Madden NFL 18

 Xbox One
Metascore
82

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
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  1. New Game Network
    Sep 5, 2017
    70
    It’s nice to see Madden NFL 18 taking risks and experimenting, with good results like the Longshot mode. Hopefully the franchise will continue to refine what works, and iron out some of the technical imperfections and lackluster game modes.
  2. TrueAchievements
    Aug 31, 2017
    70
    For returning players, and those especially focused on Connected Franchise, there isn't enough here to welcome you back. Updated rosters and small on-field tweaks are the things we get every year but what really makes or breaks an installment of Madden are the big changes, which are up and down and ultimately make Madden 18 a solid starter but no Pro Bowler.
  3. DarkStation
    Aug 17, 2017
    70
    For me, Madden NFL 18 is the first misstep for the series of this generation. The Longshot mode is technically well produced but its story is far from compelling. The rest of Madden NFL 18 feels like very small steps forward for a franchise that could use some big leaps.
  5. EGM
    Aug 16, 2017
    70
    Although the new Longshot mode shines, Madden misses the mark with a few of its gameplay additions this year—so if you don’t immediately take a liking to them and choose to ignore them, the experience will feel a lot like last year’s. Meanwhile, the additions to MUT feel unnecessary, and like a desperate attempt to get more people playing—and potentially investing in microtransactions.
  6. Attack of the Fanboy
    Aug 21, 2017
    60
    Madden NFL 18 marks a second consecutive year of Madden football in a holding pattern. Features and additions to this year's game either just don't feel noteworthy, or miss the mark entirely.

Awards & Rankings

39
#39 Best Xbox One Game of 2017
59
#59 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2017
44
#44 Most Shared Xbox One Game of 2017

User Reviews

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User Score
4.6

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 66 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 22 out of 66
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 66
  3. Negative: 32 out of 66
  1. Deerlsayer85
    Oct 6, 2017
    4
    I had purchased Madden 17 with high hopes. I love football, love a good computer simulation and had heard great things about the greatI had purchased Madden 17 with high hopes. I love football, love a good computer simulation and had heard great things about the great graphics offered in Madden. So I purchased the game and gave it a try. Admittedly I was surprised at the complexity of mastering the game controls, as well as the extensive playbooks available on both offense and defense. Still, the complexity only added to my excitement and my hope that Madden would be an engrossing and accurate simulation of NFL football, sans the bruises, broken bones and CTE of the real thing.

    Unfortunately I was disappointed in Madden 17, and am even more disappointed in Madden 18.

    Without question, the graphics are outstanding. One thing I will acknowledge as an improvement in ’18 over ’17 is far better rendering of the faces of the players, coaches and referees. Gone is the pseudo-“Zombie Apocalypse” appearance of the faces. Also, the stadium and gameplay graphics appear to be somewhat cleaner and sharper than before. Sad to say, great graphics is the best thing Madden has going for it. The music track is terrible. Seriously, it stinks out loud. It is almost as if one of the millennials who wrote some of the code for the game just dumped their playlist into the game and said “Yeah! That’s cool!” Uh, no…it’s not.

    The Franchise Mode can be entertaining. “Longshot” is okay, but just okay and really adds little to the value of the game itself. The biggest problem with Madden has been and continues to be the way the game plays. Playing against the CPU you have 4 levels to choose from in ascending levels of difficulty: “Rookie”, “Pro”, “All-Pro”, and “All-Madden”. “Rookie” is where you learn to play. As expected, it is meant to be easy and after a few tries you could play as the Cleveland Browns and be able to blow out the New England Patriots. “Pro” is considerably harder and less forgiving, and more so as you advance to “All-Pro” and finally “All-Madden”. Also, you can choose to play in two different modes: “Arcade” and “Simulation”.

    I assumed simulation meant just that: a simulation based on the actual abilities of the players on a team roster. I also assumed when I played I would be the virtual coach of the team, with some additional control of the movements of the quarterback, receivers, ball carriers, and some of the defenders. But it appears EA defines “simulation” somewhat differently than most of us. Here is what happens:

    A typical game will go like this” Let’s say you want to play as the Packers against the 49’ers. You will score a couple of times in the first half, and be ahead by a score of something like 17-7 at the half. Not an unexpected result given the match-up. But then, almost like clockwork, something changes. The CPU controlled players seem to gain almost superhuman abilities, the human controlled players begin to drop passes, fumble, or commit penalties right at critical times, and somehow CPU controlled defenders can manage to sack the QB while playing a Cover 4 offense where 2 or three defenders penetrate the offensive line virtually untouched by a defender. Aaron Rodgers will start underthrowing a receiver by 10 yards (regardless of whether you choose “bullet pass”, “touch pass”, or “lob pass”), Victor Bolden or Trent Taylor will make two or three one-handed pass receptions on third and long, Randall Cobb will have a pass bounce off his hands, and have it tipped by no fewer than 3 defenders before finally being caught by a 49er DB and returned for a “Pick-6”. This crap occurs in virtually every simulated game. I had emailed EA about this months ago basically wondering what was up. I was told, “we make every effort to make the game entertaining and competitive”. Competitive? Hmmmm…. I thought this was a simulation. So in other words the game is set to actually cut the point spread if it’s deemed by the CPU to be too wide? Yeah, that’s not how football…or any sport…really works. Well, unless a gambling syndicate is involved but we won’t go there.

    So if are looking for is a video game with an AI engine which seems to have a lot in common with the AI from the old arcade game “Space Invaders” (just make things go faster as you level up), this is the game for you. If you are looking for a game that does a great job of simulating a true NFL game, save your money. This is not what you are looking for.    … Full Review »
  2. Seamusburg
    Mar 6, 2018
    3
    The updated graphics are the only nice thing I can say about this game. Other reviewers have already mentioned in length the litany ofThe updated graphics are the only nice thing I can say about this game. Other reviewers have already mentioned in length the litany of problems with this years entry. One person even has an entire youtube channel dedicated to the problems with Madden 18.

    Madden 18 is the reason I will no longer purchase any future Madden products from EA going forward.    … Full Review »
  3. Baldwin7
    Jan 31, 2018
    8
    Madden 18 is a solid football video game to play during the NFL season. I think the graphics are unreal and the commentary is updated everyMadden 18 is a solid football video game to play during the NFL season. I think the graphics are unreal and the commentary is updated every week with news on players and teams. This year's game has three new modes to use during a game. They are Arcade, Simulation, and Competitive. I like Arcade the best because there are bigger hits and more big plays. This year's Madden Ultimate team also includes the three new game modes during the solo challenges. I think the challenges this year are so much fun and I have enjoyed playing MUT for the last 4 months. The connected Franchise mode is also fun to play, but the top players are near impossible to trade for which is annoying. Finally, the most anticipated mode to play on Madden 18 was Longshot. Longshot was the biggest disappointment in this game. I was expecting to play more games in college and high school. Ever since the discontinuation of the NCAA football games there hasn't been a true "Road to Glory" mode on Madden and I expected this mode to be exactly what I was looking for, but it was far from what I expected. It was basically a movie and you would play like 2 games. It was a complete waste of time and I was unhappy with that. Overall I think they did a good job this year, but I would like to see more of a college season during Longshot next year if they decide to improve it or totally go away from it.… Full Review »
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