Despite being faced with the daunting challenge of addressing the flaws of its predecessor and meeting the high expectations set by College Football 25, Madden 25 had to overcome the declining state of the series. As a result, I had little hope when I initially started playing the game.
Much to my astonishment, the presentation immediately impressed me. The typical EA Sports animation seamlessly led into a brief display of all the teams and the NFL logo, accompanied by triumphant horns that blasted into my ears.
This was sufficient to stimulate my enthusiasm. However, does the remainder of the encounter measure up? Discover in our review of Madden 25.
Improved Presentation Across the Board
Gillette Stadium’s renovations are represented in the game.
In the latest installment of the NFL simulation franchise, EA has highlighted several enhancements to the game’s presentation. These modifications are readily apparent and greatly contribute to the overall refreshing feel of Madden 25.
The first thing you see is the opening screen, which now features a captivating still shot of real-life Christian McCaffrey instead of the lifeless digital eyes of Josh Allen. The screen exudes a sense of high quality, as do the menus.
The previous horizontal layout featuring gameplay clips in the background has been replaced with an NFL montage and a sleek UI design. The frustrating menu lag that players experienced in Madden 24 is now a thing of the past, a notable improvement for those who have spent countless hours playing the game.
The game now boasts a more realistic feel, with enhancements made to replicate the production value of actual NFL broadcasts. These include a revamped scoreboard and two new commentary duos, though their quality may vary. Additionally, the use of ESPN Monday Night Football recordings adds a dynamic atmosphere to in-game venues. Crowd reactions range from boos for underperforming teams to team-specific chants for comebacks. Graphical upgrades are evident in the vibrant lighting and newly added 3D grass, but player likenesses can be inconsistent. One of the most notable improvements is the attention to detail in pre-snap animations, where players make defensive adjustments in a lifelike manner, conveying their intentions through realistic movements and gestures.
Gameplay is a noticeable step-up
Defensive coverage remains unfixed.
In addition to minor adjustments to the presentation, there are also innovative gameplay elements introduced, with BOOM Tech being the main focus. Despite its bold name, this system truly enhances the realism of collisions.
One major issue with Madden 24 was the perceived lack of control in player interactions. Frequently, runners would be forced into tackle animations without the opportunity to break free or adjust their movements after a collision.
BOOM Tech tackles this problem by utilizing a diverse array of animations from a library, taking into account variables such as momentum, speed, weight, and the physical strength of the players. This incorporation of real-life physics adds an element of authenticity to each tackle, making the duels feel less predetermined.
From the very first snap, you will immediately notice that ball carriers are able to skillfully evade defenders and even bounce off tackles. This is due to the system’s improved Hit Stick, which now relies on timing. The game provides immediate feedback on the precision of your tackles, resulting in a more authentic outcome for each duel.
When it comes to authenticity, the game features a variety of new signature animations taken directly from the NFL. The ones that caught my attention the most were Isaiah Pacheco’s powerful running style and Christian McCaffrey’s lightning-fast dashes through the tiniest openings.
Despite my abundant praise for the gameplay, there are still a few notable issues. While the game does a good job of adding unpredictability on the field, it fails to completely eliminate the jank that was present in its earlier versions.
Despite being a common occurrence, overlapping animations and frequent glitches are a major issue. During a post-play cutscene, my linebacker’s legs became glitchy and flailed around without any weight. In another situation, CeeDee Lamb appeared to levitate with each step, a creative yet unrealistic way to reach the endzone.
Despite some improvements, defensive coverage and AI logic still leave much to be desired. The AI stubbornly sticks to blocking assignments, resulting in guards being unable to prevent opponents from easily passing by due to minor route differences. Interestingly, CFB25 managed to address this issue to a large extent, making it puzzling that Madden 25 did not follow suit.
Despite the various gameplay improvements that have been made, frustrating legacy issues continue to persist. It is difficult not to believe that these issues are hindering the potential of the franchise.
Game Modes Justify the Price, But Offer Nothing More
The Franchise menu overhaul is a great touch.
The franchise mode has been overlooked in recent years, making it exciting to finally see it receive recognition in the latest Madden game.
This year’s main event is Draft Night, and the game effectively captures the essence of the event. The mood is set through a short clip featuring real footage before cutting to an in-game scene. As NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell takes the stage, the draft board illuminates and the picks commence.
Throughout the Draft Night, your trusty companion will be the prospect board. This board provides you with a comprehensive list of options, including their key attributes. Once you have made your decision, your chosen player will proudly display the team’s uniform on stage or celebrate receiving the call at home.
Participating in Draft Night enhances the overall experience, and it is satisfying to witness your hard work pay off when your preferred pick proudly dons the team’s shirt. However, the recruitment process falls short when compared to its CFB25 equivalent, as it lacks the same level of intricacy. Additionally, I must mention my frustration with the inability to review my selections from previous rounds. This appears to be an essential feature, yet it remains overlooked year after year.
Team Builder enhances the mode by providing more options for customization. By importing 32 teams into Franchise, players can create a fully customized save, allowing for increased engagement.
Despite the addition of several new dynamic storylines, the core experience remains unchanged. However, the promise/deliver mechanic can become tiresome quickly, failing to provide the pull that is expected of a Career Mode in any sports game. This can also be said for Superstar, which features the same new elements. On a positive note, the player builder has been enhanced and the option to continue your Road to Glory progress in the NFL is a fantastic addition.
Despite being the most-played game mode, Madden Ultimate Team remains largely unchanged. It continues to heavily promote pack purchases and frequently displays advertisements for the store. However, there are some positive aspects to be found.
The UI has undergone significant improvements, greatly reducing menu lag. For those who enjoy playing offline, MUT now offers Solo Seasons, allowing them to compete against CPU opponents and potentially reach the Super Bowl. An intriguing new feature is the addition of Epic Challenges, where players must overcome difficult odds to earn rewards. The AI is unforgiving when you are trying to come back from a deficit or hold onto a narrow lead, providing a true test of skill. Overall, the game offers enough content to justify its price tag, but its long-term appeal beyond MUT may be uncertain.
Verdict – 3/5
Despite bringing crucial improvements to gameplay and presentation, Madden 25 still suffers from familiar issues and lackluster game modes. Despite being the best entry in the franchise in the past five years, these issues continue to hinder the overall experience.
In the end, College Football 25 will continue to overshadow the only NFL simulation available on the market this year.
Prior to entering the highly competitive realm of Ultimate Team, it is important to utilize the top offensive and defensive playbooks available in the game.
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