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. Jhagman
    Aug 16, 2023
    7
    This game isn't too bad. I had a good time playing it and the gameplay is much improved compared to recent Madden entries. Offense is actually playable for once in this game and is semi realistic.
  2. Russell04
    Aug 15, 2023
    1
    Carbon copy for the last 5-10 years with little to no real improvement to gameplay or authenticity
  3. 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
  4. JoshTheBot121
    May 6, 2023
    7
    A better game with improved features. Bugs hurt it a lot. couldn't live up to hype
  5. Mike10101
    May 5, 2023
    0
    One of the worst sports video games I have ever played. Abilities completely ruined the game and there is no skill gap whatsoever. Success in ultimate is only possible if you 1. Spend hundreds of dollars on the game or 2. If you are a slave to the game and play 8 hours a day
  6. Belton
    Mar 23, 2023
    0
    While there are some cool animations in the game, only the computer will be able to perform them. This can leave you feeling like you're missing out on some of the game's best features.

    Overall, Madden 23 feels like a game that's designed to force franchise players out and into MUT (Madden Ultimate Team). It's clear that the game's developers want to make more money, and they're willing    While there are some cool animations in the game, only the computer will be able to perform them. This can leave you feeling like you're missing out on some of the game's best features.

    Overall, Madden 23 feels like a game that's designed to force franchise players out and into MUT (Madden Ultimate Team). It's clear that the game's developers want to make more money, and they're willing to sacrifice the experience of their core audience to do so. This is especially disappointing because previous versions of Madden have been so successful in catering to franchise players.

    In short, Madden 23 is a disappointment. If you're looking for a game that's fair, fun, and balanced, you might want to consider other options. Don't waste your money on a game that only cares about MUT and is greedy af.    … Expand
  7. JP96204
    Mar 22, 2023
    0
    This game sucks. It has no depth and all EA cares about now is Ultimate team and that mode isnt good. Franchise has about the same depth of Madden 2001 on the PS1. If you call this trash game out you get canceled by the madden community. Dont support this company.
  8. noobishpro
    Mar 14, 2023
    0
    screw this game. even on easy mode, the bots will **** destroy you with perfect precision while your team lets them slip by. defenders can’t defend, offense can’t catch and almost every time you get a touchdown or a good interception you get a penalty and it’s taken away from you
  9. 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
  10. 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…
  11. 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
  12. Kingslade1
    Oct 25, 2022
    0
    Game is beyond awful, terrible physics, terrible mechanics, nothing within this game says authentic realistic football, it’s a joke of a franchise and an even more slap to the face of NFL and football fans in general. Truly sad.
  13. EASUCKSSOMUCH
    Oct 19, 2022
    0
    I was just playing Madden 14, a nearly decade old game by the same developer, and it’s somehow a better all around game then this. I find it absolutely ridiculous that in those TEN years, EA has yet to make significant positive change on this franchise. Controlling players feels sloppy, clunky, and unnatural. Single player modes continue to be boring, repetitive, and unchanged betweenI was just playing Madden 14, a nearly decade old game by the same developer, and it’s somehow a better all around game then this. I find it absolutely ridiculous that in those TEN years, EA has yet to make significant positive change on this franchise. Controlling players feels sloppy, clunky, and unnatural. Single player modes continue to be boring, repetitive, and unchanged between installments. I don’t understand how adding a couple slightly different mechanics (that oftentimes make gameplay worse) merits a new release. They didn’t even change the UI. Even their workhorse game mode, Madden Ultimate Team, seems surprisingly dismissed. The same gameplay bugs of poor animations and unintelligent AI help continue to plague literally every single one of their sports games. Overall, probably wouldn’t recommend.… Expand
  14. 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
  15. 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
  16. 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.
  17. 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
  18. 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
  19. danger22jmb
    Sep 18, 2022
    0
    Ok, so the only good thing I will say is that the game looks very nice, graphics make the game look great. However, this does not make up for the animations that still play out against you regards of your result. An example of this is, playing defense you knock the ball out of the QB's hands after a sack and a glitch causes the QB to literally bounce in a unnatural way back into the QB;sOk, so the only good thing I will say is that the game looks very nice, graphics make the game look great. However, this does not make up for the animations that still play out against you regards of your result. An example of this is, playing defense you knock the ball out of the QB's hands after a sack and a glitch causes the QB to literally bounce in a unnatural way back into the QB;s hands. This is just one of many where you still have no control over your result! I can kind of live with this, one thing I can not however is that if you play franchise the game has the same glitch as last year where you loose you saved file after 5-6 seasons, the game corrupts your saved file and the auto-saved file and the previous year saved file where your results are gone forever. EA will not fix this because after the initial 60.00 you spend on the game it does not generate further funds for them. This is an excusable given that money does not grow on trees! If you want a good football game AXIS 23 is on steam for 20.00.… Expand
  20. Ciggybum
    Sep 17, 2022
    0
    Broken like always. Spend your money elsewhere. Axis Football, Maximum Football, and others may not be that great. But they at least try
  21. 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 ****
  22. FatChimp23
    Sep 14, 2022
    0
    Horrible bugs in Franchise mode and Face of the Franchise. In franchise I’ve run into the same bug in all 3 franchises I’ve started where after a game it kicks you to the Xbox Home Screen and then never lets you launch that franchise file again. Same with face of the franchise when trying to sign with a new team in free agency. I wasted hours of my life on saves I’ll never get back. YetHorrible bugs in Franchise mode and Face of the Franchise. In franchise I’ve run into the same bug in all 3 franchises I’ve started where after a game it kicks you to the Xbox Home Screen and then never lets you launch that franchise file again. Same with face of the franchise when trying to sign with a new team in free agency. I wasted hours of my life on saves I’ll never get back. Yet another year of EA being money greedy for MUT users and not caring about the rest of the game whatsoever.… Expand
  23. Ruziska
    Sep 12, 2022
    5
    Gameplay this year is fun, exciting and engaging. It's not a big update from 22 though, so don't expect much more than a fresh paintjob and one or two new "features." While the gameplay is smooth and released much better than the past couple years, the introduction of the field pass can be summed up as HORRID to this point. Since release Madden 23 has had issues with proper tracking onGameplay this year is fun, exciting and engaging. It's not a big update from 22 though, so don't expect much more than a fresh paintjob and one or two new "features." While the gameplay is smooth and released much better than the past couple years, the introduction of the field pass can be summed up as HORRID to this point. Since release Madden 23 has had issues with proper tracking on most field passes, but the glaring issues with the Competitive field pass stands out above the others. As of 9/12/2022 there has been a total of three competitive field passes, the original and two resets for new goals. So far the first two had MAJOR tracking issues and are STILL UNRESOLVED for the vast majority of players. Many customers have missed out on rewards, yet they just plug along and release new field passes. They continually apologize on their three twitch streams each week, but it is clear that if they are working on a correction, they aren't forthcoming with real information.

    If you're here just to play the game and not care about in game rewards, you won't be disappointed, but it might eventually get very difficult to advance unless you are ready to sink more money into the game. They have to fix the game crippling field pass bugs before I would recommend this game to anyone.    … Expand
  24. 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.
  25. 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
  26. base_d
    Aug 30, 2022
    0
    I am going to copy and paste this 0 star review just how EA makes its Madden games.
  27. MrSkew
    Aug 29, 2022
    0
    They say it's gonna be better every year and every year it is another disappointment. Give us a football game worthy of our money and stop recycling features from previous maddens. This is an embarrassing effort. After years of copy and paste and 0 effort from the madden team and EA, I guess it's time I give madden the same effort and score it what it deserves. A 0!!
  28. 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
  29. Judicah
    Aug 29, 2022
    0
    After years of the same buggy and half assed mess. I genuinely thought this time was going to be different. I somehow thought that there was no way EA would stoop so low as to piss all over the grave of John Madden. I mean they put his face on the cover, this is supposed to be the game to honor him. Surely they would give their best foot forward to honor his memory and what he did for theAfter years of the same buggy and half assed mess. I genuinely thought this time was going to be different. I somehow thought that there was no way EA would stoop so low as to piss all over the grave of John Madden. I mean they put his face on the cover, this is supposed to be the game to honor him. Surely they would give their best foot forward to honor his memory and what he did for the game of football right?

    No. They did absolutely nothing of the sort. This game has all the same bugs as Madden 22, 21, 20, 19, 18, etc. There is no evidence they gave any sort of effort to polish this game or fix tackling animation or blocking animations. Chip blocking, double teaming, press release, all these animations are still bugged and don't work. And on top of that running backs still run into their own linemen on routes 6 years later... The sidelines still look like PS3, the stands still look like PS2, Even John Madden himself looks terrible and horrifyingly uncanny.

    EA, you have more money than god himself. You could've easily made a game worthy of John Maddens name and used this chance to restore all the bad blood you've had with your community. But since you have a monopoly and no competition, you just didn't care. You did the bare minimum and shipped it out just like you've done for the past decade... It's just so depressing and sad. Just when I think you can't sink any lower you find new ways to dig deeper. Shame on you.    … Expand
  30. 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
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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

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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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