The DBs are over powered. Such as a dB with an 88 speed should not be able not onlyJust a roster update with a worse gameplay experience that I’ve seen in a while from Madden. I’ve actually gone back to playing ‘20 and downloaded the updated roster because of how frustrating it is to play this game. The suction tackling is worse, the frame rate drops at the worst moments(during a kick). The DBs are over powered. Such as a dB with an 88 speed should not be able not only keep up with a receiver with 97 speed but also jump over the top of the receiver that’s 5-6 inches taller and int the ball on a straight up go route Nearly everytime. This game(possibly madden games in general) absolutely shows that when there is a monopoly it breeds contempt. What other reason to make sure 2k/Visual Concept can’t make another football game which is asinine. The crazier thing is I would pay double the dollars for a product from 2k for a football simulation game with NFL building on what was possible in 2k5 I can imagine what’s possible in 2020. It’s a reason why in the sport of basketball games 2k has demolished the likes of NBA, they actually seem to care. I’m never buying another madden again. Madden isn’t better simply because with the exclusive rights they don’t have to be. Short term it may be good for EA but long term what they don’t understand is that consumers don’t forget.… Expand
  27. Oneight7skills
    Sep 1, 2020
    1
    I've been buying Madden for the past 5 years but I had enough. It's just the same things year round , too many glitches and the gameplay feels the same from last year's ,they try adding small things like choosing your own TD celebration etc but who cares if the gameplay is trash and the presentation is same. EA just wants to keep making money !
  28. austin_fearless
    Sep 1, 2020
    1
    I would rather have Gronk penetrate me without any lube on the 13 yard line while a stadium full of covid positive fans watched on then shake hands with every single one of them as they exit the stadium than play this glitch filled game. This game has more errors than one of the presidents tweets and is even far more offensive. This steaming pile of crap is so bad i sold my xbox andI would rather have Gronk penetrate me without any lube on the 13 yard line while a stadium full of covid positive fans watched on then shake hands with every single one of them as they exit the stadium than play this glitch filled game. This game has more errors than one of the presidents tweets and is even far more offensive. This steaming pile of crap is so bad i sold my xbox and playstation and right now im playing Football on atari 2600.… Expand
  29. RJ568
    Sep 2, 2020
    1
    EA sports needs to learn but NEVER will! They dont listen to the people who pay 60$ EVERY YEAR!!!! Instead they grab former athletes and pay them to say that Madden is a “great” game! C’mon man!! Give us all what we want, and the bad reciews will stop i promise :)
  30. Jdirksen
    Sep 2, 2020
    1
    Trash game. They did nothing for Franchise. Terrible gameplay. It's pretty bad when you have to download player made rosters and sliders because the default one is so bad.
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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.
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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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