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. Exodus13
    Aug 26, 2020
    0
    Bugs and glitches everywhere. Animations are broken. Realism? Yeah, forget about that. And Franchise is still so barebones that I just can't bear playing it. Fix this game. We deserve better than whatever this is.
  2. pmcg06
    Aug 26, 2020
    0
    This is criminal to have put out a game this awful. Being the only NFL simulation football game on the market it is absurd that EA Sports somehow got their exclusivity renewed by putting out garbage year in and year out. This game’s focus is on microtransactions and has been for years. The release was a debacle with so many server issues and to top it off, not only does it have the sameThis is criminal to have put out a game this awful. Being the only NFL simulation football game on the market it is absurd that EA Sports somehow got their exclusivity renewed by putting out garbage year in and year out. This game’s focus is on microtransactions and has been for years. The release was a debacle with so many server issues and to top it off, not only does it have the same glitches as in years’ past, but it has also introduced new ones, like no lines on the field, rainbow-coloured coaches to name a few. If this game didn’t have the NFL license, no one would think twice of buying this rubbish. So sad we have been subjected to such trash. I hope one day we are treated with a simulation football game with the NFL license that we deserve. One that does not rely on scripting and animations.. a franchise that is engaging.. game modes that were part of the game over ten years ago.. a game that shows it was made with CARE!!! One can only hope.… Expand
  3. seabass1218
    Aug 26, 2020
    0
    This is a new low for Madden NFL. This game claims to be a simulation title but it makes no attempt to be simulation and replicate real football. They have neglected their core audience in an attempt to attract new players and have failed at making those modes fun and entertaining. The game is full of bugs and lacks any depth to keep players coming back for more. The ratings in the gameThis is a new low for Madden NFL. This game claims to be a simulation title but it makes no attempt to be simulation and replicate real football. They have neglected their core audience in an attempt to attract new players and have failed at making those modes fun and entertaining. The game is full of bugs and lacks any depth to keep players coming back for more. The ratings in the game indicate that the rating adjusters don't watch the games or at least cannot evaluate what is happening on the field. Every year Madden looks like a rushed product and this year is no different. I genuinely hope EA learns from their mistake and don't put out another game this bad.… Expand
  4. MrGibler43
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    I play exclusively franchise mode. No changes or improvements made to the mode so there’s no reason for me to buy the game this year. I’ve officially retired from Madden. I tried to stick it out thru Madden 20 but realized after 2 seasons of CFM it wasn’t a good game. Learning from my mistakes early this year.
  5. Ltsnyder9
    Aug 26, 2020
    0
    I’ve bought madden every year for the last 20 years. No more. This game is a joke. EA should be embarrassed. How you can’t make a decent franchise mode in 2020 is beyond me. All they care about is MUT. It has ruined madden. There is no immersion to this game. It feels completely stale. I’m honestly more sad than mad. I love football but I can’t buy this game.
  6. Ragewsg
    Aug 26, 2020
    0
    Copy and paste of madden 20. Same glitches that plagued madden for countless years. No excuse for the lack of care put into this product. EA is the laughing stock of sports games, and has been for years. I wish there was a way to rate this - 1 because it isn't even worthy of a zero.
  7. xGoldenXFatex
    Aug 26, 2020
    0
    Absolutely terrible game! Riddled with glitches and bugs.. Face of the franchise is ridiculously bland, cheesy and just plain bad! Classic Franchise is literally a cut paste from madden 20 and still is many years behind where it should be and still does not have better scouting, team building coaching carousel. The newest mode the yard is fun for first 5 minutes then you realize what aAbsolutely terrible game! Riddled with glitches and bugs.. Face of the franchise is ridiculously bland, cheesy and just plain bad! Classic Franchise is literally a cut paste from madden 20 and still is many years behind where it should be and still does not have better scouting, team building coaching carousel. The newest mode the yard is fun for first 5 minutes then you realize what a ridiculous concept for a “simulation football game” to make a arcade game!… Expand
  8. 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
  9. dabirdman23
    Aug 26, 2020
    0
    This game is plagued with issues, menu slow downs, graphical glitches, same broken physics engine where weird stuff breaks in game... Literally all the focus on this year's game was anything but franchise mode. It's the exact same as madden 20, no additional features. This is a sad reminder of what happens without
  10. APTSJ
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    This is the worst release of Madden in the history of the franchise. What Trip Hawkins, founder of EA must think of the game and the shameful pretence to be simulation when the game couldn’t be further away from that, I have no idea. Madden 04-12 had a better franchise mode than anything we’ve seen in the last 9 years. When I load up an old Madden it’s painful to go to the latest versionThis is the worst release of Madden in the history of the franchise. What Trip Hawkins, founder of EA must think of the game and the shameful pretence to be simulation when the game couldn’t be further away from that, I have no idea. Madden 04-12 had a better franchise mode than anything we’ve seen in the last 9 years. When I load up an old Madden it’s painful to go to the latest version and experience the wasteland of franchise mode. I don’t know if this game can even be turned around at this stage. Madden is going the way of NBA Live.… Expand
  11. TeganTheTaco
    Aug 26, 2020
    0
    They are selling you an update for madden 20 that cost $60. Classic EA scam.
  12. Jdhdjd
    Aug 26, 2020
    0
    I’d be easier to say what’s good



    There jerseys sometimes look nice,
    The end
  13. DJH32
    Aug 26, 2020
    1
    Holy disappointing, not sure what's going on but one of the biggest properties is been just re skinned for another year.
  14. iamkjeld
    Aug 26, 2020
    0
    Enough is enough, EA. For more than a decade you’ve been slacking on this game series, constantly neglecting the fans. Now You’re just clowning us. As an example; we’ve been asking you for years to add mouthguards, but it was not possible you told us. However now you add them in the yard where you can buy it for real money, BUT NOT IN THE REAL SIM GAME??? - Furthermore, completelyEnough is enough, EA. For more than a decade you’ve been slacking on this game series, constantly neglecting the fans. Now You’re just clowning us. As an example; we’ve been asking you for years to add mouthguards, but it was not possible you told us. However now you add them in the yard where you can buy it for real money, BUT NOT IN THE REAL SIM GAME??? - Furthermore, completely neglecting franchise, gameplay, well actually anything that doesn’t involve microtransactions. Goddamn disgrace. Money grab game, that's all it is. Don’t clown yourselves, save the 60 dollars… Expand
  15. Djp034
    Aug 27, 2020
    1
    Same ol same ol with more glitches. When are they going to redo their game engine. Way to many problems with it.
  16. AJ_Darkfire
    Aug 26, 2020
    0
    Played during EA Play days. It was littered with bugs and glitches. It's like nobody touched the game outside of a few new features they added into the game. Bugs and glitches go all the way from my first game having my player being completely invisible, to having dropped passes touch the ground for the opposing team to pick it up and run it for a touchdown, spelling is bad throughout,Played during EA Play days. It was littered with bugs and glitches. It's like nobody touched the game outside of a few new features they added into the game. Bugs and glitches go all the way from my first game having my player being completely invisible, to having dropped passes touch the ground for the opposing team to pick it up and run it for a touchdown, spelling is bad throughout, literally the same exact franchise as every year prior, game crashing on boot up on PC and never happening again, old textures from last years game in arena stadiums, and I could go on forever. I do somewhat enjoy The Yard, and honestly its my favorite mode this year. I played over 247 hours on franchise mode in last years Madden and I honestly CANNOT go through another franchise with the same amount of hours because of how stale it is. This game is far beyond anything simulation, morphing as you fall to the ground to grab an interception, Super human AI always touching the ball after a ball gets tipped, new pass rush is a joke as you watch your defender lay out a blocker but watch the blocker jump right back up because the game wants you to fail, All-Pro is too easy, All Madden is too unfair, your AI defenders get stuck from moving during interceptions, in face the franchise even though I am "Unlocking" traits they are not unlocking at all for me in the game, I'm watching players get kicked from my team in franchise and completely disappear from the game. I could go ON AND ON on how bad this game is. I completely understand that COVID can make the game buggy and unplayable to an extent, but this just shows how lazy EA is when it comes to their sports game. And a lot of these issues have been in since last year! They literally add one or two small features in the game, slap a new year and cover player then call it a day. Do yourself a favor and stop supporting this nonsense so we can actually get competition back into the NFL franchise. Having MUT be the main focus every year is just a big slap to the fans who would like a simulation-based football game. Do yourself a favor and DO NOT BUY.… Expand
  17. Wassupboy
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    They haven’t changed the game since 2013, franchise is still the bland unimpressive mode it’s been the past couple years yet it’s the mode EA cashed millions on to retain the rights of it. All the other Arcade modes are filled with glitches and micro transactions. FOTF is incredibly cheesy and doesn’t even take into account what your player has done to craft the story. Horrible game from aThey haven’t changed the game since 2013, franchise is still the bland unimpressive mode it’s been the past couple years yet it’s the mode EA cashed millions on to retain the rights of it. All the other Arcade modes are filled with glitches and micro transactions. FOTF is incredibly cheesy and doesn’t even take into account what your player has done to craft the story. Horrible game from a horrible company.… Expand
  18. 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
  19. jhollis977
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    This is a good game if you are a fan of bad games. I don't want new game modes and ultimate team packs. I just want an NFL football simulation that is worth paying $60 for, and a decent franchise mode.
  20. Lethalweapon80
    Aug 26, 2020
    0
    Absolutely terrible game. Same glitches that have been around for years. Terrible AI. AI fails time do basic football knowledge. Franchise mode is garbage and they chose to waste more time on the Yard mode than the actual game. Don’t waste your money on this game. I’ve been a madden supporter for years but it’s time for us to send a message to the NFL that we need competition. CompetitionAbsolutely terrible game. Same glitches that have been around for years. Terrible AI. AI fails time do basic football knowledge. Franchise mode is garbage and they chose to waste more time on the Yard mode than the actual game. Don’t waste your money on this game. I’ve been a madden supporter for years but it’s time for us to send a message to the NFL that we need competition. Competition leads to better products… Expand
  21. Emedina
    Aug 26, 2020
    0
    I have never done this before and I created an account just for this. The game is terrible arguably the worse game I have ever played. It sucks on every level. I did not like Madden 20 but in 24 hours I want my refund. Everything is wrong , the defenders will sit and watch the ballcarrier run right by them defenders will stop running in a middle of the play because they are out o staminaI have never done this before and I created an account just for this. The game is terrible arguably the worse game I have ever played. It sucks on every level. I did not like Madden 20 but in 24 hours I want my refund. Everything is wrong , the defenders will sit and watch the ballcarrier run right by them defenders will stop running in a middle of the play because they are out o stamina the physics are more broke than usual. Big rigs might be a more polished game than this. I do not have to get started on CFM. We all know it's a disaster. Anyone who says there is nothing wrongg with the game Is either insane or paid by EA. I regret purchasing this atrocity of a "game". Madden 21 is an insult to anyone who calls themselves a football fan and an insult to anyone who Calls themselves a gamer. Before this game I would have said Madden 20 is the worse game I ever played but Madden 21 takes the cake. The grind for MUT is so unreal it's like I have part time job because I refuse to drop hundreds on an online casino to b competitive. Pokemon fire red is a better game than this on every level. In squads the only way you can play QB is if you snap the ball under enter. I will digress because I assume I have lost the reader but I cannot in good conscious tell anyone to purchase this disgrace of a "game" I hope everyone at Madden and EA know that one day all the chickens will come home to roost… Expand
  22. duhlootz
    Aug 26, 2020
    0
    Yeah, I've never review bombed, but EA deserves this. I'm sure the 10s combating these bombs are from people who enjoy the game. Nothing inherently wrong with that. However, I care about gaming and the industry as a whole and what EA has done for the last 10 years is a complete joke. They don't have to make a whole new game every year, but they need to have a good foundation. Madden hasntYeah, I've never review bombed, but EA deserves this. I'm sure the 10s combating these bombs are from people who enjoy the game. Nothing inherently wrong with that. However, I care about gaming and the industry as a whole and what EA has done for the last 10 years is a complete joke. They don't have to make a whole new game every year, but they need to have a good foundation. Madden hasnt had a good foundation for years and they have had plenty of feedback. They just know they don't have to listen. Consider F1 or even 2K, the latter of which has the same microtransaction models, the foundation is still there to enjoy. You can have a great experience without that stuff. Maybe people like MUT, thats fine. But the core Madden experience is bad. I cant expect a game to be perfect, but I need it to have enough redeeming qualities to accept the flaws. Madden hasn't accomplished this baseline in years.… Expand
  23. yoshi001600
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Game is trash, playing Madden 18 every year... They repackage same game and charge us 90
  24. cjmoney
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. EA continues to ignore customers & release a lazy effort of a game with too many issues once again… Expand
  25. Trayl
    Aug 26, 2020
    1
    There is football in this game. Aside from that there's a lot of gambling, glitches, and stagnation. If you like this game for MUT, avoid gacha games.
  26. Jamesv023
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Ea sports have flat out refused to touch the franchise mode in this game. Face of the franchise is the worst piece of storytelling I have ever seen, you could find more realistic storylines from a $1 book from the library. The yard is a shallow game mode designed to help ea suck more money out of this game. Mut is the same play to win cash grab it has always been. Do yourself a favour andEa sports have flat out refused to touch the franchise mode in this game. Face of the franchise is the worst piece of storytelling I have ever seen, you could find more realistic storylines from a $1 book from the library. The yard is a shallow game mode designed to help ea suck more money out of this game. Mut is the same play to win cash grab it has always been. Do yourself a favour and do not buy this game. Roger goodell please terminate the contract between you and ea sports.… Expand
  27. Eddsnake
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    The worst Madden yet. 15 years of NFL license exclusivity and no competition has led us to this point. EA only cares about MUT and micro transactions, Franchise Mode was far better back in Madden 2005. Do yourself a favour and buy that or NFL2K5 off eBay instead of this garbage. #boycottMadden
  28. LastNameMoore
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Don't buy. Just download the roster on the community page. It's just the same game. They'll gladly take your money on mut and you'll never see those resources used on the game. No changes to franchise mode. Added an arcade mode in a game that has simulation exclusive rights just because 2k got rights. Keep getting robbed.
  29. A1k
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Absolutely horrid game Franchise is exactly the same as 20, MUT is the same ole same ole garbage, The game has a plethora of Bugs and Glitches ect. This game is not worth your money please do not waste your money on it!
  30. Tony54769
    Aug 26, 2020
    0
    I have lost my faith in EA to deliver a half decent football game. I have fallen for EA's marketing scheme for far too long and I'm just done getting my hopes up. I continue to buy this game because I hope to experience how it feels to be part of the National Football League but instead I get the typical EA experience. And sad truth is that I actually think the developers at EA want toI have lost my faith in EA to deliver a half decent football game. I have fallen for EA's marketing scheme for far too long and I'm just done getting my hopes up. I continue to buy this game because I hope to experience how it feels to be part of the National Football League but instead I get the typical EA experience. And sad truth is that I actually think the developers at EA want to give us a good game but maybe they are not capable of doing so. In conclusion I'm buying two copies of 2k's next football game.… Expand
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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.
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