Had the morbid curiosity to check out the latest incarnation of this accursed franchise after seeing this title on gamepass. Got 11 games into a season when Daniel Jones get strip sacked. Literally EVERY PLAYER on my team is locked into a blocking animation and can't move. I am helpless as Demarcus Lawrence (who is somehow the next incarnation of Reggie White every fucking game) returns it for a touchdown.
Next drive. I throw a 50/50 jump ball to Isaiah Hodgins, who is one-on-one with a shorter CB. The ball TELEPORTS THROUGH THE WIDEOUT right into the corner's hands. Interception. I spike my controller into my bed, ragequit, uninstall, and curse EA and the Dallas Cowboys with my exasperated, dying breath.
Next drive. I throw a 50/50 jump ball to Isaiah Hodgins, who is one-on-one with a shorter CB. The ball TELEPORTS THROUGH THE WIDEOUT right into the corner's hands. Interception. I spike my controller into my bed, ragequit, uninstall, and curse EA and the Dallas Cowboys with my exasperated, dying breath.
unfortunately as a football fan I have played over 130 hours or something of this disgusting excuse for a video game. Someone needs to make a football game BADLY. I do not care if they cannot get the rights.
There are aspects that are improved, such as free agency (kind of) and presentation in franchise mode. But it ends there. Everything else... IS WORSE. Ultimate team is more pay to win and boring as ever. Online gameplay is miserable. Franchise is still MISERABLE, especially in comparison to other franchise modes. Player models, animations, graphics are embarrassing for next gen. ITS THE MOST BROKEN GAME I HAVE EVER TOUCHED. Game breaking bugs left and right. I could go on forever.
This game is a step in the wrong direction (as usual)
There are aspects that are improved, such as free agency (kind of) and presentation in franchise mode. But it ends there. Everything else... IS WORSE. Ultimate team is more pay to win and boring as ever. Online gameplay is miserable. Franchise is still MISERABLE, especially in comparison to other franchise modes. Player models, animations, graphics are embarrassing for next gen. ITS THE MOST BROKEN GAME I HAVE EVER TOUCHED. Game breaking bugs left and right. I could go on forever.
This game is a step in the wrong direction (as usual)
What a disgrace to the legend that is John Madden. Truly rock bottom for the franchise. I’ve been a yearly player since Madden 2004. It truly didn’t get any worse than this one right here. It’s featured the same physics since at least Madden 20 and no major gameplay changes since Madden 16. Focus is on the $ (MUT) and the Face of the Franchise mode is terrible. Don’t get me started on what hell I endured playing hundreds of games to get the Platinum trophy. I will NOT be buying Madden unless it’s in the bargain bin next year.
First Madden game I’ve played in ages, it’s fine????? Remarkably shallow and can be fully experienced over the course of a single season. Not much reason to play after that. PC port is def not the best way to experience this. Will EA ever again be involved in making a decent game? Probably not. Humanity ultimately has larger problems…
I'll put as much effort into this review as EA put into their sports games which is not a lot. Sooo anyway:
Pros:
- Looks nice
- Playable enough mainly because there isn't an alternative
Cons:
- The game is very exploitable and lacking realism. More of an arcadey sports game than a sim. Sliders were needed to be played with constantly after every update because more issues would be created rather than issues resolved
- Pretty much the same game as last year
- Still hugely lacking in immersion
- Even by EAs standards, the live service aspect of the game was ridiculously half-assed. Live fixtures which were one of the more enjoyable aspects previously was non-existent this year
I refuse to play MUT so can't comment on anything online. Overall, it's Madden. I played the hell out of it but I don't exactly feel great about it
Pros:
- Looks nice
- Playable enough mainly because there isn't an alternative
Cons:
- The game is very exploitable and lacking realism. More of an arcadey sports game than a sim. Sliders were needed to be played with constantly after every update because more issues would be created rather than issues resolved
- Pretty much the same game as last year
- Still hugely lacking in immersion
- Even by EAs standards, the live service aspect of the game was ridiculously half-assed. Live fixtures which were one of the more enjoyable aspects previously was non-existent this year
I refuse to play MUT so can't comment on anything online. Overall, it's Madden. I played the hell out of it but I don't exactly feel great about it
While people are debating the merits of Madden 24, I'm just now getting around to 23 via Game Pass.
I think there's fun to be had with the game, and it's not as bad as its reputation, but it does have issues. Movement in the current engine feels stiff. Ball carrier moves feel ineffective, and almost like they are happening in slow motion, which make running less fun. The momentum system in the game, while a fun twist, also seems too overpowered at times.
Franchise mode is just ok. The menu design leaves something to be desired and the menu speed is laggy. The menus lag in a way that should be unacceptable on modern hardware.
Madden 23 is not a bad game, but it should be so much better.
I think there's fun to be had with the game, and it's not as bad as its reputation, but it does have issues. Movement in the current engine feels stiff. Ball carrier moves feel ineffective, and almost like they are happening in slow motion, which make running less fun. The momentum system in the game, while a fun twist, also seems too overpowered at times.
Franchise mode is just ok. The menu design leaves something to be desired and the menu speed is laggy. The menus lag in a way that should be unacceptable on modern hardware.
Madden 23 is not a bad game, but it should be so much better.
When I bought the PS5 version there were so many crashes. But that's what I get for buying a game that strips features from year to year, just so they add one back in down the line and pretend they did something new. My only hope for Madden 24 is that it'll be the final nail in the coffin so that EA won't have the exclusive rights to the NFL license anymore so there can be something different than the same exact Madden that's been released the last 5 years. Madden was at it's best when NFL 2K and NFL Gameday were being released, and it's gotten so much worse over the years, particularly after the introduction of MUT and all the focus went towards squeezing dimes out players who already spent $60+ for the game