Madden NFL 23

 Xbox Series X
User Score
2.0

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 105 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 105
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 105
  3. Negative: 85 out of 105
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  1. Nickzzz
    Sep 20, 2022
    4
    Well, it's better than Madden 23. There's a lot about this game that can be critiqued, same issues and complaints are still to go unignored by EA. With new animations added and the new "field sense" advertised as "hit everything" we are yet met again with mostly a re-skin of a game with outdated code. The new animations are seen repeated only after a few games of playing with the "hitWell, it's better than Madden 23. There's a lot about this game that can be critiqued, same issues and complaints are still to go unignored by EA. With new animations added and the new "field sense" advertised as "hit everything" we are yet met again with mostly a re-skin of a game with outdated code. The new animations are seen repeated only after a few games of playing with the "hit everything" feature seeming to be more and more animated based tackling that just includes a more variables to which the animation triggers. Franchise mode is the same lick every year, the new Off-Season being a slight improvement. I do like that roster building is somewhat harder and more logical than in the past, and the implement of player tags are good for the user and as far as I have seen the CPU. Gameplay difficulty has always been a big critique of mine. All-Madden is so inconsistent that it is almost mind numbing at times. You can get absolutely crushed by the worst team in the league one week, and blowout the best team in the league the next. Game by game the difficulty does not translate, understandably it should never be so concrete however it is drastically inconsistent that it doesn't hold any realism. The new passing system has made a good improvement but once again doesn't seem to overwhelmingly change the overall Madden gameplay we've come to hate. Lastly, somehow the presentation has gotten worse. A basic non-copyright generic song that bears no resemblance to real TV anthems or reflect the nature of the game are ear bleeding. The generic music mixed with some shots of players warming up to next-gen stats is all we see. Apart from a quick cut of a flyover and an American flag the presentation has no immersion nor passion put into it like always. Overall, it's just better than last years edition.… Expand
  2. hellagnarly
    Aug 29, 2022
    4
    I let myself fall for EA's BS. I ignored my gut and bought this on 8/25/22...I just got a refund on XboxLive 4 days later.

    In terms of the game itself, it's not the worst thing I've ever played. The problem is that it's literally the same exact thing as the last couple of games. GRAPHICS In terms of quality, it does look a little better compared to the last few seasons. The problem    I let myself fall for EA's BS. I ignored my gut and bought this on 8/25/22...I just got a refund on XboxLive 4 days later.

    In terms of the game itself, it's not the worst thing I've ever played. The problem is that it's literally the same exact thing as the last couple of games.

    GRAPHICS
    In terms of quality, it does look a little better compared to the last few seasons. The problem is that a lot of the player models (especially linemen) look very bad. Outside of a few players, most of them look like short-armed / pear-shaped mutants.

    Coaches look like weird hunchbacks. Crowds are generic. Some of the more prolific players look pretty good but the dropoff to the next tier of notable players is hilarious. Sidelines are still PS3 level. No refs on the field during gameplay, they only show up on screen to call a penalty.

    SOUND

    The commentary is still atrocious and hilariously out of place. First play from scrimmage I run the ball and they talk about how successful I've been all game long. Stadium atmosphere is average and stale.

    Certain sounds are just spammed over and over again and are tied to certain catches etc. This is especially noticeable in practice modes

    GAMEPLAY

    It's still quite evident that all EA cares about is feeding the cash pigs splashing $ for MUT. Fieldsense literally has minimal effect on gameplay so much so that it feels exactly the same as the last few games. If anything, the new "mechanic" lends itself to more weird player interactions and collisions since the engine is still bugged out.

    Franchise is still ignored and disgracefully bare bones. I'm sure the ridiculous amounts of interceptions and terrible blocking can be addressed with custom sliders/patches but that putting lipstick on this pig of an engine. Madden will never be good until EA spends the time and money on developing a new one.

    Bottom line: if you go into this not expecting anything, you should enjoy it. If you let yourself fall for EA's marketing (the most polished version/Fieldsense etc) then you...like me, will be disappointed. You're essentially paying for a roster update that looks a little better.

    MUT cash pigs and Youtubers continue to destroy Madden for the rest of us. I personally only devoted about 2 hours into Franchise before I requested the refund. I'm sure my gripes would be way more if I played more.

    I will personally never give another cent to an EA-backed football game.    … Expand
  3. weefops
    Aug 23, 2022
    3
    Not well built, log me out after a couple of games. I have to quit the game on the home screen and start it up again. The linemen just jam on the short yardage run. No power running. Just an arcade-like passing game with a linebacker running 40 yards covering receivers. If you want a realistic game this ain't it. Gameplay was better about 15 years ago, this is just something that aNot well built, log me out after a couple of games. I have to quit the game on the home screen and start it up again. The linemen just jam on the short yardage run. No power running. Just an arcade-like passing game with a linebacker running 40 yards covering receivers. If you want a realistic game this ain't it. Gameplay was better about 15 years ago, this is just something that a 12-year-old would play with a joystick.Had enough interceptions with linebackers 30 yards downfield on a third wide receiver.… Expand
  4. Mattyice
    Aug 18, 2022
    2
    Madden 23 is an improvement over Madden 22, although that's not really saying much. Gameplay is slightly better, although it still doesn't play quite like real football should and bugs are still aplenty. Franchise Mode's new features (namely the overhauled FA system and CPU requested trades) are solid, but there are still major aspects missing (any form of customizability, contractMadden 23 is an improvement over Madden 22, although that's not really saying much. Gameplay is slightly better, although it still doesn't play quite like real football should and bugs are still aplenty. Franchise Mode's new features (namely the overhauled FA system and CPU requested trades) are solid, but there are still major aspects missing (any form of customizability, contract holdouts, etc.). Presentation is a bit better, but still absolutely sucks relative to other sports titles and still features the drab and groan-inducing Brandon Gauden and Charles Davis. For the love of god EA needs to dump them for a real commentary crew and also dump that vomit green color wave that they're plastering all over the presentation package. However, there is still the embarrassment that is Face of the Franchise, which needs to be completely destroyed in favor of a true career mode that's half competent. Madden 23 is an improvement over the games that came before and a step in the right direction, but not all that much of one.… Expand
  5. roland265
    Aug 21, 2022
    2
    If you like ultimate football this is the game for you, if you search for a different experience from last year probably not, tha game itself nowadays seems more oriented to get peoples int ultimate football mode than any other modes, you will find probably tons of pack worth 500 dollars or more in the store any time, the other mode are more or less the same as last year, the new controlIf you like ultimate football this is the game for you, if you search for a different experience from last year probably not, tha game itself nowadays seems more oriented to get peoples int ultimate football mode than any other modes, you will find probably tons of pack worth 500 dollars or more in the store any time, the other mode are more or less the same as last year, the new control mode probably improve a little the experience but at the same time it's not certain that you will like it, it's the only football game official so here is the problem, if you want to play a football game you are stuck with this, willing or not willing, your choice.… Expand
  6. zeroice007
    Aug 29, 2022
    2
    Yes you have skill based passing however there are alot of issues in this polished game , Yes it's polished lol but if you polish a turd you have a cleaner turd. Even with sliders it's a glitchy mess at times, yes there going in the quote the right direction but in over ten years how long will it take to catch up with other sports games lol . This game meds a major update and not just forYes you have skill based passing however there are alot of issues in this polished game , Yes it's polished lol but if you polish a turd you have a cleaner turd. Even with sliders it's a glitchy mess at times, yes there going in the quote the right direction but in over ten years how long will it take to catch up with other sports games lol . This game meds a major update and not just for the loop. Franchise is in need of help seriously. Was this even tested… Expand
  7. snewby
    Sep 22, 2022
    2
    EA has found a way to insert a whole new set of bugs into the game that didn't exist for years. I'm highly impressed. The core mode is bugged over a month into the game and cannot progress past the draft before saves automatically corrupt. Connected Franchise is unusable past a single season and worse if you started with a fantasy draft. Spending four weeks with your friends to get thisEA has found a way to insert a whole new set of bugs into the game that didn't exist for years. I'm highly impressed. The core mode is bugged over a month into the game and cannot progress past the draft before saves automatically corrupt. Connected Franchise is unusable past a single season and worse if you started with a fantasy draft. Spending four weeks with your friends to get this mode going only to have it corrupt after deep investment is so depressing. All the emotional connections are severed as we wait for the game mode to be repaired. The gameplay is better, though, so that's nice.… Expand
  8. hyliansidekick
    Oct 28, 2022
    2
    It's hard to review this game, because it's so broken. The only mode I haven't encountered a game-breaking bug in so far is the "Play Now" exhibition games. I've had the city background that's supposed to be in the background of the stadiums appear in the middle of the field of play (obscuring everything), I've had my Face of the Franchise mode avatars suddenly only be able to learn QBIt's hard to review this game, because it's so broken. The only mode I haven't encountered a game-breaking bug in so far is the "Play Now" exhibition games. I've had the city background that's supposed to be in the background of the stadiums appear in the middle of the field of play (obscuring everything), I've had my Face of the Franchise mode avatars suddenly only be able to learn QB abilities (even if they're WR's or LB's), the name "Parker" is flagged as offensive (but a name with "poop" in it isn't), Ultimate Team challenges that I've completed (starting with the intro) are not marking as complete or giving me rewards, and there are so many physics issues, I can't even believe it. Seriously, just search Madden 23 on YouTube, and the majority of videos you'll find are of crazy physics.

    Even if you love American Football and the Madden franchise, don't buy this game. You won't be able to play it.

    DO. NOT. BUY. THIS. GAME.    … Expand
  9. CrimsonEagle124
    May 17, 2023
    2
    I'm a huge fan of the NFL. I've been watching the Eagles ever since I was a little kid and they are my favorite sports team. That's why I am so disappointed that Madden is the only option to choose from to play as my favorite team. If Madden was an arcade style game, this game would be decent enough. As a football simulation game however, it is completely soulless. I used to love Madden asI'm a huge fan of the NFL. I've been watching the Eagles ever since I was a little kid and they are my favorite sports team. That's why I am so disappointed that Madden is the only option to choose from to play as my favorite team. If Madden was an arcade style game, this game would be decent enough. As a football simulation game however, it is completely soulless. I used to love Madden as a kid and my favorite mode was always franchise. The 2000s Maddens had so much content in franchise mode from radio broadcasts, create-a-team, super-star mode, etc. Madden 23, and the previous ten maddens for that matter, just seem so lifeless with no care put into the game. Franchise mode, while an improvement over Madden 22, is still very bland and boring. While I appreciate the return of assistant coaches and the updated scouting mechanics, it is still lacking in so many other departments. The same relocation teams have been kept with no new additions, the same generic player faces have barely been touched in the past five years, Chris Davis and Brandon Gaudin have been the same broadcast team since Madden 17, etc. Face of the Franchise mode is boring and is lacking in content that the previous superstar modes had in earlier maddens. As a simulation game, football can't perform well on the Frostbite engine and the game will constantly bug out with glitches in every game I play. The animations are scripted and the game just feels extremely unrealistic. Even if EA fixed all the issues I have with franchise mode and Face of the Franchise, I still would not buy this game because the Frostbite engine makes this experience unbearable for me. Now if you enjoy modes such as Ultimate Team and The Yard, I am genuinely happy that you were able to find entertainment in this game where I couldn't. However, I do not want to play those modes because I want to play simulation football and those modes don't offer that and neither does the rest of the game for that matter. The NFL should strip EA of its exclusive licence to make simulation NFL games and allow competition. Maybe that would motivate EA to add more depth to Franchise mode, Face of the Franchise, and create a new physics based engine for Madden. If not, we could at least have other options to choose from.… Expand
  10. RYASNILVIA
    Aug 26, 2022
    1
    I bought this hoping EA would do coach Madden justice and make a good game this year. NOPE. This is the worst Madden I have ever played. Game still isn't compatible with the resume feature on the series x. You have to quit the game every time or it won't connect to EA's servers.
    Franchise mode is a buggy joke. Half the time I play a game the kick meter disappears or the commentators don't    I bought this hoping EA would do coach Madden justice and make a good game this year. NOPE. This is the worst Madden I have ever played. Game still isn't compatible with the resume feature on the series x. You have to quit the game every time or it won't connect to EA's servers.
    Franchise mode is a buggy joke. Half the time I play a game the kick meter disappears or the commentators don't talk and half the game audio is gone. Franchise missions in each game either don't work or don't explain what you need to do. The goal is to keep them under 20 pts and despite the ai only scoring 7 I don't get the defensive goal. This game has added a couple new passing features that barely work but otherwise this game is just another MUT reset and cash grab. Coach Madden would be sorely disappointed to see how EA is using his name. I'm disappointed in myself for buying this piece of crap. Please don't buy it. This horrible game.    … Expand
  11. Gowron
    Aug 27, 2022
    1
    Same garbage game released every year ... We as gamers should not purchase this ****
    I cant belive people seriously will spend money every year to buy the same damn game ...
    The gaming industry really needs to bee shaken up
  12. ImLivid
    Aug 23, 2022
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Still the same retextured game with slightly more animations, and offensive line blocking is TERRIBLE!… Expand
  13. jacobcouch95
    Aug 30, 2022
    1
    I purchased next gen just for madden 23. Started out NOT receiving any pre order bonuses. Then as I grind every single day living to play the game to compete it’s not giving me any coins or credits towards leveling up. They hate the game to fix the bugs and issues and I come back to be banned and unable to even play the game now. EA is terrible. It’s about time a new company takes over.I purchased next gen just for madden 23. Started out NOT receiving any pre order bonuses. Then as I grind every single day living to play the game to compete it’s not giving me any coins or credits towards leveling up. They hate the game to fix the bugs and issues and I come back to be banned and unable to even play the game now. EA is terrible. It’s about time a new company takes over. What a horrific experience… Expand
  14. Mgibbs04
    Sep 5, 2022
    1
    Was thinking this game was a step in the right direction, but the franchise is broken to the point I can't get past the draft. All they care about is MUT and I can't wait till 2K gets involved and hopefully gives us a better football game.
  15. Youaremyclarity
    Sep 30, 2022
    1
    Sad to see that this game takes zero steps forward…again. It feels clunky and unsatisfying controlling these players and giving users competent AI help remains an unsolvable task. MUT, once again, is the only mode that sees any attention and even it feels sparse. Frustrating to see and worse to play.
  16. Darth585
    Oct 13, 2022
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Game plays like every other madden that has the frost bite engine! It’s time for the NFL to give 2k the license so football fans can have a great game for a change. We haven’t had a good madden in at least ten years… Expand
  17. seanpdlc
    Nov 15, 2022
    1
    I gave this a 1 instead of a zero since I did play the trial for over an hour. Beyond that, nothing to see here. Until EA has to compete and we have more than one simulation football game on the market we are stuck with trash…
  18. Russell04
    Aug 15, 2023
    1
    Carbon copy for the last 5-10 years with little to no real improvement to gameplay or authenticity
  19. Lasto
    Aug 21, 2022
    0
    Just another roster update on a 10 year old game with loads of microtransactions. Please make us a NEW game!
  20. DrD00m
    Aug 27, 2022
    0
    Just more of the same old same old. I don't know why you would spend money on this. EA doesn't care about the Madden brand. It's just a money machine at this point.
  21. sald
    Aug 19, 2022
    0
    You still can't even create your own team for franchise mode. Franchise is a lazy mess overall, and the game as a whole is clunky and overly scripted. They really only care about visuals and exploiting the exclusive license to make simulation NFL games. However, visually, other modern sports games such as nba 2k are years, maybe a decade ahead now. There isn't a lot of love and care putYou still can't even create your own team for franchise mode. Franchise is a lazy mess overall, and the game as a whole is clunky and overly scripted. They really only care about visuals and exploiting the exclusive license to make simulation NFL games. However, visually, other modern sports games such as nba 2k are years, maybe a decade ahead now. There isn't a lot of love and care put into this series any longer, if any. This is just a patch of last years game.… Expand
  22. gresham
    Feb 6, 2023
    0
    Trash game. Trash company. They wiped 16,000,000 coins from my account for "coin distribution", when in reality all I was doing was buying legendary team strategy cards low and selling them super high. Their trash algorithm took this as coin distribution and now I have to dispute which is gonna take weeks. I will never be buying or playing any EA game again. DO NOT BUY
  23. MakeMaddengr8
    Aug 23, 2022
    0
    Bro, this is literally the same **** as the year before and the year before that and also the year before that one as well I didn’t buy Madden23 I played a 10 hour trial version of it and flat out felt bored as usual.
  24. JayBeck
    Sep 15, 2022
    0
    I didn't think gameplay could get worse than 22 but holy **** It's the same animations, same feel, same glitchy ****
  25. Mechanix82
    Aug 21, 2022
    0
    Ea please fix this game. The horrible menu stutter. I win the toss in overtime for the game to black screen. Load back in lose the toss and lose the game. Then I beat the falcons in a great game just for the game to send me back to the week prior. What a terrible experience. Not ro mention I started a season 2 weeks in for the file to just disappear. Did you guys not think about the quickEa please fix this game. The horrible menu stutter. I win the toss in overtime for the game to black screen. Load back in lose the toss and lose the game. Then I beat the falcons in a great game just for the game to send me back to the week prior. What a terrible experience. Not ro mention I started a season 2 weeks in for the file to just disappear. Did you guys not think about the quick resume because your game runs like **** everything I turn my Xbox off. Releases completely broken again… Expand
  26. acemaster
    Aug 29, 2022
    0
    Two weeks after launch and it’s the same terrible mess. At least EA finally made me see the light. Won’t be buying this game again
  27. craigfromthelan
    Aug 25, 2022
    0
    Madden continues to take a downward spiral every year. This time around the bugs are so extensive that it makes you question if they even tested the game at all. Franchise mode is completely broken and unplayable still over a week past it's release. Trading player to player fails, weeks advanced get reset, players cut come back on the team, players signed go back to the waivers. MeanwhileMadden continues to take a downward spiral every year. This time around the bugs are so extensive that it makes you question if they even tested the game at all. Franchise mode is completely broken and unplayable still over a week past it's release. Trading player to player fails, weeks advanced get reset, players cut come back on the team, players signed go back to the waivers. Meanwhile the developers only worry about MUT and that mode has bugs and glitches everywhere as well.

    In true EA fashion, all they have done is a roster update and 1 fancy new mechanic. The same they do every year only this time it seems as though they took a backward step on visuals. So many players are appearing fatter with guts this year, the look of Jersey fits and shoulder pads are odd and make you question if you're playing a next generation console game.

    To it's credit I felt the passing leads work well and made you have a real sense of control when trying to fit balls in tight spaces. This should have been in the game a long time ago though.

    EA continues to hand out subpar games because they have no competition and they know NFL fans will just buy it anyway. What the fans need is for the NFL to do right by them and open this up to other developers like 2k who actually know how to make games. Competition would bring back them actually putting effort into it.    … Expand
  28. RomanDB
    Aug 21, 2022
    0
    God-awful. the same exact game. and on PC, for the 3rd year, no next-gen. people really need to stop buying this garbage. it is a true shame that the NFL could care less because so many purchase this game strictly for FUT. that's it. when FIFA beats you going to next-gen, you need to get off your tail and do the same. horrible gameplay, defense can be beaten with a 3 set plays, offense nowGod-awful. the same exact game. and on PC, for the 3rd year, no next-gen. people really need to stop buying this garbage. it is a true shame that the NFL could care less because so many purchase this game strictly for FUT. that's it. when FIFA beats you going to next-gen, you need to get off your tail and do the same. horrible gameplay, defense can be beaten with a 3 set plays, offense now seems move nowhere and the QB is throwing AI controlled INTs. and polished??? this game is as broken as last years. pass on it, but if you buy it....blame yourself.… Expand
  29. alphawulf
    Oct 3, 2022
    0
    How is this in any way, shape, or form; an improvement on 22? Thank god I only did the demo, I would have probably jumped off a building if I had bought the game. Seriously, EA **** bites. They are the worst company in the world, feeding off yours and my compliance. **** stop making terrible games and NHL better be good or we're all **** because they have maxed out their ****-up with NHL,How is this in any way, shape, or form; an improvement on 22? Thank god I only did the demo, I would have probably jumped off a building if I had bought the game. Seriously, EA **** bites. They are the worst company in the world, feeding off yours and my compliance. **** stop making terrible games and NHL better be good or we're all **** because they have maxed out their ****-up with NHL, or so I hope… Expand
  30. base_d
    Aug 30, 2022
    0
    I am going to copy and paste this 0 star review just how EA makes its Madden games.
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Awards & Rankings

88
#88 Best Xbox Series X Game of 2022
21
#21 Most Discussed Xbox Series X Game of 2022

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
70

Mixed or average reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 22
  3. Negative: 2 out of 22
  1. Xbox Tavern
    Sep 26, 2022
    30
    Madden 23 is a rehash of all the previous Madden‘s in the series. Bits and pieces were taken from those games and labelled as new. Even though FieldSENSE was refurbished I still strongly believe that it gave Madden 23 its shine. What good is that shine however when the game is covered with bugs and laziness? I’m not saying this game had to be perfect. Other sports simulation titles have their own share of problems. What separates Madden from them however is EA decides to mix the old problems with the new ones. Instead of fixing it, they go and do the same thing next year.
    Read full review
  2. Telegraph
    Sep 23, 2022
    60
    It feels that EA Tiburon have a conundrum here as there is both too much and not enough when it comes to Madden’s modes. Persevering with stuff like The Yard and Face of the Franchise to keep the options broad is all very well, but when no aspect of the game is given full attention, everything feels undercooked.
    Read full review
  3. TheSixthAxis
    Sep 20, 2022
    70
    Madden 23 is still Madden, but little more. If you’ve been wanting an NFL game that offers something wholly new, or one that can match the NBA 2K series for production values, then this isn’t the place to find it. However, there’s some key incremental improvements happening here which make Madden 23 a tighter, more engaging experience for fans, and one which will happily see you through this year’s NFL season.
    Read full review
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