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. Ruthless89
    Aug 26, 2020
    0
    This game is so boring and full of glitches. The franchise mode is literally copy and paste since Madden 13. There is absolutely no depth in franchise mode and no replayability whatsoever
  2. Ej06
    Aug 26, 2020
    0
    Lol. This game is complete and utter trash. First off, the face of the franchise is complete garbage, it does not matter wether you win our loose your high school games, you will still have ten division one offers wether you loose 70-0 or win 70-0. Franchise is STILL the same, superstar KO has been copy pasted. And the soundtrack is a dumpster fire. They also didn’t really add much toLol. This game is complete and utter trash. First off, the face of the franchise is complete garbage, it does not matter wether you win our loose your high school games, you will still have ten division one offers wether you loose 70-0 or win 70-0. Franchise is STILL the same, superstar KO has been copy pasted. And the soundtrack is a dumpster fire. They also didn’t really add much to gameplay, just subtracting. Do not buy this game unless it’s half off. It is not worth $60… Expand
  3. Lethalweapon80
    Aug 26, 2020
    0
    EA will never put in 100% until they have competition. This game should be so much more advanced right now but because they own exclusive rights, they choose to take their time with minor adjustments every year. Players need to take a stand and STOP buying this game.
  4. seabass1218
    Aug 26, 2020
    0
    This is a new low for Madden NFL. This game claims to be a simulation title but it makes no attempt to be simulation and replicate real football. They have neglected their core audience in an attempt to attract new players and have failed at making those modes fun and entertaining. The game is full of bugs and lacks any depth to keep players coming back for more. The ratings in the gameThis is a new low for Madden NFL. This game claims to be a simulation title but it makes no attempt to be simulation and replicate real football. They have neglected their core audience in an attempt to attract new players and have failed at making those modes fun and entertaining. The game is full of bugs and lacks any depth to keep players coming back for more. The ratings in the game indicate that the rating adjusters don't watch the games or at least cannot evaluate what is happening on the field. Every year Madden looks like a rushed product and this year is no different. I genuinely hope EA learns from their mistake and don't put out another game this bad.… Expand
  5. swiggetyswooty
    Aug 26, 2020
    0
    This is the worst madden I have ever played, and that's saying a lot. Literally no reason to buy this if you have Madden 17. So far it's worst than Madden 20. Worst Franchise mode out of any sports game. Bugs everywhere. New mode is pointless. Face of the Franchise is embarrassing.
  6. Ragewsg
    Aug 26, 2020
    0
    Literal copy and paste of madden 20. They spent all their time on the yard and didn't fix anything else. Nobody asked for the yard, nobody asked for superstar KO.
  7. Driftracerr35
    Aug 26, 2020
    0
    Years of no innovation, ignoring the fanbase, exploitation of children through MUT packs and micro transactions have finally caught up to EA. Everyone is fed up and we want change now. I already cancelled my preorder and will never touch another EA title again until EA commits to making a worthy product. 0/0
  8. TFlip
    Aug 26, 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 supporting them
  9. randomfrankp
    Aug 26, 2020
    0
    This is my first Madden purchase since 2017. I grew up first playing Madden 2001 and it changed who I am, it got me into sports and every single year I treated every single release like a Holiday. Sounds dramatic, but it's true, Madden 2001 got me into sports as a kid. With that all being said, after 2017 I felt Madden was just stale and there was no new innovation or nothing that made theThis is my first Madden purchase since 2017. I grew up first playing Madden 2001 and it changed who I am, it got me into sports and every single year I treated every single release like a Holiday. Sounds dramatic, but it's true, Madden 2001 got me into sports as a kid. With that all being said, after 2017 I felt Madden was just stale and there was no new innovation or nothing that made the game exciting. Fast forward last year and I thought about Madden 20, but saw all the terrible reviews and ultimately didn't pick it up. Naturally with this quarantine, I needed sports in my life and figured hey, let's give Madden 21 a go.

    Wow. I can't believe that this is an actual game. Gameplay feels like you have zero control over your player. 9/10 times you're set in some predetermined animation or scripted sequence and nothing you do will change it. The only time you're in control is when you're in the playbook. Then you hike the ball and animations take over. I booted it up and played 2 games that were absolutely RIDDLED with bugs and glitches. The menu is unbelievable slow and laggy, graphics are straight from years past (I get that at this point graphics wont advance too much but still, visually it's very unimpressive), you can create your own player but the preset faces all look horrible and resemble men in their 40s, commentary is still repetitive...just, should I go on?

    There is nothing in this game that resembles innovation. "New features" are all recycled features from years passed. "The Yard" is a street-like gameplay mode which some FIFA players will enjoy, because WRs can kick the ball to teammates, but after a few rounds of that it's all the same.

    Extremely disappointed in the direction this franchise was went in. NFL needs to revoke their exclusivity license because this is ANYTHING BUT SIMULATION FOOTBALL.    … Expand
  10. harry247
    Aug 26, 2020
    0
    This is not a “simulation football game”. Just watch a competitive game of this, it is all about abusing whatever the good plays are and getting good abilities so you can force a bunch of fumbles or block shed every play. The yard may be good but the game doesn’t deserve credit for that if it can’t deliver the simulation game advertised. Franchise mode is so basic and is unchanged fromThis is not a “simulation football game”. Just watch a competitive game of this, it is all about abusing whatever the good plays are and getting good abilities so you can force a bunch of fumbles or block shed every play. The yard may be good but the game doesn’t deserve credit for that if it can’t deliver the simulation game advertised. Franchise mode is so basic and is unchanged from last year. Face of the franchise is nothing like anything in real life. I wouldn’t play face of the franchise if it was free. This game is rated based on it’s quality as a football simulation game, and it gets a 0 because it offers absolutely nothing to fans of simulation sports. If you want an NFL licensed game, just buy an older one and save yourself $50.… Expand
  11. dgoodin24
    Aug 26, 2020
    0
    Soulless, heartless cash grab. Bugs galore, terrible. I miss madden on ps2. Bring in 2k
    fix madden franchise
  12. DenimChicken91
    Aug 26, 2020
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This game could have been a patch update from madden 20. EA has gotten lazier every year. I hope this sad excuse of a game serves as a serious wake up call… Expand
  13. 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
  14. iamkjeld
    Aug 26, 2020
    0
    Enough is enough, EA. For more than a decade you’ve been slacking on this game series, constantly neglecting the fans. Now You’re just clowning us. As an example; we’ve been asking you for years to add mouthguards, but it was not possible you told us. However now you add them in the yard where you can buy it for real money, BUT NOT IN THE REAL SIM GAME??? - Furthermore, completelyEnough is enough, EA. For more than a decade you’ve been slacking on this game series, constantly neglecting the fans. Now You’re just clowning us. As an example; we’ve been asking you for years to add mouthguards, but it was not possible you told us. However now you add them in the yard where you can buy it for real money, BUT NOT IN THE REAL SIM GAME??? - Furthermore, completely neglecting franchise, gameplay, well actually anything that doesn’t involve microtransactions. Goddamn disgrace. Money grab game, that's all it is. Don’t clown yourselves, save the 60 dollars… Expand
  15. Honestreview22
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Look up the word trash in the dictionary. The answer is Madden 21. Graphics don't make a good game. EA has been pumping money into YouTube channels to promote Ultimate Team for years. They prey on the younger generation to gamble their parents money away. I'm amazed this garbage is still allowed in sports games. It has destroyed the sports gaming industry. The physics engine onLook up the word trash in the dictionary. The answer is Madden 21. Graphics don't make a good game. EA has been pumping money into YouTube channels to promote Ultimate Team for years. They prey on the younger generation to gamble their parents money away. I'm amazed this garbage is still allowed in sports games. It has destroyed the sports gaming industry. The physics engine on this game is broken. I'm not even going to get into Franchise mode. That could be a term paper and I don't have the space on here to write what a Hot Pile of Garbage it is. Fire the whole staff. Start from scratch. Congrats on making another Terrible game once again. It's 2020 and Tecmo Bowl for the Nintendo has better gameplay and franchise mode then you have had in the last 10 years. If i'm not mistaken that game came out in the 1800's. Keep doing what you do best EA. KEEP RUINING FOOTBALL.… Expand
  16. Brinick305
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    The NFL should reconsider their relationship with EA. They obviously could care less about authenticity.
  17. darealrobertmcd
    Aug 26, 2020
    0
    How is it possible that this series is going backwards? How are the developers so out of touch with the community? We want a deep franchise experience and in return you give us a career mode that has to be the worst story ever written that makes no sense with zero replay value.
  18. deol
    Aug 26, 2020
    0
    Clunky arcade game filled with infuriating glitches. It somehow has less features than Madden 25, a game released in 2013. There is absolutely no excuse for a billion dollar company to release a game that has changed so little in the past decade, let alone charge money for it.

    EA holds the exclusive license to produce a "Simulation" NFL game, but nothing about Madden simulates real    Clunky arcade game filled with infuriating glitches. It somehow has less features than Madden 25, a game released in 2013. There is absolutely no excuse for a billion dollar company to release a game that has changed so little in the past decade, let alone charge money for it.

    EA holds the exclusive license to produce a "Simulation" NFL game, but nothing about Madden simulates real Football. They've devoted all their resources to Arcade style game-modes while leaving Franchise mode, the mode that made Madden so popular, untouched. There are no physics, only clunky animations that break immersion and remove any idea of realism. The outcomes of plays are scripted, so you have little to no control over what really happens.

    This game is absolutely broken from the foundation up, yet they devote all their resources to features no one wants or asks for. The majority of their focus is spent on getting young children to gamble in their virtual trading-card game, Ultimate Team. The form of gambling promoted to children is in a gray-area legally, but it is still highly predatory and immoral.    … Expand
  19. Wassupboy
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Horrible game from a horrible company. They haven’t changed anything outside of adding a new career mode which locks you into a set path of boring scenarios and doesn’t even recognize if your players is doing good or bad. The added a new micro transaction filled mode called the yard, which was clearly rushed in to give an half-assed attempt at 2K’s park. Franchise needs to still have aHorrible game from a horrible company. They haven’t changed anything outside of adding a new career mode which locks you into a set path of boring scenarios and doesn’t even recognize if your players is doing good or bad. The added a new micro transaction filled mode called the yard, which was clearly rushed in to give an half-assed attempt at 2K’s park. Franchise needs to still have a major overall as it hasn’t been changed since 2013. MUT would be alright if Madden’s gameplay wasn’t so buggy… Expand
  20. xboxps2gba
    Aug 26, 2020
    0
    Offense is too easy, just run the ball and throw to the flats for easy success. The pass rush is non existent so there's plenty of time to pick apart defenses. Some defensive playbooks are missing go to formations like big nickel, big dime, and prevent and these are teams that heavily use these formations. You can beat prevent defense deep by sending 1 wr on a post with another one beingOffense is too easy, just run the ball and throw to the flats for easy success. The pass rush is non existent so there's plenty of time to pick apart defenses. Some defensive playbooks are missing go to formations like big nickel, big dime, and prevent and these are teams that heavily use these formations. You can beat prevent defense deep by sending 1 wr on a post with another one being left open streaking down the sideline. Madden 21 is an embarrassment of a football game, save your money and don't buy it.… Expand
  21. Weskerfan
    Aug 26, 2020
    0
    Madden 21 is even worse than previous Madden games. Want to see yard markers? Nope. Want to get more customized stuff in franchise? Nope. Want to get those extra MUT packs for buying the $100 version of Madden 21? Nope. Want to get online and not have a disconnect or glitchy game? Not happening today.
  22. Kfisher
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Don’t waste ur time. Copy & paste gameplay . No control u still feel suck into a tackle no good teammate Tackle animation.
  23. kensowavy
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Nuff said same game as last year nothing added to franchise, terrible storytelling on the "New" Face of the franchise mode The only truly new thing in the game The yard is so buggy at times it's impossible to play. There's no innovation in this series anymore it's been copied and pasted with a new cover athlete since Madden 13.
  24. Rex501
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    What a joke. Same game every year but with one new tiny feature that nobody asked for. They shove MUT down your throat too. EA needs to lose madden.
  25. ssdlbodo
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    Face of the franchise is terrible. The story makes no sense and regardless of your choices/play is extremely linear. I went to Michigan State and the player card after the draft said I attended Delaware State. Franchise mode is untouched. The only "updates" I noticed were the homescreen color changing to blue and the progression system seems to have been tweaked slightly. if you playFace of the franchise is terrible. The story makes no sense and regardless of your choices/play is extremely linear. I went to Michigan State and the player card after the draft said I attended Delaware State. Franchise mode is untouched. The only "updates" I noticed were the homescreen color changing to blue and the progression system seems to have been tweaked slightly. if you play madden for franchise it's not worth 60 bucks.… Expand
  26. 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
  27. 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.
  28. 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.
  29. 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.
  30. Poseidon420247
    Aug 26, 2020
    0
    Buggy, laggy, full of lazy mistakes. Just a poor poor poor addition to an already money hungry, lame franchise.
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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

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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.
    Read full review
  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.
    Read full review
  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.
    Read full review
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