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. TommyBeenz
    Aug 25, 2022
    0
    I'm struggling to find the words to express my contempt for this game and EA. Madden 08 is still the best Madden game out there. This is yet another asset stripped, bugged filled empty shell of a game. They charge full AAA price for this hunk or garbage whilst even more off getting children to gamble for MUT. Despicable business practice and a stain on the NFL shield.

    NFL DROP EA. PRAY    I'm struggling to find the words to express my contempt for this game and EA. Madden 08 is still the best Madden game out there. This is yet another asset stripped, bugged filled empty shell of a game. They charge full AAA price for this hunk or garbage whilst even more off getting children to gamble for MUT. Despicable business practice and a stain on the NFL shield.

    NFL DROP EA. PRAY FOR NFL2K.    … Expand
  2. Obsidianaftmth
    Aug 25, 2022
    0
    Madden 23 is an improvement from Madden 22, as a green Apple is an improvement from a red one. If your a franchise person like I am you will still loose your franchise to corrupted files due to a poorly designed game. It has improved, instead of a F it now has a D grade. you still have tons of bugs, lack of options that mind you are in other EA games, like compensatory picks (NHL) andMadden 23 is an improvement from Madden 22, as a green Apple is an improvement from a red one. If your a franchise person like I am you will still loose your franchise to corrupted files due to a poorly designed game. It has improved, instead of a F it now has a D grade. you still have tons of bugs, lack of options that mind you are in other EA games, like compensatory picks (NHL) and created face designs (FIFA). It is still unplayable in most modes and lacks fun! This game will be half off in a few months, wait and buy then!… Expand
  3. amg021571
    Aug 26, 2022
    0
    Terrible terrible terrible. Turnovers are ridiculous. Passing inaccurate. Save your money don't buy this piece of crap
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. Delacerda57
    Aug 28, 2022
    0
    It's just a buggier Madden. Franchise mode is still bare bones. Game play is bad. I'm glad I didn't waste my money.
  7. 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
  8. dorksouls
    Aug 28, 2022
    1
    Updated rosters and a few gameplay tweaks is not worth $60. Save your money for something better.
  9. bmanowen
    Aug 28, 2022
    0
    Game has game-breaking Franchise mode bug. When I started a connected franchise with my friend it will randomly start any of your seasonal games as a practice game and there will be no UI, both teams will be in practice jerseys, there will be no broadcast audio, and you have no option other than to quit and simulate the game. The games graphics look better. That’s about the only positiveGame has game-breaking Franchise mode bug. When I started a connected franchise with my friend it will randomly start any of your seasonal games as a practice game and there will be no UI, both teams will be in practice jerseys, there will be no broadcast audio, and you have no option other than to quit and simulate the game. The games graphics look better. That’s about the only positive to this game. Everything else plays the exact same, and the new passing “skill mechanics” are an absolute joke. This game plays like a 10 year old Madden and is filled with micro transaction Ultimate Team garbage. EA has single handedly killed this Franchise and will no longer get a CENT from my wallet. They release a roster update every year and charge us full price for it. There’s no improvements and game breaking bugs are present in the game with no response as to when they’ll be fixed or updated.… Expand
  10. MrSkew
    Aug 29, 2022
    0
    Absolutely embarrassing. Give us a game we deserve and quit lying to the people.
  11. Crudolph98
    Aug 29, 2022
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The worst game they have made in forever. Any strides made in the franchise mode, which was super minimal is off set massively by the worst game play in years. OT’s can’t keep up with even the worst edge rushers, and DB’s teleport in front of players from 10 yards away to intercept a ball, D-linemen can’t tackle a ball carrier at the line. A billion dollar company should be doing so much better than this… Expand
  12. rhodey
    Aug 29, 2022
    0
    Game breaking bugs, franchise is the same year in and year out even with new scouting. The new version just isn’t worth the cost of a brand new game. Do better.
  13. Wearefedupea
    Aug 30, 2022
    0
    EA and the NFL need to feel how sick we are of this perpetual **** that is trotted out every year with seemingly just roster updates. Boycott this garbage product that has ruined virtual football for football fans across the world. This game is once again, a complete joke.
  14. 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
  15. timkore
    Aug 30, 2022
    0
    The same bugs we've seen over and over again. Teleporting footballs, freezing players. Still lacking the depth of football games from 20 years ago. I will not be purchasing Madden again. I really hope the NCAA game next year isn't this bad or I'll have to stick to older consoles to play football.
  16. evo254
    Aug 30, 2022
    0
    Wow, they got me this time. NFL needs to step in and take EA to court for doing this to NFL Gamers. 2k please do something about this, we need you to bring back NFL football or let some other developer evolve this series.
  17. Amoneyyy
    Sep 5, 2022
    0
    Absolutely atrocious game!!! The graphics are terrible feels like it was made 10 years ago the physics don’t make sense and the game is unrealistic it’s a complete downgrade in every aspect from madden 22 even on the next generation console!! PLEASE Don’t waste your money like I did on this game I promise you it is not worth a penny!!!
  18. Maddenistrash69
    Sep 5, 2022
    0
    Anyone who thinks this is a good game doesn’t know anything about football. I’m convinced that the madden creators either do not watch football or they are intentionally making a trash game because they know people will buy it anyway.
  19. 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
  20. Itscompliicated
    Sep 10, 2022
    0
    This game has been Trash for 12 years. They can't even release it without major bugs. BOYCOTT MADDEN. This is sad for a billion dollar company.
  21. DeviousD
    Dec 15, 2022
    9
    Yall really be hating over a crazy good game that deserves a lot more than a 1.4
  22. NikoBocce
    Aug 14, 2023
    0
    Not a simulation football game, an arcade, cheap cash grab. Blockers have 0 awareness of their assignments on the field, corners are either psychic or oblivious and everything in the game being a canned animation gets old really fast.
  23. MaximumD
    Aug 23, 2022
    5
    Saying the game is a step in the right direction is fine but that doesn't make it good. Unfortunately the game has once again released with a slew of tech issues and honestly the "improvements" in the gameplay are just what you would expect from simulation football games. The last 3 to 4 Maddens were so bad that a step in the right directions barely begins to fix this mess. It's ok butSaying the game is a step in the right direction is fine but that doesn't make it good. Unfortunately the game has once again released with a slew of tech issues and honestly the "improvements" in the gameplay are just what you would expect from simulation football games. The last 3 to 4 Maddens were so bad that a step in the right directions barely begins to fix this mess. It's ok but doesn't even surpass games like 2k5 and Madden 7,8,10,and12.

    Yeah, I admit it's better than the last decent playing madden which I think was 17, but they are so far from a good product I would say do not waste 70 dollars on this crap. Either play an older version of the game or just pick up some other, better, sports game like NBA 2k or MLB the Show.    … Expand
  24. CaseyMoe
    Aug 21, 2022
    5
    Credit where credit is due. There are some things to like about the new release compared to how bad the last few have been. That doesn't make this a good game though. The amount of polish and depth rival what you would expect from an indie dev who was selling a game at a discounted price with no microtransactions. This game however is produced by one of the richest gaming companies inCredit where credit is due. There are some things to like about the new release compared to how bad the last few have been. That doesn't make this a good game though. The amount of polish and depth rival what you would expect from an indie dev who was selling a game at a discounted price with no microtransactions. This game however is produced by one of the richest gaming companies in the world, sold for full price and is built around a pay to win loot box game mode. Anything that is not pushing loot boxes is 'minimum viable product' only. Don't waste your time with this if you're expecting a feature rich simulation experience.… Expand
  25. wakkawakka18
    Oct 18, 2022
    0
    Another garbage game by a garbage dev. Give up the rights ea, in the name of the late great John Madden
  26. KingNyx
    Jun 9, 2023
    0
    Since this is the same game every year, I'll write the same review.

    Forced animations that make you throw an interception. Quarterbacks who constantly fumble if you don't slide. Linemen who seemingly disappear and you get sacked LITERALLY 0.5 seconds after snapping the ball. When you switch to the receiver, you are slowed down, and this usually ends in a forced interception. 99 speed RB    Since this is the same game every year, I'll write the same review.

    Forced animations that make you throw an interception. Quarterbacks who constantly fumble if you don't slide. Linemen who seemingly disappear and you get sacked LITERALLY 0.5 seconds after snapping the ball. When you switch to the receiver, you are slowed down, and this usually ends in a forced interception. 99 speed RB gets caught by a much slower MLB. Whenever the opposing team is in the zone, you are literally forced to get blown out. This game made me throw up. I am tired of having meaningless rage-induced heart attacks over a product that refuses to AND mocks playing football.    … Expand
  27. Wpaine
    Aug 20, 2022
    0
    A slight step in the right direction based off maddens past, but my god did they make this game not fun on offense. Running teams win because your o-line refuses to block, receivers will not get separation, and db’s read, jump, and intercept like any ball thrown. Can’t say I enjoy the enhancements to this game because of the other issues. Solid 1/10 in its current state could be 6/10 ifA slight step in the right direction based off maddens past, but my god did they make this game not fun on offense. Running teams win because your o-line refuses to block, receivers will not get separation, and db’s read, jump, and intercept like any ball thrown. Can’t say I enjoy the enhancements to this game because of the other issues. Solid 1/10 in its current state could be 6/10 if passing becomes more enjoyable.

    Edit.

    It is now may and I decided to see if any of the updates have made this game better. They nerfed man coverage into the ground so you cannot run it. The db’s still have 10x better hands than any receiver. The offensive line play is awful. Every down feels scripted whether or not a player on your line just whiffs not matter how good they are or how bad the defender is. I’ve seen the same terrible dt break a double team animation for the last like 5 years and it still makes me mad everytime I see it. Overall this game was an absolute waste of money and time. EA really needs to lose the license and stop making these games. But, idiots in the nut community make the game still profitable for them so it will never happen. Next year will be the first year in well over a decade (2005) that I do not purchase this game.
    Sad end to an era.    … Expand
  28. cjbenavidez
    Sep 16, 2022
    0
    EA has yet again Managed to put out a worse game than the previous year. Between DDA and the pay to win MUT mechanic the game is pathetic. They put such little effort into the game the superstar KO rosters don’t even match the current H2H rosters. Franchise is untouched and bare bones so no playable. It’s sad how bad this franchise has gotten but yet makes money due to the exclusivity.EA has yet again Managed to put out a worse game than the previous year. Between DDA and the pay to win MUT mechanic the game is pathetic. They put such little effort into the game the superstar KO rosters don’t even match the current H2H rosters. Franchise is untouched and bare bones so no playable. It’s sad how bad this franchise has gotten but yet makes money due to the exclusivity. I wish I could get my money back.… Expand
  29. Hjn16
    Jan 15, 2023
    0
    Terrible Terrible Terrible Terrible Terrible Terrible Terrible Terrible Terrible Terrible Terrible Terrible Terrible Terrible Terrible Terrible Terrible Terrible
  30. Zski
    Mar 20, 2023
    5
    I have been playing Madden games for probably around 20 years. However historically, I skip a few years each time, and I only purchase after the football season to save on the cost. The reason for this is echoed in every review you see if every Madden game in recent memory: the improvements are often minimal or they take the game in the wrong direction, the games have the same glitches forI have been playing Madden games for probably around 20 years. However historically, I skip a few years each time, and I only purchase after the football season to save on the cost. The reason for this is echoed in every review you see if every Madden game in recent memory: the improvements are often minimal or they take the game in the wrong direction, the games have the same glitches for many years in a row that are never ironed out, the balancing of the game feels really off to which you have to spend a couple hours playing with the sliders to have reasonably realistic stats and scores, and graphics/presentations that are just many years behind par. Most of these issues are present in Madden 23. It’s been a few years since I played Madden, but typically I play at least one franchise season (15 or so hours), but unfortunately I cannot get myself past half a season of this game.

    To start with something positive that I truly appreciate about the game: They actually got the balancing done pretty well out of the box: stats and scores are pretty realistic. The negative counter balance to that is the extremely overbearing momentum meter. While I’m sure momentum was built into other Madden games, it is just way too obvious and way too present. One touchdown and an interception on the opponents first drive almost maxes out the momentum meter, which is fine and I understand what they’re going for, but when you are the team that is down, the uphill climb is extremely unreasonable. Players will regularly run poor routes, drop easy catches, and fail to make most blocks. The only way to overcome the momentum meter is luck, because skill gets dampened so much. It’s ridiculous and makes the game very frustrating, especially when you miss easy players or give up massive plays due to the same glitches you have seen for years. The teleporting ball, the ball that magnets into a receivers hands, the players sliding off of the running back, all of those wonderful glitches that I have seen for 10 years are still in there! The same weird character models are in the game, where the super stars look life like, but the lesser known players look ridiculous. Somehow FIFA has to model an absurd amount of players from a huge amount of teams and they do very well with the major leagues - meanwhile Madden can’t do one league of 32 teams. It’s lazy. The visuals aren’t bad, but they don’t feel like they’re from this generation and have a lot of lazy corner cutting.

    As much as I would love to hate rate it a 1/10 because I’m tired of the only NFL game series to be such a lazy cash grab, I have to objectively give it a 5/10. It’s playable, you can have some fun with it, but the flaws are tough to ignore in this one and really ruin the longevity of how much time you can spend on the game.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

21
#21 Most Discussed PlayStation 5 Game of 2022

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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.
    Read full review
  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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