The rapid approach of the new NFL season means it’s time for a new entry in EA Sports’ flagship series with Madden 25—and I’ve got a serious case of déjà vu.
Releasing a month after the critical success of College Football 25, there’s a high bar for Madden 25. However, after years of treading water, it’s fair to say that optimism for the title has been lacking.
Though CFB is made by the same developer, Madden now has a clear rival—and needs to do a lot more to stand out from the crowd.
Small steps
There’s no denying EA made some improvements to Madden 25’s key areas, the most noticeable of which is the revamped hit-stick. Accurate timing leads to explosive defensive moments, but a mistime leaves the door wide open for the offense to capitalize.
Though this is the standout improvement to gameplay, it’s not the only noticeable change. The new animations, like one-handed catches, lead to brilliant highlight reel plays. Animations feel smoother, too, rather than the janky movement of previous years.
Franchise mode also sees improvements, with the new UI and menu layout being much easier to navigate. For too long, Madden’s Franchise mode often felt like spreadsheet management, and while some elements remain, it’s largely changed for the better.
These improvements are small, though, and Madden remains stuck in the same old loop of minimal changes each year. What’s particularly concerning this year, however, is that some aspects have gone backward.
Utterly maddening
The commentary in Madden 25 is, to put it frankly, terrible. I admire EA Sports’ intention to switch things up by adding two new commentary teams, but the feature seems rushed. Most voice lines feel unnatural, and there’s no cohesion between the two members of the team. Rather than focusing on making one commentary team the best it can be, EA pushed out three in a half-arsed effort.
Fortunately, you can change this by muting the TV, but one aspect you can’t get away from is the apparent non-existence of the secondary. Heaven help you if the opposing quarterback throws a deep pass, because I can guarantee your safeties will be AWOL—and the issues don’t stop there.
While Franchise and Superstar saw some attention with the addition of storylines, they’re more of an inconvenience than a welcome feature. I learned this the hard way when my entire Seattle Seahawks squad suffered a dip in morale because I said in a press conference that Tyler Lockett would be a starting receiver, and his spot isn’t up for grabs.
On the field, dominating in the air in Madden 25 is easy, and receivers pull in almost anything you throw their way, but the running game has been crushed into the ground. This juxtaposition results in a lack of realism, and at times, it feels almost unplayable without custom sliders.
Another drawback, that slipped under the radar in all the promotion EA Sports has done for Madden 25, is the removal of some features entirely. If you enjoyed playing single-player in Franchise mode, sorry, but that option is gone. Ultimate Team Fantasy Draft, too, has vanished without a trace.
The biggest concern of all, however, continues to be the lack of attention to detail. I’ve seen animations of coaches celebrating their own quarterback throwing an interception, commentators saying incorrect things, and even basic spelling mistakes in the UI. I’m sorry, but for a AAA game like Madden 25, it’s not too much to ask for “tackle” to be spelled correctly.
No longer best in class
This review can be summed up with a simple statement—I’d much rather be playing College Football 25. Throughout every game I played, all I could think about was how much better that title is than Madden 25.
Madden 25 isn’t a terrible game, but it falls massively short compared to College Football 25 and is nowhere near different enough from last year’s title to make it worthwhile.
- Franchise is easier to navigate
- Animations are much smoother
- Commentary is woeful
- Storylines are poorly executed
- College Football 25 is far better
Published: Aug 16, 2024 10:00 am