Madden NFL 21

The gameplay in Madden NFL 21 has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that it feels similar to previous iterations, featuring familiar mechanics and a focus on Ultimate Team modes. While some appreciate the fluidity and fun of creating a player in "Face of the Franchise," others criticize the game for being riddled with glitches, crashes, and unrealistic animations that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the gameplay is seen as decent but plagued by issues that prevent it from being truly enjoyable or innovative.

The graphics in the game show incremental improvements over previous iterations, with many players noting that they are generally good but not groundbreaking, especially for a 2020 release. While some users appreciate the visual enhancements and smooth performance, others criticize the presence of graphical glitches and outdated elements, suggesting that the overall quality does not meet current standards for AAA titles. Overall, the graphics are seen as a mixed bag, with some praising their quality while others express disappointment in the lack of significant advancements.

The "story" aspect of the game has received mixed to negative feedback, with many players finding the "Face of the Franchise" mode to be poorly executed, featuring a cheesy and repetitive narrative that lacks depth and replayability. While some appreciate the customization and the potential for fun gameplay, numerous reviews highlight significant bugs, unskippable cutscenes, and a lack of meaningful player choices, leading to a generally disappointing experience. Overall, the story is often described as generic, cringe-worthy, and in need of substantial improvement.

The music in the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players describing the soundtrack as repetitive, limited to hip hop, and generally unappealing. While a few tracks were appreciated by some, the majority found the music to be poorly designed and distracting, with calls for more variety and the option to add personal music. Overall, the soundtrack is considered one of the weakest aspects of the game, detracting from the overall experience.

The monetization strategy in the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, heavily relying on microtransactions, particularly in the Ultimate Team mode. Players feel that the focus on in-game purchases detracts from the overall experience, with many expressing frustration over the pay-to-win elements and lack of innovation. Overall, the game's monetization practices have led to disappointment among users, who believe that EA prioritizes profit over player satisfaction.

The game's optimization has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with players reporting severe bugs, inconsistent performance, and significant frame rate drops, particularly on PC. Many users experienced crashes, stuttering, and high CPU usage, making the game nearly unplayable for some. Despite some positive remarks about design and sound, the overall consensus highlights a critical need for optimization improvements and bug fixes.

The grinding aspect of Madden Ultimate Team (MUT) is widely criticized for being excessively tedious and heavily skewed towards a pay-to-win model, where players feel compelled to spend real money to remain competitive. Many users report spending countless hours farming cards with minimal rewards, leading to frustration and boredom, while offline modes like franchise receive little attention. Overall, the grind is seen as a necessary evil for those wanting to build a strong team, but it often detracts from the enjoyment of the game.

The humor in the game is largely derived from its absurd and buggy elements, particularly in the "face of the franchise" mode, which features a ridiculous storyline and cheesy dialogue that elicits genuine laughter. Players find the inconsistencies and glitches, such as mismatched sound levels and nonsensical game concepts, to be amusing, especially during offline play. Overall, the game's flaws contribute to a comedic experience that many players appreciate.

The game's replayability is mixed; while some users find it almost infinitely replayable due to features like ability loadouts in head-to-head matches, others criticize the limited player positions and repetitive storylines, which diminish the overall replay value.

Players express frustration with the emotional impact of gameplay mechanics, particularly regarding wide receivers' inability to secure catches, even in open situations. This leads to feelings of disappointment and disconnection from the game, despite acknowledging that the offline experience can still be enjoyable. Overall, the emotional tone reflects a mix of irritation with gameplay inconsistencies and a recognition of the game's potential when played in a different mode.

Reviewers consistently praise the game's atmosphere, highlighting its immersive quality and engaging environment. The graphics and controls complement this atmosphere, enhancing the overall experience. Many players feel that the game's atmosphere is particularly significant given current real-world circumstances.