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. CinnamonFury
    Aug 27, 2020
    10
    With the most innovative graphics in all of internet gaming, EA proves once again that the Madden franchise is one of, if not the highest quality series you can trust to come out with masterpiece after masterpiece.

    I personally love the Ultimate Team gamemode, where I can open cool, and totally tubular packs of cards to unlock my favorite players. Don't even get me started on the    With the most innovative graphics in all of internet gaming, EA proves once again that the Madden franchise is one of, if not the highest quality series you can trust to come out with masterpiece after masterpiece.

    I personally love the Ultimate Team gamemode, where I can open cool, and totally tubular packs of cards to unlock my favorite players.

    Don't even get me started on the MyCareer gamemode, it takes me back to my days dominating the high school football scene! Not to mention, the graphics are so realistic, it really made me feel like I was slinging the old pigskin!

    Now, lets get onto the more negative part of the review. Just kidding! This game is an absolute masterpiece, and to be honest, I don't think it needs a single change. It doesn't surprise me that a developer as reliable as EA would release another gem like this. Personally, I can't wait for Madden 22! =D    … Expand
  2. JackR
    Aug 30, 2020
    10
    I have no idea what everyone is talking about. The game is great. Unless you didn't like Franchise last year, it's perfect. Superstar KO had many bugs and lag fixed. The Yard is so much fun, you could play hours with your friends. Face of the Franchise added more storyline so it got better. MUT got updated a bit. Gameplay is better with deadleg and jurdle. Plus more realotci animations.I have no idea what everyone is talking about. The game is great. Unless you didn't like Franchise last year, it's perfect. Superstar KO had many bugs and lag fixed. The Yard is so much fun, you could play hours with your friends. Face of the Franchise added more storyline so it got better. MUT got updated a bit. Gameplay is better with deadleg and jurdle. Plus more realotci animations. Ppl just complain just because they have a fixed mindset of EA being bad. 10/10… Expand
  3. Sgtcolen
    Aug 31, 2020
    10
    Idk why everyone is hating on this game it has everything we want the servers are laggy because everyone is on the game the new face of the franchise is better franchise it’s self is the same but otherwise they changed a lot about the game.
  4. sg5261
    Oct 21, 2020
    10
    great game the yard is super fun i love the game why is there so much hate its better than madden 19 and madden 19 has a better score
  5. E-D-W-I-N
    Jun 21, 2021
    10
    This is still better than Warcraft III: Reforged. Bring Warcraft 3 refunded back to the last place.
  6. Mpinter9
    Aug 28, 2020
    9
    As a pro Madden player, yes go look me up my name is D3liveranc3, we are often the most critical of Madden. I will say that this year is probably the best this game has been at launch in awhile. Sure there may be some visual bugs or small details to iron out, but the actual gameplay feels great this year and that is what people should be focusing on. New intelligent features like zoneAs a pro Madden player, yes go look me up my name is D3liveranc3, we are often the most critical of Madden. I will say that this year is probably the best this game has been at launch in awhile. Sure there may be some visual bugs or small details to iron out, but the actual gameplay feels great this year and that is what people should be focusing on. New intelligent features like zone drops to help show your ability to out think your opponent is an amazing addition to the game. Superstar abilities have been tuned to provide more realism and more skill gap into the game. Madden 21 has the potential to be one of the best in franchise history. Definitely give the game a try before you write it off, the rating score on metacritic does this game no justice.… Expand
  7. FiliusAurorae
    Aug 31, 2020
    9
    love the new rushing mechanism, but could use some refreshers, but overall I'm enjoying the game.
  8. MonkiReviews
    Apr 24, 2021
    8
    Actually like this game, and recommend it. The franchise mode wasn’t updated much, but it is very fun to play through a season, get free agents, draft, and trade. Online is updated with rosters, but it lags sometimes. Ultimate Team is still good, but feels harder to win if a player doesn’t buy stuff. The story is good too, and playing at the start of a players football journey is cool to see.
  9. MinePlay512
    Sep 3, 2020
    8
    Madden NFL 21 is good. I'm sorry if I upset you earlier. I know you are upset about Franchise Mode not being improved I understand. The Yard is a solid game mode that will bring in fun. Face of the Franchise mode is a 6/10. The mode soft-locks the game and it doesn't give the right stuff for your player, gameplay wise, it's solid. I understand your anger. I don't support EA. I don't workMadden NFL 21 is good. I'm sorry if I upset you earlier. I know you are upset about Franchise Mode not being improved I understand. The Yard is a solid game mode that will bring in fun. Face of the Franchise mode is a 6/10. The mode soft-locks the game and it doesn't give the right stuff for your player, gameplay wise, it's solid. I understand your anger. I don't support EA. I don't work for EA. But please, I just want to give you fun.… Expand
  10. Vayomayo
    Aug 31, 2020
    8
    I think the game and the Madden franchise is in the right direction, people say they didn't want the yard even though people were begging for something like it for a couple of years
  11. xEviLxMystery
    Aug 31, 2020
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The gameplay is the best it has been in the past 4 years. Yes, like many games, bugs take the joy out of the game sometimes but it’s definitely worth it to purchase. Most of the people crying are those who cannot use their MLB to cover the whole 100 yards and not get fatigued. I will be invested in Madden 21 longer into the season than I was in Madden 20.… Expand
  12. Evil_D
    Sep 3, 2020
    8
    Dont listen to the user reviews, a lot of people with too much time on their hands. It has flaws, but nothing that we havent seen before with Madden at launch. User interface is laggy as hell at times, the defensive backs still teleport, but otherwise its the same game with better graphics.
  13. Xbox_Alive
    Sep 6, 2020
    7
    Madden NFL 21 is an American football video game based on the National Football League, developed by EA Tiburon and published by Electronic Arts. It is an instalment of the long-running Madden NFL series. Every year a new Madden NFL game comes out, and every year the marginal improvements and new additions feel like just enough to keep the series moving forward. This year, however, thingsMadden NFL 21 is an American football video game based on the National Football League, developed by EA Tiburon and published by Electronic Arts. It is an instalment of the long-running Madden NFL series. Every year a new Madden NFL game comes out, and every year the marginal improvements and new additions feel like just enough to keep the series moving forward. This year, however, things feel a bit different in Madden NFL 21. Despite the introduction of the surprisingly fun and unique The Yard mode, the list of persistent issues, neglected features, and new annoyances is growing quite long. While you can play against the computer, or online and unlock different fields and challenges to partake in, at this stage you have to wonder about the longevity and depth of The Yard. If more content is planned it will go down as one of the best innovations in a Madden release for years and fans should be excited for where EA can take it. The graphics haven’t changed much and some will say there wasn’t much needed in that department, especially as this is the last in the current gen series, but veterans will note how stale the presentation feels. Madden NFL 21 is a great example of why competition breeding innovation is a good thing. Without a comparable NFL experience on the market, EA has allowed its marquee sports franchise to fall behind in almost every significant way, hopefully we will see something significant on the Series X version.… Expand
  14. BigMike681
    Aug 28, 2020
    7
    The only problems for me is that they didn’t really update franchise or MUT. Presentation is very nice. The new game mode “The Yard” is really fun and seems great to play with friends. Face of the Franchise was ok. The gameplay is fun and feels good, there are some glitiches/bugs, nothing that can’t be fixed in some updates. Overall good game, could’ve been better. #FixMaddenFranchise
  15. TVJunkie93
    Aug 27, 2020
    5
    Why a 5? I agree with essentially every single complaint against this year's release. Chief among them, the lack of care about Franchise mode, which spent decades as the anchor for this franchise before MUT and micro-transactions became EA's top priority.

    However, to EA's credit, the gameplay is smooth and the graphics are impressive. That's about it. It's not literally the worst game    Why a 5? I agree with essentially every single complaint against this year's release. Chief among them, the lack of care about Franchise mode, which spent decades as the anchor for this franchise before MUT and micro-transactions became EA's top priority.

    However, to EA's credit, the gameplay is smooth and the graphics are impressive. That's about it. It's not literally the worst game of all time. But it is the most disappointing Madden release of all time. It's the bare minimum of competency.

    Beyond the lack of Franchise improvements, the new mobile-style presentation package is annoying. Celebration controls popping up after every big play breaks the immersion. The presentation is stale, with the halftime show untouched for the 4th year, and a new unrealistic, drawn out pre-game introduction that's somehow a step down from another year of Coachman would have been.

    The Yard? Give me a break. EA creating such a vast player customization engine for that mode, even including mouth-guards, but not implementing any of that into Franchise is a massive middle finger to long time fans of the franchise.

    If you have a PC capable of running Madden 20 (doesn't need to be a gaming rig), I would highly encourage you to use Madden 20 with updated community rosters. There's even a mod for Franchise mode that will let you start this upcoming season, with all of last season's stats added in, all roster adjustments made, it even has COVID opt-out players properly designated as such, which Madden 21 doesn't even feature (at this moment).

    #FixFranchiseMode    … Expand
  16. DSooHoo
    Dec 20, 2020
    5
    This game is the mostly unchanged in Franchise mode, which has not been updated since Madden 13 and in Regular Play
  17. JackRH
    Aug 30, 2020
    4
    The game has been the same for years now and as a football fan and a fan of sports games it sucks how similar the games are all the time. It really shows how little EA puts into it but they still make millions from updating rosters in Madden and NBA 2K but Madden especially. The NFL shouldn't drop EA yet because I'd rather have something then nothing but they should make EA actually work.The game has been the same for years now and as a football fan and a fan of sports games it sucks how similar the games are all the time. It really shows how little EA puts into it but they still make millions from updating rosters in Madden and NBA 2K but Madden especially. The NFL shouldn't drop EA yet because I'd rather have something then nothing but they should make EA actually work. I really hope the game is better next year and if it isn't I'm not wasting my money on it .… Expand
  18. Rhoads81
    Aug 30, 2020
    4
    It’s a shame this game was released in its current state. I have never seen a game this buggy before, period. The showstopper bugs are obvious and everywhere, yet they rushed it out instead of delaying the game to fix these egregious defects. Entire teams disappearing from the field. Crashes left and right. Just play training mode or the yard for 10 mins and you will run into major obviousIt’s a shame this game was released in its current state. I have never seen a game this buggy before, period. The showstopper bugs are obvious and everywhere, yet they rushed it out instead of delaying the game to fix these egregious defects. Entire teams disappearing from the field. Crashes left and right. Just play training mode or the yard for 10 mins and you will run into major obvious bugs that detract from the experience. Shame on EA’s management!!! I feel sorry for the team working on this because you know they wouldn’t have wanted to release it like this.… Expand
  19. salamalama
    Sep 1, 2020
    4
    Game is literally a copy and paste of every single previous Madden. Videos of glitches and examples of old banners being used. My issue is the game is so choppy. It's like I'm playing on a wireless connection with someone from Africa using a dial up internet connection when I'm just playing local play. The game is garbage and not even sure how it mage it passed Q&A.
  20. eastjacket
    Sep 18, 2020
    4
    The positive guy at the top has gotta be trolling lmao. But it’s not quite as bad as others say it is. It’s a red rating, to be sure, but once you learn the mechanics (which, admittedly, make no sense, but I still have fun now I’ve learned them) it’s playable. That said, I only play online. It would take a multiple digit number of dollars to get me to play against the computer, it isThe positive guy at the top has gotta be trolling lmao. But it’s not quite as bad as others say it is. It’s a red rating, to be sure, but once you learn the mechanics (which, admittedly, make no sense, but I still have fun now I’ve learned them) it’s playable. That said, I only play online. It would take a multiple digit number of dollars to get me to play against the computer, it is incredibly boring. I did a solo ultimate draft to level up a little and all I had to do was play one handed and call the same play every time while scrolling on my phone, and when I did pay attention, I wanted to kill myself it was so boring. I could go on, but those are the main points I wanted to make… Expand
  21. Bluceipher
    Aug 30, 2020
    3
    It's Madden you can't expect much same thing every year but what really made me mad is I can't use my last name Hurst in story mode because it said it is a profanity and EA wouldn't tell me why.
  22. zeroice007
    Oct 2, 2020
    3
    I am not going to sugarcoat this like i did last year. I didn't think Madden could get worse. They didn't touch Franchise but so called let out a map for next year and possible fixes this year and that's only because the community as a whole is fed up but after this year that resentment will grow because the bad gameplay and errors and glitches have spread across the whole game for theI am not going to sugarcoat this like i did last year. I didn't think Madden could get worse. They didn't touch Franchise but so called let out a map for next year and possible fixes this year and that's only because the community as a whole is fed up but after this year that resentment will grow because the bad gameplay and errors and glitches have spread across the whole game for the core is terribly bad. The game was not even fixed from common errors from its predecessor. Its just a bad game, attention to detail is horrible and that ace of the Franchise mode is horrible its story is pathetic to say the least. I am not even going to explain this debacle look it up on you tube there are many videos on this. Even if somehow you do try this mode good luck it might not even load or work correctly anyway ton of glitches etc. MUT isn't touched at all except for the color and design of the cards lol. You couldn't even get what you purchased as promised at launch. They have patched it on day one but seriously. The Franchise is just pathetic nothing added, in fact they actually took some features out believe that or not. They have a new game mode that preys on microtransactions but you can atleast earn it thru game credits but alot wont they will just purchase the equipment for a price. Now on that mode Franchise has been asking or additional customization but they can do it only in the yard lol A true slap in the face to Franchise players. This game is just bad on alot of levels . Its not worth 60.00 let alone 99.00. In all my dreams i didnt think it could get worse. Its like they dont care. But 2K is coming and EA they are laughing at your game . You have a simulation license and dont use it. Why have a simulation product if you dont plan to use it. We have no simulation choice yet but that will change because this game is just pathetic. The core is broken and that effects each mode. Fix the core issues and you cant even do that. Even if you didn't add anything i would probably forgive you if you fixed the core issues and then laid out a map to next year. We have this year and your excuses are getting old and its a shame that a game 14 years old still has better core play and features than a current generation game of 2021 A 1.5 would be generous but im feeling generous so i give it a 1.because i dont believe its lower than a 2.0 I waited a few more days to see if i could edit this and make it a higher rating but it has gotten worse more bugs and glitches i couldn't believe it So i have to give it a one because no game deserves a true 0 while they are working on it lol. But it has to be rated 0 because EA seems to not even ask or assistance if their devs cant do what guys on pc can do in hours and that a fact. I scratch my head on who could give this a 10??? No way in the world you could rank this game that. 10 is perfection and there are no facts to justify that score lol. Even if i like it i couldn't give this any more than a 5. There are so many issues in this game and its not even upgraded in terms of overall features lol. I will edit this again when they make a patch to franchise and then that will be my final edit . Well its October and they have patched this thing so much granted it has a very long way to go but it has gotten better so i will adjust my rating . Waiting for the franchise updates in november and i will rate it again… Expand
  23. Sonicmafia420
    Aug 27, 2020
    3
    While I like the gameplay changes and the game feels more realistic as you play it, the game still feels like an unfinished product. While madden 21 might be a good overall video game, it isnt a good football simulation game. Franchise mode hasn't been touched, which is unacceptable. Although I am glad that ea did make promises to improve the mode
  24. Flashaguiniga
    Aug 27, 2020
    3
    Pretty much same game as last year. As a franchise player I am deeply disappointed with literally no improvements to this game mode other than a different color scheme and the audacity to just label it as "classic franchise". That title alone makes it feel like they knew backlash was gonna come from that decision. I've been a MADDEN supporter since 96. I think this is the last year I buy it.
  25. Prophet_Priest
    Sep 3, 2020
    3
    As a longtime fan of the Madden Franchise, I have a would not recommend this title. For offline or franchise play, the game is notoriously abysmal, and both notable online mods include microtransactions the further inflate an already inflated annually-recurring price tag. Even the new Yard mode, generally acclaimed as a welcome and wuality addition, includes microtransactions.TheirAs a longtime fan of the Madden Franchise, I have a would not recommend this title. For offline or franchise play, the game is notoriously abysmal, and both notable online mods include microtransactions the further inflate an already inflated annually-recurring price tag. Even the new Yard mode, generally acclaimed as a welcome and wuality addition, includes microtransactions.Their necessity (being mostly cosmetic) is as irrelevent as their presence is blatantly greedy and detestable.

    However, my greatest disappointments are in the gameplay. I agree with the general sentiment that this year's changes are mostly good, but problems that have consistently frustrated persist. My personal biggest gripe is an unintelligble ball placement mechanic for passing. Ball trajectory is far too low, especially for medium or deep bullet passes, and ball placement is totally incosistent, making for far too many baffling and infuriating interceptions (particularly from underneath the route). A noticeable change occurred a few installments prior that lessened linebackers' ability to jump; while this helped reduce some ridiculous interceptions, it was merely a bandaid. Ball placement and trajectory are wrong and need badly amended. Compensating by adjusting defenses' abilities does not suffice. In addition, wide receivers generally remain useless in contested throw situations, and putting the ball in the air is overall unsatisfying. It honestly felt better to play last year.

    These issues, taken together with the lazy improvements the game has seen from year to year, make clear that EA Sports is more concerned with cultivating a cash cow than developing a rewarding user experience.    … Expand
  26. TankerFury1812
    Sep 5, 2020
    3
    I first experienced Madden the Christmas of 95 and boy was I ecstatic! Controlling my New York Giants and taking them to the Super Bowl. 25 years later...That feeling of joy has yet to be reciprocated. We’ve all seen the YouTube reviews and trending hash tags but everyone’s experience is different. For someone who experienced a completely immersive and offline experience in olderI first experienced Madden the Christmas of 95 and boy was I ecstatic! Controlling my New York Giants and taking them to the Super Bowl. 25 years later...That feeling of joy has yet to be reciprocated. We’ve all seen the YouTube reviews and trending hash tags but everyone’s experience is different. For someone who experienced a completely immersive and offline experience in older platforms, I honestly expected more out of today’s generation of major companies like EA. Features that, I think, make a complete NFL Franchise experience, still haven’t been added (back). Game play mechanics masked by added coaching adjustments. Unrealistic, arcade like scenarios and animations that frustrate the everyday Franchise player. Features and options being added to game modes a majority of ya really don’t care about....except the fact they’ve been added, to game modes...that we don’t care about. The money you’d expect me to spend buying shorts for my created character in The Yard, I’m buying in real life. I’ve made the mistakes of buying packs on MUT after being burnt out grinding challenges and playing 99 OVR Teams in a pay to win environment. I buy the game because I enjoy the game of football. Because I enjoy getting together with the same 32 guys that try to ignore the fact that this game has been crumbling over the years but there’s no other way to experience simulation style football. EA execs are suffocating any chance for exceptional games to hit the market to allow the right experience model to hit the shelf. Madden 21 was EA’s standard money grab. Whether you’re a deep league player like myself or a first time Madden player, I would wait until November to purchase this game. That’s when we expect EA to release “new” features to Francine that should not have been removed in the first place. #FIXEA… Expand
  27. bradysknee
    Aug 30, 2020
    2
    Mildly entertaining, bug-ridden and full of inconsistencies. The football gets knocked around like a volleyball. It's just not a good game.
  28. tomtom1315
    Aug 30, 2020
    2
    I don’t even own a xbox but hey im just here for my daily madden hate. EA please give up your game is trash.
  29. xxxA3xxx
    Aug 28, 2020
    2
    It’s the same game as last year, hopefully we see improvements on next gen but as I have it on PC i don’t expect that because PC would have the improvements already, only dope new mechanic is the ballcarriers reaching the ball out for the goal line, first now or pylons
  30. josda_
    Aug 26, 2020
    2
    Madden 21 is an uninspired copy-and-paste mess. Do yourself a favor and do not purchase this year's edition.

    To start, EA's shiny new game mode, Face of The Franchise, is written extremely poorly and often leaves the player confused and unsatisfied. Also, it is riddled with bugs. For example, in some games, the white field paint will not load. Next, In every play-through I've done, I    Madden 21 is an uninspired copy-and-paste mess. Do yourself a favor and do not purchase this year's edition.

    To start, EA's shiny new game mode, Face of The Franchise, is written extremely poorly and often leaves the player confused and unsatisfied. Also, it is riddled with bugs. For example, in some games, the white field paint will not load. Next, In every play-through I've done, I always get drafted by the Bears.

    Moving on to franchise, it's the same and has been copy-pasted from Madden 20 to Madden 21. This includes bugs like the "Hold A to Reorder" bug when scouting players. There are zero new features to be happy about, mostly because there are zero new features. Franchise mode's only hope is that EA is truthful and completes the checklist of items they said that they'd add to the mode in the next two years. With the company's track record, I'm not hopeful.

    Next, we have The Yard. This is EA's attempt to combat 2K's new licensed arcade football game which will release in 2021. Honestly, it's fun. The mode feels arcade-y and a little bit like NFL street. You can customize your own avatar and play together with your friends or on your own. It is a little buggy, but it is a game mode that can be built upon.

    One of Madden 21's only redeeming qualities is its game play, which is better than last year's version. One of the few things that EA has done right in the last few installments is improve the game play. It's fluid, fairly satisfying, and not as animation based as Madden 20.

    If you play Madden purely for the simulation franchise aspect, there is zero reason to purchase Madden 21. If you play it for the game play, wait for the game to go on sale. This is not a product worth 100, 80, or 60 dollars.    … Expand
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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.
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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.
    Read full review
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