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. Chasela248
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    I play franchise 98% with the occasional online game... this game is no different than madden 16. A few minor tweaks to the gameplay that’s about it. Same menu, same intro, same layout in franchise, same interactions. Just over it
  2. Tttttttttttttt
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    you cant keep turning out the same game every year and expect people to keep paying for it. FIX FRANCHISE MODE. Nobody plays MUT, I know EA wants to force people to spend money on micro transactions but they have ran this game into the ground. I'd rather Play madden 08
  3. 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
  4. movado25
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    Game is terrible we need 2k back. Too many bugs EA are lazy and don't care about the customer.
  5. Yeetonmymeat
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Same trash, no update to franchise mode. Everything is based around MUT and the yard. Face of the franchise is extremely cheesy and unrealistic. I'd rather pay 100 dollars for a used NCAA 14' copy over this.… Expand
  6. Maddenbalows
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    There is NOTHING I can say that could accurately describe how awful this franchise is.
  7. liamsa12thman
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    Terrible game! Tired of these games, get a better product playing Madden 12
  8. Theethy
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    Play older Madden video games don't even bother, it's not close to being as good or as accurate
  9. jzap507
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    The game has too many glitches and bugs. When I was playing “Face of the Franchise” mode I noticed several things that were off. In some cinematic scenes, my player would appear with different cleats in both of his feet. The “Face of the Franchise” mode itself is kinda boring with a poor built story. When playing in Exhibition mode with Washington at home, the field didn’t the had theThe game has too many glitches and bugs. When I was playing “Face of the Franchise” mode I noticed several things that were off. In some cinematic scenes, my player would appear with different cleats in both of his feet. The “Face of the Franchise” mode itself is kinda boring with a poor built story. When playing in Exhibition mode with Washington at home, the field didn’t the had the white markers such as the numbers and the endzones. It just looked like a big space of grass. Franchise mode has not changed at all, they just added some simple details to look different and some little interaction with the players and coaches.… Expand
  10. Freshy420
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    Absolute dog **** game, no improvements from previous years, players arms still going through other plays and ripping the balls through, literally copy and paste **** ea should be ashamed of themselves #NFLDROPEA
  11. Nutranger
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    You put a poor man's Patrick Mahomes on the cover and you get a crappy game.
  12. sukhi3004
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    GO Play AXIS FOOTBALL 2019 (or wait for 2020) 1000x better than this hot garbage.
  13. Jonnymac1992
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    So many glitches in this game the worst one is when ever I’m kicking the ball it freezes on the timing causing me to miss FGs and extra points. I can keep going on but others have already mentioned them. If you play mainly for franchise like me yet again it’s not worth it. I would also like to say Madden developers are calling people clowns and taking shots at people for giving them crapSo many glitches in this game the worst one is when ever I’m kicking the ball it freezes on the timing causing me to miss FGs and extra points. I can keep going on but others have already mentioned them. If you play mainly for franchise like me yet again it’s not worth it. I would also like to say Madden developers are calling people clowns and taking shots at people for giving them crap about it. Really EA shame on you your customers are speaking up because we have had it with the same product year in year out so please don’t use the poor excuse of well it’s because of the pandemic because it’s been the same for years!!!… Expand
  14. Bastiancant
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    I have been buying Madden games for 30 years. Until EA Sports stops recycling the same trash AI, with the same created player faces, the same recycled angles and celebrations, the same problems where half the players look nothing like the actual players, the same glitches, and the same boring modes, I’m through buying this Groundhog Day pile of garbage. There used to be so many coolI have been buying Madden games for 30 years. Until EA Sports stops recycling the same trash AI, with the same created player faces, the same recycled angles and celebrations, the same problems where half the players look nothing like the actual players, the same glitches, and the same boring modes, I’m through buying this Groundhog Day pile of garbage. There used to be so many cool features and tweaks that EA doesn’t even bother with trying to add anymore to keep the game fresh and engaging. The only thing they seem to put any effort into doing is thinking of new ways to get kids addicted to their microtransactions. I get that you can’t update everything each year, but this game hasn’t changed in almost 20 years. It’s an empty monument to complacent monopolies. You’re just buying an overpriced roster update.… Expand
  15. ThunderSTRK
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    Continues to be the same old game for yet another year, no updates to franchise mode, the mode everyone whose played madden for years once loved. EA continues to show that they don’t care about football or the fans and just care about the money they take in from ultimate team. Even dropping the fact it’s just a $60 roster update, the game is glitched beyond belief. X-factors that are superContinues to be the same old game for yet another year, no updates to franchise mode, the mode everyone whose played madden for years once loved. EA continues to show that they don’t care about football or the fans and just care about the money they take in from ultimate team. Even dropping the fact it’s just a $60 roster update, the game is glitched beyond belief. X-factors that are super abilities make a simulation football game feel more arcade like than most early 2000’s football games. The fact is ever since their exclusivity deal with the nfl they have gotten lazy and don’t care anymore. NFL 2k5 was a better game than this and that was over a decade ago. MAKE MADDEN GREAT AGAIN! Drop EA NFL. It’s the only way to create a passion for football games again and even bring back the passion for football as a whole. The fact the nfl is so reluctant to drop EA shows how little they care about the fans too. So let’s not only drop EA, let’s boycott the nfl who cares more about money than the beautiful game of football until they get their priorities straight or lose enough money to rethink their stupid decisions.… Expand
  16. Dwears21
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    Glitch
  17. BoxUpBen
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    Not realistic at all, franchise mode has been the same forever, literally copy and paste the same game. Yes, there are some gameplay upgrades but that's it. It does feel better but so many glitches come with it.
  18. FuxMadden
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    Total **** festival
  19. 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
  20. gabedeli
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The game is terrible. Whenever I try to play an online game it constantly signs me out of EA (and others too). The same game for the past 5 years. Don’t buy.… Expand
  21. Pubeshaver
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    This game is literally a roster update sold to you for 60-100 bucks. If you are excited about the yard just wait for 2ks game. Madden is just cut and paste with a roster update and micro-transactions out the ass.
  22. kxndxll
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    Literal copy and paste from last year. & they still haven’t touched franchise
  23. ThaRedMerc
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    Extremely buggy with no improvement in the last decade. This game is even a step backwards from previous years because there is no competition for the NFL license.
  24. Yera
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    EA has been at this for years, I was so excited when Madden came back to PC only to play it and realize the quality of this game is well below titles from 10 years ago despite the graphics. EA knows its going to cash in on a market without competition and has no incentive to build a game which actually respects its audience desire to play. The NFL should go find a company that actuallyEA has been at this for years, I was so excited when Madden came back to PC only to play it and realize the quality of this game is well below titles from 10 years ago despite the graphics. EA knows its going to cash in on a market without competition and has no incentive to build a game which actually respects its audience desire to play. The NFL should go find a company that actually puts in proper time, effort and passion into making a football game, and no 2k is not the answer they are just as garbage as EA… Expand
  25. 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.
  26. Teshin1412
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    Run away from THIS GAME!!!!

    This game is keep getting worst and worst
    and they still gonna charge us 60US +
    HELL NO !!!!!
  27. Antares763
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    Same game year after year. Will get an actual rating for a game when EA actually goes and makes a new game.
  28. MINIFRIDGE626
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    The game is getting worse and worse every year the animations make up the game not realistic at all I only buy it cause it’s THE only NFL game out there. #NFLdropEA
  29. Camtruh
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    One of the most disappointing NFL football titles I've ever played and I've been playing Madden games since 2003. Electronic Arts needs to wake up and smell the roses because I shouldn't be making this review. I shouldn't have to make an account on this website to express how fed up I am with EA's lack of love they show madden year in and year out. A PLAYSTATION 2 Madden game shouldn'tOne of the most disappointing NFL football titles I've ever played and I've been playing Madden games since 2003. Electronic Arts needs to wake up and smell the roses because I shouldn't be making this review. I shouldn't have to make an account on this website to express how fed up I am with EA's lack of love they show madden year in and year out. A PLAYSTATION 2 Madden game shouldn't have a more deep and rich franchise mode than a Madden game in 2020. Madden NFL 21s franchise mode is and has felt like a copy and paste for the past 4 years adding little things here and there. A good NFL football simulation game should actually feel like I'm experiencing what I watch on football Sundays. There is NO changes to franchise other than rosters and jersey's in this years franchise mode compared to last. The superbowl celebration hasn't changed since Madden 17 or 18. Face of the Franchise is and always has been a cheesy, lazy, addition and I have no idea why it exists. It's better than the previous two iterations only because I like being able to start my career in high school and you can skip the cutscenes more often so you're not locked in a terrible screenplay written by someone who's never seen a good football movie or show or know really anything about what a players journey is like to the nfl. Ultimate Team is the filthiest cash grab I have ever experienced and is so pay to win I can't help but ask, "what innovation does this bring to a football game?". If you want to remotely compete you have to put in way too many hours on solo challenges and games that it will get boring very fast unless your pockets run very deep and you can buy as many packs as you please. Sadly, this is the only mode that gets continuous content throughout the year which is fun but is immediately demotivating when playing someone who has too much money and all the latest and greatest cards. The Yard is actually a pretty fun mode and I'm glad EA put something worth playing in this years madden game, because without it, I wouldn't have spent 15$ on EA Play to play it. A company with as many resources as it has shouldn't be allowed to put out what feels like AN UPDATE and slap a 60$ price tag and call it new. Yeah, they will have updates, but you can't put a bow on dog sh** and suddenly it isn't dogsh**. Sorry. #NFLdropEa… Expand
  30. Creatillaneous
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    Trash. Utter trash. Save your money, play anything for 15 years ago instead, you'll have more features.
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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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