Madden NFL 25

 Xbox Series X
Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 12
  3. Negative: 1 out of 12
  1. Gaming Age
    Sep 3, 2024
    70
    Madden 25 gameplay is very much in line with Madden 24 and is more so just a refinement than any brand new gameplay mechanics or engine implementations, and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I found the gameplay smooth, seamless, and all around a good experience. Now is College Football 25 a better experience? In my opinion it is and that is coming from a diehard NFL fan who watches little to no college football. But if you want the NFL players and teams, Madden is really your only option for better or worse.
  2. ZTGD
    Aug 30, 2024
    70
    Madden NFL 25 has some highs and lows for sure. It is the only game in town, which means as long as it is better than 24, I will continue playing it. I enjoy the on-field action, which is the most important aspect each year. Still it feels on cruise control, which sucks. I want to see some real revelations in the game and presentation. Hopefully we get some true competition in the future as the team here clearly loves the game and knows how to make it fun.
  3. TheXboxHub
    Sep 25, 2024
    60
    The Madden NFL 25 on-field action is solid. But once again, it is let down in a lot of other departments, and that is despite some noticeable improvements.
  5. Shacknews
    Aug 21, 2024
    60
    Madden NFL 25 isn’t a bad game, it’s just the latest mild variation of the same game I’ve been playing for the past half-decade. I’ve resigned myself to the fact that modern Madden games won’t be better than “just alright” until there’s some sort of major change in the philosophy behind how they’re developed and released, but at least I’ve got College Football to go back to.
  6. GameSpot
    Aug 20, 2024
    60
    It's almost mysterious to me how I'm moved to invest hundreds of hours into this series every year despite it reliably offering the same problems--even if the specifics change, the philosophy remains. Off the field, Madden 25 is mostly checking boxes, and it stings to see my favorite sport not receive a video game companion similar in its grandeur. But the on-field gameplay is paramount and, here, very strong. I don't lose sight of that. This makes Madden 25 enjoyable despite its plethora of locker-room issues. I've played over 30 hours of Madden 25 so far, and I will play hundreds more before next August, at which point I will get the newest Madden and undoubtedly do it all over again. In the end, maybe that's the real Madden Curse.