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. TheSportsGuy98
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    This game is a horrible mess. This game tries to squeeze every penny out of it's loyal user base. This cash grab from EA Sports can make even die hard fans think twice this football season.
  2. Mac51
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    Absolutely horrible game. Where is the depth and substance for franchise mode? Where is the innovation? This game is just a patch being sold as a entirely new full priced game. Madden has been the same for the past 5 years and people are just getting fed up with it now. EA has no excuses of putting out such a lack luster game. All you have to do is look at the older maddens like madden 9Absolutely horrible game. Where is the depth and substance for franchise mode? Where is the innovation? This game is just a patch being sold as a entirely new full priced game. Madden has been the same for the past 5 years and people are just getting fed up with it now. EA has no excuses of putting out such a lack luster game. All you have to do is look at the older maddens like madden 9 and compare the amount of depth you have in that game to madden 21. It’s just sad. Does anyone even play superstar KO. The yard has potential but desperately needs to have more added to it, maybe make it more like the park in nba 2k. The story mode is god awful, cliche and awkward at times. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY.… Expand
  3. inoise
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    Remember, this is the only game that is licensed to make an NFL Football SIMULATION game and they completely disregard the one game mode that is meant to simulate the NFL. EA is laughing to the bank with your money and they do not care one bit, their work speaks for itself.
  4. eushully
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    I did my part guys!
    Seriously though, this is just a 99% reskin with almost no effort whatsoever to innovate. When you have NO competiton, you are in no need to, god forbid, spend money on it. Most of the money, if any, went to microtransaction, which I hope dies a painful death.
    FU EA, for ruining many franchises throughout the years.
  5. Bobojr61
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    Nothing else to say but this series needs so much change. I love football and it saddens me to see what they are doing with this franchise. The biggest joke of a game I’ve ever played and these guys are money hungry for ultimate team and now the yard lol what a joke. Would love to see what another company could do that actually improves on their product from a yearly basis. This game hasNothing else to say but this series needs so much change. I love football and it saddens me to see what they are doing with this franchise. The biggest joke of a game I’ve ever played and these guys are money hungry for ultimate team and now the yard lol what a joke. Would love to see what another company could do that actually improves on their product from a yearly basis. This game has legit been the same game with roster updates for what 15 years, pathetic.… Expand
  6. Emwlw
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Madden, as a concept, year by year, is truly one of the most shameful and disappointing things in all of video games. I mean, I am absolutely disgusted and I have been for years! EA does not deserve the NFL license. From the lack of genuine annual updates to the goofy gameplay, Madden is not worth your money. If you need your football fix, I suggest buying Madden 17 because there’s little-to-no discernible difference between that game and all of its successors. Do not buy!… Expand
  7. ColeNovak
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    It has been the exact same game for years and they didn’t touch franchise mode
  8. ttbeekman
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    It's so pathetic this is the only simulation football game on the market. Eventually this is going to catch up with the NFL when their name/game is so poorly represented every year.
  9. Tj_85
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    As a die hard football fan and someone who has bought this game year after year feeling disappointed just telling myself that it will be better next year or they will add this back next year but it doesn't this is my first time creating a account to review a video game because I'm sick and tired of it i always shake my head when I see people bash developers on sites because developers areAs a die hard football fan and someone who has bought this game year after year feeling disappointed just telling myself that it will be better next year or they will add this back next year but it doesn't this is my first time creating a account to review a video game because I'm sick and tired of it i always shake my head when I see people bash developers on sites because developers are people just like everyone else so i won't direct this to anyone in specific because i dont know any of you personally but please ea please for the last time find that place in your hearts that made you want to be developer find that inner kid in you that everyone has and make a change bring back some older features that were taken out bring some historic teams to play now that we can play with bring back the little mini comeback greatest games we use to have that we could make a great comeback you guys could have some old historic games that we could play and it could be a black and white grain filter for the game with no color and play as dick butkus or create a halftime show i could go on and on but I just want madden to be better in so many ways but its not at the moment or hasn't been for a while… Expand
  10. Wyattbrown
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    No change for yet another year, just the typical micro transaction grabbing schemes. It's about time the developers are held accountable
  11. UnshavedComb
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    This game is atrocious. Same game as Madden 20, which was a bad game. Franchise mode has been the same for years. All they added was pass rush moves and the yard
  12. RChase
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    EA needs to create a new football game from the ground up, ditching their animation based gameplay system (which in my opinion makes this game unplayable and extremely unrealistic) and develop a physics based system. This game is an embarrassment and honestly EA shouldn’t legally be allowed to sell it as a “Football simulation” because simply, it’s not.
  13. bamf_1026
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    This game is horrible. Do not buy. When 2K can make simulation football games, maybe then, EA will care enough to put out a halfway decent game. Madden 21 is a copy and paste of Madden 20. They couldn’t even provide us with updated loading screens, which may sound silly, but at least type something new about a superstar please. I spent 100 dollars on this game. Knowing what I know now, IThis game is horrible. Do not buy. When 2K can make simulation football games, maybe then, EA will care enough to put out a halfway decent game. Madden 21 is a copy and paste of Madden 20. They couldn’t even provide us with updated loading screens, which may sound silly, but at least type something new about a superstar please. I spent 100 dollars on this game. Knowing what I know now, I wouldn’t have spent 13 dollars on this “brand new” game. Do not buy.… Expand
  14. 3456matt
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    The game is actually very boring and stale. “The Yard” is a counter to 2k getting a license but isn’t a very good counter at all. Franchise, well we all know about that. And Face of the Franchise is about one of the most cringe and stale things you could release in 2020. MUT is honestly turning into franchise we’re it’s the same thing every year which is gambling to get no value on theThe game is actually very boring and stale. “The Yard” is a counter to 2k getting a license but isn’t a very good counter at all. Franchise, well we all know about that. And Face of the Franchise is about one of the most cringe and stale things you could release in 2020. MUT is honestly turning into franchise we’re it’s the same thing every year which is gambling to get no value on the same cards every year. Why is Patrick Mahomes an 87 in MUT but a 99 in the real game, I’ll tell you why, money. And Superstar KO is quite literally a copy paste except they took teams out of the mode. Do not waste any more money on this game.… Expand
  15. Cj247
    Aug 29, 2020
    1
    Same game for the last several years, nothing new to the franchise mode! Hoping for 2k to eventually one day grab the nfl license!9
  16. xxazazelxx4k
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    Total trash the same repackaged game year after year. The dev's never listen to there players year after year.
  17. menzy5
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    To most people, Madden 2004 was the best Madden. The year of production for that game (2002-2003), EA's net revenue was $2.48B. To those same people with a functioning brain, Madden 2021 is the worst madden (Impressively topping Madden 20 which topped Madden 19 which topped Madden 18, and so on). The revenue for the production cycle of Madden 21 is roughly $5.5B. In any logical world, howTo most people, Madden 2004 was the best Madden. The year of production for that game (2002-2003), EA's net revenue was $2.48B. To those same people with a functioning brain, Madden 2021 is the worst madden (Impressively topping Madden 20 which topped Madden 19 which topped Madden 18, and so on). The revenue for the production cycle of Madden 21 is roughly $5.5B. In any logical world, how does it make sense for a company to produce a game 1/15th as good one they made when they were worth less than half their current worth? Let's first be kind and talk about what Madden gets right
    Pros: NFL License, Graphics
    Now let's talk about the cons.
    Cons:
    1) Still somehow no in-depth stat tracking (can't even see where a player used to play)
    2) Drafting is stale. Not even close to enough immersion (college stats, injury history, personality, etc)
    3) Animation based gameplay is horrid. Physics don't properly exist at all
    4) Too many bugs somehow
    5) Can't create a custom team or custom uniforms
    6) All the relocation teams have been the same for like 6 years or so
    7) The SUPERBOWL feels just like any other game. Madden 15s reg season presentation trumps Madden 21 SUPERBOWL
    8) Lack of customization for characters: Not at all enough faces, no tattoos, weird CPU generated body types
    9) If you try to sim 10 years into the future to start your simulation, here's what you'll find: You have no idea what teams have been good/won the SB, every team is like a 65 overall, all the players are as generic and ugly as humanly possible with none having actual good overalls.
    10) Not just a lack of player stat tracking, but all types. Why can't you see league leaders for individual or team stats from any year other than the one you're in? Where is the option to click on a team and find out how their defense has performed in each category for the last 10+ years?
    11) Simulation is horridly inaccurate. Every QBs rookie year looks like (55%, 3500 Yards, 18:14 TD:INT) and then from there on out they throw 40 TDs and 7 INTs each year. Idk if EA knows this, but not all 32 QBs are Aaron Rodgers. WRs are very inconsistent. HBs either have 3.5 YPC and 1000 yards or 6.8 YPC and 1500+ Yards.
    12) Gameplay wise now: Stopping the run is far too easy against RBs and far too hard against QBs
    13) QBs, even the worst, usually have no problem posting 300+ yards and completing 80% of their passes
    14) Defenses will routinely be able to force 5 TOs/game but simultaneously allow 400+ yards
    15) Elite WRs seem to not matter
    16) Good and elite (sometimes even average or bad) TEs seem impossible to stop sometimes.
    17) It seems like whatever happened in the first offensive and defensive drive leads the game to script out the rest of the game to follow the exact same style. I've tested it out. First defensive drive I allowed them to march down the field and score a TD (they used heavy TE) and when replaying the game I forced a turnover on that first drive. In the one they used TEs a lot to score a TD, the TEs finished the game with 14 Catches for over 200 yards and 3 TDs (Ertz) and the game where I forced a turnover on the first drive, I ended up forcing 6 on the game.
    18) Ball trajectory and that type of stuff is still iffy at best.
    19) Slant routes CAN NOT be defended
    20) Back to immersion (which should be a huge priority in a simulation game), there are still no OCs, DCs, or any type of position coaches. There's also no stat tracking to see how a coach has bounced around and come to be a HC.
    21) Commentary is **** Too many things to say. It's just awful.
    22) Progression of players is either far too easy or far too impossible.
    23) Pass blocking for user teams is bad in a way idk how to explain
    24) The game doesn't even properly update rosters at all and when the next years schedule comes out, they don't update the game to allow you to play the next season because EA wants your money (:
    25) Update the news feed. Generic, repetitive, stale.
    26) Whoever wrote the dialogue for Face of the Franchise has the social experiences of an 11 year old who writes My Little Pony fan-fiction. So cringy.
    27) Trading is unrealistic.
    28) Ratings are bad. I know this is very hard to do, but it's blatantly clear that a lot of the ratings are made by dudes who don't watch any football at all.
    29) Contracts are way too bare bones. Add options for contracts to be for people who don't understand them or people that do; so you can decide if you want easy and stale contracts or realistic ones.
    30) All-Pro should be added along with some cool in-season updates to Pro Bowl voting.
    31) Better presentation. Literally every single game feels the same. At least add cool graphics like (This team is 5-0 in the last 5 matchups, the last game ended 28-24, etc, etc)
    I'm gonna run out of characters. I hate how terrible EA has treated consumers (especially franchise) so damn much that I just went full-blown incel weirdo and wrote this massive thing. This game SUCKS.    … Expand
  18. Rondo808
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    Please dont buy! It hasn't got any new concept whatsoever yet it is really expensive
  19. Dirtyfacesmook
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    Worst yet, it honestly the worst madden I’ve played nothing new nothing innovative same old bull
  20. Kidk
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    This game is Trash! Been trash! I can write a whole book on how terrible this game is so I won’t!!! The absolute worst Game Ever made!!!! PERIOD!!!!
  21. Shelbyja99
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    Spoiler: THIS GAME **** SUCKS. EA should refund everyone who bought their **** game based on the lies told to the customers. **** the company and every product they’ve put out over the past decade. Madden 2021 is brought to you buy the same company that managed to botch not one, but two Star Wars games in three years. Honestly, it can’t be easy to make a star wars game that isn’tSpoiler: THIS GAME **** SUCKS. EA should refund everyone who bought their **** game based on the lies told to the customers. **** the company and every product they’ve put out over the past decade. Madden 2021 is brought to you buy the same company that managed to botch not one, but two Star Wars games in three years. Honestly, it can’t be easy to make a star wars game that isn’t enjoyable. They just buy the rights to things that people enjoy, like NFL and the Star Wars franchise and then put literally zero effort into a game knowing that people will still buy it because of the “madden” name. I would pay $80 for madden 09 with today’s graphics. I wouldn’t pay $5 for anything they’ve released since then. I straight up hope this travesty of a game causes them to lose money.… Expand
  22. outsider_0
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    As someone who has bought Madden literally every year since madden 09 to madden 21 I have first hand seen this game as well as EA as a whole steadily decline in quality for over a decade. I cannot excuse their bs anymore. The fact that EA is allowed an exclusive simulation license is a joke. EA has been getting farther and farther from "simulation football" for the entire time that I'veAs someone who has bought Madden literally every year since madden 09 to madden 21 I have first hand seen this game as well as EA as a whole steadily decline in quality for over a decade. I cannot excuse their bs anymore. The fact that EA is allowed an exclusive simulation license is a joke. EA has been getting farther and farther from "simulation football" for the entire time that I've been playing. They went from having 19 different sports franchises to 4 and now all 4 are broken trash because it's clear that microtransactions, extremely minor graphical tweaks, AND DANCING ANIMATIONS are more important to EA than adding any sort of depth or realism. The lack of detail is atrocious and the NFL, as well as any other sports league involved with EA, should be ashamed of the product they contuie to fail to deliver year after year while blatantly ignoring and blocking their community members, Football games need a new developer that actually cares about football.… Expand
  23. LegitPerson
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    This game is lacking any real aspects of simulation football and feedback from the players. THAT PAY FOR THIS GAME!!! Madden's have progressively gotten worse as it seems like a copy from the year prior. I cannot believe they expect us to believe this is a new game, as they hide bad gameplay behind flashy new features. NEVER BUY ANY NEW MADDENS UNTIL THEY IMPROVE THE GSME A TOJ.
  24. Nightmeer08
    Aug 29, 2020
    2
    Rating it a 2 because only 2 things have changed that makes this game worth buying. The yard is kinda cool, not really my thing but it’s not bad. Moderate changes to face of the franchise make it a little more worth playing. But that’s it, the rest of the game is literally copy and paste. And as someone who plays sports games every year, no other game copy and pastes like madden does. NHLRating it a 2 because only 2 things have changed that makes this game worth buying. The yard is kinda cool, not really my thing but it’s not bad. Moderate changes to face of the franchise make it a little more worth playing. But that’s it, the rest of the game is literally copy and paste. And as someone who plays sports games every year, no other game copy and pastes like madden does. NHL lately has been doing this, but madden has been going too long giving people the same game.… Expand
  25. kylexstreet
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    This game is an exact copy from last year. Updated rosters, playbooks, and coaches is the only thing thats new. Oh and face of the franchise and the yard. FRANCHISE IS THE EXACT SAME. DON’T MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE I DID AND BUY THIS GAME.
  26. GetSchwifty678
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    Complete trash, EA do better. This game is the exact same **** they put out every year. Save your $60. This game is worth $5 at most.
  27. gholla
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    No attention paid to detail by the devs and no resolve put in place to make Madden NFL 21 a better overall simulation football video gaming experience as opposed to its predecessors. The same copy and paste formula that has been used for years, and with it comes a new low for the Madden gaming franchise. There needs to be change, and a 0.4 user score of the game is an evident indicator.
  28. Jf517
    Aug 29, 2020
    1
    I always hear the whole "this is the same game with an updated roster" argument every year for sports games. It is absolutely true with this madden. Save your money, download an updated roster for Madden 20.
  29. Kingjon
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is the most abysmal excuse for video game since ET for the Atari. I am mortified that I spent money for MVP and then unwisely on a bundle, mostly just because my girlfriend wanted to see me open them. My team looks great on paper, but that's where it ends. Good luck trying to play online, unless you have time to restart the app, get locked out while matchmaking, restart the app just to have it lock up again. Both MLB the show and 2K21 provide a product that while is monetized at least works. I cannot stress enough to anyone thinking about buying this game to never buy this again, until EA decides to get their collective heads out of their own asses and provide a product worth paying for. This is something I was looking forward to in the midst of a pandemic but what I ended up with was a lighter wallet and a game that doesn't work . Thank you EA for the good memories but you left this life long fan extremely upset and disappointed for the last time. Oh. I did give you one star for making McCaffrey almost as nasty as he is in real life.… Expand
  30. JDLondon87
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    When one plays whisper down the lane, the original message slowly becomes fuzzy and unrecognizable to the original whisperer. Madden 21 is just that, it is the outcome of years of copy and paste. Each year becoming a little bit less, until you reach this milestone, where the game no longer even remotely resembles the product the NFL puts out. It over time has become fuzzy andWhen one plays whisper down the lane, the original message slowly becomes fuzzy and unrecognizable to the original whisperer. Madden 21 is just that, it is the outcome of years of copy and paste. Each year becoming a little bit less, until you reach this milestone, where the game no longer even remotely resembles the product the NFL puts out. It over time has become fuzzy and unrecognizable. If I were EA or The NFL I would be embarrassed.… Expand
  31. FREMB
    Aug 30, 2020
    1
    Long time madden player. Told myself that I wouldn’t purchase this year because of all the negative press. But ended up buying it anyways because of my love for the NFL and madden in general. Could not be more disappointed with the lack of meaningful changes. The game also freezes, crashes, and glitches constantly which might be a blessing because it prevents me from wasting my time onLong time madden player. Told myself that I wouldn’t purchase this year because of all the negative press. But ended up buying it anyways because of my love for the NFL and madden in general. Could not be more disappointed with the lack of meaningful changes. The game also freezes, crashes, and glitches constantly which might be a blessing because it prevents me from wasting my time on this lacking and sub par product.… Expand
  32. JohnnySaigon
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    [Erase priot year] + [Add on new year] + [Add 1 or 2 cosmetic features to advertise on game case] - [Take off a few features fan love so you can put it back on a few years down the line to say it's a new feature] = Madden NFL 21

    #BoycottEA #BoycottMadden21 #EASports #ItsNotInTheGame

    PS- if you start typing "boycott" on Google, the first auto fill-in is "Madden 21" lol
  33. Finzzy
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    EA spoon feeds us the same garbage while taking $60 out our wallets. Sympathy for the ones who bought special editions.
  34. KanerTheBaner
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    This game has been garbage for the last few years but I keep buying it because I love football. This monopoly in the football video game industry is ridiculous because the developers could do nothing all year (which they basically do) and still sell the game to millions of people for $60 because people love football... not because they love the video game. I think madden needs to be underThis game has been garbage for the last few years but I keep buying it because I love football. This monopoly in the football video game industry is ridiculous because the developers could do nothing all year (which they basically do) and still sell the game to millions of people for $60 because people love football... not because they love the video game. I think madden needs to be under new management and take a year off of releasing games and do yearly updates instead. This would result in more work getting done on a new game and we would still have the same satisfaction that we would with the updates because every year they release a game it’s basically just an update anyway. That is my rant thank you and have a good day.… Expand
  35. DunkonMadden
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    I've been a player of Madden since 2017, but now I've had enough. Madden sucks. Parents, don't buy this game for your children. People, don't buy this for yourself. Please. Thank you.
  36. Thelastbest
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    There is nothing new here but the buggy mess that was Madden 20, reskinned and primed.
    There's nothing here but an $80 patch.
  37. Aezaz
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    If you have Madden 20 just keep playing that. Madden 21 is disappointing
  38. Chopr
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    This game is an absolute joke. I have watched year after year as EA releases and rebrands the same Madden game. It is the same piss poor game as it was the year before with little to no change. This behavior from a triple A game developer is unacceptable and a message needs to be sent. Their behavior is atrocious and people need to make it clear that games like this won’t fly. Сука
  39. GoBucks
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    An absolute failure at replicating even the very basics of the game of football. If you want a sim experience that Madden promises you then look somewhere else. Normally I'd wonder if the people who made this game actually played football but I know for a fact some of them did which amazes me as to how bad this game is. Wouldn't even spend $5 for this.
  40. madden21rofl
    Sep 2, 2020
    0
    this game sucks. its terrible. utter garbage. billion dollar company btw. makes me wanna vomit. dont buy it. dont go near it. dont even think about touching it. you might catch rona.
  41. AirForceHusker5
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. What to say about this horrible game...biggest offense is not touching franchise at all. I know they have “promised” updates post launch but this is the main mode of the game. The best mode in my opinion.

    Face of the Franchise is absolutely ridiculously. Anyone with a modicum of football knowledge would realize it. No college coach would incorporate a two QB system. And no coach would tell his QB that just won a national championship to switch positions so that the other guy who is on a literal hospital bed can be the starter. Like, it just doesn’t make any sense at all. Use your goddamn common sense EA. Tons of glitches, bad AI, spelling mistakes. There’s issues at every level of this game. Something you could expect from a low tier Indie company, but not one of the biggest video game companies in the world. Such an embarrassment and someone needs fired for rolling out this hot drivel.    … Expand
  42. BlueNation11213
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Copy paste job from the past few year's. The Yard is okay at best. Not worth your money if you have Madden 16-20.
  43. Thundercock
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    EA should be ashamed of themselves. This is a lesser version of the same damn game. Nothing has changed except for now it's glitchy and choppy. I have bought madden every year since 2005. In the past I have been disappointed by a lack of new features but this year there is literally nothing different. I was robbed of my money to play the same game. I am done with EA sports after this. AEA should be ashamed of themselves. This is a lesser version of the same damn game. Nothing has changed except for now it's glitchy and choppy. I have bought madden every year since 2005. In the past I have been disappointed by a lack of new features but this year there is literally nothing different. I was robbed of my money to play the same game. I am done with EA sports after this. A boycott is the only way to gey through the heads of these numbskulls.… Expand
  44. Seansay11
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Virtually nothing has changed from the last two years. The yard is cool, but holy **** it’s bad.
  45. LukeBirch
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Franchise is stagnant, MUT is pay to win, Face of the Franchise is worse than Longshot somehow with no logic at all, Gameplay has regressed. Only reason Madden is still so widely brought is because they have exclusive rights to the NFL. They have become complacent and the game has been suffering for years now. Another terrible game from EA Sports and this will not get better until theyFranchise is stagnant, MUT is pay to win, Face of the Franchise is worse than Longshot somehow with no logic at all, Gameplay has regressed. Only reason Madden is still so widely brought is because they have exclusive rights to the NFL. They have become complacent and the game has been suffering for years now. Another terrible game from EA Sports and this will not get better until they lose exclusive rights… Expand
  46. pplH8me
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Needs to add more to franchise mode. OL and blocking in general continues to be a problem.
  47. klee111287
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    This game is terrible. Starting from the fact that this game has not changed much over the years, it is just not worth getting. The new mode is pretty much the only reason one might consider it. Face of the franchise is a bust this year and the regular franchise is just terrible.
  48. Ivbabz
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Main thing I want redone in franchise is the player contracts. There’s a lot wrong there. I mean, why is the majority of re-signings done during the season? How often do re-signings actually happen during the season IRL? Sometimes, but not often. Why can’t you restructure contracts? Why isn’t there RFA? These are things that were in the game 10 years ago but not now? It’s irritating to meMain thing I want redone in franchise is the player contracts. There’s a lot wrong there. I mean, why is the majority of re-signings done during the season? How often do re-signings actually happen during the season IRL? Sometimes, but not often. Why can’t you restructure contracts? Why isn’t there RFA? These are things that were in the game 10 years ago but not now? It’s irritating to me that because they leave out the realism of player contracts I either have to let players go, turn off the cap, or cheese the contracts by editing them.

    Trade system needs fixed too. A draft pick trade value chart exists. It’s more a guide than a rule IRL, but it would make pick trading much more realistic. I wouldn’t think that’d be that hard to implement.    … Expand
  49. EA-SUCKS
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    garbage nuf said Sub to soft drink tv .
  50. Tresork0227
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Terrible game. Keep rating these at 0. The NFL needs to see this so they can reopen the license. Franchise Mode is still terrible. Gameplay is atrocious. Nothing but a new and improved menu design… Expand
  51. Ajpacman117
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Madden 21 is an absolute joke and embarrassment to the NFL and countless NFL fans across the world. The game is literally a copy and paste from last years already abismal madden 20 but only worse. Madden trys to shell and hide their awful and buggy gameplay by adding arcade modes like superstar KO and the yard and adding X factor ability’s to madden 20. Ultimate team is a cash cow that manipulates children to spend real money on virtual cards. The commentary is repetitive and terrible and repeats lines and has been the same since madden 18. Face of the franchise is pathetic with a cheesy storyline that is very linear and no matter how you play or what you do the story will end the same. You then will just play franchise mode for your career and have a scenario engine that is awfully implemented and scripted. Franchise mode has been virtually untouched for several years and ever since madden 13 they have gotten rid of features of franchise mode from 10-15 years ago. You can’t create a team, you can’t track historic stats, there is no depth and training camp and radio show like there was in Madden 07. The sim engine is broken. You can’t even view a team a player played for when viewing career stats. The menus in all modes are horribly laggy although that may be fixed in next gen. The trade logic is awful and you can’t trade for a half decent player without trading half your team and you can’t even trade more than 3 players. The draft scouting is awful and just 3 clicks of a button instead of past madden where you can meet and scout players in training camps and combines. Oh yeah you got the gameplay absolutely awful it is buggy and animation based and player movements are scripted and on field control of your players are very limited. There are many bugs and glitches and the AI fundamentally doesn’t know what they are doing. EA signed the exclusive rights to create a simulation game but they have made anything but that. They have added all these arcade modes and haven’t updated franchise their only simulation mode, in many years. EA should be embarrassed this is a horrible game Do not Buy!!!!!!… Expand
  52. Cotton911
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Complete trash from start to finish. Nothing done to Franchise mode at all, glitches for menus and loading screens, Face of the Franchise sucks and the Yard gets boring after a couple games. Luckily I borrowed this game from my friend before he returned it already because I would hate to give EA any money or support for this lazy game. … Expand
  53. GT-Chance
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Same exact game as Madden 20. Madden games a whole decade ago had more depth and much better gameplay than this garbage. Franchise mode is completely untouched. X-factors make players extremely broken. All EA cares about MUT mode because it's pay two trash. Do not buy this game! It's a waste of money and time. EA has ruined simulation football for everyone and will probably continue to do so.
  54. nfcsouth25
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I’m very disappointed in easports. They don’t listen to the fans. It’s time for 2K… Expand
  55. xPosey
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    This game is straight up trash..... It is the same recycled stuff from last year with some very small improved gameplay machanics. Do Not Buy This Game.....just wait for 2K football game
  56. YoungSimbaYT
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    This is by far the worst sports video game of all time. It is the most unrealistic game I have ever seen. They should be ashamed for releasing such a poor product. Terrible
  57. kydr3amz
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Same thing every year. Regression to the highest degree. it’s been 30 years, stop playing with us.… Expand
  58. HiggsyB97
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    This is the game the NFL deserves for allowing a publisher to have exclusive rights.
  59. thatbearsfan
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    The same ole' game. Same bland franchise mode. Basically Madden 17 with a roster update. Complete disappointment year after year. NFL needs to remove EA as its sole license holder. I have zero fun playing this game but rather continue to reflect and think what a good NFL video game could look like.
  60. Scarxscar
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Madden is trash. Don’t buy it.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!fix your game
  61. Cdubs
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    I want franchise mode to actually be good again. It's been virtually unchanged for 6 years. Listen to your audience.
  62. Richarddewayne
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Copy and paste and so many bugs and glitches terrible game. No changes to franchise mode just a money grab by EA
  63. jayk122333
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    I haven't played this game, but I played madden 20, so it's basically the same thing. The gameplay is clunky, the franchise mode is bare bones, and you can't do anything in career mode once you make it to the NFL. There are so many spelling errors, and glitches, and there is no attention to detail. They are just focused on ultimate team, because they love microtransactions. I'm fine withI haven't played this game, but I played madden 20, so it's basically the same thing. The gameplay is clunky, the franchise mode is bare bones, and you can't do anything in career mode once you make it to the NFL. There are so many spelling errors, and glitches, and there is no attention to detail. They are just focused on ultimate team, because they love microtransactions. I'm fine with ultimate team, but 2K has and in depth franchise, and career with MyTeam. EA doesn't give a crap about this game. THIS GAME SUCKS. #FixMaddenFranchise #NFLdropEA… Expand
  64. MattNeutz
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Fix franchise mode! If you enjoy paying $60 for a copy and paste of last years game this is for you! This franchise has made almost no improvements since the beginning of the PS4 a truly astonishing FU to its fans. For the love of God do not give EA your money.
  65. ThnksNDrnks
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Terrible. Just absolutely terrible. Wasted purchase. Trying to resell for $15
  66. pantsmcgee123
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Possibly the most disgraceful and intentional disregard for consumer requests mankind has seen in the history of gaming. horrible disgusting atrocious product.
  67. MeNafen
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Embarrassing how little madden has changed in gameplay interactions and lack on innovation. Same game for the past 5 years
  68. Wellis8032
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Same game since like Madden 17. Clearly they only care about Ultimate Team (which isn’t that good, it’s a micro-transaction nightmare). Franchise mode hasn’t improved in forever. Play NBA 2K MyLeague once and try to incorporate some of the things they do there, the blueprint exists, stop sucking at your job.
  69. Ktkid
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    NFL needs to drop EA this is ridiculous
    Same **** every year and it hasn't been average for atleasr 10 or 12 years
  70. xxjvc
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Worst sports game of all time. The 75 word nonsense is also garbage af!!! 1 w to rod djl dbjd rn d k d doe llla. DK do slaps on dodmdb eisospsk. Dickens o Shiism. Dispels. Idospzoxbdr. Rjeodpddoke. Didpsos Zotrrrrtnww. Ridosowpao ejslspzp eoepsodytfccccc skidoo’s usbs. Haha s suns s she was wjaopa soap so amalgam snjsjsosp s wlpssogwv. Analogy. 21… Expand
  71. 956lilj
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    this game is garbage straight up lmfao i have never played a game this bad i needa refund asapppp
  72. DivisionY
    Aug 30, 2020
    1
    THIS GAME IS TRASH, FRANCHISE MODE GETS NO LOVE. The same bugs are still in the game, like wth. I don't really care about The Yard, its just EA poor attempt at myPark, I also don't really care about ultimate team. The career mode is an upgrade from last madden game, but its still not good.
    Overall, the game is a big disappointment.
  73. Nathan_patis
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    This franchise is dead, I was really wishing they would take a step forward this year and somehow the game gets worse every year.
  74. mikep52
    Aug 30, 2020
    1
    Don’t waste your money. Without the addition of the yard and new FF storyline this is an exact replica of Madden 20. Wish the NFL would drop EA already.
  75. RealNFLSimPls
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    If you want a game that just keeps getting worse year after year Madden is the franchise for you. Absolutely awful, give me Madden 05 with a fan made roster download over this pile of garbage
  76. JohnL_
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Same game as before just with a roster update. if you have madden 17,18,19,20. you have madden 21… Expand
  77. Maddenreallysuc
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    EAsports should never make another madden ever again !!!! EAsports should never make another madden ever again !!!! EAsports should never make another madden ever again !!!! EAsports should never make another madden ever again !!!! EAsports should never make another madden ever again !!!! EAsports should never make another madden ever again !!!!
  78. Chemdawg410
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Copy n paste from last year the only thing ea seems to care aboumoney mt is what they can monetize n make money rather than add depth to there game which they been lacking on doing for about a decade id really like to see some competition #nfldropea everyone go n type this hashtag in your twitter n get this trending so nfl will notice the outrage from us customers
  79. Vinnnmila
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Garbage. PlayStation 2 Madden was much more in-depth and realistic. EA only cares about MUT now and they gave the middle finger to loyal fan base. Praying that NFL strips EA’s exclusive license to make NFL games cause theyve ruined the game.
  80. Jab465
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    This Game Is The Worst Please Don't Buy It. Get The #NFLDropEA Trending On Twitter.
  81. StoicRez
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Absolute trash!!! I would spend the money to sue EA but they are always sure to cover themselves in the terms of service agreement. Anyone who had a say in the development of this game or lack of should go to prison. I’ve given them too many passes for all the good they did in the past but now this game is just a casino. A glitch filled casino and the people running it need to be exposed.
  82. DJ12ja
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    I just really didn’t like this Madden. I have been playing Madden for years now and for the last 2 years I have played ultimate team. This year I was excited for this madden then I was disappointed with how terrible the lag was and just the game in general.
  83. Billsmafia17
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. SPOILER ALERT! THIS IS THE BIGGEST JOKE OF A SPORTS GAME KNOWN TO MAN #nfldropea… Expand
  84. Leatherkid
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Broken mechanics, glitches from games years ago still exist. Nothing has been done in years to change anything in these games except in modes full of monetization, and even those don't work properly.
  85. COverland47
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    The lack of effort is awe inspiring from the EA team, once a great company, now seemingly ruining every title they touch and recycling garbage for us all to digest.
  86. kingmeech
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    An embarrassment, the NFL should reconsider the exclusive liscense... Year after year consumer feedback regarding an authentic nfl sim is ignored.
  87. SauceSkyWalker
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    I took a dump in my toilet, stood up, turned around to look at it, then looked at a pic of Madden 21 and put them side by side and I couldn’t tell the difference. EA.... your game is garbage.
  88. icestephen99
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Microtransactions+No upgrades to Franchise=Trash game. Very dissatisfied with this money grab.
  89. Jschmidty99
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    A disappointment. #NFLdropEA
  90. BrianOco
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    I actually feel bad for the NFL, EA pulls the blanket over their heads year after year because the owners are too old to understand anything else. Really just an embarrassment all the way around, if I worked at Tiburon I'd start thinking about a career as an NFL player. You have a better chance at being good at that than making video games.
  91. Cguildd
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Just absolutely terrible. Madden has been and will continue to be a steaming pile of old dogsh1t as long as EA is in charge. The gameplay is complete garbage like always and doesn’t resemble real football in any way shape or form. The animations look terrible, the players don’t look anything like themselves, the outcomes are all scripted, user control has little to no effect. I could go onJust absolutely terrible. Madden has been and will continue to be a steaming pile of old dogsh1t as long as EA is in charge. The gameplay is complete garbage like always and doesn’t resemble real football in any way shape or form. The animations look terrible, the players don’t look anything like themselves, the outcomes are all scripted, user control has little to no effect. I could go on and on for days about how EA has taken a beloved game and sh1t all over it, the fans, and the gaming community as a whole. The fact that Madden has gotten this awful is just sad and it looks as though real football fans will never have an at least somewhat not garbage football game. If any EA devs or executives are reading this review SHAME ON YOU. Your game is a horrible, buggy, scripted mess, it does not represent REAL FOOTBALL in any way and you should be ashamed for even thinking of releasing this garbage as a new game. The fans are fed up with being given $60 copy and paste trash every year. #boycottmadden #fixmadden #nfldropea… Expand
  92. IhateMaddenlol
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Lacks content. Developers are unaware of the many bugs the game has. No different than past versions besides new crappy gamemodes that don’t represent a simulation football game.
  93. tplez
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Newsflash it’s Same game as last year and the year before and on and on . It’s just an roster update . Don’t waste your money . Please let 2k make the game
  94. williamguy1
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    This game is simply insulting. Per usual EA style, it's just a roster update with a few gimmicky additions. While the yard may have some potential, it's just EA's pathetic attempt to compete with 2k's upcoming game. The gameplay is still sluggish and overridden by the same animations. They have done practically nothing to improve franchise. EA deserves all of the hate they get, as theyThis game is simply insulting. Per usual EA style, it's just a roster update with a few gimmicky additions. While the yard may have some potential, it's just EA's pathetic attempt to compete with 2k's upcoming game. The gameplay is still sluggish and overridden by the same animations. They have done practically nothing to improve franchise. EA deserves all of the hate they get, as they continuously give us a crappy simulation game. DO NOT BUY. #NFLdropEA… Expand
  95. ViewsGaming
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Man,this game sucks utter ass,and i mean all of the curses,both said now and later in the review. the micro transactions being what ea want at this point,so dont buy this damn mut bent game. it is endless the amount of things that used to be in this game,like a good franchise mode. this is basically a re-skinned madden 20,so this is bad,but the fact they found a way to make this evenMan,this game sucks utter ass,and i mean all of the curses,both said now and later in the review. the micro transactions being what ea want at this point,so dont buy this damn mut bent game. it is endless the amount of things that used to be in this game,like a good franchise mode. this is basically a re-skinned madden 20,so this is bad,but the fact they found a way to make this even worse is insane to me. WOW ea,just wow. this is really the worst madden ever,and tied for the worst video game ever according to users on metacritic,so that happened. they deserve litterally every single bad review and lost customer that comes to them. i hate this ass tasting game… Expand
  96. TickNation
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Hello and welcome to Madden 16 Version 5! This game has not changed at all. If you played any madden the last 5 years you have played this one. Gameplay mechanics are STILL broken. As you get stuck in animations and is not at all physic based gameplay. Franchise once again has gone untouched and is the most barebones franchise mode in any sports game. Face of the Franchise returns and isHello and welcome to Madden 16 Version 5! This game has not changed at all. If you played any madden the last 5 years you have played this one. Gameplay mechanics are STILL broken. As you get stuck in animations and is not at all physic based gameplay. Franchise once again has gone untouched and is the most barebones franchise mode in any sports game. Face of the Franchise returns and is worse than ever with a cheesy, poorly acted story. It is a glitchy mess with players wearing the wrong jerseys, saying you went to a different school on your player card, the list goes on. MUT makes its infamous return and goes untouched. Why fix the game when people spend thousands of dollars on MUT day one right? The yard makes it debut, in this new game mode it is more arcady than the actual game itself. While this mode is fun for a hour it gets stale quick. With really no reason to play or level up what is the point? Am I suppose to progress my guy to unlock the terrible uniform options or unlock mouth guards that aren’t even in franchise mode? The mode can be fun with friends but after a hour you and your friends will agree to play something else, perhaps a better game! Superstar KO Maddens popular mode from last year returns. You know the one where you can play as Snoop Dogg, Migos and DJ Khaled. Everybody wanted this last year(sarcasm) and now it returns untouched as its the same teams, playbooks as last year. Presentation once again is sub par. As you will see EA’s logo plastered all over while listening to the same boring and monotone commentators from the last 4 Madden installments. If you’re expecting a better halftime and post game show I’m afraid you’re gonna be disappointed. Nothing about this game is good. I played the 10 hour demo on EA Access to give it a shot as I am a huge football fan and football video game fan. Unfortunately this is the worst installment yet with little to no updates. EA consistently has put out terrible football games and sports games in general the last 5 years. EA’s greed for money has killed any fun that can be had in Madden. As long as MUT players keep spending thousands on packs EA will unfortunately never come out with a new product. 15 years ago as a little kid I loved Madden. We all did, we were excited to see what the game would look like in the future. But it has gotten worse gameplay and game mode wise. We need another simulation football game on the market to compete with EA. NBA2k has buried the EA NBA Live franchise TWICE. Unfortunately Madden has just renewed its exclusive NFL rights license for simulation football games. So expect nothing but mediocrity(that’s being generous) for the next 7 years.… Expand
  97. Massis
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Fix franchise mode. Literally cop paste from madden 20. Worst madden game of all time
  98. Sportsfanezzy
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Too meany bugs and glitches game is a copy and paste from Madden 20. Besides the yard.… Expand
  99. TDAmari
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Madden 21 is a complete embarrassment to not only the NFL, but the entire sport of football. Franchise has no depth or replay value whatsoever. The AI logic in all aspects of the gamer is a complete joke. Plenty of bugs and glitches in the gameplay. It is 2020 and Madden 21 plays like a football game developed in 1998. Don’t let the graphics fool you. This game is exemplary of what happensMadden 21 is a complete embarrassment to not only the NFL, but the entire sport of football. Franchise has no depth or replay value whatsoever. The AI logic in all aspects of the gamer is a complete joke. Plenty of bugs and glitches in the gameplay. It is 2020 and Madden 21 plays like a football game developed in 1998. Don’t let the graphics fool you. This game is exemplary of what happens when monopolies take advantage of their consumers. It’s clear the developers at EA have no interest in creating a quality football game yearly.… Expand
  100. Rybodip
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    The absolute worst sports game ever made. Multiple bugs in every game you play, players shifting through each other. Framchise is of course untouched yet again since madden 16.
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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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