Madden NFL 18
- August 25, 2017
- EA Sports
This years iteration of Madden NFL is the best in years. Our review.
"Madden NFL 18" is a football video game that uses the Frostbite engine for enhanced visuals, including detailed stadium exteriors and cityscapes. The game offers a photo-realistic experience, bringing the excitement of NFL gameday to life in the most visually striking Madden game to date. The game provides a significant visual leap, delivering a more immersive and authentic football experience for players.
Reviews
- The graphics are significantly improved, providing a more realistic presentation of the game.
- Gameplay mechanics have been polished, making player interactions and movements feel more fluid and responsive.
- Madden Ultimate Team (MUT) offers better value with improved pack options and the ability to earn decent players without spending extra money.
- Longshot mode is underwhelming and lacks replayability, with many finding it boring and not engaging enough.
- Franchise mode has several glitches and issues, including problems with player ratings and AI behavior that detract from the overall experience.
- Many players feel that the game is just a roster update with minimal new features, leading to disappointment for those expecting significant improvements.
- gameplay19 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some praising its improved graphics and smoother mechanics, while others criticize it for feeling like a minor update with persistent issues from previous versions, such as broken AI and gameplay mechanics. Many players noted that despite some enhancements, the core experience remains largely unchanged, leading to disappointment for those seeking significant improvements. Overall, while there are moments of enjoyment, the gameplay experience is marred by inconsistencies and a sense of stagnation.
“The graphics and gameplay are even more polished than before.”
“Basically, if I am unable to shut down a game I play on a Saturday or Sunday morning with other stuff to do, it usually means it's elite, and I would say this version is very close to elite for the fine gameplay and options.”
“Amazing gameplay.”
“I actually bought the disc and played it and I am extremely disappointed. I don't care about anything but gameplay and it's the same as last year, no different at all. Even the commentary sounds the same. If you have 17 and care most about the actual gameplay, just save your money and keep playing that and update your rosters!”
“Cons: back to Madden 16 gameplay.”
“Gameplay is awful!”
- graphics16 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 31 % neutral mentions
- 19 % negative mentions
The graphics in the game have received widespread praise for their crispness and realism, with notable improvements in player models, stadiums, and overall polish compared to previous versions. While many reviewers acknowledge that the gameplay remains largely the same, the enhanced visuals contribute significantly to the overall experience, making it visually appealing and enjoyable.
“The graphics for the players on the field are very nice and the stadiums look great; coaches look good too.”
“The graphics and gameplay are even more polished than before.”
“Graphics are awesome in this one and the gameplay is great.”
“Better graphics, but it is the same game as it always is.”
“But it's the same game as last year with better graphics and very small differences in franchise mode.”
“EA has to do a better job with the graphics and mechanics though; basically the same game but updated rosters.”
- story12 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding the Longshot mode entertaining and visually improved, while others criticize it as boring and lacking meaningful gameplay. Many feel that the narrative is underwhelming and offers little replay value, with some describing it as a glorified roster update rather than a substantial addition to the game. Overall, opinions vary widely, highlighting a divide between those who appreciate the story and those who see it as a waste of time.
“Longshot looks pretty fun with a long story and cool cut scenes with new gameplay.”
“A lot of improvements this year but mostly to Madden Ultimate Team, but the much improved graphics for players and stadiums plus the Longshot story mode was much better than I expected and was entertaining, and two of the characters can be played in franchise mode.”
“However, I was able to finish Longshot's storyline in under 3-4 hours, with breaks in between.”
“The Longshot story is very boring and more like a movie that you have very little involvement in.”
“After the story line is complete, you cannot continue a career with Devin Wade, the main protagonist of the story.”
“The story mode is a waste of time.”
- stability5 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with users reporting numerous bugs and glitches that detract from the overall experience. While some players noted fewer issues at launch, the game's ongoing problems, particularly in franchise mode, have left many feeling disappointed and frustrated. Overall, the game's stability appears to be a significant concern for players.
“If you're a casual player looking for some great improvement, you will be very disappointed. Just screw this game; it's so buggy it's unacceptable, and these developers can't even get the basics right, like putting players in the positions they actually play.”
“But it’s essentially the same game it’s been for the last few years, only with more glitches.”
“There are also several glitches with franchise mode.”
- music1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The music in the game has been consistently criticized, with users describing the soundtrack as terrible.
“The soundtrack is terrible as always.”
“The music lacks variety and becomes repetitive quickly.”
“The audio quality of the tracks is disappointing and feels outdated.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is currently rated low, with users expressing hope for future patches to improve the overall experience and make it more engaging.
“The game lacks any real incentive to replay, making it feel like a one-and-done experience.”
“Once you've completed the main story, there's little left to draw you back in.”
“The limited choices and outcomes make replaying feel tedious rather than engaging.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate that the emotional impact of the game is diminished by a sense of repetition, as players feel it offers little beyond roster updates and minor gameplay improvements, leading to a lack of fresh emotional engagement.
Critic Reviews
Far From A Longshot
This years iteration of Madden NFL is the best in years. Our review.
90%Madden NFL 18 Review
Madden NFL 18 brings a lot more improvements than not. The presentation of the game has been upgraded, though still scattered with some imperfections. Not many, but some. The improvement of Ultimate Team with the MUT Squad is a welcomed one and adds more depth and life to the mode. The addition of Longshot to the mix also brings a true campaign mode to the Madden franchise, which adds some value to the overall package. All in all, EA Tiburon continues to find new ways to improve their Madden series and so far, at least in the last few years, they’re doing a good job of bringing worthwhile experiences to gamers. Definitely check this one out.
90%Madden NFL 18 Review
Madden NFL 18 is a breath of fresh air in the franchise, highlighted with Longshot, a new engine, and more accessible game modes to round off the package.
85%
