Madden NFL 20

 Xbox One
User Score
2.1

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 124 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 124
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 124
  3. Negative: 99 out of 124

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  1. Patriot173
    Feb 23, 2020
    4
    They added a 30 minute intro for Be-A-Player franchise mode, but overall franchise is still super bare-bones and neglected.

    All of EA's attention went into Ultimate Team, as it has for years now. But with the constant disconnects and server issues, even that mode is basically unplayable.
  2. Smokin-Gunn
    Aug 17, 2019
    3
    It's a HUGE disappointment to say the least. I feel like I was ripped off. I really tried to like it but its not going to happen. Not recommended by me for sure. I have played Madden since its inception, EA is getting too money hungry to me.
  3. AMKOBRA
    Aug 10, 2019
    2
    My Rating breakdown:
    Ultimate Team (0)- Ultimate Team continues to be the most important feature for Madden every year for obvious reasons. *coughs* Money *coughs*. I’ve never been a huge supporter of this game mode, because I believe only idiots or rich idiots devote time and money playing a game mode that damn near forces you to pay three or four times what the game is worth.
    Franchise    My Rating breakdown:
    Ultimate Team (0)- Ultimate Team continues to be the most important feature for Madden every year for obvious reasons. *coughs* Money *coughs*. I’ve never been a huge supporter of this game mode, because I believe only idiots or rich idiots devote time and money playing a game mode that damn near forces you to pay three or four times what the game is worth.

    Franchise (2)- Franchise (and yes I am a franchise guy) continues to be the most average, unimpressive and sometimes infuriating experience in video games. The lack of imagination and bland personality shows with every possible thing that happens. Nothing matters and there feels like no stakes are being made to mirror real life football. Franchise mode is still crap.

    Face of the franchise (1)- This mode makes all the sense in the world. With the meager face customizations and “Terrific” Voice acting, you really feel like you can portray an NFL Quarterback. With this being the biggest and best mode in the game with the highest replayability, the mode is so short you can play it about 15 times in a row on the same day. That’s what I call convenience. Also a side note, if you go to franchise mode and create a quarterback, you can still access face of the franchise but without college. That’s adding a different layer to the game.

    New Features (3)- Probably the most interesting thing about this game are the X factor abilities. Not saying much about the overall quality of the game.

    Everything else (5)- Things like gameplay have somewhat improved. The ”addition” of the Pro Bowl was cool but not enough to reel me in and keep me hooked. Online was exactly the same. The thing about this game is where other sports video games thrive or at least floats, Madden sinks. They fail to be as diverse, flooded with features, and have working sliders as NBA 2k. Customizable as WWE 2k. Fun and action packed as the fallen EA College Football series. Also the gameplay for FIFA is what Madden hopes to one day achieve. (Made by same company) I’m not surprised or disappointed by EA Sports disregard. I’m just disappointed that people still blow paychecks with micro transactions. Sad.    … Expand
  4. Hollywoodheys92
    Aug 19, 2019
    2
    Terrible same old same old in a new package. Horrible A.I. logic. Save your money.
  5. Austinshighligh
    Apr 5, 2020
    2
    Madden 20 is slightly than madden 19. But let’s be honest the bar wasn’t set very high. Xfactors just show how broken the game is. Players don’t get charged up. EA did add the pro bowl back so that’s kind of cool. The only thing good about face of the franchise is that you get to play with college teams. But the cut scenes are cringey. EA put celebrities into the game rather than work onMadden 20 is slightly than madden 19. But let’s be honest the bar wasn’t set very high. Xfactors just show how broken the game is. Players don’t get charged up. EA did add the pro bowl back so that’s kind of cool. The only thing good about face of the franchise is that you get to play with college teams. But the cut scenes are cringey. EA put celebrities into the game rather than work on the real issues of the game. EA is putting they’re time into ultimate team because it makes them the most money. They don’t care what the fans want. All admit I have had some fun playing franchise mode but it’s underwhelming compared to what used to be in madden. It’s considered a simulation game but the gameplay is incredibly unrealistic. I’m giving it a 2 star review and that’s being generous… Expand
  6. Mikeboss
    May 28, 2020
    2
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Nothing more than one word needs to be said about this game. "Scam". EA thinks that it's customers and NFL fans are moronic. All we want is an immersive NFL experience where we can feel like an NFL team owner, player, and live our unfulfilled dreams as professional athletes. Gameplay should be automatic and it isn't. Franchise is a joke. The only real effort EA ever makes is towards their monopolistic money grabbing MUT mode where they take advantage of children and make them pay to win, and when they decide to add celebrities into the game pointlessly. Please start caring or relinquish your exclusivity EA, you disappoint everyone.… Expand
  7. Deadraque
    Aug 9, 2019
    1
    A 60-100 dollar patch from the surprising EA Studios............................
  8. Akbee89
    Jul 30, 2019
    1
    Same as last year other then small minor adjustments. Qb1 mode is just an introduction to normal superstar franchise mode, which makes it a huge disappointment for people looking forward to this.
  9. Abachlaypse
    Aug 14, 2019
    1
    Save your money for Maximum Football 2019!

    While improved on some mechanics (not all -- zone coverage is still too easy to manipulate), Madden 20 ultimately fails to deliver in an overall capacity. You don't even need to compare this to 2k5, as Madden 08, a game made 12 years ago, holds more depth and detail (as well as better gameplay) than Madden 20. Hell, X-Factors were in    Save your money for Maximum Football 2019!

    While improved on some mechanics (not all -- zone coverage is still too easy to manipulate), Madden 20 ultimately fails to deliver in an overall capacity.

    You don't even need to compare this to 2k5, as Madden 08, a game made 12 years ago, holds more depth and detail (as well as better gameplay) than Madden 20.

    Hell, X-Factors were in Madden 08, only called "Weapons" -- this "new" feature is actually nothing new.

    EA continues to put profit before people when they continue to disregard what the fans have been asking for year in and year out. The franchise pales in comparison to Madden 08 or 2k5 in regards to depth, and we continue to be without create-a-team for some reason, isolating the more creative sports gamers.

    Face of the Franchise is "okay", but becomes repetitive and unrealistic. (Yeah, like Tom Brady is going to message a rookie before gameday)

    I am happy I cashed in a free rental for this game, as I wouldn't honestly pay $20 for this game, much less $60.    … Expand
  10. brandon31c
    Sep 19, 2019
    1
    Giving this a 1 instead of 0 simply because the graohics are decent.

    Gameplay is terrible. Franchis mode is the same as it's always been. They just want more and more of your money through Ultimate Team.
  11. Disco94
    Sep 22, 2019
    1
    Same game as last year with updated roster... Would love to see more stuff in franchise mode for coaching and building team! But seems they just touch up graphics and add a half made "storymode" very disappointing... Excited for maximum football 19 to come out
  12. JasonJojnson
    Nov 4, 2019
    1
    Game is a piece of **** It’s November and the game is still having serious server issues.
  13. Jouan88
    Nov 5, 2019
    1
    I expected a football game but ended up with a gambling game.

    What EA has been doing the past few years is just shameful. They are making millions of MUT but we still put up with weak content with the only changes made focused on pushing for more micro transactions
  14. cincinnatus513
    May 23, 2020
    1
    Game based on animations and micro transactions. User skill does not matter. MUT has ruined madden.
  15. Rileym
    Feb 21, 2020
    1
    Players can just send user blitz every play and make tackles. If you buy this game, go return it before you break anything in your house.
  16. Iceyboy
    Mar 20, 2020
    1
    This game is bad. It would not be as bad if there wasn't a game like madden 07 or any around that time that is just plainly better. This game has very little to do in connected franchise, relocation teams have been the exact same since they were added. The face of the franchise was kind of cool but it is only like 20 minutes of different gameplay then connected franchise mode. MUT is justThis game is bad. It would not be as bad if there wasn't a game like madden 07 or any around that time that is just plainly better. This game has very little to do in connected franchise, relocation teams have been the exact same since they were added. The face of the franchise was kind of cool but it is only like 20 minutes of different gameplay then connected franchise mode. MUT is just a cash grab scam that runs the game.… Expand
  17. Markj121
    Jun 18, 2020
    1
    Utter trash...Do not support this company! They have consistently defrauded the people that purchase the game. Gameplay is atrocious
  18. Mjeb2
    Aug 23, 2020
    1
    I genuinely thought this game series couldn't get worse after Madden 20, but Jesus Christ, Madden 21 makes Madden 20 look like a perfect game. They didn't fix anything we wanted them to, and then on top of that, there are spelling errors on loading screens, literal white loading screens, bugged characters in cinemattics, and so much more. God if there were any other NFL game to play, II genuinely thought this game series couldn't get worse after Madden 20, but Jesus Christ, Madden 21 makes Madden 20 look like a perfect game. They didn't fix anything we wanted them to, and then on top of that, there are spelling errors on loading screens, literal white loading screens, bugged characters in cinemattics, and so much more. God if there were any other NFL game to play, I would buy it in a heartbeat, but I sure as hell won't be buying this year's Madden… Expand
  19. chains11
    Aug 25, 2020
    1
    ...at least they added the Scenario Engine. Which has loads of potential. But overall franchise... still neglected. MUT seems to be all that matters. Even gameplay is a complete joke. Instead of buying Madden 21, buy this for a fraction of the price. Basically the same game except for another money-grabbing mode in “The Yard”.
  20. A100BRONIES
    Aug 18, 2019
    0
    As with every other madden game of late, it's not how good you are with the controls, or how good you are with reading an offense or defense, but if EA wants tou to do well for each and every play. The game determines if your pass will be "accurate" by RNG. I've had passes be fail when my QB wasn't recieving any kind of pressure and my receiving any either and being wide open for whatAs with every other madden game of late, it's not how good you are with the controls, or how good you are with reading an offense or defense, but if EA wants tou to do well for each and every play. The game determines if your pass will be "accurate" by RNG. I've had passes be fail when my QB wasn't recieving any kind of pressure and my receiving any either and being wide open for what could have been a huge pass for a TD. But instead either my QB will throw the ball in the other direction of where I told him to or the receiver will just drop the ball. All of this is done to "convince" you that your players are just not good and that you need to spend even more money on their pay to win microtransactions to get better players. Just like any other EA game. Avoid this like the plague.… Expand
  21. kenchun24
    Sep 3, 2019
    0
    All sports games, and nearly every recent Triple A game title (of any genre not just sports) has been compromised by lazy, greedy, publish and "development" teams run by Corporate Commander.

    I like variety of game genres, but the sports game market quality has been in huge decline for awhile now. BUT, I can maintain self control by not supporting/purchasing these recent shady,    All sports games, and nearly every recent Triple A game title (of any genre not just sports) has been compromised by lazy, greedy, publish and "development" teams run by Corporate Commander.

    I like variety of game genres, but the sports game market quality has been in huge decline for awhile now. BUT, I can maintain self control by not supporting/purchasing these recent shady, UNFINISHED, LOOTBOX & MICROTRANSACTION GAMBLING ADDICTION PRODUCTS that are BARELY PLAYABLE on release date due to the LAZY current business model of "patch development" product releases.

    Speak with your wallets those that are upset about this for years now, and those that are fine with this, YOU are ruining gaming by being compliant to this current corrupt Triple A gaming economy. STOP giving them money for half-assed efforts! It didn't use to be like this just 10 to 15 years ago, games were actually released on day one completed with tons of content already included for $60! The modern consumer is being bamboozled like idiot lemmings just blindly accepting trash gaming products.    … Expand
  22. MinehDerp
    Aug 18, 2020
    0
    This is easily the worst game in the series. Everything about this game is s—-. I usually don’t swear, and I’m bleeping them out but I feel the need to swear to show my point. This game is awful. Everything about the game is trash. I don’t know how EA still has the license.

    Ultimate team is the worst thing to come to madden. It singlehandedly ruined the franchise. It’s not a game. It’s    This is easily the worst game in the series. Everything about this game is s—-. I usually don’t swear, and I’m bleeping them out but I feel the need to swear to show my point. This game is awful. Everything about the game is trash. I don’t know how EA still has the license.

    Ultimate team is the worst thing to come to madden. It singlehandedly ruined the franchise. It’s not a game. It’s a gambling machine. “But you don’t have to pay to get good at ultimate team!!1!!1” well, I hope you enjoy hours upon hours of grinding for something that gets RESET every year. Also if you just play for play now or franchise, prepare to be barraged by MUT ads because PLEASE GIVE EA MONEY!!! This is the scummiest POS tactic ive seen a game developer take. It’s EA though, so I’m not surprised.

    Franchise is the biggest letdown. The mode that launched the game into fame and made it a household name has been stripped bare of almost EVERY. SINGLE. FEATURE. You know it’s bad when EA is touting features that USED TO BE IN THE GAME that they removed. It’s honestly depressing. Franchise used to be so good with so many features and EA just ruined it. They absolutely ruined it. They can’t even get the faces right, but neglect it to the point where they have to show off “added another playoff spot” as a new feature. Of course you added another playoff spot, because the nfl ADDED another playoff spot. Un f—-ing believeable.

    Play now is pretty much just play now. Nothing wrong with it. Except I need to talk about the META. The meta is the worst thing that’s part of this game. Basically, just run the ball. The madden tournament was won by someone using a PUNTER as QB. This makes no f—-ing sense. Superstar X-factors are awful too. They are abilities for players, but some of them are wayyyy to unbalanced. For example, escape artist makes you super fast as a QB and you basically need it to scramble. If you don’t have escape artist, too bad because YOU ARE SLOW AS F—-. Enforcer for defenders basically makes it so a fumble happens every play. Even worse, in Madden 21, they are adding an ability which GUARANTEES a fumble every tackle. WTF

    Face of the franchise is fun the first playthrough, but it gets EXTREMELY boring and you won’t find yourself EVER interested in it again. Awful.

    Superstar KO is ok I guess. It’s not too big of an offender but it’s not that good. It’s an arcade game where you pick previous superstars and pin them against each other. It’s kinda fun, but that’s just me.

    The gameplay is HORRENDOUS. I hope you like seeing the same 7 tackle animations each drive. A ball a yard from any defender, defender will just teleport towards the ball and intercept it, even though it’s right above the receiver. Sometimes players will stand there with nothing else to do like they s—- their pants when there’s a fumble. Also be prepared to hear the same 4 lines from the announcer.

    Let’s go over what happened in an online game I played today.
    -played superstar KO today and saw a rapper I could select. Why the f—- is a rapper in a football video game?
    -Threw the ball and got intercepted because a corner a yard away teleported to the ball.
    -all my opponent does is run with the QB because that’s op as f—-
    -Running back runs up the middle of the field and safety with nobody around it does f—-all
    -I lose the game because he has randy moss with 20 abilities even though he was in QUADRUPLE COVERAGE

    TL:DR: game sucks, don’t buy madden 21 either, subscribe to RyanMoody21 because his commentary videos on madden are great. Go watch Fall of EA Sports by SoftdrinkTV for more on the downfall I briefly mentioned

    Edit: forgot to mention, if you like football, check out some of the alternatives! Doug Flutie’s Maximum football and Axis Football are great alternatives to madden and the crazy part is, they’re indie projects, Maximum Football only has 3 people working on it! They are both pretty good and indie games! If you are on mobile and like a simulation game where you take over as head coach, try Retro Bowl! It is 2d and the graphics are pixelated, but it’s a very fun game and one of the only games I payed for in-app-purchases! In conclusion, support these teams instead of buying the burning heap that is Madden 20 or 21.    … Expand
  23. SonnyCheeba253
    Aug 20, 2019
    0
    This is what you get when one company has an exclusive license.

    There is zero incentive to get better.

    Stop buying this crap if you want things to change.

    Madden 92 was the last truly INVENTIVE Madden game.

    Find an old Sega Dreamcast, and play 2K football.
  24. IxAMxNIGHTMARE
    Jan 19, 2020
    0
    Can I rate this in the negatives? The game isn't really about football at all. Soon as you start, EA starts advertising Ultimate Team with pop ups that say things like "Get your FREE Peyton Manning". If you accept they start you off making sure that you can't possibly lose and before you know it you're building a team. From there you become addicted to spending money as you try to getCan I rate this in the negatives? The game isn't really about football at all. Soon as you start, EA starts advertising Ultimate Team with pop ups that say things like "Get your FREE Peyton Manning". If you accept they start you off making sure that you can't possibly lose and before you know it you're building a team. From there you become addicted to spending money as you try to get better players so you can finally start to dominate online.
    While the RyanMoody21 YouTube channel exposes just how fake fixed & garbage this game is. Allow me to explain further on this monopoly.

    The game is designed to keep you online as much as possible to increase the odds that you will spend money. Its best exploit is by not matching you up against players of your skill level or simply anyone, but they make sure that you play who they want you to play AND when you play, EA will help the team that they want to win. Why? I've never heard anyone explain this yet, but if EA can keep everyones record close to even, everyone will think that spending money to attempt to get just another player or 2 that they will be able to dominate and tip the scales on their winning percentage. It never works that way though. You still win the same amount. Your new player will perform like a true champion but other players will be slacking. The new players play hard for a month when released and then EA slows them down which makes you want to upgrade again and then you find yourself paying EA again.
    There's a number of different types of crypto currencies in the game except this is not able to be cashed in ever. It just serves to get you to again reach for your wallet.

    All of the different game modes that were a part of Madden and the fun things you could do before Ultimate Team took off are gone. You can play without Ultimate Team but Ultimate Team is EAs ONLY focus with the game.

    Do not buy Madden NFL 21.    … Expand
  25. nvmaddog
    Aug 8, 2019
    0
    Take all of the things that were really bad about Madden 2019, and wrap them up in a new box and you have Madden 20. Terrible gameplay, very bad AI, cash grab packs, toxic online player community.

    Do yourself a favor, spend your $60 on something from a company who actually cares.
  26. CarlosSpicyWein
    Aug 9, 2019
    0
    This game is utter garbage. Anyone buying thisn cash grab should take a good look at their life choices and make a change. EA keeps putting out the half ass, regurgitated crap every year and the Madden faithful eat that garbage up.
  27. coltsmith45
    Aug 9, 2019
    0
    Take all of the things that were really bad about Madden 2019, and wrap them up in a new box and you have Madden 20. Terrible gameplay, very bad AI, cash grab packs, toxic online player community.

    Do yourself a favor, spend your $60 on something from a company who actually cares.
  28. Madden
    Aug 9, 2019
    0
    Look what they did to my game, same stuff year after year. No improvements, EA loves sucking the money out of the same people. Sad.
  29. couchrunner
    Aug 11, 2019
    0
    Yet another Lazy CASH GRAB from EA. Not only is 20 a literal copy and paste of Madden 17, 18, 19 but they want you to buy their in-game currency too lol. Absolute **** game.
  30. GAMER836
    Aug 13, 2019
    0
    The difference between this on ps4 n xbox one is that Nothing!!!!!! Is the Same game from the past 8 yrs presentation sucks gameplay is glitchy with a few upgrades no halftime show all EA cares about is the MUT straight up
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Awards & Rankings

56
#56 Best Xbox One Game of 2019
25
#25 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2019
11
#11 Most Shared Xbox One Game of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Official Xbox Magazine UK
    Oct 12, 2019
    80
    Madden NFL 20 is light on marquee features but builds a solid foundation for the future. [Issue#182, p.81]
  2. TheXboxHub
    Aug 29, 2019
    80
    If you’re a football fan there’s a load of fun to be had with this game and Madden NFL 20 is a solid experience with a massive improvement over last year’s offering.
    Read full review
  3. GameCritics
    Aug 27, 2019
    60
    If EA wanted to do something revolutionary with the series, it would have offered Madden NFL 20 as a roster and feature update to Madden NFL 19. Not because there isn’t an enjoyable, playable game here, but because Madden NFL 20 is just more of the same when the series should be making strides toward true greatness.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »