Madden NFL 23

 PlayStation 5
User Score
1.3

Overwhelming dislike- based on 214 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 214
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 214
  3. Negative: 185 out of 214
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  1. NxtDoc
    Aug 26, 2022
    4
    Here we go again. Madden NFL 23 is back, and just as poor as usual. Latency filled menus, poor graphics, same crappy canned awkward animations. Same crappy character creation pictures, with the same on field issues as usual. Sliders don't work, jersey animations are horrible, and they were so lazy that they didn't even properly animate the jersey untucked! They just added a strangeHere we go again. Madden NFL 23 is back, and just as poor as usual. Latency filled menus, poor graphics, same crappy canned awkward animations. Same crappy character creation pictures, with the same on field issues as usual. Sliders don't work, jersey animations are horrible, and they were so lazy that they didn't even properly animate the jersey untucked! They just added a strange looking cloth around the waste. I've always felt they never tried, and that it was just the suits pushing the game out. But these devices can't be trying... do they have any pride?… Expand
  2. jexner325
    Aug 18, 2022
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Purchased the Ultimate Edition. So disappointed. Constant issues and numerous bugs remain. I will pick a play and the game decides to choose a random different play. Apparently the LB’s have 63 inch verticals because they are picking off everything. Core gameplay is bad, the commentary is stagnant and boring and the constant push for Ultimate Team/Loot Boxes is just annoying. Trash game.… Expand
  3. austonboy
    Aug 22, 2022
    3
    At this point, there are a very few small amount of core madden players who enjoy this game. Player Models look nice but the gameplay is so entirely slow and everyone feels like they are running in mud. Football is a fast pace game and this is not that at all. Same Juking animations for the past idk 6 years that are SLOW. Certain bugs have been fixed great but the gameplay is just soAt this point, there are a very few small amount of core madden players who enjoy this game. Player Models look nice but the gameplay is so entirely slow and everyone feels like they are running in mud. Football is a fast pace game and this is not that at all. Same Juking animations for the past idk 6 years that are SLOW. Certain bugs have been fixed great but the gameplay is just so uninspiring. This game just needs to be blown up and restarted from the ground up its well overdue. Its better than last years game which is not saying anything….at all.… Expand
  4. Nowe
    Aug 18, 2022
    2
    It's a sad day again for simulation football fans. Gone are the days of innovation and originality. Bringing back a few options that was cut from older Madden games is not going to hide the fact that EA doesn't care about the NFL brand that the have a monopoly on. We deserve better
  5. blazer8487
    Aug 18, 2022
    2
    As usual another copy paste with some minor changes that more or less does nothing to enhance the game. Steelers stadium is still hienz field and was just copy and pasted from last year. Will they tweak and fix things in game, probably. Am I pretty disappointed this year as for the first time in a long time I bought into the hype? Yup.
  6. Slimstretcher
    Aug 28, 2022
    2
    The new passing system and improved defense is nice but thats pretty much where the good stops. Its been said by multiple former devs for ea that the frostbite engine is a nightmare to work with yet EA is too stingy to shelve out a little extra money to actually put madden on a capable engine. The NFL absolutely HAS to stop renewing this garbage exclusivity simulation license because EAThe new passing system and improved defense is nice but thats pretty much where the good stops. Its been said by multiple former devs for ea that the frostbite engine is a nightmare to work with yet EA is too stingy to shelve out a little extra money to actually put madden on a capable engine. The NFL absolutely HAS to stop renewing this garbage exclusivity simulation license because EA isn't even trying to make a simulation football game anymore. They don't even have refs on the field. Don't waste your money on this carcass of what used to be a premier franchise. And if you do happen to see it on sale or for free don't waste your time. Its not like Madden 24 will be much different come August 2023. And to think the new college football game is being built on this trash engine. Sad times.… Expand
  7. Bambamm
    Oct 3, 2022
    2
    This is easily one on the least fun Madden games I have ever played and I've been playing since Madden 01. Franchise modenis abysmal and incredibly broken. The worst condition its ever been in with outright laziness in every aspect. The offensive line is atrocious, open field gameplay is non-existent, ball carrier moves are essentially dead as the jokes are weak and minor side steps andThis is easily one on the least fun Madden games I have ever played and I've been playing since Madden 01. Franchise modenis abysmal and incredibly broken. The worst condition its ever been in with outright laziness in every aspect. The offensive line is atrocious, open field gameplay is non-existent, ball carrier moves are essentially dead as the jokes are weak and minor side steps and the spin move might as well have been taken out of the game. Every player spins like they're an offensive lineman with the ball.PA rollout are basically impossible as the DE will immediately shed the OT as soon as you roll because EA decided that rolling out as a QB is unacceptable and can only be done with a perk assigned to a player in special situations. Tjisnis supposed to be a simulation NFL game and it couldnt feel anymore less than that. MUT is and Hass been a cancer to this game as that's all EA puts their effort into, and unfortunately he NFl continues to allow it. I luckily got this game free from a drawing, but I can honestly say I will never buy another NFL Madden game. Absolute Garbage… Expand
  8. Barbasaur
    Jan 23, 2023
    2
    Where to begin with this unfortunately, it’s not a fun game anymore. The defense catches the ball better than the wide receiver still which makes no sense. How do you fail at that this is on the first of the ration of the game it’s not the laceration how is it constantly over rated. Next part of it I don’t see much upgrade what are y’all upgrading? This is us the same game that’s been forWhere to begin with this unfortunately, it’s not a fun game anymore. The defense catches the ball better than the wide receiver still which makes no sense. How do you fail at that this is on the first of the ration of the game it’s not the laceration how is it constantly over rated. Next part of it I don’t see much upgrade what are y’all upgrading? This is us the same game that’s been for years and years and years just for a new price tag throw new year on it update the roster releasing sports games every year has become a money grab they need endless. It’s a waste of money. Do not buy this game.… Expand
  9. Mikey201
    Aug 23, 2022
    1
    Still the same game year after year. Still stupid bugs. Only thing good about this one is face of the franchise or regular franchise where you can play as certain positions by yourself or with friends. Like saying cornerback is Brand New and that's pretty fun. But everything else is just being. Every single year I play season and seasons of franchise. But this year I got bored into theStill the same game year after year. Still stupid bugs. Only thing good about this one is face of the franchise or regular franchise where you can play as certain positions by yourself or with friends. Like saying cornerback is Brand New and that's pretty fun. But everything else is just being. Every single year I play season and seasons of franchise. But this year I got bored into the third game because there is absolutely nothing new. No new presentation. The half time is barely upgraded. Just like everything else. EA has gotten too lazy and it's because they have no competition. They need to take a year off and just release a roster DLC and then rebuild the game from the ground up. The engine is terrible. Wish NFL 2k was still around.… Expand
  10. stratos_au
    Aug 21, 2022
    1
    no seriously , its the same game than 5 years ago... same glitches same issues, and all about micro-transactions. Refunded and please avoid the game
  11. Djwoods23
    Aug 19, 2022
    1
    Same pig, new lipstick. Minor "upgrades" to franchise mode. Yet again all significant time and energy was spent by EA in their MUT microtransactions bullsh1t. Yet another year to stay away. Hopefully enough of you are smart enough to do it for once so REAL changes are done to franchise mode.
  12. Blades935
    Aug 28, 2022
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I will put as much effort into my review as madden did into the game. Yep none… Expand
  13. dabirdman23
    Aug 19, 2022
    1
    Very buggy game. Lots of glitches in franchise mode, including the same one from last year that corrupts offline saves. My first franchise mode game, both teams wore practice jersey and Qbs wore Red, there was also no sound overlay, just crowd noise. They literally sold this game on it's polish this year because they didn't really add anything. So far... bleh
  14. AdrianMD
    Aug 28, 2022
    1
    Franchise: The fantasy draft feature/presentation, implemented in Madden 19, has gone untouched through Madden 20, 21, 22, and now 23. I’ve found this to be a microcosm of the lack of effort to not only innovate, but at the absolute least, to iterate on previous installments of the franchise.

    To willfully sell a product in which so little effort is taken to demonstrate growth year over    Franchise: The fantasy draft feature/presentation, implemented in Madden 19, has gone untouched through Madden 20, 21, 22, and now 23. I’ve found this to be a microcosm of the lack of effort to not only innovate, but at the absolute least, to iterate on previous installments of the franchise.

    To willfully sell a product in which so little effort is taken to demonstrate growth year over year is truly astounding to me. It used to be that you may pickup on similarities between yearly releases in short spurts as you played the game throughout the year. Nowadays, it is blatantly obvious the degree to which development has become copy paste in favor of maximizing profits for lack of development and innovation in a product sold at full price annually. Not only are the similarities evident, but considerable legacy issues persist without any attempts to remedy or find solutions to resolve them.

    (e.g. Franchise trade logic—stated improvements every year and little to no improvement is demonstrated. Improvement to simulation stats in franchise— they actually find a way to get worse. Added immersion within franchise free agency—unrealistic roster moves make the experience completely inaccurate and introduce a new issue that wasn’t in previous installments. Then, in Madden 24, they will tout how they’ve improved free agency as if they’ve addressed an issue they didn’t just introduce in the previous installment).

    Just a lazy excuse for a full-priced, licensed franchise. EA should be ashamed of the product they’ve produced and the NFL should be embarrassed to continue allowing this company to helm their exclusive simulation license. I hope 2K’s “non-simulation”game introduces a modicum of competition to the monopoly that EA has been granted the right to for decades now, and at the very least forces them to add referees back into their “simulation” experience.    … Expand
  15. zgwyn
    Aug 28, 2022
    1
    The only thing new this year is EA's ability to profit off the death of a legend. Otherwise the formula is the same; Copy and paste last years game, tweak menus, add back a couple old features fans have been complaining about that the marketing team can use to make nonsensical claims about how "this year will be different", update rosters, profit off every idiot who's going to play ourThe only thing new this year is EA's ability to profit off the death of a legend. Otherwise the formula is the same; Copy and paste last years game, tweak menus, add back a couple old features fans have been complaining about that the marketing team can use to make nonsensical claims about how "this year will be different", update rosters, profit off every idiot who's going to play our games no matter how little effort is applied because all they play are sports games and have no idea how far behind our "physics" based "game play" is from the industry standard.… Expand
  16. Kamikaze33
    Sep 5, 2022
    1
    #NFLDropEA
  17. Gamerkhy
    Aug 18, 2022
    1
    Trash game. Horrible I hope ea losses their rights because they jave not done this game justice for years
  18. ant_hil
    Jan 3, 2023
    1
    This game removes the fun out of football simulation games. I’ve experienced multiple bugs, from the camera not showing the action, to online leagues simply not being able to resume. Imagine putting time into a league for it to just not load. The gameplay is sluggish, even in “performance mode,” the button presses feel delayed and not as responsive as they should be. The only reason thisThis game removes the fun out of football simulation games. I’ve experienced multiple bugs, from the camera not showing the action, to online leagues simply not being able to resume. Imagine putting time into a league for it to just not load. The gameplay is sluggish, even in “performance mode,” the button presses feel delayed and not as responsive as they should be. The only reason this gets a 1 and not a 0 is that it’s the only “realistic” football sim we can play. The deal between EA and NFL is a disgrace. EA can make up for this by releasing a quality product. But the quality seems to decrease with every release. Our only hope is that 2K saves us from the Madden franchise by releasing an actually good competitor. Until then, we are stuck with this garbage.… Expand
  19. Papshady
    Aug 19, 2022
    1
    Honestly, its an insult to societal intelligence to release this "updated" version of the game again. If this doesnt prove that EA is exploiting gambling addiction in youth, im not sure what will. The game really has been close to the same for a decade. Very little effort seems to go in the way of actually upgrading the game. There our bugs in the current version that were there theHonestly, its an insult to societal intelligence to release this "updated" version of the game again. If this doesnt prove that EA is exploiting gambling addiction in youth, im not sure what will. The game really has been close to the same for a decade. Very little effort seems to go in the way of actually upgrading the game. There our bugs in the current version that were there the past 4 years. I hope people can break the cycle instead of re-upping.… Expand
  20. Bigboss1907
    Aug 27, 2022
    1
    Another year another **** madden from EA. This one is specially insulting using john madden's death as a marketing tool. Stop buying this lazy, scummy, buggy piece of ****
  21. Gowron
    Aug 27, 2022
    1
    Same garbage game released every year ... We as gamers should not purchase this ****
    I cant belive people seriously will spend money every year to buy the same damn game ...
    The gaming industry really needs to bee shaken up
  22. swaers
    Aug 18, 2022
    1
    I’ve bought madden every year since 2008 and this has been the first time I’ve truly not had fun. The passing system is dumb. The DB’s play like randy moss and always get crazy interceptions and they literally didn’t do anything with franchise mode at all. EA promised to put more effort into franchise and it’s clear they’ve lied. I haven’t played face of the franchise yet but I’m sure itI’ve bought madden every year since 2008 and this has been the first time I’ve truly not had fun. The passing system is dumb. The DB’s play like randy moss and always get crazy interceptions and they literally didn’t do anything with franchise mode at all. EA promised to put more effort into franchise and it’s clear they’ve lied. I haven’t played face of the franchise yet but I’m sure it sucks too. If you like throwing your money in the trash then this game is for you.… Expand
  23. Tayy199
    Aug 20, 2022
    1
    I’ll rather stick with madden 17 like I been doin. The newer maddens never excite me anymore. They all feel the exact same. There’s sum new features to the game but in the end it all just feels the same. So I’ll stick with 17.
  24. Jim-E-Jam
    Aug 24, 2022
    1
    I used to be a huge Madden Fan but boy has the game Has gotten so Dull! It’s NOT fun to play at all Especially if your new to the game or Coming back to it after awhile thinking they made the game Better…NOPE‼️
  25. Lionheart78
    Aug 26, 2022
    1
    This game is hot Garbage. Laggy menus, game is constantly losing connection to EA servers for no reason. Camera gets bugged looking at stands when you're in the middle of a play. Can't call timeout can't pause game. Just have to be forced to waste a play. Graphics look the same as they did in the PS3 era...some of the models are TERRIBKE. Especially the ones on Madden himself. A joke.This game is hot Garbage. Laggy menus, game is constantly losing connection to EA servers for no reason. Camera gets bugged looking at stands when you're in the middle of a play. Can't call timeout can't pause game. Just have to be forced to waste a play. Graphics look the same as they did in the PS3 era...some of the models are TERRIBKE. Especially the ones on Madden himself. A joke. Players run like they are running up stairs and the new passing mechanics are terrible.… Expand
  26. DrBonsTemps
    Aug 27, 2022
    1
    Good lord, how do they manage to make it worse every year? I skipped the last two years, and it sounds like that was a good idea, but I thought MAYBE they’d put a little more effort in this year given John Madden’s passing. Nope. Trash game. Glitchy as hell, passing game is a disaster, glitchy, lazy design, and…glitchy. I made a mistake. I wont make it again. I’ll just wait for the day theGood lord, how do they manage to make it worse every year? I skipped the last two years, and it sounds like that was a good idea, but I thought MAYBE they’d put a little more effort in this year given John Madden’s passing. Nope. Trash game. Glitchy as hell, passing game is a disaster, glitchy, lazy design, and…glitchy. I made a mistake. I wont make it again. I’ll just wait for the day the NFL makes the smart decision to move on from this lazy company and its bottom of the barrel game designers and programmers.… Expand
  27. dorksouls
    Aug 28, 2022
    1
    Updated rosters and a few gameplay tweaks is not worth $60. Save your money for something better.
  28. Elasticjoe
    Aug 30, 2022
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I guess it’s a 1 because it is a game technically. Game is basically unplayable. It’s bug ridden with animations going to T poses, buildings appearing on the field, players running the ball bouncing on their head for TD. There are logos and assets on the field from 2017. AI still make ridiculous interceptions with DBs playing like cyborgs with insane speed boosts and crazy jumps. The ball arc is still way too low resulting in interceptions. The O-Line is broken allowing edge rushers and linebackers free run into the Backfield with no resistance. Game is still animation based opposed to physics based and still uses the ancient Frostbite engine with virtually no upgrades.

    Franchise mode continues to be neglected and broken. EA only cares about MUT, simulates gambling and micro transactions. The most polished madden ever is a copy paste of 22 with two or three new (old) features that have been resurrected poorly from previous versions.    … Expand
  29. VChamp88
    Sep 5, 2022
    1
    As someone who only plays Franchise mode in Madden, it’s more of the same. The new aspects of franchise aren’t enough to change the fact that franchise mode feels stale. It needs a real overhaul, which includes an actual relocation/expansion option, that isn’t the same copy and paste version that we’ve been given for who knows how many years now. EA Sport’s NHL franchise has at least aAs someone who only plays Franchise mode in Madden, it’s more of the same. The new aspects of franchise aren’t enough to change the fact that franchise mode feels stale. It needs a real overhaul, which includes an actual relocation/expansion option, that isn’t the same copy and paste version that we’ve been given for who knows how many years now. EA Sport’s NHL franchise has at least a decent relocation/expansion option so it’s really a shame that we can’t even get something like that at the bare minimum.… Expand
  30. TheEndIsNye
    Jan 7, 2023
    1
    Let's not give EA/Madden credit for putting Madden in the intro. If they wanted to do him justice, they would have paid attention to X's & O's and football. This is still not a good game, it's not fun. The blocking is so bad, and has been for years. Lack of situational IQ for individual players. Blocking feels the same on every run play and it can't be, this is why it is so hard forLet's not give EA/Madden credit for putting Madden in the intro. If they wanted to do him justice, they would have paid attention to X's & O's and football. This is still not a good game, it's not fun. The blocking is so bad, and has been for years. Lack of situational IQ for individual players. Blocking feels the same on every run play and it can't be, this is why it is so hard for outside runs and tosses to succeed. Player size, speed, and skill still seems to matter far less than it ought to. And franchise mode, was paid lip service and they essentially just imported some little features from NHL. I'm done with this.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

21
#21 Most Discussed PlayStation 5 Game of 2022

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 30 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 30
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 30
  3. Negative: 1 out of 30
  1. We Got This Covered
    Oct 17, 2022
    80
    Madden NFL 23 honors its namesake in nearly every facet of the game, but the highly-touted FieldSense is overcomplicated and detracts from what should have been a fun and heartfelt tribute to the great John Madden.
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  2. PLAY
    Oct 15, 2022
    60
    The generational change hasn’t been felt since PS4, and the PS5 jump is marginal. It’s still awkwardly presented, quirky with glitches, and fighting between simulation and arcade play. Madden 23 never feels comfortable in its own skin, but hopefully Coach, wherever he is, can take solace in what his legacy built. [Issue#20, p.88]
  3. Gamers' Temple
    Oct 6, 2022
    66
    Madden NFL 23 is another incremental update in a franchise known for putting out incremental updates. Updated rosters, a few minor additions to existing game modes, and a couple of gameplay tweaks – you know the drill. The presentation is still thoroughly dull and even the soundtrack feels tired. The gameplay engine is in need of more than an incremental update, though. The “if it’s in the game, it’s in the game” game still feels more like you’re playing a Madden game than a simulation of an NFL game. With the passing of its namesake, perhaps it’s finally time to build a new game, one that NFL fans can really get excited about.
    Read full review
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