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Madden NFL 22

A small yet valiant leap forward, PS5 Madden remains a snazzy if still somewhat flawed gridiron offering.
Madden NFL 22 Game Cover
61%Game Brain Score
graphics, humor
stability, gameplay
58% User Score Based on 5,176 reviews
Critic Score 64%Based on 21 reviews

Platforms

Xbox Series X|SPCPlaystation 5CloudPlaystation 4Xbox OneNVIDIA GeForce NOWWindowsPlayStation
Madden NFL 22 Game Cover

About

Madden NFL 22 is a multiplayer casual sport game. It was developed by Tiburon and was released on August 19, 2021. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and neutral reviews from players.

Madden NFL 22 is an American football video game offering enhanced realism with revamped player movements and an improved franchise mode. Experience the Next Gen Stats Star-Driven AI for more realistic gameplay and strategic decisions. Build and manage your dynasty with staff management, player development, and talent acquisition in the revamped franchise mode. Note: I obtained this information from the official Steam page of Madden NFL 22 on April 4, 2023.

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58%
Audience ScoreBased on 5,176 reviews
graphics45 positive mentions
stability259 negative mentions

  • stability
    261 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with numerous users reporting constant freezes, crashes, and a plethora of bugs that significantly hinder gameplay. Many players express frustration over the game's inability to function properly, particularly in franchise mode, leading to a consensus that it is riddled with issues reminiscent of previous titles. Overall, the game's stability is deemed unacceptable, making it nearly unplayable for many users.

    • “It's the best; it has good graphics, no lagging, and no glitches.”
    • “The game is pretty bad; I only ever play franchise and can't stand ultimate team, but it's a good game when it's not being buggy and unfair.”
    • “The game is a glitchy mess and it's clear that EA has abandoned everything except MUT (their microtransaction cash cow) as glitches dating as far back as Madden 17 remain unfixed to this day.”
    • “Game constantly and consistently freezes.”
    • “This game is a buggy, unresponsive shit show and a shell of its former self.”
  • gameplay
    238 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of the latest Madden installment has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many users noting that it feels outdated and largely unchanged from previous years, often likening it to a simple roster update rather than a new game. Common complaints include numerous bugs, clunky mechanics, and a lack of innovation, particularly in the PC version, which is criticized for being a port of last-gen gameplay. While some players find enjoyment in certain modes, the overall sentiment is that the gameplay is frustrating and riddled with issues, leading to a disappointing experience for long-time fans.

    • “The gameplay is smoother, the animations are better, the staff tree is cool, the throwing animations look how the person actually looks when they're throwing the ball. On next-gen, the animations are so satisfying to look at; that's a main reason I wanted the new console.”
    • “Gameplay is pretty smooth overall.”
    • “The franchise staff points mechanic looks promising, and I look forward to EA hopefully expanding on this mechanic in future installments in the franchise.”
    • “Definitely needs more work, doesn't use new-gen mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay is literally the same as it was in 2015 with some very minor differences in a few animations.”
    • “Gameplay is incredibly buggy with glitched animations all the time and is essentially unchanged from Madden 21 and 20.”
  • graphics
    169 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players praising improvements over previous iterations, while others criticize them as outdated and lacking next-gen enhancements, particularly on PC. Many users report issues such as graphical glitches, poor animations, and a general sense that the visuals do not meet modern standards, especially given the game's price point. Overall, while some find the graphics enjoyable, a significant portion of the community feels they fall short of expectations, particularly in comparison to other titles in the genre.

    • “The graphics, as well as the entire game, are incredible.”
    • “Awsome game insane graphics just an all round great game to play with others or by yourself.”
    • “Graphics and animations are on point, what else do you guys want from a football sim?”
    • “Game bugs out, worse than last year, graphics are awful, bad animations, and best of all, the game freezes and crashes in franchise mode.”
    • “Graphics are terrible for a game this price.”
    • “The graphics are outdated.”
  • story
    77 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story mode in the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many users describing it as poorly written, unengaging, and filled with tedious cutscenes and dialogue. Players express frustration over the lack of meaningful choices and the overall limited scope of the narrative, which often feels repetitive and uninspired compared to previous iterations. Despite some enjoyment found in gameplay mechanics, the consensus is that the story aspect is a significant letdown, lacking depth and polish.

    • “Very fun and good story mode.”
    • “I loved the face of the franchise mode even with the cheesy story and the ultimate team is amazing.”
    • “There are plenty of things to do in this game between starting a franchise, playing the story campaign, online matches, building an ultimate team or playing in 'the yard' which is a small team backyard pickup game style of play.”
    • “The story mode is absolutely horrific, and if you expect to do anything but just sim games or play with the AI, then just let the disappointment seep in smoothly.”
    • “It's the most uninteresting, canned story with insanely terrible dialogue and many scenes where there's not even voice acting, just you reading captions for no reason.”
    • “Another year of stolen money for servers and storylines that are the same as 5 years ago.”
  • music
    75 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players describing it as terrible, repetitive, and dominated by rap tracks that do not resonate with a broad audience. Several reviewers expressed frustration over the lack of variety and quality in the soundtrack, suggesting that it detracts significantly from the overall gaming experience. A few players did enjoy the music, but they were vastly outnumbered by those who found it offensive or unbearable, leading many to mute the game entirely.

    • “This game is just amazing and also has great music. I've had my fair share of glitches, but they always end up good.”
    • “It's a really good game and the music is fire.”
    • “Love the rap soundtrack.”
    • “The soundtrack is made up of probably the worst music humankind has ever made and annoys the hell out of me.”
    • “Music is absolute garbage as always, mute it immediately for it is a serious threat to health and safety.”
    • “I did not think it would be possible for there to be a soundtrack worse than 21, but somehow that's been accomplished with this title.”
  • monetization
    34 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with rampant microtransactions and excessive advertisements detracting from the overall experience. Many players feel that the focus on profit over quality has led to a lack of innovation and enjoyment, particularly in modes like Ultimate Team and The Yard, which are seen as exploitative. Overall, the game's monetization strategy has left users frustrated and disillusioned, perceiving it as a soulless attempt to maximize revenue rather than deliver a quality gaming experience.

    • “I wish I could say I was surprised, but EA has once again confirmed that they are only interested in finishing the modes that will make them money through in-game purchases.”
    • “To conclude, it really doesn't seem like EA cares about what they put out or if their audience enjoys it because one of the very first things that comes up when you open the game is microtransactions.”
    • “Mut continues to be an RNG-based scam that preys on people who can't see through the horrific microtransactions.”
    • “This is a pathetic cash grab from a billion dollar company that does not care if the product is any good because of their chokehold over the NFL license and simulation football games.”
    • “It's a soulless cash grab that has little effort put into it.”
    • “Ultimate team is again just a cash grab; the yard is lackluster.”
  • optimization
    27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization for PC has been widely criticized, with players reporting significant performance issues, bugs, and stuttering gameplay, even on high-end rigs. Many users feel that the developers prioritize next-gen console performance over PC optimization, resulting in a lack of updates and improvements compared to previous versions. Overall, the consensus is that the game is poorly optimized, making it one of the most frustrating experiences for PC gamers.

    • “In 22', there are very few graphical issues, performance issues, and the transition from the playbook menu to gameplay has been completely smoothed out.”
    • “Enough content to keep you playing and the PC runs smoothly.”
    • “[Momentum mechanic captures the energy of real NFL games, performance and quality mode deliver either gorgeous visuals or smooth gameplay, new changes finally made to franchise mode].”
    • “This game is not optimized for PC at all.”
    • “Truly one of the buggiest and most unoptimized games ever.”
    • “The gameplay and graphics haven't been updated in the slightest, and yet somehow it runs incredibly terribly, constantly stuttering.”
  • humor
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is largely derived from its numerous glitches and unrealistic gameplay, which players find both frustrating and amusing. Many reviewers highlight the comedic value of the game's absurdities, such as bizarre animations and AI behavior, while also expressing disappointment over its lack of polish. Overall, the humor is a mixed bag, with some players enjoying the unintentional comedy while others feel it detracts from the experience.

    • “I find it hilarious that Brady is on the cover of this game, and proceeds to retire the same year.”
    • “Honestly, this game is so far from realistic, it's literally funny.”
    • “I love the game, the glitches are either hilarious or annoying as hell.”
    • “It is an unfunny joke.”
    • “The humor falls flat and feels forced.”
    • “I found the attempts at humor to be cringeworthy.”
  • grinding
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and time-consuming, often feeling like a cash grab due to the overwhelming reliance on microtransactions. Players report significant frustration with lost progress and the necessity of extensive grinding to achieve meaningful rewards, which often feel inadequate compared to the effort invested. While some find it addictive and enjoyable, especially in multiplayer settings, many agree that the experience can be overwhelmingly frustrating and unbalanced, particularly against players who spend money.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “I've tried strategies, new playbooks, newer, better players, hours of grinding for the auction house, and nothing helps.”
    • “The MUT has progressed into a complete microtransaction mess, to the point the rewards you get for grinding are absolute trash, which incentivizes you to buy the packs that are extremely overpriced for what you actually get.”
    • “Each game is like an hour, and it's just an hour of you getting destroyed by people who spent money. The only way for you to get better stuff is if you sit and play for hours grinding the stupid challenges that, with your crappy team, are nearly impossible to do.”
  • atmosphere
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its amazing and immersive qualities, significantly enhancing the overall experience with exciting gameday elements and improved on-field dynamics. However, some users express frustration over the game's pricing relative to perceived content quality, particularly in light of the new features.

    • “The overall atmosphere of this game is amazing and can often invoke pure excitement while playing or when following/analyzing a game.”
    • “What I am getting at is next-gen graphics, star-driven AI, and game day atmospheres.”
    • “Franchise team-building has never been more intuitive or fun; the on-field atmosphere is much improved.”
    • “The gameday atmosphere is the only real new thing in this game, aside from the 40 GB scouting update, which I hope is alright. However, they want to charge full price for an inferior version of the game. I want my money back, EA.”
    • “What I am getting at is that next-gen graphics, star-driven AI, and game day atmospheres are lacking.”
  • replayability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers solid replayability, particularly through its franchise mode and fantasy draft features, earning a score of 7/10. While some issues persist, players believe that future updates from the developers could enhance the overall experience.

    • “Replayability - 7/10”
    • “If you're patient with the devs, eventually they'll fix that problem and make it a bit more playable, but so far the game is great in my opinion.”
    • “There's a lot of replayability, especially in franchise mode and fantasy draft.”
    • “Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to play again.”
    • “The lack of varied outcomes makes replaying the game feel tedious.”
  • emotional
    2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by users expressing feelings of hurt and vulnerability, suggesting a deep connection to the characters and narrative. However, some players feel that the limited game modes and unsatisfactory controls detract from their overall emotional experience.

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21h Median play time
71h Average play time
5-76h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 26 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Madden NFL 22 is a casual sport game.

Madden NFL 22 is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and others.

On average players spend around 71 hours playing Madden NFL 22.

Madden NFL 22 was released on August 19, 2021.

Madden NFL 22 was developed by Tiburon.

Madden NFL 22 has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its graphics but disliked it for its stability.

Madden NFL 22 is a multiplayer game with local co-op support.

Similar games include Madden NFL 21, Madden NFL 23, Madden NFL 24, Madden NFL 25, Madden NFL 26 and others.