As a former semi-professional American football player, I anticipate each new iteration of the Madden NFL series with considerable interest. However, recent releases have consistently fallen short of expectations. Madden NFL 21 largely mirrors its predecessor, save for the introduction of the new game mode, “The Yard,” which I will address later in this review.
I began my evaluation with the “Face of the Franchise” mode, which debuted in Madden NFL 20. This mode, a reimagining of the classic “Career Mode,” historically provided a solid entry point to the game. In Madden NFL 21, I expected significant enhancements, particularly given that players can now begin their careers in high school and progress towards the NFL and the Hall of Fame. While this is the stated objective, the execution proved disappointing. The narrative lacks realism, and positional choices are initially limited to Quarterback, with Running Back and Wide Receiver becoming available later. The story’s presentation, primarily through interview flashbacks, feels underdeveloped. The animated sequences exhibit subpar graphics, with stiff facial animations and mismatched lip-syncing, compounded by inconsistent audio that detracts significantly from the experience.
Franchise Mode, a cornerstone of the Madden NFL franchise, also suffers from a lack of innovation. It retains the same interface and an overly complex playbook, indicating minimal development effort. Furthermore, this mode has seen a reduction in features over the years, with the removal of the ability to hire specific coaching positions and team personnel – elements crucial to simulating the intricacies of professional football management.
While the graphics appear improved from a distance, and player control during matches is reasonably responsive, the overall experience is marred by performance issues. The game exhibited significant lag on a base PS4, particularly during field goals and kickoffs, leading to missed opportunities and unfavorable field position. Additionally, I encountered persistent server connectivity problems, spending four hours over two days attempting to maintain a stable connection to EA’s servers.
The Yard, a new addition to this year’s title, offers a modernized take on the gameplay of NFL Street or, similarly, FIFA Street. This mode presents some entertainment value, but ultimately suffers from a lack of content and depth. It features six-on-six matches with modified rules, such as multiple forward passes and quarterbacks playing safety on defense. The vibrant, yet sometimes visually distracting, character customization options can make it difficult to distinguish teammates. Despite these shortcomings, The Yard shows promise if EA Sports dedicates resources to its future development.
In summary, as a long-time enthusiast of the series, I must express my disappointment. Madden NFL 21 feels like one of the weakest entries to date. As a dedicated fan of American football and a former player, it is disheartening to see a game released in an unfinished state, with a clear emphasis on Ultimate Team (due to its potential for microtransactions through “Packs”).
Ultimately, Madden NFL 21 represents a significant misstep. The franchise needs to return to the drawing board for Madden NFL 22.
