Madden NFL 21

 Xbox One
User Score
0.5

Overwhelming dislike- based on 1047 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 1047
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 1047
  3. Negative: 1,006 out of 1047
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  1. ChaseCherry
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    This game is a waste of 60 dollars and there’s no reason a triple A company has any reason to be putting out this garbage on a yearly basis and try to pass it off as a different game. Atrocious.
  2. kjensen88
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    This is quite possibly the worst triple A sports title since the 16-bit era. EA should be absolutely ashamed at the product they created. This is nothing more than a low budget asset flip and it is abhorrent that the NFL allows exclusive sim licensing to EA.
  3. marlies905
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    My Madden 21 review can be summed up in four words: same s**t, different year.

    Madden 21 is just another re-iteration of the exact same poor product that EA has been releasing for the last 10 years. EA's complacency due to its anti-consumer stranglehold on the NFL simulation football license is just as apparent this year as it has been for the past decade. Franchise Mode: FM has once    My Madden 21 review can be summed up in four words: same s**t, different year.

    Madden 21 is just another re-iteration of the exact same poor product that EA has been releasing for the last 10 years. EA's complacency due to its anti-consumer stranglehold on the NFL simulation football license is just as apparent this year as it has been for the past decade.

    Franchise Mode: FM has once again gone completely untouched and still does not come close to resembling what the mode used to be in 2005. There is absolutely no depth and no replayability in Franchise mode or Face of the Franchise (the new attempt at Career Mode/Superstar Mode). Face of the Franchise is plagued with horrible cringeworthy writing and an extremely short storyline with meaningless "choices". The core Franchise community has been completely neglected once again in favor of focusing and investing in the pay-to-win arcade modes, mainly MUT. 5000 characters are not enough to explain everything that needs to be improved/fixed in Franchise Mode. I advised everyone to check out 3 channels on Youtube who have made extremely detailed videos outlining everything wrong with Madden Franchise Mode: ShutdownSafety21 (Ryan Moody), SOFTDRINKTV, and ThatFranchiseGuy. Keep the hashtag #FixMaddenFranchise trending on twitter, the community needs to keep our voices heard until EA restores Franchise mode to its former glory. The community deserves better.

    Gameplay: The gameplay is still the same handful of canned animations from the last 5 years that make every game extremely boring and predictable. Animations still fail to blend properly most of the time which causes awful-looking interactions between players, and most animations have visual cues that make it extremely easy to predict outcomes of a play. Referees are still missing which is still a major complaint that EA has yet to address. Overall, it is clear that the Frostbite engine is not capable of replicating real-life football, and EA really needs to rebuild this game on a physics-based engine. The addition of X-factors only serves to make the gameplay less like actual NFL simulation. This shift to dumbed-down arcade-style gameplay is clearly intended to appeal to younger players who are more inclined to spend money on microtransactions. The Madden devs and executive teams have lost any and all intentions of replicating real-life football.

    Presentation: Visual game-day presentation is the exact same bland repetitive animations from the last 5 years. This includes team entrances, sideline clips, and SB win celebrations. The pre-game, post-game, and half-time shows/reports are extremely inadequate in giving you stats/storylines about the game and the season in general. The commentary library consists of the same boring and predictable lines that we have been hearing for the past 5 years. The commentary team is devoid of any personality or passion and often say lines that are irrelevant to what is happening on the field. Madden desperately needs a complete presentation overhaul to get on par with NBA2K's presentation and commentary.

    In conclusion, Madden 21 gets a 0 because of what it should have been. Ever since the transition onto the next generation (Xbox 360/PS3), EA has had 11 YEARS to rebuild this game and they have gotten nowhere. 11 years of empty promises and microtransactions make it clear that with a lack of any competitor in the NFL simulation video game market, EA is able to remain complacent and neglect anything that isn't MUT. Despite what IGN has claimed for the last 5 years, EA has yet again failed to make any real "steps in the right direction".    … Expand
  4. JordyFighter14
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    The game is horrible. The game in general is full of glitches and bugs like your coach changing colors, field lines disappearing, and the field, players and other things turn all white and are hard to see. Mut is still mostly the same, Franchise is only a roster update and no additions were made to it besides tweaks that would come in a midseason patch, FOTF has bad acting, and The Yard isThe game is horrible. The game in general is full of glitches and bugs like your coach changing colors, field lines disappearing, and the field, players and other things turn all white and are hard to see. Mut is still mostly the same, Franchise is only a roster update and no additions were made to it besides tweaks that would come in a midseason patch, FOTF has bad acting, and The Yard is glitchy and is at least partially microtransactions.… Expand
  5. Northboy5
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I’ve played madden since 2005 and this is ridiculous we have been fed the same stuff since 2013 and I’m sick of it this is a billion dollar company and you can’t even fix the little stuff and you can even add in things that where on the ps3 this is a joke and the main reason I’m refusing to buy this game is because I love madden but I won’t be force fed madden 20 just with a roster update and some new X factors that are probably already broken in all honesty I will buy NCAA 14 or madden 07 before I buy that… Expand
  6. Uberman2FT
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    It’s the same game as the previous years except they added a super glitchy game mode called the yard that’s filled with micro transactions which has more customization that you can do in franchise mode which has been the same for years. Better off buying the previous games even if you like the same dull madden game with no change.
  7. gresham
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    You’d have more fun if you plugged your controller into a trash can. Madden continues to dish out the same recycled garbage every year. They add flashy new game modes and features that nobody asked for and don’t even work correctly all while ignoring their broken gameplay and barebones franchise that they continue to strip more and more each year. If you put glitter on a turd, it’s still aYou’d have more fun if you plugged your controller into a trash can. Madden continues to dish out the same recycled garbage every year. They add flashy new game modes and features that nobody asked for and don’t even work correctly all while ignoring their broken gameplay and barebones franchise that they continue to strip more and more each year. If you put glitter on a turd, it’s still a turd, which is exactly what madden is. A big pile of steaming crap.… Expand
  8. LastNameMoore
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    same exact simulation game with added arcade mode. The new arcade mode was only added because 2k was allowed to make an arcade nfl game. The game is just awful. Same legacy glitchesfrom forever ago.
  9. Tukay662
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Same game again. Running feels better and the yard is cool but that get old fast. Everything else is literally the same..… Expand
  10. DaCavsHere
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Same game even worse than last if you can believe it i guess nice graphics when there not glitches out.
  11. JFEENSTRA
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Don’t buy this game. It’s an unpolished, unfinished and more buggy rendition of last years release. The only new thing is the yard which is an arcade style 6v6 backyard football mode with cosmetics you can buy for real money or with credits you can earn through playing the game. Instead buy a USED version of madden 20 and update the rosters, it’s the same experience.
  12. PoppaWheelie
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Total copy and paste of Madden 20. Franchise hasn’t been touched and the game is still too animation dependent. But hey, as long as EA keeps monopolizing the game, why improve it? #fixmaddenfranchise
  13. Jorrgyson
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Basically a CTRL V + CTRL C of madden 20. This is ridiculous how EA “promises” everyone change but can’t actually do it.
  14. Cstallones
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    I am try to understand how a billion dollar company can’t do any better this product. When you ruin the game starting @ madden 13 and keep making it worst every year and than slowly bringing things back into the game to make it seem like progress it just shows the lack of respect they for there customers. Again your a billion dollar company, figure the sh** out...
    When 2k finally starts    I am try to understand how a billion dollar company can’t do any better this product. When you ruin the game starting @ madden 13 and keep making it worst every year and than slowly bringing things back into the game to make it seem like progress it just shows the lack of respect they for there customers. Again your a billion dollar company, figure the sh** out...
    When 2k finally starts dropping there simulation game I’m done with EA for good. Just a bunch of clowns who think there customers are to stupid to read between the lines, and realize that there only in it for the money & dnt care one bit about there customers. I hope y’all go out of business when 2k comes back I really do......    … Expand
  15. Steelers4life52
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Same game as previous years, along with no innovation to franchise mode in multiple years. This game is just a rehash of Madden 20, not worth a single penny. EA seemingly focused on MUT and Face of the Franchise, yet the story makes no sense in terms of writing and the story is predetermined no matter how good/bad you play during your high school and college career. So many promises areSame game as previous years, along with no innovation to franchise mode in multiple years. This game is just a rehash of Madden 20, not worth a single penny. EA seemingly focused on MUT and Face of the Franchise, yet the story makes no sense in terms of writing and the story is predetermined no matter how good/bad you play during your high school and college career. So many promises are made year after year for improvement, but each release there's always the same lingering bugs/glitches that have been around for multiple Maddens. In summary, EA is more focused on making money rather than putting out a good product, and only get away with it due to their exclusive NFL license for simulation football games. Will not be buying Madden in the future, I'd rather switch to 2k's upcoming NFL arcade game… Expand
  16. ryanpug101
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    the same broken buggy game with nothing changed or added for the last 9 years do not buy
  17. Armollion
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Another year, another disappointment, another failure. The sole simulation game for NFL football can't even get the simplest things like which college my own player went to out of the ten possible choices. Glitches everywhere, whether it be on the field like the pure white field in the yard or text issues like completely mixing together different players names somehow or just having yourAnother year, another disappointment, another failure. The sole simulation game for NFL football can't even get the simplest things like which college my own player went to out of the ten possible choices. Glitches everywhere, whether it be on the field like the pure white field in the yard or text issues like completely mixing together different players names somehow or just having your teammates wearing a completely different teams jersey in the locker room. The game play is purely animation based, basically a rock paper scissors of the game engine deciding what it wants to happen.… Expand
  18. Hrbeastmode
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    I have played Madden and NCAA for years, this game is near unplayable with face of the franchise the faces glitch the screen freezes it looks like video broadcast in a horror game at points, there are still random glitches I had a player fall down for no apparent reason when he had nothing but 60 yards Green in front of them people are phasing through each other glitches that have been inI have played Madden and NCAA for years, this game is near unplayable with face of the franchise the faces glitch the screen freezes it looks like video broadcast in a horror game at points, there are still random glitches I had a player fall down for no apparent reason when he had nothing but 60 yards Green in front of them people are phasing through each other glitches that have been in the game for years are still there and they haven't updated the Superbowl winning animation in four years… Expand
  19. deeohmmm
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    TL;DR: Madden 21 is a buggy mess that should have been delayed and adds no significant upgrades over Madden 20. This is the worst effort Tiburon has put into this game in its entire history and it is time for us as a community to demand a better game.

    I’ve owned every Madden since 2001. I want Madden to be a great game every year. I’ve played in tournaments and online franchises for    TL;DR: Madden 21 is a buggy mess that should have been delayed and adds no significant upgrades over Madden 20. This is the worst effort Tiburon has put into this game in its entire history and it is time for us as a community to demand a better game.

    I’ve owned every Madden since 2001. I want Madden to be a great game every year. I’ve played in tournaments and online franchises for years. I literally grew up on Madden and it shaped me in some ways. To see what the series has become over the years has left me feeling hopeless because I have truly loved playing football games for decades now, but Madden is the only NFL “simulation” in the market and it has slowly stripped everything of substance from its game and dumbed the gameplay down to a level that is beyond simply catering to average players. There isn’t a good reason for man coverage to continue to be pointless except when doing unrealistic “cross-manning”. There isn’t a good reason for zone coverages to be stagnant, where a player in a zone will ignore the only receiver on their side of the field because the receiver didn’t enter the zone’s imaginary bubble. Blocking is terrible, but at the same time, the defensive line is useless unless you put abilities on them. Why haven’t check and release blocks been updated since their introduction into the game over a decade ago? You can put a TE on a check and release and they will just stand and look at the edge rusher get picked up by a tackle without chipping and then runs their route (anyone who knows football knows how stupid this is). Why is it that years after the origin of “nano blitzes” that they are still the only viable defense? ...Oh I already answered that: coverage is useless in this game so you can only hope to send 6-7 every play for a pressure or sack. Want to drop 8 players into coverage? You’ll get picked apart because the AI hasn’t been updated in years. We haven’t even gotten into the run game where these principles completely flip. Want to blitz 7 against a run? Well, your entire defense can’t pursue properly and if the RB gets past the first level of the defense, there is no second level because the AI is programmed to just run straight at the RB at best or to move around aimlessly at worst. Oh your opponent is dropping 8 versus the run, should be a big hole to run through right? Yes there is a huge hole!... that your opponent shoots through untouched and tackles you for a loss. So to be clear: loading the box vs a run is a mistake that could cost the defense a touchdown and running a 5 man box vs a heavy running set can get a tackle for loss. Is that how football works? Of course not. I haven’t even gotten into any of the topics regarding franchise’s lack of updates, how adding The Yard doesn’t warrant a $60 purchase when Madden added Superstar KO FOR FREE, how MUT has yet to change any of their monetization practices to be more consumer friendly, how EA spent more money on hiring NFL players to be influencers than helping create Madden influencers in its competitive community (how about you make the prize pools 10% of your profits instead of less than 1%?), how nonsensical Face of the Franchise is with the depth of a puddle... I’ll let other reviewers take that baton. Madden NFL 21 is not worth 1 cent in my opinion. It is an update to Madden 20 which itself is practically free-to-play if you pay $30 for EA Play or for $5 from your local GameStop. Madden NFL 21 should have been delayed or not even shipped for current gen, but EA Sports is determined to milk its player base for every last cent until the community collectively stops them.    … Expand
  20. kjamal
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Horrible in every way. Save your $60 this year. Franchise is worse than last year and FOTF was written by a literal child.
  21. WellDamn
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Nothing changed from last year besides a few minor controller tweaks. They actually took away stuff from Franchise. Boycott madden
  22. p0zer85
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Madden has been getting worse for years. Totally unacceptable. Make a good game and the money will follow. Stop trying to milk money from the cash cows while frustrating and infuriating the majority of your customer base.
  23. A1k
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Absolutely Horrible it’s the same game as last year. DO NOT BUY THIS WASTE OF 60+ DOLLARS!
  24. Jmorris195
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Billion dollar company that has the monopoly on “simulation” gameplay.
    Can’t even get football right
  25. Saiyaman
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Aweful. not waisting $60 on madden NFL copy paist 21. Played the early access from EA play Franchise is exactly the same with no changes, gameplay is the same, face of the franchise is a joke, the yard is cool but doesnt save the game. #fedupwithEA #fixmaddenfranchise
  26. RoseMayBoone
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    This game has the least effort put in I have ever seen. It becomes clear as soon as you boot it up. It literally has some of the same exact bugs from last year. There is no excuse for a game being this bad
  27. thewrench01
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    The game sucks. 0, just like my rating, changes made to Franchise. Actually, I should give it a negative integer because they removed a relocation team. The Face Of The Franchise gamemode is just garbage. They had the entire franchise dev team on it and it still seems like a kick to the groin to all Madden fans. The story sucks, the characters suck, the logic is abysmal, there is noThe game sucks. 0, just like my rating, changes made to Franchise. Actually, I should give it a negative integer because they removed a relocation team. The Face Of The Franchise gamemode is just garbage. They had the entire franchise dev team on it and it still seems like a kick to the groin to all Madden fans. The story sucks, the characters suck, the logic is abysmal, there is no challenge, and the acting is **** Glitches galore, no branching story paths (if you lose ALL of your high school games, there are no consequences), and no originality. the logos for your high school team are all just recycled and renamed, and there is no limit to what you can name your high school. They don't use many settings for the cutscenes, and you are still limited in which colleges you can choose, doesn't matter though, cause the terrible write in character is forced to go with you. Why? Terrible writing. The guy had a heart problem and yet he still gets scholarships from the same 10 D-1 colleges as the main character? Then, on top of all of that, and wining (carrying your team to) a national championship, the coach comes and tells you that the guy who had to be carted to an ER got the starting job over you. SURE. That's not even mentioning that the abilities you choose are meaningless, the combine's 40-yard dash is actually a slow quick-time event of three button presses, and the franchise part of it all is scripted and bugged to all hell.

    Now let's talk about the legal issues this game will have. The Yard is just a terribly made, animation-based, backyard football gamemode. No one asked for it, literally no one. The game has microtransactions and allows you to buy different cosmetics that, guess what, aren't accessible elsewhere! That cool mouthpiece you just bought? You can't even put those on ANY player in ANY other gamemode. EA makes designs that are exclusive to gamemodes that earn them money, and NOTHING ELSE. Franchise is riddled with bugs that have been in the game for literal years, guys in their 30's are winning rookie of the year, fields are becoming blanked out, and the game is still not even realistic. Superstar abilities have ruined any form of simulation this "NFL Simulation" game has.

    If anyone takes the time to read this, buy a former Madden game, and realize that EA does not give two craps about what you think.

    We got #FixMaddenFranchise to be one of the top trends on Twitter in the midst of a global pandemic and economic crisis. If that's how outraged your fans are, that they are more pissed off about how terrible your game is than a pandemic and their livelihoods going to waste, and you still **** them over, then I will be glad to see your license revoked within the next ten years, and out of making football games entirely EA.

    **** YOU EA SPORTS    … Expand
  28. Lordbowzr
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Absolutely awful and horrendous just like every other madden of recent. I cannot even begin to start to list of what’s wrong with this game, but this is hands down the worst sports franchise alive right now. I just do not understand how Madden NFL 06 is better than this, it’s been 15 years.
  29. Chase14weeks
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    I feel like Ea literally said lets see what is the very least we can do this year and watch these idiots still buy the game.
  30. Alexdaman213XBX
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    This game has NO reason to be defended. After years of the same franchise mode, we made the hashtag '#FIXMADDENFRANCHISEMODE' trending worldwide on twitter in the United States, DURING a PANDEMIC, EA said that they will fix franchise mode and guess what new features are in franchise mode? No new features,. The gameplay is the exact same gameplay since Madden 18, but with the brand newThis game has NO reason to be defended. After years of the same franchise mode, we made the hashtag '#FIXMADDENFRANCHISEMODE' trending worldwide on twitter in the United States, DURING a PANDEMIC, EA said that they will fix franchise mode and guess what new features are in franchise mode? No new features,. The gameplay is the exact same gameplay since Madden 18, but with the brand new exciting... User controlled celebrations. The mode that has been EA's only care for the past 8 years. which is MUT (Madden Ultimate Team) is a game mode made for you to gamble and pay till your team is able to be at least playable. This year's New game mode named 'The Yard' is just another way for EA to take money out of your wallet, it is Arcady (Which I like) but, is just a thing to put on the back of the game case to make you buy this game. Superstar KO mode is the same exact same from Madden 20, it's a good game mode but not that good enough to make you pay $60 for, remember that EA put most of their resources into putting celebrities in this game mode, The star of the show which is Face of the Franchise. Face of the Franchise is an awful or even the WORSE career mode I've ever played. incoming spoilers are coming, but I don't really care. you start off in a high school as a back-up QB. there is a lot of reused parts from past Madden games to make you think it's a brand new game, all the logos, colors, are the same from the available relocation teams from Madden 25. The Starting QB reveals you at Halftime that he has a heart disorder only to you, you have the options to snitch and tell your teammates that he has a heart disorder or tell to sit down for the game if you tell him to sit down you will play by yourself for the rest of the game, if you tell the teammates, he will play as a Wide Receiver to make him look good. I choose him to sit down the game so I played by myself. When I got to the field, I was receiving frame rate issues on my Xbox One X, I know that this was early access, but there is no excuse for me to receive lag on the most powerful console ever. I won the game 22 to 69 because it was really easy. I win the high school championship game, which I forgot how it played out but I got into the hundreds because it was that easy. I now had to choose a College football team so I choose LSU because I like the logo and colors, for some reason he chooses my team also as if we had a bond between each other. The head coach rotates you and the other guy on starting QB. I play a college play off game and I get set on a Unpainted field where I don't know where the hashmarks are. This is unacceptable from EA to have a unfinished stadium. I play the college football finals and my 'Friend' at the end of Halftime knees down, knowing that his heart disorder got the best of him so I am forced to finish the game. He replies to me with 'Let's finish what we started' as if I was his friend. I win the game and trophy. I bring the trophy to him. I am back at my apartment (Which is awkward considering the media guy lives with us), and the coach comes in to tell me that I have two choices; I play Wide Receiver or Running Back because our 'Friend' is going to start OR leave for the draft. I wanted to play QB, But this is stupid how NOW I have the choice to switch positions. I leave for the NFL on what is known on one of the WORSE Careers modes EVER. In review Madden 21 is a terrible game. If you're wondering as a parent to give this to your child, or get this for yourself just remember this, you are willing to possible spend more than the $60 you payed for for Ultimate team or The Yard. This is my Review on Madden 21 on the Xbox One X.… Expand
  31. Quinn123
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    FIX. MADDEN. FRANCHISE!!! **** YOU EA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (caps lock)
  32. Boltz20
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Same game but worse. Same problems from years past, new terrible single player career mode. They offer new gear for the yard for money but don't offer it in the regular game for free. Mut is the exact same every year no improvements to franchise their really isn't much to enjoy in the game without paying money I'm done.
  33. Canothegreat
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    So many glitches this year, players morph into other players. Not real football. I have Madden 20 I will continue playing that until they release an actual game as I refuse to pay for a beta game.
  34. 543dp
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Another cut and paste for $60.SMH. Not anything new that appeals to me. No franchise changes. Gameplay 99% the same. Just like last year and the year before that and....EA remaster the games of 5-10years ago. We would be thrilled with that. of
  35. mexicanjoker22
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    If I had access to Madden 20’s files, I probably could have pumped this game out in half a week (with the exclusion of the yard). EA has put zero effort into any features that matter. Utter garbage for a company like EA
  36. Backbone55
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    This i by far the worst Madden ever made. The animation take over and ruin the gameplay and make it unrealistic. AI still has a lower football iq then pop Warner kids. It is also extremely glitchey. This shouldn't even be considered "simulation football" because its not and its not even close.
  37. twentyeightzero
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    You should go and buy madden 09 instead. You would get better features, replay-ability, and physics instead of animation based gameplay. Do yourself a favor, stay away from this trainwreck.
  38. LilSunnyAdrian
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    You’re better off just saving your money. Same game as last year just with a new paint job. EA only cares about your money so don’t give it to them and maybe they’ll make some changes to this series.
  39. SteelersMathew
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    I didnt even have to play it and know it suck ass a;This looks like an unfinished product," YouTuber Ryan Moody said in his Madden 21 review. "This isn't what a customer should get when they open a box for a new game."
  40. Gazoland
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    RIP franchise.
    RIP simulation football.
    EA is just a disgrace to football (or any sports) fan.
    Same terrible unrealistic game for the past 6 years.
  41. User00001989
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Just bad, can I go below a zero? No innovation! It seems like EA on cares about money! Let 2k! Even though they are bad with the NBA series and money hungry too.... let there be competition at least and then we can have good simulation sports games.
  42. steadylosing
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Wow... not much good I can say about this game—quintessential example of complacency and lack of innovation
    Vapid new storyline, unpolished AI Logic, underwhelming presentation for AAA company game this late into this generation of consoles, complete lack of customisation in offline modes like franchise... NFL should genuinely reconsider whether they want to hand out an exclusive license.    Wow... not much good I can say about this game—quintessential example of complacency and lack of innovation
    Vapid new storyline, unpolished AI Logic, underwhelming presentation for AAA company game this late into this generation of consoles, complete lack of customisation in offline modes like franchise... NFL should genuinely reconsider whether they want to hand out an exclusive license. This EA company is coasting on the profits it accrues from naïve children that follow along with the spending habits of manic pack-opening content creators... entire dismissal of their core customer base. They genuinely are mocking consumers if they expect them to enjoy this game as a simulation experience.    … Expand
  43. lariluck
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    i was sold a flaming bag of poo with this one. clint needs to be fired. top down house cleaning.
  44. Mgs1313
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Somehow this game got worse from last year. Bug after bug. Left out features that were included last year such as 5th year options. The new mode isn’t even fun. The FOTF story is so absurdly bad, unrealistic, and just plain stupid. Choices don’t even matter. Game is flat out broken and a 2K game from FIFTEEN YEARS AGO is still somehow a better product. Embarrassing they would be okSomehow this game got worse from last year. Bug after bug. Left out features that were included last year such as 5th year options. The new mode isn’t even fun. The FOTF story is so absurdly bad, unrealistic, and just plain stupid. Choices don’t even matter. Game is flat out broken and a 2K game from FIFTEEN YEARS AGO is still somehow a better product. Embarrassing they would be ok releasing this… Expand
  45. imtheoreo
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Madden 21 is the equivalent of a 16 year olds aborted baby, it's sad and useless. Once again EA Sports has released a football game that disappoints, the new back of the box feature is The Yard, a repetitive and buggy 6v6 backyard mode which highlights the gameplay flaws this franchise has had for years, not to mention The Yard also features micro transactions so your character can lookMadden 21 is the equivalent of a 16 year olds aborted baby, it's sad and useless. Once again EA Sports has released a football game that disappoints, the new back of the box feature is The Yard, a repetitive and buggy 6v6 backyard mode which highlights the gameplay flaws this franchise has had for years, not to mention The Yard also features micro transactions so your character can look "sleek" with new arm sleeves. Franchise Mode is still the worst of any current sports game on the market. It is copy and paste from Madden 20 besides different font and the head coaches now wear a new hat. The trade logic is equivalent to a autistic 4th graders IQ with it still being possible to trade for most players by using a 4th round pick, and it being near impossible to trade for players like C.J Mosley. It is also still impossible to sign free agents to multi year deals after the official free agency period has ended. Superstar KO is back and features a lot of changes such as, new font, new sound effects, new icons for rarity and most importantly a new background color. Face of the Franchise also returns and now features a in-depth High School creation suite using Madden 25 relocation teams. This mode is also completely scripted by telling the user they will get injured and drafting them to the Bears 100% of the time. MUT is back and better than ever with new card art and slow menus. Overall Madden 21 is in the realm of Xbox 360 Madden 06 and Madden 19 bad. 0/10… Expand
  46. FixMadden
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    DO NOT BUY THIS GAME. It's a joke. I can't believe this game is advertised as a replication of NFL football. Face of the Franchise is extremely stale, the plot is cheesy and your actions on and off the field literally do not matter, you always follow the same basic plotline which doesn't make the mode feel personal. The Yard is the most buggy, amorphous, pointless mode that is supposed toDO NOT BUY THIS GAME. It's a joke. I can't believe this game is advertised as a replication of NFL football. Face of the Franchise is extremely stale, the plot is cheesy and your actions on and off the field literally do not matter, you always follow the same basic plotline which doesn't make the mode feel personal. The Yard is the most buggy, amorphous, pointless mode that is supposed to emulate backyard football, missing a key fact that people don't wear pads and helmets when playing backyard football. Superstar KO is a copy and paste, nothing changed in this mode. Franchise mode is also a copy and paste except for two things: players ask for slightly more realistic contracts and regression was toned down. As for gameplay, tackling and usering are more realistic however there are many issues that prevent Madden from feeling like real NFL football. One, zone coverage is COMPLETELY BROKEN; two, blocking schemes are COMPLETELY BROKEN; and three, player ratings are not as important as whatever X-factors and superstar abilities they have. Home-field advantage, something very important in the NFL, does not exist. Make no mistake, this is an arcade game. Thanks a lot EA!… Expand
  47. HomieQ56
    Aug 28, 2020
    0
    Madden 21 is literally an exact copy of Madden 20 with a new font and "The Yard". Even despite this, somehow Madden 21 has more spelling errors, graphical errors, missing textures, incorrect player names and pictures than previous versions; thus cementing the complete lack of effort put into the game. The game runs poorly on current generation consoles taking upwards of a minute to getMadden 21 is literally an exact copy of Madden 20 with a new font and "The Yard". Even despite this, somehow Madden 21 has more spelling errors, graphical errors, missing textures, incorrect player names and pictures than previous versions; thus cementing the complete lack of effort put into the game. The game runs poorly on current generation consoles taking upwards of a minute to get from one menu to another, confirming that EA Sports is just phoning in their final current gen game.… Expand
  48. Bonez90
    Aug 28, 2020
    0
    God where do I start. This game is all around absolute trash. Every single year they base their game off of the same platform and it STILL manages to provide Very easy-to-find bugs. What type of bugs you ask? Here's a few:

    - INCREDIBLY slow menu times. Each action takes around 10 seconds to complete. Add that up with each action within MUT ultimate team and you're looking at several    God where do I start. This game is all around absolute trash. Every single year they base their game off of the same platform and it STILL manages to provide Very easy-to-find bugs. What type of bugs you ask? Here's a few:

    - INCREDIBLY slow menu times. Each action takes around 10 seconds to complete. Add that up with each action within MUT ultimate team and you're looking at several minutes to accomplish a simple task.

    - Lines on the Field don't even show. That's right, literally shows just a green field.

    - Scoring Touchdowns somehow results in a 15 yard penalty. Yup - let's just erase a touchdown when someone dives across the goal line.

    - The dances are WORSE than last year and they claimed that to be a selling point. Last year they were fluid and fairly quick. This year they are TERRIBLY slow and clunky... and just cringe..

    I could go on but it's not worth my time. I'm Unbelievably aggravated that i spent extra money to get the highest edition. It's the only game I've purchased all year and what an absolute bust. We should all be able to get our money back. What an absolute disappointment. These guys do Not care at all. Will not be buying next year.    … Expand
  49. mrmoothethird
    Aug 28, 2020
    0
    Absolutely unacceptable for a BILLION DOLLAR COMPANY to release a game that's this buggy, glitchy and horribly bad. Every game mode have their own issues on top of all the base game play issues that have yet to be fixed from the many years they just recycle the same game. The NFL needs to open up the football sports license and let 2k make a game and the competition would make ea actuallyAbsolutely unacceptable for a BILLION DOLLAR COMPANY to release a game that's this buggy, glitchy and horribly bad. Every game mode have their own issues on top of all the base game play issues that have yet to be fixed from the many years they just recycle the same game. The NFL needs to open up the football sports license and let 2k make a game and the competition would make ea actually work to make a better product.… Expand
  50. GreyDaGAWD
    Aug 28, 2020
    0
    This’ll be the first year I skip out on Madden in I don’t know how long. Getting sick and tired of the complacency. Thank goodness for the EA Access 10 hour trial. Saved me $60.
  51. Maniacmanos
    Aug 28, 2020
    0
    Absolute year in and year out copy&paste dumpster fire. Please save your money and play a previous version!
  52. zzvcc
    Sep 5, 2020
    0
    seriously, how is it legal to release a game that is unfinished and charge people $60 for it? How is it legal to make promises about a product containing something that actually doesn't have what they claim it will have? How is gambling real money on MUT cards that you can resell for ingame currency not illegal when the game is rated E for everyone, aka a child who does not know any betterseriously, how is it legal to release a game that is unfinished and charge people $60 for it? How is it legal to make promises about a product containing something that actually doesn't have what they claim it will have? How is gambling real money on MUT cards that you can resell for ingame currency not illegal when the game is rated E for everyone, aka a child who does not know any better will unknowingly be gambling money that EA is happy to take. That I know is absolutely against any US laws, MUT needs to be rated M for mature BECAUSE GAMBLING IS ILLEGAL IF YOU ARE UNDER 18. But thats ridiculous, how about just remove the gamemode all together before the people who are defending it turn against it? Devs from EA, if youre reading this, get out before **** gets bad. Customers are doing everything they can to rip this company down and show the media for what they really are.… Expand
  53. iKhaozz
    Aug 28, 2020
    0
    Copy paste of last years game with more bugs, and worse gameplay. Inexcusable for EA to charge money for this garbage.
  54. Skurvysteve
    Aug 28, 2020
    0
    Fix franchise mode, ya liars. “Franchise has come back to being a big focus on the game and it will continue to be,” Young says. “We just want to add this rich depth and immersion to it...”-madden NFL creative director, April 2019
  55. gmforder
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    This is what happens when a gaming company has no competition. Review bomb and don't buy until they put effort into this dumpster.
  56. ShadowReaperS92
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    The game is just a copy from the last few years with a few new features don't waste your money
  57. Chuckz213
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is another disappointment in this series. EA is content to put out arcade modes instead of actually building up franchise and simulation football. This game is glitchy, has tons of bugs, and really feels incomplete. It also feels like three or four different games shoved into one game, making the whole thing disjointed and half assed. Nothing feels polished, except the microtransactions process.… Expand
  58. alexrmorris03
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    This is joke. Why does EA keep getting away with this? At what point are we gonna start boycotting this garbage and force EA to make bigger strides?
  59. crlemaire97
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    Literally just a bunch of patch notes bundled into a $60 game. EA, you are patheticly disrespectful and arrogant to your customers.
  60. AmusedAirplane
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    My opinion is pretty much what everybody else is saying. I grew up with the older Madden's like '08 and I could not be more disappointed with where the Madden franchise has gone. They gave up on their single player fan base. Ya know, the one that gave them so much success in the beginning! I'm done... done thinking "this is the year". I feel like a pre-2016 Cubs fan.
  61. Reggy11
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    EA, it's not about what the consumer wants, it's all about the profits. They just don't give a **** anymore. EA can go suck every single dick out there and I hope they choke and die in debts. The Franchise mode is untouched again and it will be untouched for the next 6 years or so. They will focus on MUT coz why not? It makes them billions of dollars.
  62. RiccsHUN
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    Lolololololol what a dissapointment bruh ea is literally doing nothing to innovate
  63. ALMOSTHUMAN12
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    The decline in quality in this game over the past 15 years is absolutely disgusting. There are seemingly no words to describe how poor this series is today, because any adjectives I could use seem weak. It's not only inexcusable but also depressing that a Madden game from 2004 is better than Madden today in every conceivable area except graphics. With their monopoly on the NFL simulationThe decline in quality in this game over the past 15 years is absolutely disgusting. There are seemingly no words to describe how poor this series is today, because any adjectives I could use seem weak. It's not only inexcusable but also depressing that a Madden game from 2004 is better than Madden today in every conceivable area except graphics. With their monopoly on the NFL simulation market, who knows how long this will last. EA never does console jumps well in recent memory (dating back to the PS3/Xbox 360 jump), but as customers of this series for years (I've owned every one since Madden 2002) we DESERVE a quality product, just regarding to gameplay. Even without an abundance of features, I wouldn't give this a 0 rating if the gameplay wasn't so animation dependent and so riddled with bugs. Looks like I'll be playing 2k5 and Madden 05 for yet another year on the original xbox. Such a sad state and such a disgrace.… Expand
  64. Briankbl
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    Same game as the last 4 Madden releases, but with more technical issue, arcade modes, and a terrible story/career mode. Franchise mode hasn't been touched in years. Basically Madden 15 with updated rosters...
  65. SadJagsFan
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    Went into this with an open mind not expecting much due to the circumstances. Even not expecting much I was disappointed to have paid for what seems to be a glitchy and faulty incomplete rerelease of Madden 20. I love football and have purchased Madden every year since 2002 on nintendo 64. This will be my last pre-order. From now on I will be waiting for reviews by people who are reliableWent into this with an open mind not expecting much due to the circumstances. Even not expecting much I was disappointed to have paid for what seems to be a glitchy and faulty incomplete rerelease of Madden 20. I love football and have purchased Madden every year since 2002 on nintendo 64. This will be my last pre-order. From now on I will be waiting for reviews by people who are reliable before I waste money on a game that has regressed seemingly yearly since coming to this gen console. Very disheartened by all the crashes and freezing and just plain out unplayable glitching of players. If franchise mode is going to be ignored atleast make a proper game where my friends and I can simulate actual football. I personally dont care for all of the other modes that have been added and I wanted to like the yard as a big fan of NFL Street. Disappointed. Uninstalled.… Expand
  66. AdrianMD
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    Admittedly, I'm usually lenient when it comes to the lack of changes in Madden year-to-year. I was willing to carry the same mentality into Madden 21 given its a next-generation year, but the sheer lack of care and new content is too egregious to ignore.

    I could go on and on about how the Ultimate Team mode has ruined this game, but that is evident to all that have experience with the    Admittedly, I'm usually lenient when it comes to the lack of changes in Madden year-to-year. I was willing to carry the same mentality into Madden 21 given its a next-generation year, but the sheer lack of care and new content is too egregious to ignore.

    I could go on and on about how the Ultimate Team mode has ruined this game, but that is evident to all that have experience with the franchise in the last decade. What I will say is that Electronic Arts, a company with a net worth of $40.68 billion, which is larger than 45% of countries on Earth, has the resources to make a great game.

    Unfortunately, they've chosen to make this game as a symbol of their own greed and laziness. A game plagued by fundamental mechanical issues, arcade-style game mechanics to compensate for the shortcomings of the Frostbite engine, and an absolute lack of innovation.

    One can only hope that the public backlash of #FIXMADDENFRANCHISE is enough to get mouth guards added to next year's installment.    … Expand
  67. AjAshford
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    I can't review a broken game. Can't get through a online match at all. 10 losses in a row now from straight disconnects. EA sold us a beta. Just like that debacle Anthem. EA needs to refund it's customers their money back. So disappointing, I love Madden but this year I just can't let things slide. They really should be ashamed.
  68. Dmartino7
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    I’d give it a negative rating if I could. It’s absolutely disgusting EA dismisses their EXCLUSIVE SIMULATION LICENSE every year and constantly Churns out some Half assed cross of a mobile game and some arcade BS. ZERO attention to detail. The worst career mode I’ve ever played through, not a single ounce of real life game day atmosphere. I’m tired of it. EA, somebody, just give us a decentI’d give it a negative rating if I could. It’s absolutely disgusting EA dismisses their EXCLUSIVE SIMULATION LICENSE every year and constantly Churns out some Half assed cross of a mobile game and some arcade BS. ZERO attention to detail. The worst career mode I’ve ever played through, not a single ounce of real life game day atmosphere. I’m tired of it. EA, somebody, just give us a decent football game please.… Expand
  69. Wdranda
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    This game is straight up unplayable, somehow to an even greater degree than the previous few Madden titles. There is still no user control of your players; they get pulled into animations depending on which predetermined outcome the game has scripted. Players still don't know football fundamentals, like how to run a route, cover, or block. In fairness, it's hard to learn footballThis game is straight up unplayable, somehow to an even greater degree than the previous few Madden titles. There is still no user control of your players; they get pulled into animations depending on which predetermined outcome the game has scripted. Players still don't know football fundamentals, like how to run a route, cover, or block. In fairness, it's hard to learn football fundamentals when the laws of physics in your universe aren't even respected, and players routinely shift and warp through each other. There are more egregious and game-breaking glitches than ever before, but maybe a prospective buyer can overlook the awful and broken gameplay now that there are also more microtransactions than ever before. EA is no longer even trying anymore to hide its contempt for its customers.… Expand
  70. Faadogg
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    EA, your not going to fool me this year. Same game over and over. I miss the days when 2K use to make amazing football games.
  71. Mechanix82
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    Horrible game. With all the horrible football logic AI as always with no changes to franchise mode just more additions to micro transactions. Do not buy please hold EA responsible for this unacceptable game
  72. Dumbledore1
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    The blocking is abysmal, still no referees, the updates to franchise include taking two teams out and changing the UI to blue. No flags on late hits out of bounds. The game still has terrible animations, literally just threw a pass where the receiver beat the corner, the corner animates up to the receiver and the corner knocked the ball out. I had a play the other day where I fbped and myThe blocking is abysmal, still no referees, the updates to franchise include taking two teams out and changing the UI to blue. No flags on late hits out of bounds. The game still has terrible animations, literally just threw a pass where the receiver beat the corner, the corner animates up to the receiver and the corner knocked the ball out. I had a play the other day where I fbped and my online could have tackled the guy but they looked at home and didn't tackle him and the CPU ran it back for a touchdown. The AI can adjust but the user's AI is sometimes clueless. I love football but this is an abysmal game. There shouldn't be a license to make this video game, but it there Needs to be competition for a good game to be made. Please don't listen to some of these reviews that this game is good. There are good things about the game sometimes but a game grieved of any care to it and the customer base shouldn't be allowed to thrive. This day and age there are people who want equality and sure the video game isn't as important as actual people but the injustices that come from EA is enough.… Expand
  73. Mac51
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    Absolutely horrible game. Where is the depth and substance for franchise mode? Where is the innovation? This game is just a patch being sold as a entirely new full priced game. Madden has been the same for the past 5 years and people are just getting fed up with it now. EA has no excuses of putting out such a lack luster game. All you have to do is look at the older maddens like madden 9Absolutely horrible game. Where is the depth and substance for franchise mode? Where is the innovation? This game is just a patch being sold as a entirely new full priced game. Madden has been the same for the past 5 years and people are just getting fed up with it now. EA has no excuses of putting out such a lack luster game. All you have to do is look at the older maddens like madden 9 and compare the amount of depth you have in that game to madden 21. It’s just sad. Does anyone even play superstar KO. The yard has potential but desperately needs to have more added to it, maybe make it more like the park in nba 2k. The story mode is god awful, cliche and awkward at times. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY.… Expand
  74. inoise
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    Remember, this is the only game that is licensed to make an NFL Football SIMULATION game and they completely disregard the one game mode that is meant to simulate the NFL. EA is laughing to the bank with your money and they do not care one bit, their work speaks for itself.
  75. Dimitrix_Wizard
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    This game is so bad that I made an account just to give it a review. Don't be like me who is addicted to sports games and buys them every year for 60$.
  76. Idontcareatall
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    This game is unplayable. Glitches that set your punter to Left Guard and D Tackle to WR, glitches that soft lock the initial loading screen, glitches that bug the AI play calling so they only run dive. This game is in an unplayable state and pedaling this type of trash as a $60 game should be illegal.
  77. Daveshu22
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    Didn't change pretty much anything. Commentary, exact same, a few different x factors, menus are actually worse for MUT, comparing a new card to your current while viewing the pack reveal restarts the animation every time after loading for 3 seconds. Embarrassing effort....
  78. Randyc24
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Probably the worst madden ever. I didn’t have high hopes at all for this game, but I wasn’t expecting it to be this bad.… Expand
  79. Atrillathehun
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    The most half-assed game I've ever played or seen. Unbelievable how a company with EA's resources and 14 months time can put out a buggy mess that hasn't been updated or changed significantly in almost a decade. Save your money.
  80. Glutim
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    Not worth it to support this game as the only way to really play most of the modes is with even more microtransactions than last year. Its the best "realistic" football game out there that still has bugs years in the making. If you're going to release a game that feels like an update how are there even more bugs? It's appalling to think that the result of more time on a game would continueNot worth it to support this game as the only way to really play most of the modes is with even more microtransactions than last year. Its the best "realistic" football game out there that still has bugs years in the making. If you're going to release a game that feels like an update how are there even more bugs? It's appalling to think that the result of more time on a game would continue to deteriorate the playability of a game. If you're looking for "updated" rosters with more problems than ever before, perhaps this is the football game for you.… Expand
  81. Supremereign
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    Don’t buy this garbage until they fix it if we don’t stop feeding into the EA money machine there will never be changes made to the terrible ea sports lineup and this madden is the perfect example of lack of innovation and care for customer it’s sole purpose this year is to milk micro transactions for the terrible arcade style football they have plagued the franchise with two years in a row
  82. AveragePanther
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    I have grown up with and bought every Madden since 06. I will not buy this one and am done with this franchise unless there are major changes made within EA. I suggest loyal fans such as me do the same. When you have an exclusive license agreement to make the only simulation NFL game you have a responsibility to create a good and fun experience encompassing what playing, coaching, orI have grown up with and bought every Madden since 06. I will not buy this one and am done with this franchise unless there are major changes made within EA. I suggest loyal fans such as me do the same. When you have an exclusive license agreement to make the only simulation NFL game you have a responsibility to create a good and fun experience encompassing what playing, coaching, or owning a NFL team is like. You can only hit the dab with Jerry Rice in the end zone so many times before you think why is this even a thing when the gameplay is trash and the modes have no depth to them or are basically arcade modes other than the micro transaction hungry ultimate team mode which has ultimately been the downfall of Madden and other sports games. EA and the NFL should be absolutely ashamed of themselves for allowing this once great title to fall this far. Call me a hater IDC at this point all I can say is I hope for a better future for Madden but have at this point 0 optimism.… Expand
  83. Mjdurso12
    Aug 29, 2020
    0
    copy and paste of madden 20. Franchise mode is a disgrace. There's absolutely no depth. No innovation. So many simple features could be added. Contract negotiations outside of 1 year left. Front, equal, or back loaded contracts. Free agency where players care about more than just money and years. Scouting that gives more than just a few basic grades. Player positions like "edge". Its likecopy and paste of madden 20. Franchise mode is a disgrace. There's absolutely no depth. No innovation. So many simple features could be added. Contract negotiations outside of 1 year left. Front, equal, or back loaded contracts. Free agency where players care about more than just money and years. Scouting that gives more than just a few basic grades. Player positions like "edge". Its like they didnt even try.… Expand
  84. Jakeywakey911
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Having grown up playing most of the NCAA series and Madden series, it’s sad to see how bad Madden and EA have gotten each and every year. Madden 21 is no better, this game is a straight copy and paste from Madden 20, madden 19 and madden 18 and so on.... and the greed instilled in this company is a joke. Gambling and looting microtransactions used to lure kids into buying useless cardHaving grown up playing most of the NCAA series and Madden series, it’s sad to see how bad Madden and EA have gotten each and every year. Madden 21 is no better, this game is a straight copy and paste from Madden 20, madden 19 and madden 18 and so on.... and the greed instilled in this company is a joke. Gambling and looting microtransactions used to lure kids into buying useless card packs, gameplay bugged down by animations and it physics based gameplay, and the same legacy issues we’ve dealt with in gameplay since the Xbox 360 and PS3 days of madden. These developers don’t care, they make fun of their consumers and call them “clowns”, they laugh at the score on this site and they continue to ignore the changes and requests of what the consumers haves asked for, for the last 10+ years. It needs to change. The game is terrible, the gameplay is atrocious, the lack of attention to detail is a joke... EA and Madden have become an embarrassment. Do not support this company and do not buy this game or any EA game for that matter. They don’t care... spend your hard-earned cash elsewhere on a company that listens to it customers and fan base, like maximum football.… Expand
  85. Koala886
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Trash ass game. Buggy as hell. ......................................................
  86. Coutin05
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Even worst thanks the year before. Not a single improvement int the franchise mode… Expand
  87. Finzzy
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Awful $60 garbage I’d get a refund but jumping through EAs terrible customer service isn’t worth it.
  88. Platinum51
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    So I played the 10 hour trial of this game which gives you access to every mode. Skip this game and save your money for something else. If you played Madden 20, then you've played Madden 21. No changes have been made, the Ai is still broken, and franchise mode is still being ignored. The yard is pretty much NFL Street, but very bare bones in its current form. This game isn't worth $60,So I played the 10 hour trial of this game which gives you access to every mode. Skip this game and save your money for something else. If you played Madden 20, then you've played Madden 21. No changes have been made, the Ai is still broken, and franchise mode is still being ignored. The yard is pretty much NFL Street, but very bare bones in its current form. This game isn't worth $60, and hasn't been worth that price for quite some time. Its time for EA to give up the NFL license so football fans can play a good game.… Expand
  89. Jvinita
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Absolutely same game as Madden 20 which was garbage. Every year, this series goes further downhill in quality. The NFL needs to open up the exclusive license so that the consumer can once again have a good football game… Expand
  90. drunkintater
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    GameSpew "It just feels wholly unnecessary" - 70
    ZTGD "Madden 21 is the first time I have found it hard to recommend upgrading" - 65
    Bruh... If it's unnecessary, the score should be below 50. If it's hard to recommend upgrading, the score should be below 50. How realistic is it if all the players are warping into each other and not respect the character model. Don't spend any    GameSpew "It just feels wholly unnecessary" - 70
    ZTGD "Madden 21 is the first time I have found it hard to recommend upgrading" - 65

    Bruh... If it's unnecessary, the score should be below 50. If it's hard to recommend upgrading, the score should be below 50.

    How realistic is it if all the players are warping into each other and not respect the character model.

    Don't spend any money on this game. Save that money and buy NCAA14    … Expand
  91. Cjackbblack
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The worst part about this game is the fact that you know it's going to let you down, and some how it still disappoints you. Madden 21 is a slap in the face. For a game that is mostly untouched, it's easy to see why. This game is like when you copy your buddy's homework and just reword a few things so it's not the exact same, hoping your teacher doesn't catch on. It's like getting food in a drive through and they forgot your fries and drink, but the line is 20 mins and your lunch break is almost over so you have to take the L for the second time this week from the same restaurant. It's like spending your last 8 dollars on a perfect Carmel mocha latte then dropping it right after your first sip. EA sports has really let down a lot of consumers who've purchased the game, and fans who have decided not to this year.

    Where's the franchise improvements?
    Where are the gameplay improvements? Mechanics are always add but the gameplay isn't ever improved if that makes sense. Flat footed defenders, poor zone logic, poor screen blocking, poor animation logic, poor sideline, poor player movement, poor AI logic, poor run blocking logic, poor pass blocking logic. The list really does go on. The Yard, feels too familiar. Why? Because it's essentially the same game from Madden Arcade which released 10 years ago however now there are 6 players instead of 5. The games are far too similar but now it's worse because it uses the same games mechanics as the apparent sim version of Madden. The fact that a simulation football game and an arcade football game are played the same way on the same game with the same abilities (xfactors) is a very clear telltale that the game is really an arcade game.
    Face of the franchise is terrible, same commentary, same NFL rules? Why do we make decisions if they have virtually zero impact? Why would a coach tell the QB who just threw 9 touchdowns and 0 interceptions that he thinks he might need to change positions?

    Two glitch blitzes I've used since Madden 19 still work just fine. Terrible.

    I strongly recommend anyone considering buying the game to purchase a different football game. There are others without the license and though they don't compare graphically to Madden, if you support them now, they will have the resources to improve their game and help you enjoy playing football games again. The other option is to wait until you can get a used copy of Madden instead of buying it new and supporting EA for this debacle of a game.    … Expand
  92. Dlago19
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    EA simply doesn’t give a **** anymore. Franchise is untouched. Gameplay is horrible. X Factors are overpowered and unrealistic. Madden 12 had about 50 more features than this pathetic roster update. EA deserves to burn to the ground for releasing the same game every year non stop. Don’t buy madden 21. Download a roster update on madden 20. Prove a point. If you are retarded enough to buyEA simply doesn’t give a **** anymore. Franchise is untouched. Gameplay is horrible. X Factors are overpowered and unrealistic. Madden 12 had about 50 more features than this pathetic roster update. EA deserves to burn to the ground for releasing the same game every year non stop. Don’t buy madden 21. Download a roster update on madden 20. Prove a point. If you are retarded enough to buy it then don’t spend any money on ultimate team.

    Here’s some issues with madden 20 that went unchanged. Fade routes are in the game yet the game doesn’t let you throw the ball high enough for them to be effective, a fade is supposed to be a safe throw that can’t be intercepted, in madden that doesn’t exist, yet it was in NFL 2K8. No matter what speed a receiver is they can’t burn press coverage. QB throw accuracy doesn’t matter, at all. The QB will randomly throw a pass where the motion is normal yet the ball jets out at an unrealistic angle. The AI defense is brain dead. QBs will fumble no matter what, a dive will result in a fumble almost 80% of the time, so diving for the first or pylon is useless. Sliding in the NFL is to avoid injury, in madden it’s so your 99 carrying QB doesn’t fumble. Setting gameplay sliders for the cpu to 0 pass blocking and then having all 99 overall defensive lineman still won’t result in constant pressure. No matter what I’m franchise my defensive lineman that are edited to be overpowered aren’t that. Yet my 77 overall outside linebacker will get 10+ sacks a season. Coordinators are not in the game. They were previously but just aren’t now. Same with every other feature that made old madden great. 99 overall cornerbacks will get beat, fooled, and juked out by 70 overall receivers all game. Regardless of man or some coverage. I beg you to not buy this game. Help change madden.    … Expand
  93. garrettgodsey
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    I have been playing Madden football for 30 years and 13 years online. This is the worst game ever! I hate you EA and you just lost a fan for life
  94. bburgs
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    terrible game, want a refund. Face of the franchise was nothing that it said it was gonna be from the trailers, and the yard ain't even that fun to be honest. Maybe that's biased, but I would say this game had a lot of hype, instead it turned out to be a major disappointment. Too bad, because I'm still gonna play it. KMS
  95. Wellis8032
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Same game since like Madden 17. Clearly they only care about Ultimate Team (which isn’t that good, it’s a micro-transaction nightmare). Franchise mode hasn’t improved in forever. Play NBA 2K MyLeague once and try to incorporate some of the things they do there, the blueprint exists, stop sucking at your job.
  96. Nicknack420
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Game is full of bugs even though it's almost an exact copy and paste of past games... EA is a joke
  97. Chemdawg410
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    Same as last year copy n paste the yard is a copy n paste field from madden 10 on the wii ea cares more about what they can monetize rather than try to add depth to there game its sad really #nfldropea evryone tweet that hashtag lets get the nfl to notice how mad we are about this garbage fire of a game!
  98. Madden21
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    This game is such garbage. I hope NFL rescinds EA’s license for this crap heap.
  99. BrianOco
    Sep 5, 2020
    0
    Just embarrassing. Refusal to listen to the community and monopoly on a franchise gets you here.
  100. azgx293
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    This game is horrible. Fix Franchise. the glitches make the game unplayable. Franchise is utter rubbish even in regards to previous years. It is utterly weak.
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Awards & Rankings

93
#93 Best Xbox One Game of 2020
4
#4 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2020

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. GamingBolt
    Nov 1, 2020
    70
    Madden NFL 21 is as fun and realistic as every Madden game, especially in its new “The Yard” mode and its increased focus on superstars, but its stagnation in gameplay innovation and established modes makes it sometimes difficult to distinguish its improvements over previous games.
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  2. TheSixthAxis
    Sep 14, 2020
    60
    Madden 21 has the components to be a solid, if utterly by-the-numbers entry in the franchise. However, a raft of bugs and glitches serve to undo the game’s atmosphere at every turn.
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  3. GameCritics
    Sep 10, 2020
    75
    Given the sheer depth of the title, this Madden NFL 21 review could theoretically go on for another 1,000 words but there’s a good chance most readers already know whether or not they plan to invest in another season of tried and true NFL gameplay. Make no mistake, Madden NFL 21 is the best rendition of football this generation, and is A solid experience for anyone who takes the plunge — it just comes down to whether or not the new features warrant another purchase for regular fans.
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