Madden NFL 12

 Xbox 360
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 55 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 42 out of 55
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 55
  3. Negative: 0 out of 55
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  1. Eurogamer Sweden
    Oct 3, 2011
    70
    Last year I raved over Madden NFL 11 and loved most of the features in the game. This year is either a transition year with small adjustments or my great score from 2010 was a product of my absence from the series for over ten years. If you are a hard core NFL fan that craves every small adjustment Madden NFL 12 may be for you but the rest of us can wait for a price drop or just go and play Madden NFL 11.
  2. Gamer.no
    Sep 21, 2011
    70
    Madden NFL 12 is a two-edged sword. On one hand it offers new players, post-trade rosters and some new features. On the other hand it is essentially very similar to the Madden games released over the last years, but if you are a fan, you will probably not be disappointed.
  3. GamePro
    Aug 26, 2011
    70
    After years of claiming that they have to get the "gameplay right" before moving on to other issues, it seems that Tiburon has, for the most part, done just that. So, the foundation seems to be in place, but as with the Detroit Lions, Madden 12 is probably still a year away (sorry, Lions fans). But take heart: it'll be a good year nonetheless.
  5. Joystiq
    Aug 26, 2011
    70
    Every year, the series brings a balance of improvement and ongoing flaws. Considering this year's game as a whole, improvements like the new presentation style and lack of player suction heavily outweigh the more minuscule issues that remain. It's a good kind of frustration for players, the kind where this year's game is definitely better than last year's, which may actually be enough incentive to give it a shot.
  6. The A.V. Club
    Sep 4, 2011
    67
    That's ultimately Madden's greatest problem, though. It replicates watching the NFL more than it does playing NFL football. While that serves the millions who play year after year, it leaves NFL fans who want something more waiting for EA's exclusive contract with the league to end.
  7. 1UP
    Aug 26, 2011
    67
    The biggest problem for Madden at this stage in its existence, though, is that it seems to lack a clear direction or vision of what it should be. Instead, it's listing back and forth, rudderless, between attempts at being a serious simulation and trying to attract a more casual audience, and it's not doing great service to either.
  8. PALGN
    Sep 20, 2011
    65
    Madden 12 isn't a disaster. It is however, a story about a game full of uncertainty, a game that doesn't know where it wants to go or how it's going to get there.
  9. Gameblog.fr
    Sep 19, 2011
    60
    Not many innovations compared to last year's editions. Madden NFL 12 still remains a good simulation with most of what the sports' fans are looking for. With a better implementation of impacts with improved animations and prettier graphics, this version is an honest update of the license, without prompting '11 owners for a necessary purchase. Only beginners will appreciate the Gameflow feature, which improves the accessibility of the game.
  10. Gamereactor Sweden
    Sep 15, 2011
    60
    It's probably the lack of competition for the Madden series that starts to make it look old and outdated. The core game still offers good fun, but besides new rosters, you can just as well stick with last year's edition.
  11. IncGamers
    Sep 13, 2011
    60
    Perhaps more than any other long-running series that has featured on the current generation of hardware, Madden NFL 12 has that classic end-of-console-era feel to it. The team have seemingly stopped trying to improve the game in any major way and are waiting for the next generation to take things to the next level.
  12. Gamekult
    Sep 7, 2011
    60
    Quotation forthcoming.
  13. GamerNode
    Sep 6, 2011
    60
    Madden NFL 12 is not the greatest football game ever made, but it's definitely not the worst. Fans of the Madden series are sure to enjoy themselves, but others should approach with caution.
  14. Giant Bomb
    Aug 29, 2011
    60
    That Madden NFL 12 feels like a less passionate endeavor than even other yearly sports titles, less a labor of love and more a labor of necessity, is a criticism that likely won't mean much to either type of player. It's still video game football in a competitive and compelling environment, especially when played online with friends. It has more content than you will likely ever touch over the course of the next season of real football. In some ways, Madden NFL 12 is a better game than its predecessor. In others, not. It has significant flaws, and it has significant strengths.

Awards & Rankings

69
#69 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2011
44
#44 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2011

User Reviews

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User Score
6.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 104 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 44 out of 104
  2. Mixed: 34 out of 104
  3. Negative: 26 out of 104
  1. Bababooey
    Aug 30, 2011
    4
    Worth $59? Nope. EA needs to just call it Madden and then have yearly updated DLC (for like $10 or so) instead of charging loyal gamers an armWorth $59? Nope. EA needs to just call it Madden and then have yearly updated DLC (for like $10 or so) instead of charging loyal gamers an arm and a leg for a game that's pretty much a REHASH of last year, and the year before, and the year before that, etc. I pretty much paid for same gameplay, new music, commentary, color schemes, and roster :(… Full Review »
  2. everlong24
    Feb 7, 2012
    4
    How does this game get progressively worse each year? NO COMPETITION. EA is running a monopoly and it's killing sim football fans. I'mHow does this game get progressively worse each year? NO COMPETITION. EA is running a monopoly and it's killing sim football fans. I'm pretty sure the graphics were better last year. This casual, piece of stink is an embarrassment. Madden 2001 had a better franchise mode. It's still as bare bones as ever. I understand that they're trying to make the game accessible for everyone but it is coming at a price. NCAA 12 is better by far but doesn't get the sales. Maybe they should let those guys do the next Madden. Just a suggestion.… Full Review »
  3. soraho
    Aug 30, 2011
    2
    they didnt touch online dynasty at all. How do you go a whole year and not have time to make some tweaks? this boggles my mind. I think EAthey didnt touch online dynasty at all. How do you go a whole year and not have time to make some tweaks? this boggles my mind. I think EA should hire all new developers.
    the new OT rule is not in the game. First team to score in OT wins. Yes, I tested it in playoff game! I have challenged plays where cpu was clearly out of bounds and the play stood. looks like defensive pass interference has been toned down big time. I have intentionally ran into guys and no call at all. This game got worse.    … Full Review »
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