It’s been a while since a version of Madden truly impressed me.
Every year, mounds of catch terms are thrown around to convince users that major changes have been made, but normally, the game is basically the same with a few small changes that may or may not positively impact the experience.
Madden 25 is different.
Has EA reconstructed everything we’ve ever seen or known about video game football? No, that wasn’t necessary.
But it has delivered the best gameplay experience and the most depth to its feature set in the history of the storied franchise.
Here is the good, the bad, and the bottom line with Madden 25.
The Good
Visual Fidelity is Improved
Madden 25 pops in 4K.
The models aren’t rendered dramatically better than they were in Madden 24. However, the game shines visually with 3D grass, signature animations like the Kansas City Chiefs’ Isaiah Pacheco’s unique running style, and more scans for more players.
Don’t expect a graphical leap akin to an upgrade in console generations, but there’s enough here to recognize improvement.
Gameplay Has More Life
Between the new pre-snap adjustments, improved zone integrity on defense and O-line play, passing controls, hit-stick ideology, and the toolbox of moves accessible to ball carriers, Madden 25 plays the most complete game of virtual football ever.
Usually, EA talks about enhanced physics-based tackling, but nothing ever feels much different. Madden 25 is the first game in the series that made me feel like every player was tangible on the field and that the collisions on the screen weren’t complete prisoners to a small stack of canned animations.
I’ve seen the fewest immersion-breaking collision moments in years, and this element is a big reason Madden 25 is fun to play.
Customization Has Seen Massive Improvements
Aside from the strong gameplay, the enhanced customization options are my favorite upgrade in Madden 25. The player-creation suite is deeper and mostly unrestricted. The addition of the Team Builder website takes the creation options to another level.
Team Builder in Madden is what we hoped it would be in College Football 25, allowing users to create their own NFL universe or a custom NFL team without issue.
If you’re a big-time franchise mode player, it’s probably a game-changer.
A Deep Madden Franchise Mode Has Finally Returned
In addition to the augmented customization and the passive improvements to franchise mode that come with improved gameplay, the feature has also improved general immersion.
A new user interface and more modern conversation system make the storylines in franchise mode feel more relevant and alive.
The Promise/Commitment system that steers the off-the-field narratives is an excellent touch and provides a semblance of a rogue-lite experience. That’s the feel we’ve always wanted from a franchise mode.
Even the stat-tracking is improved, with the game now recognizing far more milestones and record-breaking performances.
This version offers the best Madden franchise mode ever. After feeling so frustrated with it a few years ago during the pandemic that I started the #FixMaddenFranchise hashtag, it feels good to say that.
Superstar Mode Quests Add Another Layer
I haven’t played much of Superstar mode since EA dropped Longshots, but one element in this year’s version of the single-player mode piqued my interest: Quests.
In Madden 25, Superstar mode has Quests, which are essentially side missions for your created player to try to complete during their career. Completing the tasks brings various rewards that boost your player and unlockables that could be used or worn in the online Superstar mode.
Superstar mode now resembles the more in-depth single-player experiences in sports games like NBA 2K.
The Bad
Slight Presentation Shortcomings
We’ve seen some strides taken in presentation with the addition of two more commentary teams, some nice overlays, and excellent in-game audio. However, the improved franchise mode experience is still lacking in the highlights area.
The halftime highlights are specific, and we’d still love to see top plays from other games after my weekly contest.
Also, injury presentation remains stale and unrealistic. I’d love to see injuries conveyed more realistically rather than getting an entire diagnosis in a matter of minutes.
That’s an immersion breaker in franchise mode.
Dynamic Difficulty Would Be a Plus
I appreciate a game that grows with me in terms of difficulty. Dynamic difficulty is one of the best features in MLB the Show, and I believe there is a place for it in Madden.
Simply playing on All-Pro or All-Madden could kill the challenge for a player who wants to pay through multiple single-player, offline seasons.
Legends Are Still Locked in Ultimate Team
My biggest issue with Madden 25 is Ultimate Team. I don’t have a deep disdain for the mode. I get why people love it, but I believe EA intensifies the anger toward it by locking the legends in MUT and not allowing them into franchise mode and other offline options.
Playing with the legends isn’t as big of a lure to play MUT as EA’s decision-makers may believe. No matter the player on them, powerful cards within MUT are the biggest draw. So, allowing users to use Deion Sanders or Bo Jackson in their franchise modes won’t cost EA money.
If they simply sold a Legends pack within MUT that unlocked the players from the past for all modes, EA would probably make even more money than they’re making with the current system.
In a mostly positive review, this is the one area of the game where my criticism is the strongest.
Madden 25 – The Bottom Line
Madden 25 is the most complete version of the series in more than a decade. Failing to recognize the improvements essentially gives in to reflex hate more than evaluating each version’s merits. The gameplay is tighter, customization has seen a significant boost, and each mode has depth. If you buy a version of Madden every five years, it should be this one.
- Score: 9 out of 10
- Platform Reviewed: PS5
- Review code provided by EA
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