Madden NFL 25 (2013)

This new Madden perfects the classic formula. With the best visuals for the series ever, and near-flawless gameplay aided by powerful hardware, Madden 25 for the PS4 will satisfy Madden aficionados and casual sports gamers alike.

Whether you're a rookie or an in-the-know veteran, this is an enjoyable package. [January 2014, p78]

The improved graphics, gameplay, physics, and atmosphere make it one of the best Madden titles to date.

As good as the player models are, their uniforms surprisingly don’t pick up dirt or grass stains. It is cool, however, to see clumps of turf get kicked up by players’ cleats.

On the current-gen versions I feel like I’m in complete control of everything, from passing to running, and that I can trust both the offensive and defensive line so I can focus on overall strategy. But this new version of Madden 25 meddles with the running game and it screws up the delicate balance between pass and run.

The running game is traditional, and NFL enthusiasts will dig into the experience with a gridiron fist. The common issues with past Madden games still linger, but the pros are beginning to outweigh the cons for the first time in a while.

Madden NFL 25 is the best American football game on the market. Mainly because it's the one and only. Even with this series EA seems to have fallen asleep, focusing more on the reaffirmation of the good aspects of the past rather than the introduction of something new.

For each anomaly, like a poor facial render of a head coach, there's a subtle detail, like a wide receiver who tries to keep both feet in the field during a catch.

Madden NFL 25 offers football fanatics the chance to get up close and personal with their beloved pastime.

Outside of instant replays, Madden NFL 25 won't impress the average player on PlayStation 4, as the game's normal play mode doesn't always show off the next-generation graphics. Improved physics and player AI change how the game is played on a fundamental level, making it more realistic, so veteran players will need a period of adjustment.

I awarded the PS3 version 8/10 and while this is a marginally better game, the final product has to be considered a disappointment when weighted against its lofty expectations – and sphere-kicking stablemate, which has already set the bar high for PS4 sports sims.