Madden NFL 25

There is no denying that the physics and physicality are seriously impressive – if the Infinity 2 engine is able to deliver so impressively, then we are eager to see how the Ignite Engine will make a difference when sports games start to arrive on the next generation of consoles.

EA’s given us a whole new running system—Run Free—that offers the game a whole new sense of balance...EA’s also beefed up last year’s Connected Careers, turning it into Connected Franchise while adding an Owner Mode for unprecedented control. All of this makes Madden NFL 25 one of the finest football simulations ever released.

There is intensity in the pre-game intro that carries into the first snap and concludes as the last second ticks off the clock. Even without any game changing additions, there was a clear focus on smoothing out the rough edges and making the best playing Madden of this generation.

Madden NFL 25 still suffers from some presentation and technical setbacks; however, a polished physics engine, the owner mode for connected careers and the most responsive running controls in the history of the franchise make it the best iteration of the series so far.

From ambulances driving on field to cart off the injured to cones projected on the field to aid your passing, a lot has changed in Madden over the last 25 years. This latest edition boasts the most dynamic rushing controls to date. And with all the tweaks to the physics, Madden 25 gives you a nicely touched up version of the franchise you have loved for a quarter century.

Madden 25 has traveled a long road from its Sega Genesis beginnings to today's modern iteration. It's certainly not perfect, but once again gamers get a solid football title with all kinds of entertaining modes both offline and online.

Madden NFL 25 is the best American football game I’ve played since Sega’s last NFL 2K effort. It’s polished. It presents itself well. And it’s a lot of fun.

A good new iteration for the storied franchise, with some improvements to make it more accessible to the genre's newcomers too.

While Madden NFL 25 does an admirable job of catering to those with little use for, say, the ability to make 14 changes before each snap, it stays true to its ethos to give you as much control as you could possibly want. Asses and all.

The real meat-and-potatoes gameplay is better than ever, and when it comes down to it, we’re here to play some damn football. Madden 25 brings it with bone-crunching intensity.

Madden 25 is better game than its predecessor, with some improvements in offensive abilities and owner mode in Franchise career. However, it's more a Madden 14 than 25th series tribute.

A good football game that could still be better.

A brilliant addition to the Madden franchise. With its user generated-content system, its multiple single-player modes, and its new running mechanics, the replay value is honestly off the charts.

A creaking but stellar current-gen send-off. [Dec 2013, p.91]

All in all, Madden 25 is a decent, if not revolutionary sign-off for the franchise for this generation of consoles, and no doubt we’ll see it continue on the Xbox One and PS4. While it would have been nice if they’d played up the nostalgia a bit more (like they did with NHL 14), it’s a fine game of football.

Madden NFL 25 tweaks the hell out of the franchise and brings a few new things to the table to make any football gaming fan happy.

Still, despite some of the problems you will encounter, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a more polished and enjoyable football game than Madden 25.

The small tweaks and new running game continue to improve upon the already outstanding foundation, but I can’t help but feel like the developers are being held back by older hardware more and more. Still if you don’t plan on buying new consoles, there is no good reason not to pick up the latest Madden NFL title. It is a solid outing that will deliver multiple seasons of fun.

A good title, but definitely with flaws.

It's clear more time was spent fixing the things that needed fixing rather than building new additions on a shaky foundation. The physics, animations, and AI are among the best this series has seen since its inception. The level of customization and flexibility offered to players is another bright spot, with users able to freely share rosters, sliders, and playbooks with the community.

Madden’s detractors often, and incorrectly, refer to its annual release as a “roster update.” Madden NFL 25 is anything but; it’s better than last season’s solid effort, and when compared to releases from two and three years ago is light years ahead in terms of on-field quality and off-field activities.

A wide-ranging and entertaining beast of a simulation, but it's showing its age. Issues we've seen for years now — like garish sideline details, poor transitions, and incorrect stadium surroundings — remain untouched, with new ones added to the mix (like odd facial texture glitching).

Connected Franchise, with the introduction of owner mode, is a great realization of digital NFL ownership offerings seen in the past, while the new ball-carrier moves push the game forward. Of course, Madden 25 could use an update or two to iron out the Infinity Engine and blocking system's tendency to let nearly any running back plow through the defense.

When it comes to content, this is a complete package. The collision physics are improved, the running game is enhanced. But overall there is little progress and an AI that seems more faulty than in the last years. Let’s hope that the focus was put on the versions for PS4 and Xbox One. Otherwise this could be a very short anniversary party.

For those that played Madden 13 to death you will also notice some changes; however, I am not convinced those changes bring enough “new” to the series and there are some elements in this years game you may find frustrating. You would think, given this is Madden’s 25th anniversary, EA Sports would introduce some “game changers”. If that is what you are expecting you won’t get it here.

The uneven execution of ideas that have characterized Madden in this generation continue.

Thankfully the running game has been upgraded from Madden 13.

Some of the cameras appear to be operated by drunks. The replay footage usually consists of extreme close ups of some player’s jersey, and it never offers any explanation as to what just happened.

At best, it's an incremental upgrade to Madden '13, and while it's a solid effort, it's hardly worth getting excited about.

Instead of having the promised 25th anniversary, EA offers basically the same game again as last year with very few improvements and even some stuff made worse. This is not how the NFL deserves to be treated.