Madden NFL 16

 Xbox One
User Score
6.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 137 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 69 out of 137
  2. Mixed: 24 out of 137
  3. Negative: 44 out of 137
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. JBHuskers
    Aug 25, 2015
    9
    I really wish Amazon would let us do half stars in reviews because 5 out of 5 is too high but 4 out of 5 is too low, but to me the game is closer to 80 than 100, so I wanted to keep the rating realistic.

    Each year of the PS4 / XB1 era, Madden has continuously improved in many areas, but still lacks in the additions on the CFM side; which keeps it from reaching a perfect score. The area    I really wish Amazon would let us do half stars in reviews because 5 out of 5 is too high but 4 out of 5 is too low, but to me the game is closer to 80 than 100, so I wanted to keep the rating realistic.

    Each year of the PS4 / XB1 era, Madden has continuously improved in many areas, but still lacks in the additions on the CFM side; which keeps it from reaching a perfect score. The area they have best excelled in is gameplay, and it has come a LONG way since it's current gen debut.

    The great part of the gameplay comes with a new wrinkle of the WR/DB interactions. It feels like there is a true jostling between the two players with true results. Not only do you get true results, but the animations and look and feel are fresh with every pass attempt. Speaking of the pass attempts, you can do a lot with QB to get it to the WR in the best possible way from holding down the button for a bullet pass, double tapping the button for a touch pass, or tapping the button once for a lob. You can modify using L1 or LB for a high pass and L2 or LT for a low pass, and once you get the hang of these mechanics, you can start doing them without thinking about it when the situation arises.

    While it is disappointing that CFM is pretty much unchanged, and still isn't as engaging online as the Online Dynasty was in NCAA Football. There are still some great additions, including a long time commish wishlist item, choosing the winner for simulated games. I also really like the dynamic drive goals. Much like the dynamic goals in NBA 2K's MyPlayer mode, it gives a level of immersion and changes it up for you instead of just sticking to your same ol' gameplan. It makes you change things up, but really doesn't penalize you if you choose not to accept the mission. I also like the running tally of game, season, and career goals for the players showing at the bottom after a play as well. Those are some welcome tweaks.

    The biggest new mode of Madden 16 is Draft Champions, and it is fun as hell. First you choose your coach that will give you style boost for one offensive and one defensive group, then you draft 15 players to mold your team. You'll be shown three players and you have to choose one. The great thing about this is when you highlight the player, it also highlights your current depth chart below so you don't draft two studs at the same position. That is very slick. I could have done without Adam Schefter's commentary after picks though. The players that come up will be a balance between gold and elite Ultimate Team players with the 15th and final round drafting a legend. You'll then try to win three games to be the Draft Champion either solo or online with friends. I think it's a great way to play Madden for some competition with friends on a random night.

    Speaking of Ultimate Team, it is back with a very sharp new logo and a bunch of new content as well. There are well over 150 solo challenges to do in the new Journey; which are full of scenarios and not just full games to beat. Not only is it something new to try to beat with your Ultimate Team, but it is a great way to get your team started as well because each challenge gives you coins and sometimes packs to help build your team without having to break the bank early on buying packs.

    And finally, I'm not going to give any spoilers, but the opening playable scene is AMAZING and props to those who had a hand in creating it.

    Overall, Madden 16 is VERY close to achieving their ultimate goals, and if they work on Connected Franchise next year with what the community wants to see, they will reach those goals.    … Expand
  2. AgentICE
    Aug 25, 2015
    8
    Madden NFL 16 is back and better than ever! Gameplay has improved with the addition of a new Passing and Catching Mechanic. Being able to control what type of catch your player makes is a great gameplay addition--we have wanted this for several years! Being able to throw passes in a number of ways (touch, bullet, high, lob, and low) is a great feature. Updates to CFM includes the abilityMadden NFL 16 is back and better than ever! Gameplay has improved with the addition of a new Passing and Catching Mechanic. Being able to control what type of catch your player makes is a great gameplay addition--we have wanted this for several years! Being able to throw passes in a number of ways (touch, bullet, high, lob, and low) is a great feature. Updates to CFM includes the ability to practice with your team--another feature the community wanted. I have to give the game high marks this year, despite a number of bugs present in the game at launch, which is disappointing.… Expand
  3. TobiasSmellsBad
    Aug 29, 2015
    10
    The emphasis on WR/DB interaction, combined with the new catch mehcanics, gives this madden a refreshing feeling the franchise hasn't produced since Madden 2005. One title at a time, the game is moving in a great direction.
  4. codexavellum
    Aug 26, 2015
    9
    Madden NFL 16 is not a roster upgrade this year and that's for sure. The gameplay has been massively improved and the new WR/DB interactions make the game more realistic than ever.

    Being the Playmaker is totally in your hands. The QB you can throw passes in a number of ways such as Touch, High point, and Low Point. New WR mechanics such as Aggressive Catch, RAC catch, and Possession    Madden NFL 16 is not a roster upgrade this year and that's for sure. The gameplay has been massively improved and the new WR/DB interactions make the game more realistic than ever.

    Being the Playmaker is totally in your hands. The QB you can throw passes in a number of ways such as Touch, High point, and Low Point. New WR mechanics such as Aggressive Catch, RAC catch, and Possession catch allow you to be in control of your WRs. Your user skills on defense will be tested more than ever this year.

    The new mode Draft Champions brings Fantasy Football into Madden. The mode can be played solo versus the computer or multiplayer vs other competitors. You will go through a 15 round draft to improve off of your base team. The more you play, the more you learn that some Gold players are better for you than some Elite players. You always be able to draft an NFL Legend in the final round of the draft such as Herman Moore, LaDainian Tomlinson, Ray Lewis, John Elway, Jason Taylor, Ty Law, and many more! Wins will be rewarded with content in Madden Ultimate Team. If you lose, you can begin the whole draft process over again. See if you have what it takes to be a Draft Champion.

    Madden Ultimate Team has also improved. The Journey is a chain of 100+ games and each one is a game-changing moment from a real NFL game. The Journey starts with Super Bowl XLIX and you are the Seahawks on the Patriots 2-yard line trying to rewrite History. This is just one example of the many you will face on The Journey. With all the programs, new challenges, and new legends - there is no better time to try Madden Ultimate Team.

    If you liked Madden 15 than you will love Madden 16. It provides a fantastic experience all around and is not the same game with a roster update    … Expand
  5. KB33
    Aug 25, 2015
    8
    It's one of my favorite times of the year...not just because I am a fan of football, but Madden is my unofficial kickoff for ending the summer gaming lull. This time of the year also brings out one of my favorite debates given the polarizing stance of the characters involved. That debate being...Does Madden suck? You have the following characters involved:

    1) The person who hates    It's one of my favorite times of the year...not just because I am a fan of football, but Madden is my unofficial kickoff for ending the summer gaming lull. This time of the year also brings out one of my favorite debates given the polarizing stance of the characters involved. That debate being...Does Madden suck? You have the following characters involved:

    1) The person who hates football because football stands for something or someone that wronged them at some point in their life so right out of the gate...football players suck = madden sucks. Isn't life hard?

    2) The guy who played high school football for a year and is underwhelmed by the lack of realism in madden. " These physics are all wrong, when I played the 3-4 we would slide our Sam Linebacker into the C gap when the tight end motioned...this game is fake as ****

    3) The person who takes the game at face value and is just looking to get a decent game of football in with their favorite team. "Sure, 2k5 was great...but I can't buy that now...so I will play Madden"

    This review is for that #3 person...you've made it...you understand what is important in life. For you Madden 16 is actually a buy this year. It may not have been in 15 or the weird 25 release, but they have actually made a good amount of meaningful change to warrant a purchase.

    The gameplay feels slower...more methodical and strategic. The WR/CB interaction isn't perfect, but it is a much needed step in the right direction for the franchise. The simplified menus for those that place CFM is also a welcome addition even if you can't do things like sort by individual stats. Overall you got about 65% more effort from the development team...so Yay!

    Draft Champions appeared to be a hokey add-on when first announced, but it actually is pretty fun and balanced for those that do not want to grind and spend money in MUT. I highly recommend this for any of the fantasy nuts.

    The game isn't without it's shortcomings...players still fall all over each other and the toned down hit stick does remove a lot of the audio that sounded like a freight train slamming into a truck of tin cans. I guess that isn't so bad. What is bad however is the volume of glitches in the early release. You have players magically walking offsides, RBs sticking to lineman and WR/CB interactions that can at times look absolutely bizarre.

    However, when all is said and done...none of these issues are game breaking and will likely be addressed within the first title update. This is my first Madden purchase in 3 years (rentals of the last few) and I am pleasantly surprised by the product. So if you're just looking for a pretty decent game of football that will piss you off 65% less than past years...Madden is a purchase.    … Expand
  6. mrprice33
    Aug 25, 2015
    8
    Madden NFL 16 brings some much-needed refinements to the passing game, including the ability for users to select from 3 different types of catches in order to put their offense in the best position to succeed. While the accompanying defensive mechanics aren't quite as fleshed out or explained as well, there is a good balance on higher difficulties, and AI has been tightened to the pointMadden NFL 16 brings some much-needed refinements to the passing game, including the ability for users to select from 3 different types of catches in order to put their offense in the best position to succeed. While the accompanying defensive mechanics aren't quite as fleshed out or explained as well, there is a good balance on higher difficulties, and AI has been tightened to the point where money plays have been reduced significantly.

    The running game has seen some tweaks as well, mostly in terms of the timing of handoffs compared to when holes open. You no longer get the ball right on top of a still-developing line, allowing patient runners to actually read the flow of the defense and hit the hole with some burst. Tackling looks and feels much better this year, with players coming in to clean up plays in realistic-looking ways.

    Special teams is still the forgotten element of Madden football, though there seems to have been some progress made on kickoff returns. There are slight creases there, but dangerous returners aren't as dangerous as they should be. This same frustration extends to the pass rush, which works well on the aggregate, but doesn't have a clear separation between ferocious pass rushers and replacement-level talent.

    On the modes front, all of the usual modes return, including additions to the wonderful Skills Trainer, which teaches players football concepts on a level that no other sports game does. However, the star in terms of the suite of modes is Draft Champions, wherein players "draft" a short-term (3 to 4 game) team through 15 semi-random rounds, each featuring 3 players. The randomness adds deep strategy to drafting, as the quarterback you pass up in round 2 might be the only opportunity you get to draft one, or you might find a legend waiting for you in the final round. The games that accompany this mode are short and fun, taking place in beautiful stadiums against a variety of team compositions. Draft Champions is something that could potentially keep Madden fans entertained all year.

    Unfortunately, it looks like Connected Franchise Mode again has some bugs that need to be ironed out before it's completely stable, but there's enough here to hold over serious franchise fans until such bugs are fixed. Madden football continues to get better on this generation of platforms, and Madden NFL 16 seems to be the best one yet!    … Expand
  7. xRAIDER34x
    Oct 5, 2015
    9
    I like the direction madden took this year but there are some things that need attention. MUT is growing and the addition of draft champions was a good idea for the series hopefully they continue it. I do understand some of the negative feedback but these additions to the passing game add depth to the gameplay. If they throw it deep play good D dont complain because someone goes over theI like the direction madden took this year but there are some things that need attention. MUT is growing and the addition of draft champions was a good idea for the series hopefully they continue it. I do understand some of the negative feedback but these additions to the passing game add depth to the gameplay. If they throw it deep play good D dont complain because someone goes over the top like an idiot all the time. Most players I have encountered are sporting players so dont listen to the nagging response of players throwing bombs all the time. Connected franchise is still a solid mode and I think they made it deeper and more fun. They still have much work to do in the future but it is worth the up grade.… Expand
  8. Shopmaster
    Aug 25, 2015
    8
    Madden NFL 16 is much more than a roster update, the gameplay and the WR/DB interactions make this feel awesome and finally a deep ball down the field is filled with unpredictable results. Amazing catches, defensive punchouts, tipped balls for interceptions, vicious hits while the WR is in the air brings an element to the passing game that was long overdue. The additions of the new catchMadden NFL 16 is much more than a roster update, the gameplay and the WR/DB interactions make this feel awesome and finally a deep ball down the field is filled with unpredictable results. Amazing catches, defensive punchouts, tipped balls for interceptions, vicious hits while the WR is in the air brings an element to the passing game that was long overdue. The additions of the new catch mechanics like Aggressive Catch, RAC catch, and Possession catch allows you to be in more control of what your WR does when you throw him the ball. It's harder to user defense as I feel momentum plays an important role in how your guys moves around the field.

    With all that said I'm drawn to Draft Champions, the new mode that brings out the fantasy football player in everyone as you draft for 15 rounds improving your base team. The choices get harder as the rounds increase and the last round contains legend players like Jason Taylor, Ray Lewis, Joe Horn, LT, and many more. Then you take that team and play head 2 head with an opponent. If you lose you have to re-draft and start the process all over again.

    CFM this year received some upgrades as well like a new scouting system and the introduction of the Combine. The new CFM UI layout looks amazing and it allows you to manage your team much easier. With the addition of the player cards you can put a player on the trading block, re-sign him, trade him, upgrade him, and see his ratings from one central location which makes it much easier, especially since I spend about 70% of the time managing my team. There are a few CFM bugs that need to be worked out with the new drive goals but with that said the additions look good.

    I'm not a big MUT guy so I really cant expand too much on that.

    Bottom line if you liked Madden 15 you'll love Madden 16 and will notice right away once it's in your hands it's not the same game with a roster update.    … Expand
  9. skicat2001
    Aug 28, 2015
    9
    Finally, a great football game with real life game play with better commentating that puts you in each moment. The controls and action is more intense than ever. The passing is more difficult to complete a pass and the handoff between QB and running back is more life like than ever. The music has been added this year and is superb. The navigation between menu's is much different thanFinally, a great football game with real life game play with better commentating that puts you in each moment. The controls and action is more intense than ever. The passing is more difficult to complete a pass and the handoff between QB and running back is more life like than ever. The music has been added this year and is superb. The navigation between menu's is much different than before and is more deep that makes you feel more in control. So far I really have negatives to really find, it is a definite buy and enjoy to play. Enjoy! Go hawks!… Expand
  10. BOJIOTOBA
    Aug 28, 2015
    10
    Ama play madden from 12 chapter. And this madden16 is grateful. New mechanics and skills, new draft championship, new interface and music. Finally 10 from 10!!
  11. MarkA
    Aug 25, 2015
    9
    EA Sports returns it's gridiron game to the masses in Madden NFL 16. This year's game host new features and old favorites that should appeal to anyone who has been a fan of the Madden Series. I will go over all the different modes you have to play. One of the new features that brings a whole new experience to the game is Be the Playmaker. You now have three different catch options to choseEA Sports returns it's gridiron game to the masses in Madden NFL 16. This year's game host new features and old favorites that should appeal to anyone who has been a fan of the Madden Series. I will go over all the different modes you have to play. One of the new features that brings a whole new experience to the game is Be the Playmaker. You now have three different catch options to chose from. They are as follows.

    1. Aggressive catch: This is a high risk/high reward option. Say you are down a score with little time remaining on the clock and need a big play. Using the aggressive catch could provide you the score or yardage needed to win the game. But beware, your receiver has a lower chance of catching the ball. It could however, be just the thing to lead your team to victory. It's all up to you now.

    2. Possession catch: You this when you need a clutch pass to your receiver. You most likely won't get any additional yards after the catch but it comes in handy when you need a big play from your QB and receiver.

    3. RAC Catch: Look to use this play when you need your receiver to make the big play and turn it up the field for more addition yardage after the catch. I would only use this when he's pen because you do have a much bigger chance of throwing an interception id he's cover well.

    Another new feature in this year's game is called Draft Champions. I will be honest, when I first heard about this new mode of play, I was not impressed at all. I thought, here we go, another new gimmick I won't be playing. I could have not been more wrong. When I fired up the menu, I saw the Draft Champions mode and said, what the heck, I will give it a try. Now, I'm glad I did. If you are a fan and like playing Fantasy Football as much as I do, this is where you will be spending a lot of your gaming hours in Madden NFL 16. It brings the Fantasy Football aspect to Madden in a way that fun and enjoyable to everyone.

    The Gatorade Skills Trainer Mode: This is a great place to brush up on your Madden skills. Whether you are a long time player of the game like myself or just starting out, you can learn the ins and outs of the game and the new features that were added to Madden NFL 16.

    The Gauntlet: This mode was first introduced in last year's game. It's basically a series of drills that will help you become a better overall Madden player. It's a great way to try and beat your scores and improve your overall game.

    Connected Franchise Mode: A lot of new additions to CFM makes this a more enjoyable experience for guys looking to create and control your favorite NFL Franchise. Everything from a new way to scout your players to giving the Commissioner more options to make your online CFM run a lot smoother than year's past. It's still not perfect by any means but it does show promise for future Madden games.

    Online Head to Head: If you enjoy playing your friends, family or just looking to for a game to play, this is the mode for you. See how you stack up against some of the best Madden players in the world by going online.

    Ultimate Team Mode: Build your NFL Dream Team in this mode. Long time fans will enjoy yet another Season of MUT in Madden NFL 16. I know a lot of guys will spend a lot of time and effort in creating their Ultimate Team. The more wins you get, the more coins you can earn in order to strengthen your squad.

    Practice Mode: Need some extra time with your team to learn harness your Madden skills, then practice mode is for you. Learn your team's playbook backwards and forwards by spending time going over your go to plays. It's time well spent if you are a serious Madden gamer.

    Super Bowl 50: It's the Pittsburgh Steelers vs. the Arizona Cardinals in this fictional Super Bowl 50 matchup. You can replay this opening of Madden NFL 16 as many times as you want. It's a great way to get a taste of the game.

    In closing, Madden NFL 16 is just a flat out fun game to play for anyone who has enjoyed previous versions of the Madden series. It's not without is faults however, but has more than enough good traits to keep you coming back for more. This is the game Madden fans have been waiting for. I, for one, am glad Madden Season is finally upon us!    … Expand
  12. strongarm_playa
    Sep 3, 2015
    8
    Ok... So this year I decided to play the game a little longer before giving my review. Sometimes I feel like we may rush a review without actually having enough time hands on with the title.

    Madden 16 definitely comes to us revamped and improved from last year. With the new catching animations and features, offensive playmakers are not able to make a play on the ball in clutch moments.    Ok... So this year I decided to play the game a little longer before giving my review. Sometimes I feel like we may rush a review without actually having enough time hands on with the title.

    Madden 16 definitely comes to us revamped and improved from last year. With the new catching animations and features, offensive playmakers are not able to make a play on the ball in clutch moments. Now there have been numerous cases of users complaining about the newest features, but did you take time out of your Madden Season to learn the controls? Did you run through the tutorials?

    The tutorials are long and very boring at times. But your learning the ins and outs of the game and how it works. They are definitely there to help you. So if you're not using the tools that are being supplied, then yes you may not be as successful as you'd like to be.

    DB/WR interactions has finally took lift off. You will now notice more hand-chucking, bumping and in air collisions than before. It really looks like they took a lot of time to get these animations correct.

    The running game seems slow paced at times but more realistic. Though I have noticed that you may sometimes get sucked into a slow moving animation (running) when chasing down a player. I say that b/c I have noticed a safety getting out ran but then a linebacker chasing down the receiver. Hopefully it's an easy "patch" update.

    Throwing seems improved and more realistic as well. Though I cannot honestly say, the QB inaccuracies seem a little high. Or maybe that's just when I'm playing (Raiders).

    As for the newest game mode, Draft Champions. It's a lot of fun! I really enjoy drafting my team and building them through a draft. There is a lot of cards out there and I rarely see the same cards coming my way during the draft process. One downfall to the mode that I do not care for, is that I am forced to play all 4 games consecutively without being able to "pause" or go play another mode. I understand the games are short and a lot of people may quit, but I feel locked in and have no choices. At least give me the opportunity to play when I'm ready to play.

    Another cool feature about draft champions, is it gives you MUT (Ultimate Team) rewards. Though I have yet to see a really cool reward. Needless to say, I have yet to dive into MUT completely. I read some reviews about high contract usage for "No Money Spent Teams", so I decided to not go that route. Not yet anyway.

    Head to Head seemed a little shaky at first. I kept getting matched with people who were pulling the plug. But since then, most of my games have matched up pretty well. Honestly.. it's probably been one of the best Madden's to play H2H on in a very long time.

    My biggest complaint, would be: Still no online communities. This was a feature that had in the game a few years ago but then removed it. I enjoy playing with my friends and I understand the leaderboards situation and take on it. But what baffles me is that we have "lobbies" and it's a feature that is rarely used. Online communities was so much more useful and actually used by gamers. So they could play and interact with like minded individuals and friends.

    Overall I would give Madden a 84 this year. Obviously they are moving in the right direction.    … Expand
  13. ZacharyNeal
    Sep 15, 2015
    9
    I waited until the first patch came out to write my review.

    In my experience with this game, I've come away pretty pleased with how it's played. The balance between offense and defense was my main worry coming off a defensive year in Madden 15. I was a bit worried of the overtilt BACK to the offensive side of the football. However, the WR/DB interactions are very balanced. You have a    I waited until the first patch came out to write my review.

    In my experience with this game, I've come away pretty pleased with how it's played. The balance between offense and defense was my main worry coming off a defensive year in Madden 15. I was a bit worried of the overtilt BACK to the offensive side of the football. However, the WR/DB interactions are very balanced. You have a chance to take those one on one shots down the sideline, but the ratings definitely dictate who is coming down with the football. Furthermore, the defensive system really rewards the user for calling the right play/making the right adjustment. I rarely, if ever see WRs coming down with the ball when it's thrown into double coverage. This is a vast improvement from Madden 16 where you could "box out" defensive backs with big WRs regardless of their rating (Chris Matthews of the Seahawks before his big game in the Super Bowl comes to mind). Now, your WR better be up to snuff, ratings-wise when you take that shot. I will say that the size of the WRs and DBs in the interaction needs to play a bigger role. Small, but excellent WRs like Antonio Brown are playing much much MUCH bigger than you see them play in real life. Fullbacks target blocks MUCH better this year, so 2-back undercenter offenses are much better this year as well.

    My biggest beef with the game is actually the errant passing underneath. Too many times I'm seeing my QB airmail drag routes/shallow crosses in a clean pocket with no pressure and a wide open WR or check down RB. It's a little too frequent for my taste but definitely something that you can get used to by keeping balance in your offensive system.

    Draft Champions is a great tie-in mode to Madden Ultimate Team. Playing and winning 8 games of Draft Champions will get you two free elite players towards your MUT team. Which is very nice. I would prefer this mode be accessible offline to play vs. friends, as well as offline to invite friends to matches. It would become a major mode in my rotation if there were a competitive online leaderboard to track my progress/my friends' progress.

    Madden Ultimate Team,again, is stealing the majority of my playing time. I love the mode. This year, I saw that the pack odds are a little bit better. Still could be improved. Hard to imagine spending $60 on the mode and not getting major bang for the buck. This year I've taken a "no money spent" approach after my first bundle that I purchased, and I've found that I am doing alright with my coin bankroll. Currently winning games at 81 OVR with over 200K saved up. Not too bad. Would still like the leaderboard to reflect actual record in terms of W's and L's rather than coins earned (i.e. who has the most time to play the game regardless of win/loss record). I'm in the 300s, rank-wise but maybe 2 or 3 people in the Top 100 have a record anywhere near my 82-5 record. All in all, it's not that big of a deal.    … Expand
  14. moss2chappy
    Sep 15, 2015
    9
    This years game of madden is a huge step in the right direction. The gameplay has added a ton of new options on both sides of the ball give the user the ability to make adjustments and changes to match what you see in the NFL. Draft Champions game mode added a new experience to the game and if your a fan of MUT or fantasy football this mode will likely intrigue your interest as well. TheThis years game of madden is a huge step in the right direction. The gameplay has added a ton of new options on both sides of the ball give the user the ability to make adjustments and changes to match what you see in the NFL. Draft Champions game mode added a new experience to the game and if your a fan of MUT or fantasy football this mode will likely intrigue your interest as well. The gameplay & visuals has made a significant jump in progress from previous years. This year's game is the most fun I've had with Madden since 2009. This could go down as one of the best versions of the game in it's history and is a strong indicator that the current development team is moving towards simulation football.… Expand
  15. somerset72
    Aug 30, 2015
    10
    My first Madden purchase for 5 years and, as a casual gamer, I am very impressed. The gameplay has been east to get into to the point that I feel like I've achieved slick stuff after only a little game-time.

    The presentation/ user-interface/ team management is really well thought out (I prefer it to Fifa)

    Big recommend from me
  16. GainesvilleGuy
    Sep 13, 2015
    8
    First the good. The actual on-the-field play is the best ever. The QB->WR controls are very smooth and empowering. There is much complaining about the aggressive catch, and although it sometimes can frustrate you, I've found it to actually be pretty fair. Most of the time the ridiculous catch people complain about is a very highly rated WR over a scrub DB which can happen a lotFirst the good. The actual on-the-field play is the best ever. The QB->WR controls are very smooth and empowering. There is much complaining about the aggressive catch, and although it sometimes can frustrate you, I've found it to actually be pretty fair. Most of the time the ridiculous catch people complain about is a very highly rated WR over a scrub DB which can happen a lot especially in Draft mode. I recommend you get some good DB's when doing draft mode...

    The play calling is varied and can be approached in many different ways. The AI (both yours and your opponents) is decent enough, although if you replay in super slow mo you can find issues: I recommend not doing that;). Both man and zone defenses are viable, again the AI works as best as you can hope really for a game as complicated as 11 on 11 with hundreds and hundreds of plays/variations.

    I think draft mode is a good addition, and much less money grubbing than ultimate mode. And the rewards can be good from draft mode and quick to achieve. Ultimate mode is also addictive as usual, with multiple ways to try to build up your squad.

    The above is the good, and since the good includes the on-the-field play, which is by far the most important aspect of the game, I'm giving it a solid 8.

    However, there is still very much wrong with this game. In fact franchise mode is so bad on so many levels that it is essentially unplayable for me (note that this is after the patch). Below are all the things I consider utterly broken:

    1) Managing your team, in coach/owner franchise mode particularly, is extremely tedious and unwieldy. Sorting through players and stats is very difficult, as there are very limited ways to filter and sort, and the stats take lots of horizontal scrolling to see all of them. You can't do simple things like figuring out the strengths of your entire offensive line. I challenge you to figure that out: even seeing the strengths of a single position is hard, let alone groups of players together. And the information you want seems to never be available where you need it. For instance if somebody is on the trade block and you choose to consider a trade, there is no way to access that players full information from the trade screens. You need to back out to a roster screen and go to that teams roster to really get a close look at the player. Then after doing that you have to work yourself back into the trade screens. Owner/coach mode just is too tedious to actually play smart so what's the point of trying to make smart decisions? And if you can't really play smart why bother at all?

    2) Want to play player franchise mode? Have fun with the garbage super-sim you need to do when you are not on the field. It gives horrendous results. Really breaks the immersion. Such a simple thing for EA to fix but they didn't bother.

    3) Even if you want to simplify it to Ultimate team mode (avoiding the trading and drafting and signing, etc), there is still no way to fully optimize your team. Want to create certain player groups for different formations? Nope, can't set that permanently. Ultimate team mode would be a blast if you could really optimize your formations and plays to your players. Instead its one size fits all just throw em on the field.

    4) Even in Ultimate mode the horrible user interface bites again. Managing the market interface or figuring out what to do with your excess players is extremely tedious. It is bad on so many levels I really won't even begin to describe it.

    In summary, Madden 16 is a great on-the-field experience, but fails utterly in the off-the-field user experience. All of the systems they created off of the field are extremely unwieldy to the point where I just don't even bother anymore. I've given up on franchise mode entirely and have stopped trying to optimize my ultimate team. They really really need to tear down the off the field interfaces and redo them from scratch. For Madden 17 I suggest they don't touch the on-the-field at all and focus all of their resources into making the deep off-the-field complexity actually usable.    … Expand
  17. Fluffydragon12
    Aug 27, 2015
    9
    Madden 16 is one of the best Maddens to date. Each year since Madden 13 it has gotten better and better and this one was even better than the already good Madden 15. Definitely not a roster update and is worth 60 bucks. It does look the same but as in all Maddens it had different mechanics and such. Last year was focused on defense, this year it is offense, more or less passing. The onlyMadden 16 is one of the best Maddens to date. Each year since Madden 13 it has gotten better and better and this one was even better than the already good Madden 15. Definitely not a roster update and is worth 60 bucks. It does look the same but as in all Maddens it had different mechanics and such. Last year was focused on defense, this year it is offense, more or less passing. The only downside is that the commentary gets quite repetitive and down right annoying but other than that it is a great game… Expand
  18. Jpdavis1982
    Aug 28, 2015
    8
    I would like to see a decimal system added in the future for more precise scores. With that being said, my actual score for Madden 16 is 8.5, I gave 15 a 7.5, I see enough improvement in one year to justify a full point increase. The first thing that will stand out to most people familiar to the series, is that the speed of the game has been slowed down. This creates better flowingI would like to see a decimal system added in the future for more precise scores. With that being said, my actual score for Madden 16 is 8.5, I gave 15 a 7.5, I see enough improvement in one year to justify a full point increase. The first thing that will stand out to most people familiar to the series, is that the speed of the game has been slowed down. This creates better flowing animations and more realistic movement on the field. The next thing that stands out are the WR/DB interactions, they have been done very well and you will see things never before seen in any football video game to date, and definitely never in Madden. You will see WRs and DBs reach out their arms to feel where each other are at on the field while the ball is in the air, you'll see DBs grabbing WRs arms and wrists to break up passes, they will fight for the ball on simultaneous possession catches, swat the ball out of wrs hands, safeties will come from over the top and knock the ball out, DBs can punch out the ball and will tip the ball in the air, and many other interactions like you expect to see on Sundays. The other side of this feature is that there are 3 different catch options for a WR to choose from. They are aggressive, RAC, and possession, the aggressive catch has the biggest risk/reward to it, and the other two are best used to either try to gain a few extra yards after the catch or simply make a safe catch to move the chains. Penalties are back and in some cases working properly for the first time, you'll see pass interference on both offense and defense, defensive holding, etc... There are many other new gameplay additions, but to me the WR/DB interactions and penalties are the big difference makers on the field.

    As far as presentation, there are no major improvements this year, but a few nice additions in terms of crowd models(females), towels, signs, hd face scans for players, improved night and indoor lighting, and drive starters and finishers in commentary that help tell the story of the game and what happened in previous drives. The play by play commentary is still Nantz and Simms and it is still fairly dull and lifeless. There needs to be a new direction and focus in this area of the game, as it is severely holding back the presentation in game. There were no improvements of any substance in the halftime show, there is still no weekly wrap up or post game show or even a scores & stats ticker in CFM. These are things the community has wanted for years and they cannot go unnoticed another year if Madden wants to deliver a true next gen presentation. They still haven't achieved their goal of "Living Worlds", there is no major improvement on the sidelines, other than less generic faces and they added cold weather gear for camera and other sideline personnel. The sideline players and coaches do not interact with the players much if at all and sideline players react to plays like you would expect on a Xbox 360 or PS3, it's very dull and repetitive. These areas must also be addressed to get presentation up to par with the best in class sports titles presentation.

    As far as CFM goes, there were a few nice additions with a new scouting system, and they added combine results, but the biggest difference is in the interface and menus. Everything flows much smoother, they added a visual depth chart now which allows you to make roster adjustments much easier. Player cards have been added to allow you to see a quick overview of your players stats, ratings, and other info, you can also edit your player(not appearance or ratings), and make roster moves with this card. The other improvements in CFM are not as major and overall I was disappointed with the lack of improvement in CFM, it still doesn't create a lot of immersion as far as presentation and doesn't do a great job representing the excitement and brilliance of the nfl season. Stadium atmosphere doesn't change much depending on the stadium or time of year, Playoff and Super Bowl presentations are still lacking and virtually unchanged. Overall CFM is what it has been in the past, so if you're familiar with the mode then you know what to expect.

    Draft Champions is a new mode this year, it's basically fantasy football meets Hearthstone, there are 15 rounds to select your team, coaches and players, which you can then use to compete against the CPU in a "gauntlet" type mode or head to head online. I highly encourage everyone to try this mode even if you are not a fan of MUT, this is a new, fun, addictive experience and something that I would like to see all sports games introduce in the future.

    Overall, Madden 16 shines brightest on the field and it truly is the best playing Madden in a decade IMO. would like to see a lot of innovative improvements in presentation and CFM going forward, as noted, but if gameplay is king for you, like it is for me and you can overlook the lack of immersive presentation elements that are lacking, this is the Madden you have been waiting for    … Expand
  19. jdk8008
    Sep 6, 2015
    8
    The Good:

    -The new passing and receiving mechanics are a great addition to the game. I have read a number of complaints about the fact that this is the year of the "unbeatable deep pass". I definitely do not agree because defenders actually do have an equal fighting chance on every pass. This year, for the first time ever, a completion has everything to do with the angle of the    The Good:

    -The new passing and receiving mechanics are a great addition to the game. I have read a number of complaints about the fact that this is the year of the "unbeatable deep pass". I definitely do not agree because defenders actually do have an equal fighting chance on every pass. This year, for the first time ever, a completion has everything to do with the angle of the player, the location of the pass, what button is pressed to catch or defend the ball, when you press the catch/defend button, and how long you hold it. If you are getting beat by endless deep passes, it is because you have not yet figured out how to defend a pass.

    -QB accuracy actually matters for the first time ever. If you choose a QB with accuracy ratings in the 70's, they will throw occasional errant passes and their ball placement won't be quite as good.

    -The new draft champion mode is a fun addition to the franchise.

    -The new H2H matching system is definitely a breath of fresh air. You no longer get to see what team your opponent is selecting or the playbook they are using and it takes you right into the game. There are obvious cons to this, but I think this was a change for the better. Pick whatever team and playbook you want. No more whiny people quitting if their matchup isn't exactly what they want it to be. (They really need to make it so you can't be matched up with the same team you are using though)

    The Bad: (most of these things are nitpicky)

    -I spent 4 hours meticulously crafting a custom playbook, just to have every single game error out with a desync error in online H2H when using it. It took me around 8 games of that error occurring to figure it out that it was the custom playbook causing it.

    -I have to constantly re-order my depth chart after every game in online H2H. I have tried everything to get my depth chart to save. The same thing happens with my playbook occasionally and I get stuck using an unfamiliar playbook all game.

    -There is a delay in the ability to move my defenders after plays are selected. There are also cutscenes of the offense walking up to the line after plays are selected. There are a lot of people that hike the ball right when they line up. (including the computer) This small delay in the ability to move my defenders has lead to some very big gains/touchdowns by my opponent.

    -There is no clock run off when you choose to play select instead of no huddle with under 2 minutes left. It is faster to not use no-huddle in the two minute drill in most cases.

    -You can run no-huddle wayyyy to fast. It is impossible in real life to lineup, have a new play, and new formation called this fast. Please fix this!!!

    -The playbook editor: It forces you to keep certain plays in every playbook. You can't order your formations and plays in the order you want them to be. There is no way to preview plays before selecting them. There are mysterious gameplan situations that you can't select/remove plays for.

    -The Online H2H statistics are very poor. They need to include a minimum games played requirement for the statistics leaderboard. Want to see who is leading in PPG? It's that one guy who put up 128 points in one game played.

    -The EA Trax are terrible this year. "Ain't too Cool" by Lunchmoney Lewis has one of those choruses that makes me want to pull my hair out.    … Expand
  20. Boltrunner25
    Dec 2, 2015
    8
    Madden 16 is one of the better Maddens since 2014. The game play has been lifted since last years Madden. The drive goals are pretty cool but for the most part have no barring on what you should actually do one a drive. 4th quarter under 2 min. it wants you to run the ball 3 times. The goals should be situation based. The only thing that irritated me with Madden 16 and why i didnt rank itMadden 16 is one of the better Maddens since 2014. The game play has been lifted since last years Madden. The drive goals are pretty cool but for the most part have no barring on what you should actually do one a drive. 4th quarter under 2 min. it wants you to run the ball 3 times. The goals should be situation based. The only thing that irritated me with Madden 16 and why i didnt rank it higher was the fact that they removed online career coop mode. I play with friends in other states and we can no longer create and play on a team together. Kind of a bummer and something i hope they add back.… Expand
  21. MasterChase66
    Dec 5, 2015
    9
    I have always been a huge fan of the Madden series. This particular entry is by far the best. I love how the connected franchise works in this entry. If you love Madden, this is your game.
  22. bushy1214
    Mar 17, 2016
    8
    I haven't played a Madden game in 15 years. I've always loved NCAA football more. The day before the super bowl this year Xbox had a sell where the game was only $20. So I bought it and so far I really like it. I was never impressed with Madden games but this one is a lot of fun. The graphics are great and so is the gameplay. It's fun playing against friends.

Awards & Rankings

18
#18 Best Xbox One Game of 2015
31
#31 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2015
41
#41 Most Shared Xbox One Game of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
84

Generally favorable reviews - based on 23 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 23
  3. Negative: 0 out of 23
  1. Sporting News
    Mar 3, 2016
    70
    Madden NFL 16 continues an upward trajectory for the series, just maybe not at the rate that consumers would hope.
    Read full review
  2. games(TM)
    Oct 25, 2015
    80
    It’s a nice mix of team building, draft tactics and instant gratification that shows off some of the best side of this area of the game.
    Read full review
  3. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    Oct 6, 2015
    80
    Smart alterations to the throwing and catching game shake up the Madden formula enough to pass the taste test, without necessarily adding any new ingredients. [Nov 2015, p.84]
See all critic reviews »