As a seasoned gamer and football enthusiast who has been playing Madden since its inception, I must say that Madden NFL 25 has genuinely impressed me this year! After years of mediocre entries, this game feels like a breath of fresh air for the franchise. The streamlined modes make it easier to focus on the most refined gameplay, and while Ultimate Team still needs some work, Franchise and Superstar feel like they’re headed in the right direction.
In some ways, my eagerness for each year’s Madden game mirrors my enthusiasm for the real NFL season. This year is no exception; I’ve been quite eager for my favorite team, the Chicago Bears, which has made me look forward to this year’s Madden more than in a long while. What took me by surprise was how much I enjoyed Madden NFL 25. Despite being the same game as before, improvements in crucial areas and a polished presentation make each play feel contemporary. This edition of Madden is like a team with a promising draft pick: revitalized, progressive, and prepared to keep improving for years to come.
From my perspective as a passionate fan, the Madden series has been refined into three distinct experiences: Franchise, Ultimate Team, and Superstar. These modes, while familiar, now offer a clear-cut and comprehensive gaming experience that I’ve longed for in an NFL game. Gone are the days of mixed content; each mode serves a unique purpose. The Franchise mode is all about managing a team, the Ultimate Team mode lets you build your dream deck, and Superstar allows me to create my own player. It’s unfortunate that modes like The Yard are still missing, but it’s invigorating to see the franchise reinventing how various football gameplay styles are presented.
“Indeed, the new version of Madden is similar to a team that has a top draft pick. It’s still the same game at its core, but it’s been revitalized with improved features in crucial areas and a sleeker overall design. This makes each moment as fresh and contemporary as ever. Just like this team, it’s looking ahead, eager to keep growing and refining for many years to come.”
Among the three primary modes, Franchise has undergone significant improvements and now offers a more cohesive and engaging experience over extended play compared to previous versions. The off-field tasks on a weekly basis are now more significant and impactful, as your decisions as coach and team manager directly affect on-field performance. You might be approached by an unhappy player requesting a specific number of playing opportunities in the upcoming game, or by the media seeking your comments on your team’s previous performance. The consequences can vary based on your response and subsequent actions. Furthermore, longer-term decisions also play a role, such as a player asking for a season total of touches or fans requesting a trade to improve a specific position.
In addition to enhancements made outside the game, Madden 2019 includes mini-games scattered across Franchise mode and other aspects, adding variety to on-field play. While these mini-games don’t significantly affect player development, they provide chances to demonstrate your skills in non-competitive scenarios such as short passing drills with the quarterback or tackling drills with a defender. The variety of mini-games offered and the freedom to engage in as many or as few as desired gives players greater control over their progression.
Another significant aspect that has received notable enhancements is the Superstar player creator, enabling you to fashion a player for one of five positions, either offensive or defensive. This digital athlete will then be drafted and can spearhead or bolster your team in their pursuit of the Super Bowl. Drawing inspiration from games like MLB The Show, your Superstar’s abilities can be improved across various modes, such as facing online opponents in Showdown or honing skills in The League, an offline, traditional player builder experience.
Beyond enhancements made off the field, the incorporation of mini-games everywhere in Franchise mode, as well as throughout this year’s Madden, adds variety to the on-field gameplay.
To put it simply, I’ve noticed that this year’s Ultimate Team hasn’t seen as many upgrades as previous versions, which stands out even more when compared to the advancements in other game modes. It feels underdeveloped and heavily reliant on microtransactions. Progression is slow, nudging players towards spending real money for in-game currency to speed things up. However, the gameplay itself isn’t as enjoyable as the other modes due to starting with and having to use mediocre players for an extended period.
Independent of the gameplay mode you choose, this year’s field action feels noticeably polished compared to last year. The newly introduced “Boom Tech” significantly enhances ball handling and tackling, making it incredibly satisfying to execute skills like jukes, breakaways, or delivering a well-timed hit stick. For instance, players such as Christian McCaffery, who stands out but is an excellent demonstration of the game’s top talents, can spin on a dime and maintain balance through contact in ways that were unheard of in previous games or with most other players. To top it all off, he can celebrate with his new signature move when scoring in the end zone.
Madden boasts an impressive upgrade in presentation this year, marking one of the biggest leaps in a while. Although menus have been subtly refined with sleek modes, the visuals on the PS5 are nothing short of stunning. While character models may occasionally appear awkward or not entirely accurate to their real-life counterparts, the game’s gameday atmospheres are indisputable, and the effort to create authentic stadiums is evident. To top it off, there are two new commentary teams, featuring renowned sports personality Mike Tirico and Greg Olsen, along with Kate Scott, the first female play-by-play announcer in the series. Each team delivers insightful analysis, though at times lines might play at inconvenient moments. Yet, these broadcast duos effectively transfer their real-world expertise and high-quality commentary into the game, often making it seem like you’re watching a real football game instead of a simulation.
Independent of the way you play, this year’s in-game action seems more polished compared to the previous version, and it feels just as satisfying as any recently released football game.
I was pleasantly surprised by Madden NFL 25. Given the lackluster or disappointing Madden games we’ve seen lately, I didn’t have high hopes for this one. But just like a top draft pick, this year’s release has given the series some renewed optimism about future improvements. The simplified game structure makes it simpler to focus on a few key areas for the smoothest, most polished gameplay, and while Ultimate Team still needs work, Franchise and Superstar seem to be moving in the right direction. Moreover, the new “Boom Tech” ball carrier adjustments and the excellent new broadcast commentators have greatly enhanced on-field gameplay as well. While it’s not a flawless game and there are definitely areas that require significant improvement or the removal of microtransactions, Madden NFL 25 has made notable strides in improving some critical systems and modes within the Madden series, potentially marking the beginning of a new era for the franchise.
This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.
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2024-08-23 03:41