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. FaZeMemeDaddy
    Aug 28, 2020
    0
    Just buy madden 20 and write a 1 in sharpie over top, this isn’t a new game
  2. Jfjxhvxbekd
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Don’t buy it. Absolute trash. Not simulation football. EA needs competition
  3. Kfisher
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Copy & pasted gameplay . Menu Is glitchy . Lack of attention of details. Worst story mode of all time. Example EA Forgotten dat high school has physical check. So u are in a weird scenario . Dat a teammate telling u . He has heart disease During halftime And He refused to tell Our coach. U told him to stop playing but he refused and went back on . 5 plays later he having cardiac arrest onCopy & pasted gameplay . Menu Is glitchy . Lack of attention of details. Worst story mode of all time. Example EA Forgotten dat high school has physical check. So u are in a weird scenario . Dat a teammate telling u . He has heart disease During halftime And He refused to tell Our coach. U told him to stop playing but he refused and went back on . 5 plays later he having cardiac arrest on the field .1season Later . Our coach convinced dat same teammate Become a wide receiver & he wanna break records. Worst thing is He continued to play football with u in college . Don’t waste ur time on Madden 21… Expand
  4. ssdlbodo
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    Minimal improvements were made to this game. Not worth 60 bucks. The madden community deserves better then what we were given.. which is utter trash.
  5. kjensen88
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    This is quite possibly the worst triple A sports title since the 16-bit era. EA should be absolutely ashamed at the product they created. This is nothing more than a low budget asset flip and it is abhorrent that the NFL allows exclusive sim licensing to EA.
  6. marlies905
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Madden 21 can be summed up in four words: same s**t, different year.

    Madden 21 is just another re-iteration of the exact same poor product that EA has been releasing for the last 10 years. EA's complacency due to its anti-consumer stranglehold on the NFL simulation football license is just as apparent this year as it has been for the past decade. Franchise Mode: FM has once again    Madden 21 can be summed up in four words: same s**t, different year.

    Madden 21 is just another re-iteration of the exact same poor product that EA has been releasing for the last 10 years. EA's complacency due to its anti-consumer stranglehold on the NFL simulation football license is just as apparent this year as it has been for the past decade.

    Franchise Mode: FM has once again gone completely untouched and still does not come close to resembling what the mode used to be in 2005. There is absolutely no depth and no replayability in Franchise mode or Face of the Franchise (the new attempt at Career Mode/Superstar Mode). Face of the Franchise is plagued with horrible cringeworthy writing and an extremely short storyline with meaningless "choices". The core Franchise community has been completely neglected once again in favor of focusing and investing in the pay-to-win arcade modes, mainly MUT. 5000 characters are not enough to explain everything that needs to be improved/fixed in Franchise Mode. I advised everyone to check out 3 channels on Youtube who have made extremely detailed videos outlining everything wrong with Madden Franchise Mode: ShutdownSafety21 (Ryan Moody), SOFTDRINKTV, and ThatFranchiseGuy. Keep the hashtag #FixMaddenFranchise trending on twitter, the community needs to keep our voices heard until EA restores Franchise mode to its former glory. The community deserves better.

    Gameplay: The gameplay is still the same handful of canned animations from the last 5 years that make every game extremely boring and predictable. Animations still fail to blend properly most of the time which causes awful-looking interactions between players, and most animations have visual cues that make it extremely easy to predict outcomes of a play. Referees are still missing which is still a major complaint that EA has yet to address. Overall, it is clear that the Frostbite engine is not capable of replicating real-life football, and EA really needs to rebuild this game on a physics-based engine. The addition of X-factors only serves to make the gameplay less like actual NFL simulation. This shift to dumbed-down arcade-style gameplay is clearly intended to appeal to younger players who are more inclined to carelessly spend money on microtransactions. The Madden devs and executive teams have lost any and all intentions of replicating real-life football.

    Presentation: Visual game-day presentation is the exact same bland repetitive animations from the last 5 years. This includes team entrances, sideline clips, and SB win celebrations. The pre-game, post-game, and half-time shows/reports are extremely inadequate in giving you stats/storylines about the game and the season in general. The commentary library consists of the same boring and predictable lines that we have been hearing for the past 5 years. The commentary team is devoid of any personality or passion and often say lines that are irrelevant to what is happening on the field. Madden desperately needs a complete presentation overhaul to get on par with NBA2K's presentation and commentary.

    In conclusion, Madden 21 gets a 0 because of what it should have been. Ever since the transition onto the next generation (Xbox 360/PS3), EA has had 11 YEARS to rebuild this game, and they have gotten nowhere. 11 years of empty promises and microtransactions make it clear that with a lack of any competitor in the NFL simulation video game market, EA is able to remain complacent and neglect anything that isn't MUT. Despite what IGN has claimed for the last 5 years, EA has yet again failed to make any real "steps in the right direction".    … Expand
  7. blastright32
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Garbage. Same thing as last year. EA should be absolutely embarrassed. Do not buy.
  8. acunney
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    I will not make the claim that this game is awful and unplayable. If you have never played Madden, give this a try if you're interested in getting into football. Outside of those people, I can't imagine suggesting that others purchase it.

    This game, more so than iterations in the past, is a carbon copy of it's predecessor. You may think this is an exaggeration, but you can see instances    I will not make the claim that this game is awful and unplayable. If you have never played Madden, give this a try if you're interested in getting into football. Outside of those people, I can't imagine suggesting that others purchase it.

    This game, more so than iterations in the past, is a carbon copy of it's predecessor. You may think this is an exaggeration, but you can see instances where they have literally copy and pasted assets. One example off the top of my head, Miles Garrett's X Factor description lists him as 23 and not 24. It was ripped directly from last year's title. This is a small detail, but it goes to show how little care was put into making the game feel unique. The developers are aware of the fact that they are lazy and are too lazy to hide their laziness.

    The game-play feels pretty untouched from last year. The jukes feel a bit slower and I find that the CPU gets called on pass interference fairly often. Outside of that, the game plays very similar to last year. If you liked the game-play in 2020, this game-play will be no different.

    They included a new game mode called Yard. It feels like a combination of Superstar KO and NFL Street. It's reasonably fun, but very arcade-y. EA owns the rights to make a simulation style NFL game, and instead have focused on the arcade aspects.

    Franchise mode is completely unchanged aside from a change in color and the font is bolded. That's it. I cannot find a single other difference. This is by far the most egregious issues because fans have been outspoken for their wish for improved franchise modes.

    Overall, I know nothing I or other reviewers say will change anything. It's like when you're realizing that you can't change your S.O. and have to let them go. I think it's time I let Madden go. I know EA won't miss me, but I miss Madden.    … Expand
  9. FixMadden2020
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Its trash. Mut the same, franchise the same, is a fake nfl street worth 60 more bucks???? I disagree. I would be lying if I didnt think the tackling and things like that are better and smoother but whats the point of decent gameplay with the most bare bone franchise mode in history
  10. waddilyp
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Do you enjoy games that not only do not change at all from year to year, but also manage to get worse every year that passes? Would you like to spend $60 on a game that cannot even get ultimate team right? Would you like to be able to play a franchise mode that has been updated with MULTIPLE new textures? If that is enough for you to buy this horrible game then go ahead and waste yourDo you enjoy games that not only do not change at all from year to year, but also manage to get worse every year that passes? Would you like to spend $60 on a game that cannot even get ultimate team right? Would you like to be able to play a franchise mode that has been updated with MULTIPLE new textures? If that is enough for you to buy this horrible game then go ahead and waste your money, but for anyone who does not want to spend money on this dumpster fire of a game: DO NOT BUY THIS!… Expand
  11. Chinski
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Worst game ever made. No improvements to franchise mode. The glitches are ridiculous.
  12. JTCLARK
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Copy and paste not worth the money. Cant believe they think they can get away with this
  13. doguin
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    This game shows why EA was elected 2 times the worst Company in america the gameplay is unrealistic, the franciese mode is a joke, face of franciese have a terrible storyline, the yard is a bugged mode that no onde wanted. DONT BUY
  14. Jedite21
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Managed to make one of the worst Madden's to date. Do not recommend. This company deserves no money for this piece of hot garbage.
  15. TampereProdigy
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    EA honestly has run out of excuses at this point. It is an atrocious game preying on kids and dumb adults with its Ultimate Team and The Yard modes. The gameplay is awful and the features we used to have in the PS2, Xbox, GameCube days are still not in the game after 10+ years. I think I will stick to Madden 06. Do not buy.
  16. Pat123456789
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Stale. Lifeless. Roster update. Please give up on making football video games EA you guys are a disgrace to the game of football.… Expand
  17. TheYellowBoy
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    This game is absolutely riddled with bugs and glitches. It has no polish. It does not resemble real football at all and is not very fun to play. It’s barely even playable when you tweak its sliders. I know that no one cares about the product. The NFL does not care. EA does not care. And it’s going to make its money because hey that’s the perks of a capitalist society, we all have benefitThis game is absolutely riddled with bugs and glitches. It has no polish. It does not resemble real football at all and is not very fun to play. It’s barely even playable when you tweak its sliders. I know that no one cares about the product. The NFL does not care. EA does not care. And it’s going to make its money because hey that’s the perks of a capitalist society, we all have benefit from. But please if you want to enjoy your hard earned money, save it. Better yet, buy an older years edition used and download a community roster. Other than the pictures in the player card there is very little variance. Do not support something that does not support you if you care about your money.… Expand
  18. Quinn123
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Fix madden franchise ! Fix madden franchise ! Fix madden franchise ! Fix madden franchise ! Fix madden franchise ! Fix madden franchise !
  19. jacobc679
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Ea doesn't listen to their customers, game breaking glitches everywhere and same gameplay as last year.
  20. Homeless_man
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Horrible gameplay. Linebackers are still either 1000% op or 1000% useless. It's essentially just madden 15 with a roster update - which to be fair is every year. This year displays an new level of laziness, full of small, stupid bugs.
  21. Alextzak77
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Horrible game, absolutely 0 new improvements from the past year. Waste of money
  22. bigtuckk
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    The gameplay is next to parallel with the old game, nothing has changed at all except a pass rush move. The franchise mode didn't change at all despite begging from fans, yet they did nothing. All they did was change up face of the franchise, and add the yard, which seems like a copy of the park idea in the 2k series, just changed to fit a football game. just bad.
  23. tbahama
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Heard how bad this years game was and had to try it. After about 10 hours of gameplay I returned it. Franchise mode is a complete joke. Story mode doesn’t make sense, MUT should be boarder line illegal for underage gambling, but worst of all, the gameplay is complete trash. This should not even be considered a football simulation when you have a ball travel on a players helmet for 40Heard how bad this years game was and had to try it. After about 10 hours of gameplay I returned it. Franchise mode is a complete joke. Story mode doesn’t make sense, MUT should be boarder line illegal for underage gambling, but worst of all, the gameplay is complete trash. This should not even be considered a football simulation when you have a ball travel on a players helmet for 40 yards. It’s sad knowing there’s five more years without an NFL licensed sim.… Expand
  24. 49ers
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    I’ve bought every madden since 07’. Every year since 2012 the game has been a reshell if itself with slightly better graphics and an engine. I’ve ignored all those things to enjoy my love for football and video games. However, this year EA has taken it too far. This game is an insult to its consumers. There are pictures of players not even on their respective teams anymore across theI’ve bought every madden since 07’. Every year since 2012 the game has been a reshell if itself with slightly better graphics and an engine. I’ve ignored all those things to enjoy my love for football and video games. However, this year EA has taken it too far. This game is an insult to its consumers. There are pictures of players not even on their respective teams anymore across the loading screens. The gameplay is the same exact thing as last year. This is a huge company with endless resources to make a phenomenal game, and they are showing how lazy and how much they don’t care about their customers. We keep buying their lifeless, lazy, and reskinned game. But it needs to stop. Their time will come when 2k gets Iinvolved again. Unless they change dramatically for next gen.… Expand
  25. RockossmosD
    Aug 27, 2020
    1
    This game is a heavily undercooked, disrespectful representation of simulation football. After playing this title I cant believe they had the audacity to charge a full premium price for this buggy and unrefined game. This is not even touching on the fact that absolutely nothing of not ON release was given yo Franchise mode the one simulation mode this game is supposed to
  26. Milb78
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    EA Sports need to be revoked of the NFL license. Every year, the gameplay and franchise mode is the same. Shame on you EA and the NFL for allowing this to happen
  27. Emperor_Maximus
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Welcome to Madden 20.5 and they almost got the roster update right. Same recycled features that they removed and put back in from older Madden games that nobody cared about while ignoring every single request from fans. Franchise mode got a updated UI screen....and that's it. Don't buy this game if you own Madden 20.
  28. Nitt23
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Might as well buy madden 16 it’s a better game. This is a copy and paste. Just update your roster on madden 20 and you have madden 21. DONT BUY THIS GAME!!! WE NEED CHANGE!!
  29. Terry1995
    Aug 28, 2020
    0
    It’s literally Madden 20 they just added The Yard. Franchise is terrible like usual. Scripted animations at an all time high. It’s just a bad video game
  30. toastymaple5280
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    I’ll sum it up like this: This game is a buggy disaster. They changed nothing. The only thing they added was the yard mode, which is not worth the price tag of the game. Franchise, face of the franchise and everything else is the damn same. And keep in mind, while all this is happening, EA makes billions of dollars of of the ultimate team. This is why we get the same damn game every year.
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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.
    Read full review
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