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. tripled24
    Aug 20, 2022
    10
    After 6 games I can confidently say that the core on field gameplay is better than the past 5 entries or so. It feels harder to cheese like previous years with one play TDs or scrambling with athletic QBs every play. The DBs seem to play a lot better man coverage when in years past any time I noticed I was being pressed, i could throw a deep pass for a TD almost every time. I had a fewAfter 6 games I can confidently say that the core on field gameplay is better than the past 5 entries or so. It feels harder to cheese like previous years with one play TDs or scrambling with athletic QBs every play. The DBs seem to play a lot better man coverage when in years past any time I noticed I was being pressed, i could throw a deep pass for a TD almost every time. I had a few games online that felt like real games with real final scores like 17-13 instead of 43-40 every game. The game still feels mostly like a copy and paste from the past 5 years, and it still needs to be completley rebuilt, but the core field play does feel like a good step forward. I would give it a 7 but these 0s are asinine. Trust me, I want nothing more than the NFL to relinquish EAs rights so 2K can come back too.… Expand
  2. heltondrew
    Aug 22, 2022
    10
    I'm giving this a full 10 for a few reasons. First, I think Madden hit a great general design a few years ago at this point and this puts some good final tweaks on it. Second, the commitment to the John Madden dedication that is completely intwined in this game is emotional and fitting. Finally, this is my final purchase of any Madden game. I've been playing for my entire life and my team,I'm giving this a full 10 for a few reasons. First, I think Madden hit a great general design a few years ago at this point and this puts some good final tweaks on it. Second, the commitment to the John Madden dedication that is completely intwined in this game is emotional and fitting. Finally, this is my final purchase of any Madden game. I've been playing for my entire life and my team, the Bengals, finally have an extremely fun team to play as. I'm going out with a bang. Now, if they happen to win the Super Bowl or have some crazy impressive season i may consider this goodbye a "brief pause" to get that game, but then it'll be goodbye again right after that. Thanks for the fun, John (and EA)!… Expand
  3. OnlyOneMissing
    Aug 26, 2022
    10
    This game is an unbeatable masterpiece. The charitable developers are charging a mere $70 for so many new players! This game has no bugs nor glitches at all, simply flawless. It's astounding that the developers think $70 is all I should pay for this, when i should be playing much more!

    The multiplayer is amazing! I recommend this game to all.
  4. henrytrowb
    Aug 19, 2022
    10
    Very good madden, improvement from last year. It seems like they actually put time and effort into this game unlike past installments.
  5. svensenk86
    Aug 23, 2022
    9
    coming back to the series after a break of 2 years which was well needed! I see a lot of new things (maybe not the players who bought 21 & 22) but for me it was an entirely new experience for me, especially in my fav mode, franchise. I do not touch MUT and online games, but the franchise looks like I wanted it before. Feels good to lead my Ravens through the years, after my first season Icoming back to the series after a break of 2 years which was well needed! I see a lot of new things (maybe not the players who bought 21 & 22) but for me it was an entirely new experience for me, especially in my fav mode, franchise. I do not touch MUT and online games, but the franchise looks like I wanted it before. Feels good to lead my Ravens through the years, after my first season I needed to increase to All Madden difficulty already, came back stronger then I thought after the break. The new passing system is nice! The movement of the players is nice! Finding the sweetspot in the slider settings is also kind of fun. No I am happy to be back! the little side stories in the franchise make sense, music is nice. The only minus...the Superbowl Presentation...why on earth is there not a bigger deal?! Not even a small piece at halftime, during regluar season you have that halftime show, but in the SB nothing?! the most watched 30min on earth? at least there could be a little 1min trailer from real HT shows. but yeah, I think with All Madden I will not be there again so quickly, so I can overcome that issue. At the end, I like that game! An Advise for all who are tired of it, take a break and come back later, maybe in Madden 25, this will give you a total new look on it.… Expand
  6. MinePlay512
    Aug 17, 2022
    9
    I believe Madden 23 is a very good step forward but there's more room for improvement. While I like the new features for Franchise and Gameplay, but I feel bitter that X-Factors returned.
  7. Sweden22
    Aug 21, 2022
    9
    Best madden in years. The Fieldsense makes passing very fun and makes online games more enjoyable. Can’t speak on the last gen versions but feels good on Ps5 and definitely improved. Here’s to hoping it continues to get better in future years
  8. DeviousD
    Dec 15, 2022
    9
    Yall really be hating over a crazy good game that deserves a lot more than a 1.4
  9. uncharted4
    Aug 17, 2022
    8
    graphic look great. gameplay is very good. running is smooth. animations look so good... defense is pretty good
  10. Khristian5
    Sep 10, 2022
    8
    Igual porque hace muchos años que no juego al Madden, pero me parece muy divertido y es como estar viendo un partido de madrugada en casa. Buenos gráficos, sonido y jugabilidad fácil.
  11. krapos117
    Aug 18, 2022
    8
    The gameplay definitely feels smoother, graphics are better. I see this game as a step in the right direction. Menus seem a little dated but with the other improvements I can look past them,
  12. Jt0429
    Aug 24, 2022
    7
    Good-
    Keeps what works; Good performance; New passing systems are great.
    Bad- Face of the Franchise is largely squandered; Graphics aren’t great; Improvements are too few and far between. Thoughts- Some questionable ratings for certain players aside, most of the choices made for Madden NFL 23 do make sense. The problem is that there isn’t enough of those types of choices to really    Good-
    Keeps what works; Good performance; New passing systems are great.

    Bad-
    Face of the Franchise is largely squandered; Graphics aren’t great; Improvements are too few and far between.

    Thoughts-
    Some questionable ratings for certain players aside, most of the choices made for Madden NFL 23 do make sense. The problem is that there isn’t enough of those types of choices to really score many extra points. If you’re a die-hard Madden fan who has been loving the series lately, this iteration will give you what you want. But if you have been waiting for that big overhaul or reboot that might revitalize your interest, then you may want to continue that wait. It does more than the past several entries in the way of quality-of-life improvements, but by continuing to do so in such an iterative way, it ends up highlighting its potential more than actually achieving it, which at this point is a little frustrating.    … Expand
  13. Gam1ngH3ro15
    Oct 1, 2022
    7
    The last Madden I've played is Madden 21. This Madden is definitely better than that game was, even though 21 was a buggy launch title. I'd say it's worth a buy if you really like franchise or the other game modes, otherwise it's the same game as every other year, all things considered. They really need to bring back 2K or some other game to add variety and players choice.
  14. vol4life8657
    Aug 19, 2022
    7
    Compared to Madden 22, this game is huge, particularly in the audio department. Sounds are much better, and I no longer must use the controller speaker as a to wear my headsets. Crow sounds could be better, but overall are a welcomed step forward. From an accessibility standpoint, I wish that EA had done more this year, but I can now sign free agents, in the off-season, and I was not ableCompared to Madden 22, this game is huge, particularly in the audio department. Sounds are much better, and I no longer must use the controller speaker as a to wear my headsets. Crow sounds could be better, but overall are a welcomed step forward. From an accessibility standpoint, I wish that EA had done more this year, but I can now sign free agents, in the off-season, and I was not able to do that before. I wish the soundtrack would be more sports like, instead of a bunch of random artists that most of us have never heard of, particularly since this game was supposed to honor Madden. I would also love to see a truer to life presentation with a true pre-game, halftime, and post-game show. Overall, though, a nice improvement. And face of the franchise is good also! I can now choose what team I want to play for, instead of being bound to Jacksonville.
    Player movement is way better than in twenty-two, and I love how aggressive the defense is!
    I would rate this a seven out of ten.    … Expand
  15. Hfoley24
    Aug 21, 2022
    7
    Honestly a solid 7.5 VERY large improvement from years past especially regarding gameplay, animations and mechanics. Don’t understand the ones who are hating on this game when it’s a crystal clear improvement in the past 3-4 maddens. Even the graphics and soundtrack is much better! A not great by any means but solid step forward for the game and a respectful tribute to Coach Madden.
  16. zSuchacritic
    Sep 1, 2022
    6
    People review bombing this gotta be bottom of the barrel idiots dawg. How u gon complain about a game barely changing year after year and STILL BUY IT ANNUALLY???? Y’all need to go outside or find some hobbies fr
  17. PS5Legend
    Aug 17, 2022
    6
    The fact that I’ve witnessed the SAME EXACT bug in Madden for over 10yrs is RIDICULOUS.

    In Franchise, when you are looking at defensive stats with it set to ‘All’ teams, user team player’s stats WILL NOT show up in the league stats. I have to manually go to team stats to look at my defensive player’s stats. How can they overlook this simple error for a DECADE? Why is there such long    The fact that I’ve witnessed the SAME EXACT bug in Madden for over 10yrs is RIDICULOUS.

    In Franchise, when you are looking at defensive stats with it set to ‘All’ teams, user team player’s stats WILL NOT show up in the league stats. I have to manually go to team stats to look at my defensive player’s stats. How can they overlook this simple error for a DECADE?
    Why is there such long pauses between switching menus? I thought this was next gen?
    Why did you make it so much harder to switch between user owners in franchise mode? I use to be able to just hold L2. Now I have to go through like 3 menu options.
    After playing in Franchise mode for over an hour, why does the game slow up to the point that I have to reset the game? Again, I thought this was next gen.
    Gameplay-wise, the game shines. Plays alot smoother. Turn off the field sense. It’s worthless to old school Madden vets. The animations are hit and miss. The releasing from the QB’s hand looks awkward. The tackling feels a tad lifeless. I never feel like I laid a big hit in games. Other than that, my biggest complaint is lack of innovation and lack of better honoring John Madden. Maybe allow us to play the older games within this game. STILL WAITING ON:
    Create A Fan
    11 vs 11 all users
    MyCareer similar to 2k
    Extremely lifelike graphics Cross console online play    … Expand
  18. 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
  19. 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
  20. Beatztronic
    Aug 18, 2022
    5
    +Visuals look amazing with new attention to uniforms and player movement in cut scenes.
    +New throwing meter works well and makes passing enjoyable.
    -Same game engine with very few tweaks to actually improve on gameplay. -Same boring commentary and presentation. -Field Sense does absolutely nothing. -Lots of I'm game and franchise mode bugs. -No flow or feeling to the gameplay, it gets    +Visuals look amazing with new attention to uniforms and player movement in cut scenes.
    +New throwing meter works well and makes passing enjoyable.
    -Same game engine with very few tweaks to actually improve on gameplay.
    -Same boring commentary and presentation. -Field Sense does absolutely nothing.
    -Lots of I'm game and franchise mode bugs.

    -No flow or feeling to the gameplay, it gets stale fast.
    -Feels like Madden 22 with a fresh coat of paint and some new animations.    … Expand
  21. 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
  22. marccochadora
    Aug 19, 2022
    5
    Positive:
    Great graphics (even it was normal for example NBA2k22)
    Animations look great Scouting in Franchise got a lil better Negative I still have the feeling my Playcalling or execution has too little impact on the game. Inaccurate passes always result in Interceptions, defense player jumping ridiculous high to intercept passes and players glitching through one another resulting in big    Positive:
    Great graphics (even it was normal for example NBA2k22)
    Animations look great
    Scouting in Franchise got a lil better

    Negative
    I still have the feeling my Playcalling or execution has too little impact on the game.
    Inaccurate passes always result in Interceptions, defense player jumping ridiculous high to intercept passes and players glitching through one another resulting in big players, even in great coverage.

    Bad teams like the for example Jets are way to strong when playing them in Franchise Mode, exspecially QBs seem to be way overpowered.
    DBs Never lose coverage on streak routes, even with Receivers with above 95 Speed Rating.

    Draft presentation is so boring and didn’t change at all, no big problem but annoying.

    But what makes me sad most, is Field Sense. The Idea for a new passing mechanic was great and it is so good to use. BUT because of almighty defensive animations it just makes no sense.
    You can not „place a pass where only your receiver can get it“ when because of the animations and glitches there is no such place where defenders won’t defend your pass.

    All in all the game is BETTER than Madden 22. but not 89,99€ better.
    And it’s not better enough, to get a positive review.    … Expand
  23. GT_Legend1
    Aug 20, 2022
    5
    This year's madden is actually fun! Is it simulation football? Eh, not really , but it's a happy medium. For those complaining about defense rushing in too fast or getting picked off all the time, you suck. You actually have to use strategy this year as opposed to glitching the defenses up. I recommend.
  24. 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
  25. 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
  26. 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
  27. 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
  28. 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.
  29. 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
  30. 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
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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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