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. PB301
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    Franchise mode is completely untouched.
    Face of the franchise is a completely linear story in which your actions make no difference, whether you throw 10 touchdowns or 10 interceptions a game, its the same regardless.
    EA own the exclusive rights to make an NFL simulation game, yet it seems they spent the last year solely working on a 6v6 arcade mode full of unrealistic gameplay and micro    Franchise mode is completely untouched.
    Face of the franchise is a completely linear story in which your actions make no difference, whether you throw 10 touchdowns or 10 interceptions a game, its the same regardless.
    EA own the exclusive rights to make an NFL simulation game, yet it seems they spent the last year solely working on a 6v6 arcade mode full of unrealistic gameplay and micro transactions.
    With the new game modes, first down celebration animations, the new theme and flash cards, it feels like this game is aimed at 12 year olds.

    Shame on me for giving money to this company again.    … Expand
  2. rizrah
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    THE WORST MADDEN EVER!!! Terrible animations so many glitches and bugs I don’t want to buy madden from EA EVER AGAIN!!!!
  3. nnnhhhggy
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    just stick with madden 21 pls it’s so bad and sad. legit same graphics just
  4. Cedrics195
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    I played madden almost everyday... Not anymore. 20 year madden player and this is by far the WORST it's been. NFL NEEDS TO DROP EA!!!
  5. maddrew
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    Horrible game the madden franchise just keeps getting worse and worse it’s a buggy game no new content
  6. zbeau73
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    If I wanted to be disappointed every year at the same time I’d watch the Browns play week 1
  7. jokill72
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. pure crap. Not fun. Not a sim game even when you play sim. Sim is still arcade. Its all offebse and no defense. Man coverage is horrible. Cpu will throw slants and inside routes that will never be incomplete and instant 1st downs against ANY coverage. The worst madden ive ever played and i have played evwry game since the beginning. This is not a sim game. This is arcade style trash with lots of glitches. Do not buy unless you like arcade trash.… Expand
  8. Bryandavis77
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. #NFLDropEA. Game is atrocious. How do they get away with this year after year?… Expand
  9. neillenhoff
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    I unfortunately bought the game on PS4 and got the demo on XBOX. Both versions are huge disappointments.
  10. jmanchi1
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    If you are intelligent enough to have not bought this game yet don’t do it. If you enjoy getting spit in your face by EA every year then buy this game. I grew up and loved Madden until around 13. Every year I get my hopes up only to be let down within the first two weeks of gameplay and realize it’s the same game as madden 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20. It is genuinely laughable at this pointIf you are intelligent enough to have not bought this game yet don’t do it. If you enjoy getting spit in your face by EA every year then buy this game. I grew up and loved Madden until around 13. Every year I get my hopes up only to be let down within the first two weeks of gameplay and realize it’s the same game as madden 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20. It is genuinely laughable at this point that people still play madden. The disrespect the community receives every year is sad and we have been lied to for far to long. We deserve better as a community.… Expand
  11. YhoppedYheese
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Don’t waste your time buying this load of dookie, hopefully nextgen will be better.… Expand
  12. KippShire
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    hate the game. Its the same refurbished game with updated roster. #nfldropea
  13. Acamp1989
    Aug 31, 2020
    1
    Same thing as last year. Terrible A.I. nothing innovative. Just 60$+ for an updated roster and a few tweaks
  14. GreaterScott
    Aug 31, 2020
    0
    Save yourself $60 and just hook up your old Sega Genesis and play the first Madden on that. It's a better game.
  15. Dnorwood114
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    This game is the worst “simulation” football game ever created. EA simply does not care about the consumer and will do anything to make money off of you. You’d be much happier buying NCAA 14 for $150 and playing on your old Xbox 360. NCAA 14 was way more in depth and somehow the physics were better than a game released in 2020.
  16. iMTHABADGi
    Sep 2, 2020
    0
    The only thing that works perfectly in this game is the micro transactions $$$

    Usual madden Bs. Glitches galore. Ex: 80 CB flying through receivers body one hand Odell pick 6. DT flying right past unoccupied blockers, cpu defense not reacting, etc. Copy and paste franchise. Copy and last this that and the other. Mut squads is broken. Can’t get into a game. It will freeze in the load menu    The only thing that works perfectly in this game is the micro transactions $$$

    Usual madden Bs. Glitches galore. Ex: 80 CB flying through receivers body one hand Odell pick 6. DT flying right past unoccupied blockers, cpu defense not reacting, etc. Copy and paste franchise. Copy and last this that and the other. Mut squads is broken. Can’t get into a game. It will freeze in the load menu and you’ll have to dashboard. But when you do manage to get in a game after many failed attempts (that count as losses) & playing as QB, your HC will switch to QB at the snap on pass plays. It’s insane how broken a game can be. Corner routes, crossers, etc are still broken unless you user them. Just dumb cpu defense can’t react to ANYTHING. Menu speeds are terrible. It takes 20-30 seconds to load between menus. Making building a team and doing chems frustrating as ever.    … Expand
  17. YoLuckyBastard
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    Feels like a terrible revamped game. I’ve played about 10hrs...

    The Yard has glitches with player customisation, you unlock gloves and cleats and it will only appear on your players right side. The left side stays with the default boot and bare skin hand.

    Franchise mode is literally the same as Maddie 20.

    The story mode is Tedious, bland and unoriginal.
  18. Nacdon
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    Such a bad game. It has so many bugs and not many features at all that don’t try to squeeze all of your money away. Do NOT spend your money on this trash. You will regret it
  19. OwenBerry1999
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    No updates to gameplay for the last 8 years, any updates they did add made it worse,when you add a new game mode and you have to buy your jerseys, you know it's a 0 out of ten
  20. DaRobstoppa
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    I haven't played madden since madden 17 because i thought each game was the same as the last one. I pre-ordered madden 21 because i thought in 4 years EA would've been able to fix the game. However, with almost everything EA touches, madden 21 was ruined. The same bugs exist, franchise mode is still broken, I AM STILL GETTING PACKS SHOVED DOWN MY THROAT, ultimate team is way tooI haven't played madden since madden 17 because i thought each game was the same as the last one. I pre-ordered madden 21 because i thought in 4 years EA would've been able to fix the game. However, with almost everything EA touches, madden 21 was ruined. The same bugs exist, franchise mode is still broken, I AM STILL GETTING PACKS SHOVED DOWN MY THROAT, ultimate team is way too repetative, and its just not fun. I was really hoping this game would be good because it had Lamar on it.… Expand
  21. JoeyClark50
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    Man I wanted to like this game. It’s awful. The animations it FORCES you to do is nothing like real football. For a simulation style game it’s really bad at simulating the game.
  22. JustApollo
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    So I only got the 10 hour trial for this game through EA Play, which I'll likely be canceling. I cannot understand, as someone with an education in game design and CG work - How a company has been supported financially while making virtually zero improvements. Here are a few glaring examples:

    - Franchise mode is a re-skin of the previous year at best, while removing features like owner    So I only got the 10 hour trial for this game through EA Play, which I'll likely be canceling. I cannot understand, as someone with an education in game design and CG work - How a company has been supported financially while making virtually zero improvements. Here are a few glaring examples:

    - Franchise mode is a re-skin of the previous year at best, while removing features like owner mode. Re-skin might even be giving them too much credit, they changed the font.

    - With the introduction of Madden Yard or whatever, they did provide a lot of cosmetics for characters, unfortunately after a few draft classes in Franchise you'll be left with the same dozen or so character models until the end of time as they clearly believe the future of football lies in cloning. The cosmetics and customization upgrades are hard to find in other modes in my experience.

    - Glitches all over the place, I only played ten hours and encountered dozens of graphical glitches such as broken textures, and the locomotion system will cause your players to do things you didn't intend. You'll break a tackle while running 10 yards in the opposite direction frequently. The locomotion is improved over previous years, but is that really all you could accomplish in a year? Yard and locomotion improvements?

    - The difficulty has always bothered me. It's either you destroy your opponent or they destroy you. Sometimes it can feel like the defense can see the future with how they'll break on a ball, and other times they're clueless. I lowered the difficulty and beat my first opponent 104-0. I don't think they ever made a tackle, and Dwayne Haskins went 19/19. You'll be playing with sliders for days until you feel out a decent "difficulty".

    - Creating/Moving a Franchise is an afterthought. These games used to allow you to customize stadiums and edit logos/uniforms if you move a franchise. This year I tried to move Washington to Toronto, mostly because it's the only team without a logo in the game. They give you a few places you can move to, that's fine, but there is virtually zero customization options outside of the basic stadium type and picking between 3 logos and uniforms. How is it 2020 and you have less features than 2001?

    - Every mode outside of microtransaction ultimate team (MUT) is virtually ignored, and MUT is basically gambling and FOMO pressure. This game is downright insulting to anybody who just wants a football simulation.

    - Draft classes are hysterically bad, as teams pick players arbitrarily and the player rankings and ratings are often all over the map. It sucks to need a replacement at tackle, and realizing that the random draft class doesn't have a single OT in the first 4 rounds.

    - The soundtrack is laughably weak. Seems like every year there are less and less tracks, and the artists have gotten more and more obscure. Back in the early 2000's my ipod was full of tracks that I discovered through EA games like NFS Underground and Madden. Over a wide range of genres as well. They have truly given up on this front. I could probably record a song shouting out EA sports while dropping a few football references and I'd get into this game. That's what many of the tracks seem to do.

    OVERALL

    Don't buy this game, just play an old one and update the roster with a user created one - those are always really solid and more accurate than the launch roster. We should all stop purchasing this game until the exclusivity rights are pulled by the NFL and competition returns to the football simulation sphere. I know most football fans want old-school NCAA games and 2K5 level features. It's about time we force their hand and get what we're asking for. Holding consumers hostage like this is a tragic insult to such a revered sport. Please don't support this company, hit them in their wallet and reclaim this space.

    If not, well. Next year we might get owner mode back and a few new character faces. Maybe?

    0/10 - This game insults my entire ancestral tree, just play an old one and be sad like the rest of us.    … Expand
  23. Zekes2517
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    Preordered game. Virtually no content on Ultimate Team on day 1. Mechanics have gotten worse than previous years. Many times the field markings will simply fail to load. Stadium banners fail to load. Players faces fail to load. Kicking system remains the same but frequently lags out causing bad kicks. Tackle animations glitch severely, and sometimes players will stay stuck in an animationPreordered game. Virtually no content on Ultimate Team on day 1. Mechanics have gotten worse than previous years. Many times the field markings will simply fail to load. Stadium banners fail to load. Players faces fail to load. Kicking system remains the same but frequently lags out causing bad kicks. Tackle animations glitch severely, and sometimes players will stay stuck in an animation even after being tackled. A huge step backwards for Madden.… Expand
  24. Maddensucks1992
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    Worst madden I have ever played in my life and I though madden 09 with brett Favre was bad but oh my god... the most glitchy subpar game I have ever played and I actually payed 100 dollars for this **** ass game because the defense user movement was slowed down so a linebacker couldnt guard 3 different guys while the ball is in the air... the QB switching glitch should have been #1 on theWorst madden I have ever played in my life and I though madden 09 with brett Favre was bad but oh my god... the most glitchy subpar game I have ever played and I actually payed 100 dollars for this **** ass game because the defense user movement was slowed down so a linebacker couldnt guard 3 different guys while the ball is in the air... the QB switching glitch should have been #1 on the list to fix but yet you have waiting till September 10th to fix ur broken ass game. I want my money back for such a lackluster **** game.. EA should be ashamed for getting a new 6 year deal with the NFL and this is the first **** product you put out .... unbelievable… Expand
  25. Orsen
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    EA has time and time again proven they don't care and refuse to even do the bare minimum when it comes to making new games, they make the same thing every year, practically being a $60 annual subscription fee yet it's still worse than the classic madden games by miles, see madden 05, 08, etc.
  26. TRAPDADDY
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    Literally trash. I made an account just so I can downvote this game. Shame that EA is allowed to do this to customers.
  27. bulldogpride08
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    Full of bugs. Launch menus are absurdly slow. Texturing issues with lines not showing up on the field. Old commentary applying to wrong players. Squads unplayable. Sets open up ghost packs that don't exist. Poor UI changes - old actions take longer and more clicks. Overall a worse game. NFL needs to DROPEA.
  28. Iron4life
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    Last year's game with updated roster, a few new animations, and apparently that is worth 60 dollars
  29. Yomperz
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    By far the most glitches in any game I have every played including indie developer games. Prices for packs go up and up while pack odds and game play experience goes lower than anyone could imagine a AAA developer could go. Certain game modes are unplayable and have yet to be fixed over a week after release. Through and through every aspect of this game is broken or below par.
  30. Slightnegative
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    Everything new in this game could have been added in an update. EA is a pathetic excuse of a company. Anybody who worked on this hunk of garbage should be fired.
  31. Robdawg11
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    So bad it’s basically just ea spitting in your face. and taking your money. Don’t understand how this little of effort is put into it. Do they have 3 people work on this game a month before release? Depressing that a company is this greedy and puts this minuscule tiny little grain of sand level of effort into their game.
  32. Madmike14
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    This is not a simulation football game!!! Too many glitches to have the simulation title. Absolute garbage, it’s Madden 17 IV. EA really doesn’t care about the consumer with this monopoly on being able to create NFL licensed games. #NFLdropEA
  33. bcockriel
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    I am so disappointed in this recycled product, that EA has the audacity to throw at us every year. What’s more saddening, is that I continue to buy, year-after-year, in hopes that this one turns it around. Yet, to no avail... again, left with a subpar, $60 roster update. Franchise mode, I hardly knew yee.
  34. Fear_ducks
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This might be the worst job anyone has ever put into a video game. EA just slapped a worse version of last years game and put it into the store like we wouldn’t notice. I have had at least 10 bugs and crashes so far and I’ve only been playing the game for a week now. I don’t know why EA can’t bring back longshot or something with a developed story line. Face of the franchise is literal ass and longshot was miles better than it. The only mode that is somewhat fun is the yard. I wish EA actually cared about it’s fan base and listen but I guess now we just have to wait for someone else *2k* to make a better game that we can actually enjoy… Expand
  35. ThaPriezt
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    Dear NFL,

    Please allow 2k to have rights to the teams and players again so they can make a football game worth playing. Sincerely,
    Virtually everyone who has played this game
  36. EaSportsIsTrash
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    You all are a massive scam. Your game is trash and you make money off kids gambling on your **** packs
  37. Kneal10
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    EA doesn’t care about the madden community. No one wants to play MUT. Trash game.
  38. Jalen3099
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    #NFLDROPEA Can we please get NFL 2k back madden is the worst. They’ve copied and pasted the same game since madden 18
  39. Mattrob10
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    The perfect example of what happens when there’s no competition in the marketplace. I regret buying.
  40. notdank92
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    Same. Crap. Every. Year. Copy + Paste of previous generations' issues with a roster update should not warrant $60. Plenty of glitches, dumb AI that has not improved, and not to mention the occasional "MADDEN 20" logos that were clearly overlooked (once again). Just an overall sloppy and unfinished product. Look at the contrast between the critic score and the user score. It's clear EA isSame. Crap. Every. Year. Copy + Paste of previous generations' issues with a roster update should not warrant $60. Plenty of glitches, dumb AI that has not improved, and not to mention the occasional "MADDEN 20" logos that were clearly overlooked (once again). Just an overall sloppy and unfinished product. Look at the contrast between the critic score and the user score. It's clear EA is more focused on plugging holes with money and manufacturing positive feedback instead of addressing the root cause of the broken mess that is now the Madden franchise. Obviously putting in features takes time and effort....but customers have been voicing their complaints FOR YEARS ever since EA cut down features in Madden 2013. This backlash from customers should have been unexpected after years of willful negligence and lack of effort. Rolling out tons of updates after the game's release only reinforces the customers' opinion that this game was not released a finished product and needs a lot of improvements.… Expand
  41. PastorRhett
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    EA has managed to make a gaming experience worse than the games in this same franchise that are 15+ years old now. The game is essentially a $60 update of madden 17. Do not buy.
  42. Shakybigpoppa
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    Trash per usual.... They give no effort and don’t care about the fans at all
  43. BubbaHill
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    What a waste of $60!!! The same gameplay as to previous madden games... Seems like EA and America are related, Nothing but scamming the good people who are willing and eager to help pay to make a better game. GIVE UP sports EA and allow 2k to take over !!!
  44. USNBOB
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    Nothing has changed with the game. It is complete TRASH do not waste your money.
  45. 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.
  46. Darthxraider15
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    Same game as last year, and the yr before that. Horrible gameplay machines, all time high in glitches and bugs. EA doesn't give a crap about their customers and it shows. Im officially done buying this game. Do yourself a favor and just download the roster update for madden 20 like over 100k other people recently have and save $60!
  47. Rich_Moss95
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Please don’t buy this trash ass game. I cannot believe EA has the audacity to disrespect the madden name, the nfl and the fans themselves. How does a company keep making the same game for years on end without improvement. Forget improvement!!! This game is 10 steps backwards from last years version. Literally no point in playing it. Every single game type is broken. It’s not even small things, the game is literally unplayable. I’m so mad that I actually installed this onto my Xbox, I wish I waited a day and saw all the other reviews and saved my money. EA wants to do an update on September 10? 2 weeks after the game is out already, so we have to wait 2 weeks to play a agame that you literally had a year to finish. I’m officially done with EA… Expand
  48. Maddenneedsfix
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    No customization no updates to franchise mode face of the franchise is bland unrealistic gameplay and no effort to get better
  49. MaddenEsMierda
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    I’m surprised EA hasn’t made playing as your favorite team a micro-transaction yet. Imagine spending 60+ dollars on this “game” only to find out it’s still the same doo doo on a stick it’s been for years, but somehow even worse than that. Then picture spending even more money on micro-transactions on it that’s rendered completely useless in less than a year. Couldn’t be me.
  50. jaymorbid
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    Terrible, recycled garbage. The same game every year, but they somehow manage to turn the same old trash into something even worse. All they care about is money.
  51. Maddensucs
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    This game sucks on an unbearable level of sucking I just lost a game where a guy ran every play. And I guessed run. Fix your damn game. I hope y’all go bankrupt
  52. ryansmith54
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    One of the worst games of all time. You add in the fact that Clint Oldenberg (EA Sports Producer) laughs at the low scores and dismisses customer claims. Then Ty Stover (Athlete Relations at EA Sports) calls customers who are voicing concerns clowns. They tell us they will fix madden franchise and game play. Constantly almost asking for the benefit of the doubt. However, they have receivedOne of the worst games of all time. You add in the fact that Clint Oldenberg (EA Sports Producer) laughs at the low scores and dismisses customer claims. Then Ty Stover (Athlete Relations at EA Sports) calls customers who are voicing concerns clowns. They tell us they will fix madden franchise and game play. Constantly almost asking for the benefit of the doubt. However, they have received that for years. It never gets better. They can do this because they have created a monopoly.… Expand
  53. jtgeiger
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    There are terrible bugs that make the game unplayable. Can’t make hot routes with my receiver because there is a play clock glitch where the clock runs out too fast. The ultimate team mode is worse than last year with less depth and makes you pay more money for microtranscation in order to be competitive with other users online. Do not buy this game.
  54. Jorclil
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    Same game for the last 5 years at some point this has to stop I will not buy madden in tell it has significantly improved
  55. Murphskee
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    If you were looking for a refreshment, or a game that had new features that aren't recycled content wrapped in a bow... Head in the other direction as fast as you can! This years installment of Madden is literally Madden the year before, with a Roster update. Yes, you heard that correctly. Do not spend the $60 to get a Roster update, just like EVERY YEAR before. Send a message to EA withIf you were looking for a refreshment, or a game that had new features that aren't recycled content wrapped in a bow... Head in the other direction as fast as you can! This years installment of Madden is literally Madden the year before, with a Roster update. Yes, you heard that correctly. Do not spend the $60 to get a Roster update, just like EVERY YEAR before. Send a message to EA with your wallet, and walk away before you even thing about purchasing this massive failure.… Expand
  56. Learntacos_
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    trash trash trash trash trash trash trash trash trash trash trash trash trash
  57. Nastynipnick
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    This game is a disgusting example of why monopolies are anti-consumer. It doesn’t matter how much fans complain about the glitches, the logic, the graphics, the features, the player ratings, the immersion, or restoring franchise. They won’t listen. They struck gold. Madden benefits from the same amount of micro transactions as Fortnite while also being $60 dollars. On top of that, theyThis game is a disgusting example of why monopolies are anti-consumer. It doesn’t matter how much fans complain about the glitches, the logic, the graphics, the features, the player ratings, the immersion, or restoring franchise. They won’t listen. They struck gold. Madden benefits from the same amount of micro transactions as Fortnite while also being $60 dollars. On top of that, they release nearly the game every year to cash in on the new league year. The differences are always minor gameplay changes to make it feel a little different, change the color scheme, and make different ratings for players that usually feel biased and out of touch. They can make empty promises as often as they want and pretend like they’re doing the fans a service, but it’s all make believe. They don’t have to do anything. People will still buy this trash year after year. Every year there’s minor changes announced that gets fans hyped and we fall for the trap. Year after year. All because they add a terrible new storyline that has bugs, horrible writing, and lazy graphics. It’s a sad excuse for a storymode.

    Fans buy these games to play the new roster with the new players, the new looking teams- it’s just a roster update. This is the last year I’ll fall for it. I’ve been stupid enough to buy this disappointment for 5 years to play the same franchise mode over and over again. It’s worse than Bethesda. EA ruined Battlefront. It’s ruined Madden for years, but people keep buying it. The only way for a good football simulation game to come out would be for the NFL to drop EA because they obviously don’t care. This game is a scam and we’re all idiots for buying it. Don’t buy this game or any game from EA. The games are designed to make money and sometimes people enjoy it. Sports games could be so much more if there weren’t a monopoly on the players rights. Instead, these games are a constant disappointment to people who have played literally any other game and fans of football. It’s obvious that EA will continue to apologize and make empty promises. It’s because money is the only language that they speak. I feel bad for the programmers who genuinely care about the franchise, but they don’t get the time or funding. This game could be so much more but it won’t ever be under EA or another exclusive rights agreement. Whatever. I’ve been an idiot for letting a billion dollar company scam me into buying their lazy get rich quick scheme. In short: just don’t buy this game. Or any other Madden.    … Expand
  58. midgarddk
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    Do not but do not but do not but do not but do not but do not but do not but do not but
  59. i_love_madden
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    Specifically made a metacritic account to review this game. Its a terrible game.
  60. Luchador25
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    Game is trash! EA has ruined a great game. Franchise has been broken for years. Absolutely terrible. #NFLdropEA
  61. dpaolini6
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    Unbelievable that a game 15 years ago had more features in franchise mode than this madden. Tried the demo...this will be the first madden since 2002 that I will not buy. I'm done with EA and their greed. Executives need to get a clue.
  62. BennyB763
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    Everything is clearly reused assets. Game looks and performs even worse than years previous which is surprising. Nothing has improved or even changed to say the least. New modes are a facade to make more money. So many currencies I can’t keep track. Very disappointing.
  63. m_wilson30
    Sep 1, 2020
    0
    I already know this game sucks, and I haven't even bought it yet. Ever since madden 13, this game has either been mediocre or trash. You guys can do better for real.
  64. callmedna
    Sep 2, 2020
    0
    damn this game sucks it wont even run on my **** xbox i tried it on pc and it is still garbage
  65. Jacobactual
    Sep 2, 2020
    0
    Absolute garbage. They continue to refuse to listen to the community. Instead of fixing the endless flaws with the game and complete lack of depth in their most played modes, they bring new, buggy modes that nobody asked for. We don’t want new celebrations. We asked for one thing: fix franchise mode. Instead, they didn’t even touch it. Not a single new feature to their most played and mostAbsolute garbage. They continue to refuse to listen to the community. Instead of fixing the endless flaws with the game and complete lack of depth in their most played modes, they bring new, buggy modes that nobody asked for. We don’t want new celebrations. We asked for one thing: fix franchise mode. Instead, they didn’t even touch it. Not a single new feature to their most played and most requested mode. For Pete’s sake, #fixmaddenfranchise trended worldwide on Twitter and they still don’t even touch it. I know people make fun of sports games for selling a $60 roster update, but that is, no exaggeration, exactly what they’ve done. Last Madden game I will ever buy. I wish I could give a review below 0 stars. Screw EA.… Expand
  66. Cmlough
    Sep 2, 2020
    0
    Another copy-paste effort with a litany of bugs and glitches—all for full price. Bare minimum effort received bare minimum score.
  67. Paultorr
    Sep 2, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Why are EA games not free to play maybe if they did this they might less negative reviews
    By the way EA sucks    … Expand
  68. RabidGamer
    Sep 2, 2020
    0
    The game is like a McDonald’s Big Mac that sits out on a table uneaten for weeks...... NOTHING CHANGES
  69. mandude369
    Sep 2, 2020
    0
    #NFLDropEA. Zero competition for an NFL football simulation and this is what you get. A lazy effort that is far worse than Madden games from 15 years ago.
  70. maak27
    Sep 2, 2020
    0
    Words can't describe how god-awful this game is. They would have been better off literally just re-packaging last year's game in its entirety. Somehow, they took all of the garbage that was wrong, re-packaged it, and took out the things that actually worked. Who does that???!!! Save your money. Do not buy this flaming turd of a game.
  71. Bradnoah
    Sep 2, 2020
    0
    If paying to win is your thing jump right into madden ultimate team other wise rinse and repeat your life away grinding solos. Terrible product full of glitches. Seems like a beta more than anything.
  72. grizzlyman469
    Sep 2, 2020
    0
    Same game over and over again. Nothing worth $60 in this game. Sell a roster update for $5.
  73. Jflesch
    Sep 2, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Same game, repackaged. Very minor updates to gameplay. Lots of glitches. Not worth the money

    #NFLdropEA    … Expand
  74. PrettyTony
    Sep 2, 2020
    1
    Madden hasn't been good since 2010. Year after year same ol bugs and glitches and why does EA continue to use a engine that was designed for fps. EA is hands down the worst video gaming company in America.
  75. airbizcut
    Sep 6, 2020
    0
    Garbage. I wonder if EA even watches football, the blocking has been horrendous for years. Glitches are consistent. There has been no innovation in improving the game, just copy and paste from last year and us "clowns" will buy it regardless. Not this year, I have not bought this game since 19 and it still looks the same. They just changed some of the menu art style, and sadly enough theGarbage. I wonder if EA even watches football, the blocking has been horrendous for years. Glitches are consistent. There has been no innovation in improving the game, just copy and paste from last year and us "clowns" will buy it regardless. Not this year, I have not bought this game since 19 and it still looks the same. They just changed some of the menu art style, and sadly enough the only thing they improved on was the microtransaction mechanisms within the game. DONT BUY. #NFLdropEA #fixmaddenfranchise #endmaddenmonopoly… Expand
  76. llfromfl
    Sep 2, 2020
    0
    I am 35-years old and have played every iteration of John Madden football since 1992. While this game has been going downhill for years the latest installment truly demonstrates Electronic Arts total disregard for the quality of it's published work and contempt for its customers. Even the graphics of this year's game have not changed enough to notice, and typically that is the one area ofI am 35-years old and have played every iteration of John Madden football since 1992. While this game has been going downhill for years the latest installment truly demonstrates Electronic Arts total disregard for the quality of it's published work and contempt for its customers. Even the graphics of this year's game have not changed enough to notice, and typically that is the one area of focus EA actually cares about and makes progress in. Major game modes such as Superstar KO and Franchise have literally not changed enough to notice, the new game mode (The Yard) is inconsistent with the purpose of a sports simulation title, and even their microtransaction fueled baby (Madden Ultimate Team/MUT) is rife with bugs and despite recorded video evidence of this fact their customer services blatantly does not care and attempts to passify you with "copy and paste" responses and empty promises, literally the service technician stated in writing "I promise you will never have this problem again" - yeah right! I told myself I would not buy this game and send a message with my wallet, and I am ashamed I did not follow through. This isn't just a terrible game, it's a literal slap in the face to the customer base that has supported this franchise for years. Damn you EA for destroying such a stroied franchise and slowly driving the favorite game of my youth into the ground... #NFLdropEA… Expand
  77. Adddedmax
    Sep 2, 2020
    0
    This game is worse than last year and last year was awful! Do not buy! It’s a waste of $60. EA should be ashamed
  78. Truantlock
    Sep 2, 2020
    0
    Pros: The game looks pretty when there aren’t bugs like players warping through one another, players gliding into hit stick tackles or out of sacks, or when the field actually gets painted. Sometimes pass lead allows for more user control compared to the last number of games.

    Cons: Yes, there are tons of bugs. They can range from mildly irritating/strange to infuriating. Catches will be    Pros: The game looks pretty when there aren’t bugs like players warping through one another, players gliding into hit stick tackles or out of sacks, or when the field actually gets painted. Sometimes pass lead allows for more user control compared to the last number of games.

    Cons: Yes, there are tons of bugs. They can range from mildly irritating/strange to infuriating. Catches will be made but not logged as catches. Runners can inexplicably be ruled down when barely touched, players can warp out of a crowd of tacklers and pull a Goku to suddenly be past the defense with a clear path to the end zone. The ball can be fumbled and no one can pick it up until the ball is pushed out of bounds or out the back of the end zone. But these and other bugs aren’t the worst part. It could be patched and I do trust that the game will be more stable in the coming months.

    The user skill is gone from this game. It’s more animation based than ever before. It may as well be a QuickTime event game that is highly cinematic. You can land hit sticks without being in position with your player warping from a bad angle around 5 yards away. If a CPU player on your team picks off the ball in year’s past you might get caught in a weird animation where you stutter the wrong way as you adjust to the screen orientation change. This year they seemingly couldn’t fix the problem so they just took control away from you and have the computer player run straight ahead before they turn over control on the run back. Players are sluggish and ratings don’t really matter other than speed and the new change of direction, especially on D.

    It’s easy to go on and the game will be patched but it isn’t going to be fixed. Don’t buy this game. Check it out on EA Access if you must. Pick it up used (there will be copies available because it’s a bad game).

    EA needs to focus on creating a good simulation game. It’s clear they put resources in MUT to make money and the Yard to be first to market for arcadey football before 2k releases their games next year. In trying to lock up their cash cow they disrespected their supporters and hurt the NFL brand. Get Madden 20 on EA Access or used and download a community roster and hope that Madden 21 gets the addition it needs or, better yet, 2K is allowed to make a simulation game as that’s the only way EA will take this seriously.    … Expand
  79. Ryeb27
    Sep 2, 2020
    0
    Absolute trash. 13 years straight with garbage simulation football. #NFLdropEA
  80. WMiller81
    Sep 2, 2020
    0
    Embarrassing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  81. Twistedrlty95
    Sep 2, 2020
    0
    Honestly I signed up for Metacritic just to leave a review for this game because of how terrible it is. Simulation football is not playing as the Chiefs and being able to throw a TD pass to Tyreek Hill every time no matter what defensive scheme or adjustments you run. Simulation football is not the game deciding what happens with animations that break the game. EA needs to dropHonestly I signed up for Metacritic just to leave a review for this game because of how terrible it is. Simulation football is not playing as the Chiefs and being able to throw a TD pass to Tyreek Hill every time no matter what defensive scheme or adjustments you run. Simulation football is not the game deciding what happens with animations that break the game. EA needs to drop Frostbite, in fact EA in general doesn't deserve to have the NFL simulation license. If they advertised this as an arcade football game I'd believe them more. Please do not buy this game not even on sale unless it's under $10, even that much is a hard sell for me.… Expand
  82. BarnDogg27
    Sep 2, 2020
    0
    SPOILER ALERT! This game is terrible - each year I say I am not going to buy it & every year I do... well not this year, I returned my copy that I ordered. I’ve played the game though at a neighbors & it’s a roster update from Madden 20. MADDEN 20 IS BETTER DUE TO LESS ISSUES. The Yard? Not worth full price & it’s a gimmic. MUT? Seriously? That’s where this game is headed? No thanks. I’llSPOILER ALERT! This game is terrible - each year I say I am not going to buy it & every year I do... well not this year, I returned my copy that I ordered. I’ve played the game though at a neighbors & it’s a roster update from Madden 20. MADDEN 20 IS BETTER DUE TO LESS ISSUES. The Yard? Not worth full price & it’s a gimmic. MUT? Seriously? That’s where this game is headed? No thanks. I’ll pick it up again on a sale because I need to play football, but fill price? No. That & the bugs need worked out. & I do not believe a single word of these Franchise Mode updates, I don’t buy it - it’s fluff to get through this release & EA will build out a mini team to focus on Franchise in 2022 - it will be heralded as the land mark / benchmark & all will be well... but us faithful have to go through hell to get there... sad & a damn shame.

    They misspelled the Seahawks for crying out loud. They used the wrong year / prior year NCAA field graphics for crying out loud. They have the wrong photos for players, players names are misspelled, the faces in the character edit have not changed in years, the Super Bowl has not changed in years, custom stadiums have not changed in a decade... shall I go on????    … Expand
  83. tylerbanyasz
    Sep 2, 2020
    0
    TRASH GAME DONT WASTE UR MONEY WE WANT A BETTER GAme not repackaged trash #NFLDropEA
  84. Hectorcollector
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    Trash game. Same **** glitches. Same boring ass franchise mode. Same madden ultimate team money grabs. This whole franchise needs to be brought down to its knees. It’s time to stop screwing over NFL fans with this crap sports simulation game! DO NOT BUY!!!! NFLdropEA
  85. Ltmonkey007
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Why is this game even out. Just renamed madden 20 with one new feature. How low is this ea knew what it player base wanted. And will did not give it to us.… Expand
  86. Ducky_7455
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    I don't normally review games, but this one is a special case. This game is so bad that I just HAD to make an account specifically to review Madden 21. Obviously it's an improvement from last year but its improvement is completely deteriorated by the fact that it is NOTHING like real football. The fact that it's even called simulation football is a **** joke. EA would be fine if they movedI don't normally review games, but this one is a special case. This game is so bad that I just HAD to make an account specifically to review Madden 21. Obviously it's an improvement from last year but its improvement is completely deteriorated by the fact that it is NOTHING like real football. The fact that it's even called simulation football is a **** joke. EA would be fine if they moved into the direction of arcade football, but they need to let simulation football go because they do not know how to make it. #NFLdropEA #FixMaddenFranchise ****… Expand
  87. Juskolmeal
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    When the newest feature added is a feature that was removed from Madden 25, which is lineplay with the right analog, that should tell you something. They could have held off and made a season 2 update like AFL and included the animation upgrades for $9.99 so I could just continue my franchise. Then released the yard as a separate game for ?19.99 and we would be good. Instead, they slappedWhen the newest feature added is a feature that was removed from Madden 25, which is lineplay with the right analog, that should tell you something. They could have held off and made a season 2 update like AFL and included the animation upgrades for $9.99 so I could just continue my franchise. Then released the yard as a separate game for ?19.99 and we would be good. Instead, they slapped us in the face with this. I'm actually upset with what they've done. The thought of having ing to attempt to redo my franchise is laughable at best.… Expand
  88. The_Reesecup
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    This game has been the same for 5 years and EA only add and change things when they have competition. The community is sick of seeing imthis year in year out
  89. 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
  90. patsRtheBEST24
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    #NFLDropEA #EndMaddenMonopoly Better off buying one of the older maddens to see what a decent football game is. This game is the same trash it was 7-8 years ago.
  91. Ragedbananas90
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It’s the same game as last year. They just don’t care about putting out a good football game anymore.… Expand
  92. Matt5414
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    Madden has gotten so bad for the first time in 20 years i wasn't going to purchase the game. Most of my family knew i played so i got it as a gift. I figured i would give it a chance to make a long story short i'm glad i didn't waste my money on the game & really wish i would have told other people not to waste money getting it for me. Franchise is just a bunch of head to head games withMadden has gotten so bad for the first time in 20 years i wasn't going to purchase the game. Most of my family knew i played so i got it as a gift. I figured i would give it a chance to make a long story short i'm glad i didn't waste my money on the game & really wish i would have told other people not to waste money getting it for me. Franchise is just a bunch of head to head games with little to nothing to do between games. I work as a Quality control person & if i inspected something that had as little effort & as little detail as this game someone would be losing there job. Its just lazy. EA should really be embarrassed to put this out as a product that people used to love. Then to say "hey 2 is better than 1" speaks a lot about the people running things at EA. I could go on & on about whats wrong with madden but feel like its all been said already. I just hate this is our only choice and the company has no plans or the loyalty to the fans of the game that we loved for some many years to fix it. Instead get on twitter and act as if they have no clue that the game is thrash.… Expand
  93. Mporter4788
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    Disrespectful. The devs on twitter have disrespected me and countless other customers, disrespected the community with a poor excuse of a game and only care about micro transactions. ****
  94. 21Maddensucks21
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    just terrible..boring piece of copy and paste. Sucks being a fan of football and not being able to play a game that accurately represents one of the things you love the most.
  95. drewdizzle94
    Sep 5, 2020
    0
    This game sucks. Blatant copy and paste from last year. I can't believe that they would put this out as if it was a new game compared to last year's game. Ridiculous.
  96. PotatoUnknowns
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    The gameplay is slightly better than Madden 20, I’ll give them that- but the fact that they intentionally stopped updating Madden 20 a lot earlier than normal so they can “focus” on Madden 21, only to have the least amount of content EVER is the just embarrassing. I’ve been playing Madden since Madden 25 and have never experienced a launch with this little content and that was thisThe gameplay is slightly better than Madden 20, I’ll give them that- but the fact that they intentionally stopped updating Madden 20 a lot earlier than normal so they can “focus” on Madden 21, only to have the least amount of content EVER is the just embarrassing. I’ve been playing Madden since Madden 25 and have never experienced a launch with this little content and that was this glitchy. Legitimately half the content that was supposed to be in the game at release wasn’t there and we’re 2 weeks into it and it’s still gone. Multiple game modes that are supposed to be in the game at release are still not there. This is what they blatantly quit working on Madden 20 for?

    Not to mention Franchise mode has gone untouched for the last 5 years.    … Expand
  97. LacyGrays
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    Fix madden franchise! Gameplay! Everything is the same. I’d rather play a madden from a decade ago because it has more franchise features. Stop monopolizing the game with my team and my yard.
  98. Ctpo
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    Perhaps the worst sports game I have played... Compared to NBA 2k where it looks like you are playing an actual TV broadcast, this is a joke. There's not even a halftime show lol! What a waste of money.
  99. Bstrong56
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    Worst sports game in history. Really so many glitches and just a copy and paste of games past. #NFLdropEA
  100. Mrhurricane64
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    Nothing new to the game. Trash graphics. Trash cpu. Trash micro transactions. Single player is absolute garbage
Page:

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.
    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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