Madden NFL 21

 Xbox One
Madden NFL 21 Image
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69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews What's this?

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0.5

Overwhelming dislike- based on 1047 Ratings

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  • Summary: Innovative new gameplay mechanics in Madden NFL 21 deliver advanced levels of control and inspire creativity. Get crafty with the all-new Skill Stick that allows for enhanced precision on both sides of the ball. Push the limits of your legacy in Face of the Franchise: Rise To Fame. The newInnovative new gameplay mechanics in Madden NFL 21 deliver advanced levels of control and inspire creativity. Get crafty with the all-new Skill Stick that allows for enhanced precision on both sides of the ball. Push the limits of your legacy in Face of the Franchise: Rise To Fame. The new playable documentary career mode offers all-out levels of agency and depth throughout your journey to the Hall of Fame. Pull up for a brand-new season of Ultimate Team content as you earn rewards to finesse your depth chart and flex your fantasy roster on the competition. Your favorite NFL teams’ playbooks are updated in Play Now and Franchise based on new schemes and new plays utilized during the real-life NFL season. [Electronic Arts]… Expand
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Patrick Mahomes Talks Madden 21 | Inside Xbox

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. GamingTrend
    Aug 27, 2020
    80
    Madden NFL 21 is a solid product. It excels in several areas, like the presentation and Ultimate Team. The core gameplay is as fun and smooth as it’s ever been, and I’ve been playing since Madden NFL 2005. But the new jewels in the crown are flawed and need to be polished a bit more. Face Of The Franchise and The Yard both have tons of potential, but they aren’t realized here. Content updates may help with The Yard, but in the end it’s like scoring a touchdown but missing the extra point.
  2. Vandal
    Sep 1, 2020
    78
    Madden takes a step towards a more arcade-y approach, becoming the most accessible NFL game in many years. EA is trying to find the right identity for the series, and so far we have a very solid title, that still needs some work to be the game this sport deserves.
  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.
  4. Game Rant
    Aug 27, 2020
    70
    Madden NFL 21 is an imperfect game, with some modes like Franchise and MUT lacking any meaningful upgrades. Fans of those modes will still have fun, but they will have to wait for next year's Madden to see where the major evolutions take place. Meanwhile, Face of the Franchise is awkward from a story perspective and lacks player agency. But the core gameplay experience feels better than ever, with things like the new Skill Stick controls allowing for creatively on the field. Lastly, The Yard is so good it could be its own stand-alone game.
  5. COGconnected
    Aug 27, 2020
    68
    While it seems like the Madden franchise is trending in the wrong direction, the future remains bright for EA Sports virtual gridiron game. A new generation of consoles is right around the corner and the timing couldn’t be better. I have to give EA some credit here as folks who purchase Madden NFL 21 for PlayStation 4 or Xbox One, are able to upgrade their copy to PlayStation 5, or Xbox Series X at no extra cost. That said, it feels as though EA Sports has done everything they can with this generation of consoles and is merely on cruise control until they have the technical capacity to do so much more. Madden NFL 21 isn’t necessarily a bad game; it will improve over time with updates. Yet the product at launch is riddled with deficiencies and the incremental additions aren’t significant enough to warrant a purchase recommendation from me.
  6. ZTGD
    Aug 28, 2020
    65
    Madden 21 is the first time I have found it hard to recommend upgrading. It truly does feel like a roster update in a lot of areas. Franchise mode is super disappointing for me. I spend hundreds of hours in it yearly and I can’t tell a difference between the game I played last week and today. The developers have said they are listening and have heard our requests. This could be patched in. I still want to see this game on new hardware, but as of now I am having a hard time saying Madden is worth the annual upgrade for gamers.
  7. USgamer
    Aug 27, 2020
    60
    Madden 21's gameplay takes some appreciable steps forward as the generation comes to a close, with The Yard providing some casual fun. The experience is marred by an abnormal number of bugs though, and the single-player modes remain a major sore point. Ultimately, it's able to pick up a few yards on the way to the next generation of consoles, but just a few.

See all 21 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 604
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 604
  3. Negative: 588 out of 604
  1. CinnamonFury
    Aug 27, 2020
    10
    With the most innovative graphics in all of internet gaming, EA proves once again that the Madden franchise is one of, if not the highestWith the most innovative graphics in all of internet gaming, EA proves once again that the Madden franchise is one of, if not the highest quality series you can trust to come out with masterpiece after masterpiece.

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

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

    Now, lets get onto the more negative part of the review. Just kidding! This game is an absolute masterpiece, and to be honest, I don't think it needs a single change. It doesn't surprise me that a developer as reliable as EA would release another gem like this. Personally, I can't wait for Madden 22! =D    … Expand
  2. DG8
    Sep 3, 2020
    0
    The worst game in the series. Glad I rented and didn’t buy, haven’t bought in 3 years and won’t buy until they get their crap together orThe worst game in the series. Glad I rented and didn’t buy, haven’t bought in 3 years and won’t buy until they get their crap together or another competitor comes along.… Expand
  4. Nikko_zepeda
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. One of the worst games I have ever played. So many bugs. I really wish they would have made franchise better!!!… Expand
  5. Wbazin
    Sep 13, 2020
    0
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Terrible, it makes me sick how obvious this game is meant to scam kids out of money through gambling and how it is the same game from the last 3yrs.… Expand
  6. tgun34
    Aug 30, 2020
    0
    This is genuinely the worst madden I've ever played. I know we all joke about the "glorified roster update" but this is it. They rushed toThis is genuinely the worst madden I've ever played. I know we all joke about the "glorified roster update" but this is it. They rushed to make a game mode that isn't even remotely interesting, they made a bland cliche story line where literally nothing you say or do matters, and they neglected the fan favorite franchise mode. I'm wondering if they even listen to their fans in the slightest. Don't believe me? Go look at the Instagram comments. Absolutely insane. After playing at a friends house I will be buying 2k21 instead. Thanks for nothing, EA.… Expand
  7. dgoodin24
    Aug 26, 2020
    0
    Soulless, heartless cash grab. Bugs galore, terrible. I miss madden on ps2. Bring in 2k
    fix madden franchise
  8. twentyeightzero
    Aug 27, 2020
    0
    You should go and buy madden 09 instead. You would get better features, replay-ability, and physics instead of animation based gameplay. DoYou should go and buy madden 09 instead. You would get better features, replay-ability, and physics instead of animation based gameplay. Do yourself a favor, stay away from this trainwreck.… Expand

See all 604 User Reviews

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94
#94 Best Xbox One Game of 2020
4
#4 Most Discussed Xbox One Game of 2020

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