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. Jscags
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Absolutely zero Improvement to franchise. All they care about is the gambling card game called MUT. It's a shame that EA has a monopoly on making simulation football games
  2. lariluck
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    a zero is too high. this game hurts to turn on its so bad. you'd be cruel to buy this even for your worst enemy
  3. steadylosing
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Vapid new storyline, unpolished AI Logic, underwhelming presentation for AAA company game this late into this generation of consoles, complete lack of customisation in offline modes like franchise... NFL should genuinely reconsider whether they want to hand out an exclusive license. This EA company is coasting on the profits it accrues from naïve children that follow along with theVapid new storyline, unpolished AI Logic, underwhelming presentation for AAA company game this late into this generation of consoles, complete lack of customisation in offline modes like franchise... NFL should genuinely reconsider whether they want to hand out an exclusive license. This EA company is coasting on the profits it accrues from naïve children that follow along with the spending habits of manic pack-opening content creators... entire dismissal of their core customer base. They genuinely are mocking consumers if they expect them to enjoy this game as a simulation experience.… Expand
  4. 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.
  5. Gruffyyy
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    this game is so trash and is a copy and paste from madden 20. Full of glitches and unplayable. Please don't buy it
  6. Gazoland
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    This is horrible, EA just keeps ignoring the FOOTBALL fan and just focus on earning money through kids using MUT. It's disgusting. They have exclusive rights to a simulation football game, yet they don't care about that. They care only about MUT money.
    RIP franchise mode. RIP simulation football
  7. bduermusic
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Somehow, EA tricks me every year into buying this game. I was lured this year by Face of The Franchise. I knew it wasn't going to be great, being a new mode and all, but I never thought it would be as cheesy and boring as it was. The game mode has no replay-ability due to a storyline that made absolutely no sense to me, and the outcomes of every action you take having no consequence. ISomehow, EA tricks me every year into buying this game. I was lured this year by Face of The Franchise. I knew it wasn't going to be great, being a new mode and all, but I never thought it would be as cheesy and boring as it was. The game mode has no replay-ability due to a storyline that made absolutely no sense to me, and the outcomes of every action you take having no consequence. I literally played as bad as I could and still made it to the NFL and started my rookie year.

    I do like some of the features, i.e. throwing out of a sack, quicker throwing animations, a slowed down defense, the ability to (kind of) throw the ball where I want, and a few other things, but these features where in older (and previous EA games) to begin with.

    All I want is a realistic, in-depth, simulation football game to play, and this is not that game. It's unfortunate that this is the only option on the market. I will have to continue playing NCAA 14', Madden 08' & 12', and Head Coach 09' for another year.

    Every year, I tell myself that I am done with the Madden series, and I never follow through, but after being disappointed and, frankly, lied to for another consecutive year, it will take a hell of an effort for EA to ever get me to purchase another product that they develop.    … Expand
  8. aarons238
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    What an absolute disgrace. Some how what is effectively a reskin of madden 20 is still half finished. There is more bugs then an ant hill. It really is the epitome of not giving a damn about the consumer. Loading screen times are horrific, which is maybe positive because it prolongs the time until I have to play the horrific gameplay.
    The franchise mode is empty. There is no realism there    What an absolute disgrace. Some how what is effectively a reskin of madden 20 is still half finished. There is more bugs then an ant hill. It really is the epitome of not giving a damn about the consumer. Loading screen times are horrific, which is maybe positive because it prolongs the time until I have to play the horrific gameplay.
    The franchise mode is empty. There is no realism there is no logic. I consistently see Larry Fitzgerald being cut from the cardinals. Adrian Peters on cut from the redskins. It is ridiculous but hey if you wanna build a dream team just offer the colts 35cent and you can get your hands on 94 overall quenton nelson. The surprising thing to me is they actually didn't even upgrade ultimate team.
    But what ea did go away and do all year is spend time creating a buggy and lifeless mode called the yard which just about sums up the fact that they manage to con the nfl into thinking they create a simulation football game whilst being about as realistic as stevie wonder driving an a aeroplane.
    Also what Ea in all there wisdom have done have made the word Moore a profanity. Which to be honest really is a bummer because I used to enjoy calling all my friends moores but I guess we have to move with the times and stop people saying such heinous words.
    I rate this a 0 because it is completely unacceptable that a business the size of ea continues every year to put out an incomplete unrealistic piece off garbage. The writing is surelu on the wall for ea. Actually improve your game and stop allowing kids to gamble.

    In conclusion if you want an unrealistic buggy mess this game is for you. If you want to watch your o line miss easy blocks and then as your run further down field watch your wrs run away from blocking whilst just as your about to get a touchdown you get locked in an animation and are teleportrd into a defenders arm then this game is perfect for you.
    If you want a game that is not based off of skill but how badly you can cheese the game this is perfect. Need a touchdown te attack or slants will do fine because its unstobbbale maybe hb stretch cause there is no counterbalance. This game would be perfect if it was celebrating the achievements of what severely handicapped people can do when asked to make a game but unfortunately it is not it is made by one of the biggest company's in the world.

    Under any circumstances DO NOT BUY even if your life depended on it the torture is truly unbearable    … Expand
  9. All_Too_Easy
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Another year another madden game that is basically a roster update. EA have completely lost their way when it comes to Madden. Minor changes from Madden 20. Franchise mode is completely untouched! It is quite pathetic at this point.… Expand
  10. Bmoore2k6
    Aug 27, 2020
    5
    Honestly, it doesn’t even deserve a 5. It’s quite obvious they put minimal effort into improving this game, and was completely okay with releasing it with the dozens of glitches and bugs that came with this game. The Yard is different, it’s just okay..... but it’s another way EA is trying to make more money off an already overpriced version of Madden 19. Funny thing is. When 2k comes outHonestly, it doesn’t even deserve a 5. It’s quite obvious they put minimal effort into improving this game, and was completely okay with releasing it with the dozens of glitches and bugs that came with this game. The Yard is different, it’s just okay..... but it’s another way EA is trying to make more money off an already overpriced version of Madden 19. Funny thing is. When 2k comes out with their arcade style NFL game, it will more than likely be more realistic than EA’s “simulation” game. This game is an absolute joke and should be an insult to not only NFL fans, but the players as well. This is so far from realistic. EA only cares about money and it shows by the minimum effort they displayed. I want my money back. No patch can recover this game.… Expand
  11. DazeX1
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Nothing has changed here since the PS3. EA has to stop or 2K will just devour them once their exclusive deal ends.
  12. Bigsexy27314
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    I don't know what to say, the game is awful! EA should be ashamed of this game, but they are proud of it. How can you keep making this game so bad when you used to make this game so good?? You would think that with all the technology the game would be awesome, but that's not the case with Madden anymore, it keeps getting worse and worse.
  13. StayPlation
    Aug 27, 2020
    1
    I almost feel guilty giving this game a 1, but I will say SOME of the new animations within the gameplay engine are improved — at least when there isn't a glitch or bug to take you out of the moment, which happens a lot.

    So why do I almost feel guilty for the 1? Because in the micro-step forward Madden 21 took in its gameplay engine, it took giant leaps backwards in every other    I almost feel guilty giving this game a 1, but I will say SOME of the new animations within the gameplay engine are improved — at least when there isn't a glitch or bug to take you out of the moment, which happens a lot.

    So why do I almost feel guilty for the 1? Because in the micro-step forward Madden 21 took in its gameplay engine, it took giant leaps backwards in every other department.

    "Micro" being the key word.

    Aside from the plethora of absurd bugs, glitches, and inexcusable typos (Any "Seahacks" fans out there?), Franchise Mode has, also inexcusably, been untouched with the exception of the NFL's updated playoff structure, which is merely a patch.

    For fans who want simulation football, and Madden being the only simulation football game they can get their hands on, EA Sports should be ashamed of the unpolished, uninspiring, and completely unchanged game mode, Classic Franchise, that gives consumers a "simulation" experience.

    This gets us back to "micro."

    No one can deny the game modes that got the most amount of attention are Madden Ultimate Team and the new mode called The Yard. Why? Because those modes depend entirely on microtransactions.

    With the revenue Madden pulls in from microtransactions, from a capitalistic perspective, of course that's where the company is going to allocate their resources.

    But if arcade football that entices you to gamble your money away isn't your thing, why in the name of John Madden should EA be allowed to have an exclusive deal with the NFL to be the only simulation game, if they continue to grossly undeliver a simulation franchise mode?

    The answer is: They shouldn't be.

    EA should not be allowed to monopolize simulation football if they're going to continue delivering an underwhelming product to paying consumers who want an authentic simulation experience ripe with broadcast presentation you'd actually see on TV and fun features that were removed over a decade ago. (See YouTube and hop on social if you want specific examples. The #FixMaddenFranchise community has done an incredible job of putting together a solid case).

    Consumers deserve better. The NFL deserves better. NFL players deserve better.

    Unfortunately, microtransactions have ruined the Madden franchise.

    We're not going to see a better Franchise mode until gambling and microtransactions are removed from the game — and who knows when that will be.

    If you're looking for simulation football with a franchise mode that brings you back to the NFL 2K5 glory days, when Madden actually had competition, Madden NFL 21 is not your answer this year.

    Nor has it been for several years.

    And that's just sad.

    On a micro and macro level.    … Expand
  14. Canothegreat
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Sticking to Madden 20. I tried both games with early access and both consoles. Horrible animations. Pass this year.
  15. jacobc679
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Ea doesn't listen to their customers, game breaking glitches everywhere and same gameplay as last year.
  16. austinpost84
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    I have been playing Madden for my whole life. I used to be in love with the game. But this continued cycle of laziness and lack of creativity by EA Sports needs to end. The ONLY Simulation NFL game cannot even simulate the NFL. While I do enjoy the minor gameplay tweaks and presentation changes, It is not enough to warrant a single point in the score. If Madden NFL 22 is not a significantI have been playing Madden for my whole life. I used to be in love with the game. But this continued cycle of laziness and lack of creativity by EA Sports needs to end. The ONLY Simulation NFL game cannot even simulate the NFL. While I do enjoy the minor gameplay tweaks and presentation changes, It is not enough to warrant a single point in the score. If Madden NFL 22 is not a significant step forward, Madden and EA Sports may be in trouble.… Expand
  17. Dancren92
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Not really surprised. Copy and paste as usual. I'm not sure how a game that is copy and pasted every year can still contain bugs.

    FACE OF THE FRANCHISE Is a dumpster fire with terrible writing and voice acting. Matthews literally enters the draft the same year as you even though you left college early when they named him the starter. Defeating the purpose of you entering the draft early.    Not really surprised. Copy and paste as usual. I'm not sure how a game that is copy and pasted every year can still contain bugs.

    FACE OF THE FRANCHISE Is a dumpster fire with terrible writing and voice acting. Matthews literally enters the draft the same year as you even though you left college early when they named him the starter. Defeating the purpose of you entering the draft early. They deliberately left the other positions unavailable to play as because they want us to by the next game when they add defensive positions (blatant corruption).

    Under create a player. Faces 3 and 8, under skin tone 7 have been identical and in the same position since madden 17. Like WTF

    FRANCHISE MODE
    Has been virtually left untouched AGAIN.

    THE YARD
    Got boring very quickly. They somehow managed to add mouthpieces and other gear in the yard but not the rest of the game. I'm not sure how that happens.

    GAMEPLAY
    Don't really notice a difference STOP BUYING THIS GAME PEOPLE!!!!!    … 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. Mr_That_One_Guy
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    It’s literally the same game as last year. You pay $60 for a new font and color. Yeah you got FOTF and The Yard but honestly I played them
    both and got bored after an hour. The Yard is just trying to compete with 2K’s game, and FOTF is just a longer and somehow more boring and more scripted than last year. I got drafted to the Bears, just like everybody. I haven’t seen anyone get drafted    It’s literally the same game as last year. You pay $60 for a new font and color. Yeah you got FOTF and The Yard but honestly I played them
    both and got bored after an hour. The Yard is just trying to compete with 2K’s game, and FOTF is just a longer and somehow more boring and more scripted than last year. I got drafted to the Bears, just like everybody. I haven’t seen anyone get drafted by another team honestly. I only got the game so I could play franchise with my friends. I don’t play MUT cause I don’t wanna grind    … Expand
  20. CaseyMoe
    Aug 27, 2020
    1
    Forget the fact the game is copy and pasted from the year before with little effort or passion put into it each new release. Forget that an otherwise cool game mode, MUT, is absolutely ruined by being ridiculously Pay to Win with the gambling card packs. Forget that Franchise Mode hasn't had a meaningful upgrade in years and instead has had features stripped from it little by littleForget the fact the game is copy and pasted from the year before with little effort or passion put into it each new release. Forget that an otherwise cool game mode, MUT, is absolutely ruined by being ridiculously Pay to Win with the gambling card packs. Forget that Franchise Mode hasn't had a meaningful upgrade in years and instead has had features stripped from it little by little until now, where it is a shell of a game mode.

    Forget all that. The thing that matters most right now is the game is just an unpolished, buggy mess and it's the only NFL game allowed to be made. That's why you shouldn't buy this game. You should not support and justify EA having the exclusive simulation rights to make an NFL game when they are making 100s of millions of dollars on it every year and they can't even take the time to make sure the core game is a quality, polished, finished product.

    They've obviously put what little money and man hours the devs are allowed to use on improving this game into the release of a new game mode, which of course, was created to sell microtransactions instead offering a fun experience to the consumer who just spent $60 on a broken, lifeless game that has less than a 1 year life span.    … Expand
  21. Tyrod2120
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Might as well buy madden 20, it’s the same game for a cheaper price. This game is an abomination. Feels like I’m playing special education football.
  22. Pyromad
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Same terrible gameplay with even more bugs than last year. Don't buy this trash.
  23. 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
  24. 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
  25. 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.
  26. Kmack
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Where should i begin? Terrible body builds (players looks two skinny, weird knees, too big or too small helmets), Legacy warping issues, canned animations that pull players into or out of tackles regardless of momentum / physics, terrible animation for running and passing, no real character depth, NO NEW FRANCHISE ADDITIONS, just to name a few. This is what happens without competition,Where should i begin? Terrible body builds (players looks two skinny, weird knees, too big or too small helmets), Legacy warping issues, canned animations that pull players into or out of tackles regardless of momentum / physics, terrible animation for running and passing, no real character depth, NO NEW FRANCHISE ADDITIONS, just to name a few. This is what happens without competition, companies become lazy. The last good madden was Madden 08 over 10 years ago. I used to love this game so this is not fun for me. DO NOT BUY THIS GAME!… Expand
  27. Horace81
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Ea Sports is the worst company in the world. Every Madden gets worse by the year. This year's Madden is exactly the same as last years. FRANCHISE mode wasn't even touched. Makes me sick. Terrible.
  28. ejashton
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Barely anything changed, we all only care about CFM and the whole mode along with 99% of the game are badly copy pasted from the last few years.
  29. 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.
  30. 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
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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.
    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
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