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
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. TysonHood
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. One of the biggest regrets of my life, and I voted for Nader. Somebody please take this game away from EA… Expand
  2. Lillungs
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    Idk why I bought the game it’s basically a slightly better looking versions of madden 18
  3. 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!
  4. Bmoreguy
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    Just another atrocity of a football game by EA, don't buy this game you will be highly disappointed.
  5. Ivanecek
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    no big bug fixes from previous games
    Just an another copy and paste No need to buy
    Recycled content
    Could be named 20.1
  6. thevideogamer1
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    Just a joke of a “simulation” football game. The NFL should be embarrassed that this game represents them. Clint Oldenburg needs to be fired.
  7. Leewilko1991
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    EA just get worse and worse as each game comes out, I really do feel so sorry for their customers who are forced to buy these products as it’s not exactly like the market is flooded with companies making football games! Every year they find a way to rake in millions and millions without doing a single thing. I’m not going to go into huge detail of all the problems but the main ones thatEA just get worse and worse as each game comes out, I really do feel so sorry for their customers who are forced to buy these products as it’s not exactly like the market is flooded with companies making football games! Every year they find a way to rake in millions and millions without doing a single thing. I’m not going to go into huge detail of all the problems but the main ones that stand out for me are the things such as they haven’t added game faces for so many players which is ridiculous, they haven’t added any cleats to my knowledge but the most annoying thing to me as a Franchise mode player is the fact they haven’t touched a thing and I mean that genuinely. They have not added a single new addition to the Madden 20 franchise mode. All they did was update the menu, you still have the stupid text messages from your coordinators and players. I do want to know what idiots are in charge of franchise mode in madden. Genuinely EA if you need help improving Franchise mode hit me up cause I have ideas leaking out of my ears cause I have so many, yet your company apparently sat there for a whole year and managed to come up with the world class decision to change the menu colour scheme. You’re all geniuses. Do not buy, just keep madden 20 and download the latest roster updates believe me… Expand
  8. Mdan1424
    Aug 31, 2020
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Well what can I say, I am completely disappointed by the turn out of Madded 21. I saw so much potential from many years back, like create a team possibly coming back, or franchise actually letting you design a stadium and uniforms like 2K does in its NBA Series. Might I add that, they are far superior then Electronic Arts when it comes to sports games. EA has completely dropped the ball on this game, just rereleasing Madden 20 with new rosters and one new game mode called The Yard. The yard is sort of a backyard football type of vibe where you play to earn credits. Which in turn you can use to buy gear for your character. When I played a few games, which mind you were not easy, I noticed I would only get a few hundred credits here or there. Now not to worry, because EA has brought in microtransactions to save the day! Making all the clothing that is actually desirable completely out of range for the casual player to actually get anything worth while, EA expects you to pay for Credits which in turn you can use to buy your favorite article of clothing. It's mostly just a Cash Grab for EA, just like the past few years have been with every Madden game released from Madden 13 forward. Another "new" mode, which is just a rebrand career mode, is Face of the Franchise. Face of the Franchise isn't bad, but it honestly just feels rebadged from last year, some of the most crucial parts of your career, like choosing your new position, isnt even voice acted. Now they did try to take a step forward with you continuing your career after the draft. But it has you skipping alot of your games throughout your career. The most I've ever played in one Season is 4 games, two of them against your rival, and then two in the playoffs. Honestly it's just thrown together last minute and isn't really worth picking up if this is the mode you are after.

    Ultimate team is again the main focus of the game, mainly because EA wants you to buy packs to improve your team. Trust me when I say this, its exactly like Madden 20, but with new paint splashed around everywhere. They really want you to be in this mode, because they want your money more then your satisfaction, and honestly, after being ignored for years by EA, they dont deserve it.

    I'm not going to go into detail about Franchise mode, mainly because it's exactly the same as last year. Nothing has changed in Franchise mode except for the paint scheme.

    Gameplay is the same as last year, with some improvements that I can say have taken my frustrations away. Everyone knows about being sacked even though you threw the ball to your receiver. They finally added a throw out of sack animation to the same, and that has relieved alot of frustration from playing the game for me. It's just the first release so there are alot of glitches, as to be expected, but they didnt do alot to fix them in Madden 20, so I dont expect those to go away anytime soon in 21.

    Honestly, this game let me down, there was some positive, but alot, and I mean ALOT, of negatives in Madden 21. I'm giving this game a 1 out of 10, because it was just rebadged from Madden 20, 19, 18, 17, yeah you get the picture. I wont be buying another Madden game again. If 2K gets rights to start making NFL Simulation games, you best be sure, I'll be over there trying to get my hands on that copy.    … Expand
  9. Shy_glizzy
    Aug 29, 2020
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game is ass do not waste your time on this game the National Football League needs to rip up their contract that they have with EA Sports because this game is garbage.… Expand
  10. Jlo33
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    It sucks and is a total rip off. Stay far away from this game and don't even waste your money on it.
  11. cdnull
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    It is unacceptable either EA gives up the rights or gives us our money back.
  12. 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.
  13. Bengar367
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    Game play remains glitchy with only minor improvements made each year. The game appears to focus on gimmicks each year as a substitute for anything of real substance. Perhaps the biggest kick in the face is any thought or time whatsoever being put into franchise mode. It is without a doubt the worst franchise/career mode in any major game mode at the moment. What is more, it is perhaps theGame play remains glitchy with only minor improvements made each year. The game appears to focus on gimmicks each year as a substitute for anything of real substance. Perhaps the biggest kick in the face is any thought or time whatsoever being put into franchise mode. It is without a doubt the worst franchise/career mode in any major game mode at the moment. What is more, it is perhaps the most simple things to fix and improve that would include the quality of franchise mode considerably (player contracts, coach hiring etc.). Instead, madden appears to have, over time, taken away good elements of franchise mode, never mind have any intention of improving it.… Expand
  14. micahhare68
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    Worst effort ever put into a game. Save your money and just play madden 20. Its literally the same yet somehow better #NFLdropEA
  15. renzmendoza
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    The new modes are lacking and the franchise mode has been untouched. Not worth $60 maybe $20 at most.
  16. Superman71099
    Aug 31, 2020
    10
    Once they released the update it fixed any issue I had. Love it. I haven't experienced any of the glitches you see online. Makes me wonder if they're real.
  17. Camhughes16
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Where to start... gameplay was improved by the slightest of margins, run game isn’t unstoppable and the cheesy user was nerfed. Other than that... this game is complete **** The offensive line still looks clueless, WR/DB matchups are far from realistic, DB wins in 50/50 ball situations 90 % of the time, players warping through each other is STILL a problem, and just general football knowledge is thrown out the window. Players play zone like they are actually in a bubble, you pass receivers off to the other zones, not **** sit there and watch the guy catch the ball. WR’s suck at route running unless you have one of those abilities. Bugs- Since the 25th my game has crashed 7 times... 7 more times than all of last year. The amount of bugs in this game is un**** real, there are too many to describe. Ultimate team- Mut is still the mode full of endless micro transactions, yet I still play it because it’s the only mode worth playing, because it’s the only mode EA cares about. Franchise- literally the same as last year. My mom walked in on me playing madden 21 and asked, no **** “why are you still playing madden 20. I replied “no clue.” Franchise is the DEFINITION of copy and paste. They use the wrong SUPER BOWL LOGO, I mean it’s just the most viewed event in live TV history, which the record is broken even year by the next super bowl, anyway, I’ve never heard of a company taking stuff OUT of something and make MORE money. At this point madden franchise has become a roster update. It has been dubbed a roster update for years but it was truly a roster update. No need to go into franchise bugs and stuff like trade logic because it’s the same as last year.
    FOTF- Oh my **** god. Face. Of. The. Franchise. This is easily worse than long shot. At least long shot had a TOLERABLE storyline. Holy **** Tommy Mathews is an absolute DICK HEAD and you are forced to be friend with him to create the “Heartbreak Kids”. Just shoot me. That is the cringyest nickname for 2 men I’ve ever seen. If I caught someone calling me a “Heartbreak kid” I would jump off the ledge of the Grand Canyon. They force you into playing games so you HAVE to win so you can give a damn trophy to your dick of a friend In the hospital. NBA 2k 13 had a career mode than this. I ran a 4.4 at the combine, got 65 speed. Drafted to the bears every time. Not much to say there. The yard- was fun for 5 minutes. Superstar KO- boring as ****    … Expand
  18. TheGamer104
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    Time and time again EA gives us an awful product. Franchise has been neglected for years now, the game-play is still atrocious, I can go on and on but it seems as if they don't care. Pathetic.
  19. 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
  20. sgross32
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    The word that comes to mind is absurd. To say this was poorly executed would be generous.

    The FOTF storyline is simply an insult to fans who were looking forward to the next iteration of this game mode. Also, the functionality/interface that was created for it was completely uninspired. This was a very disappointing experience. The Yard game mode is just a poorly executed cash grab    The word that comes to mind is absurd. To say this was poorly executed would be generous.

    The FOTF storyline is simply an insult to fans who were looking forward to the next iteration of this game mode. Also, the functionality/interface that was created for it was completely uninspired. This was a very disappointing experience.

    The Yard game mode is just a poorly executed cash grab (not unlike the game in general).

    It's a challenge to find any redeeming aspects of this game. For people interested in purchasing the game I say save your money and just go with Madden20 will a roster update if you're really getting the itch for some Football.

    To EA, I've learned my lesson and next year you will have to earn by $60.    … Expand
  21. man_e_
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    This has been going on way to long, I will never pick up an EA sports game anymore. Every year worse and worse.
  22. 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.
  23. JV1234
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    Nothing has changed about this game. The only thing added is a mode call the yard. This game lacks depth and quality (not surprised because it's been lacking that for years now). It seem as if it was a project done at the very last minute a couple hours before it's due date. The game is not worth buying especially since it's only a updated roster (which they seem to have gotten wrong tooNothing has changed about this game. The only thing added is a mode call the yard. This game lacks depth and quality (not surprised because it's been lacking that for years now). It seem as if it was a project done at the very last minute a couple hours before it's due date. The game is not worth buying especially since it's only a updated roster (which they seem to have gotten wrong too considering the misspell names). This game is just unacceptable for anyone to play. You can't be the only simulation football game on the market and give the consumers this. Then again I'm not surprised. This is nothing new coming from this company. This game has been this way for years now and the community deserves better. I can use more than 5000 characters to explain why this game is underwhelming in every . I just wish the NFL would allow the market to be open for other companies to have an opportunity to make a simulation game. This monopoly of a market forces the fans to either deal with the lack of improvements or not play any football at all. It amazes me how EA can still hold it's title with he NFL. If competition breeds greatness then this explains why Madden has not returned to its form from the glory days. The elimination of competitors have allowed and this company to not even try anymore and believe me.it shows that they aren't. What we have been getting from EA is just unacceptable and it's time for change. The NFL deserves a better representative to simulate the sport and the fans deserves so much better than what they have been getting the last 7+ years are so.… Expand
  24. Ryanaustin54
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    These game's get worse every year the player's names aren't spelled right the hs football team logos are the same create a team logos that have been in for Idk how long franchise hasn't been touched since madden 14 maybe but worse of all we've asked for mouth guards equipment upgrades and instead of that feature in franchise or create a player its locked behind a paywall if i could i wouldThese game's get worse every year the player's names aren't spelled right the hs football team logos are the same create a team logos that have been in for Idk how long franchise hasn't been touched since madden 14 maybe but worse of all we've asked for mouth guards equipment upgrades and instead of that feature in franchise or create a player its locked behind a paywall if i could i would rate this game lower than a 0 #nfldropea… Expand
  25. seankosch
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    Madden can be a great game if there was any attention given to the game. Madden 21 is based on the frostbite engine which was a failure to being with but not only its 4 years old. so EA doesn't innovate doesn't try to improve in the core mechanics instead they focus on the yard and superstar KO games modes. ( which are nonsimulation football game modes) So what is madden if half of theMadden can be a great game if there was any attention given to the game. Madden 21 is based on the frostbite engine which was a failure to being with but not only its 4 years old. so EA doesn't innovate doesn't try to improve in the core mechanics instead they focus on the yard and superstar KO games modes. ( which are nonsimulation football game modes) So what is madden if half of the game is nonsimulation football. MY user experience with the game has been terrible. I've had to close app at least 100 times. Playing with friends is almost impossible due to bugs in the game.… Expand
  26. Justinhilligoss
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    Same game as last year, 0 improvements to franchise mode. The NFL needs to cut ties with EA or atleast hold them to a higher standard because this is terrible.
  27. Bazookajoe368
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    Madden has always been a fun game to play, but when you start playing a game that feels more of an update than something new it start to lose a lot of steam. I'll only purchase a game in the series only if there's something very different from it's predecessors.
  28. splashyDIAMOND
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    This game has just gone down the greedy hole. Copy paste games like this earn billions while hard working triple a titles struggle. It's unacceptable and sad.
  29. Jaxon110213
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    sell that same game duhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
  30. Beastboy2000
    Aug 30, 2020
    3
    This game is absolutely the same game every year but a different roster. I’m mad at the NFL please Take away the license EA is not using it wisely give it to 2k look what they used to do with it. In my opinion they had made the best football simulation game ever. I just get the game because it’s the only CHOICE it’s not fair that this is the only game I can go to to get a a nfl video gameThis game is absolutely the same game every year but a different roster. I’m mad at the NFL please Take away the license EA is not using it wisely give it to 2k look what they used to do with it. In my opinion they had made the best football simulation game ever. I just get the game because it’s the only CHOICE it’s not fair that this is the only game I can go to to get a a nfl video game #NFLDropEA #FixMaddenFranchise… Expand
Page:

Awards & Rankings

4
#4 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2020

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
See all critic reviews »