Madden NFL 23
- August 18, 2022
- Electronic Arts
- 10h median play time
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Get on Epic Games Store"Madden NFL 23" introduces the FieldSENSE Gameplay System, enhancing realism with animation branching technology and user control mechanics. The game features 360° Cuts for more freedom and fluidity in ball-carrying, as well as Skill-Based Passing for increased passing accuracy. The Hit Everything feature redefines tackling, offering authentic results on every play.
Xbox One
Xbox Series X|S
Ea Origin
Xbox
Reviews
- stability218 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 98 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with users reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and a plethora of glitches that severely impact gameplay. Many players have experienced game-breaking issues, particularly in franchise mode, where saves can become corrupted and animations often malfunction. Overall, the game is described as a buggy mess, with little improvement over previous iterations, leading to widespread disappointment among fans.
“Runs great.”
“I love this game; Madden will always be one of my favorites. It runs great on my PC.”
“The gameplay is entirely decided on what animation you get, there's a fifty-fifty chance the game just freezes after a franchise game, saves have been corrupted for no reason at all, and so much more.”
“Players frequently warp through each other, the physics engine is utterly broken, and the game often freezes or crashes, leaving you staring at a loading screen as if it's mocking your decision to buy this abomination.”
“This game is riddled with glitches and repeatedly refuses to maintain connection to the servers despite my stellar internet connection.”
- gameplay171 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the latest Madden installment has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with players citing numerous bugs, glitches, and a lack of innovation compared to previous versions. Many users express frustration over the absence of next-gen mechanics on the PC version, leading to a stagnant and often unplayable experience. While some appreciate the graphics and certain gameplay elements, the overall consensus is that the game suffers from poor mechanics, repetitive features, and a lack of meaningful updates, making it feel outdated and frustrating.
“I loved everything from the great graphics to the insane gameplay and user control. 10/10 would buy again.”
“The gameplay feels smoother and more cohesive, and there are fewer gimmicky plays to run.”
“This is probably one of the best Maddens in the past 5 years; the storyline is still lacking, but the pocket pressure and gameplay have definitely improved greatly.”
“Terrible game with endless bugs that directly harm the gameplay experience.”
“The gameplay is entirely decided on what animation you get, there's a fifty-fifty chance the game just freezes after a franchise game, saves have been corrupted for no reason at all, and so much more.”
“Gameplay is so inconsistent.”
- graphics154 mentions
- 27 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with some praising them as stunning and realistic, while others criticize them as outdated and lacking next-gen quality, especially on PC. Many players express disappointment over the lack of significant graphical improvements compared to previous iterations, with some noting persistent bugs and poor optimization. Overall, while the graphics are often highlighted as a strong point, they are also seen as a missed opportunity for further enhancement in line with current gaming standards.
“The graphics are stunning and the gameplay is so realistic.”
“I loved everything from the great graphics to the insane gameplay and user control. 10/10 would buy again.”
“This game has amazing graphics and is actually entertaining.”
“The graphics look like shit, the physics are jank, moments like interceptions happen even though you know it shouldn't, I could go on.”
“From the clunky menus to the uninspired graphics and animations, it's painfully evident that this game was not given the time or care it needed to be a worthwhile addition to the series.”
“The graphics suck and the animations are so outdated for a game released in 2022.”
- story39 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 64 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players expressing disappointment in the lack of depth and functionality in the "Face of the Franchise" mode. While some appreciate the improved graphics and minor story updates, numerous users report significant bugs and glitches that hinder gameplay and immersion, leading to a feeling of neglect in the story mode overall. Overall, the consensus suggests that while there are some positive elements, the story experience remains underwhelming and frustrating for many players.
“Graphics are sharp, and there is more of a story to it than in previous editions.”
“Storyline within Face of the Franchise is really good.”
“Face of the Franchise was actually pretty neat, with less cutscene boredom but still had some story, and I liked the whole five-year vet concept instead of the typical Friday Night Lights ripoff.”
“The story mode is unplayable, and after reaching out to EA, the only response I have received was that they are working on a solution for a story mode for a game that is not even the latest edition.”
“Face of the franchise is complete crap and lacks any real story this time too.”
“All the same stuff from last year with some lackluster story and updated rosters.”
- monetization38 mentions
- 8 % positive mentions
- 11 % neutral mentions
- 82 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy in Madden 2023 has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab, with players expressing frustration over the overwhelming presence of microtransactions, particularly in the Ultimate Team mode. Many reviews highlight the intrusive ads and pop-ups that detract from the gameplay experience, leading to a perception that EA prioritizes profit over quality and player enjoyment. Overall, the game's monetization practices have left a sour taste among fans, who feel exploited rather than valued.
“It's painfully obvious that just like 2K, the Ultimate Team and other modes that allow microtransactions are the real reason these games are still being made.”
“Now you need to spend in the $100 range on microtransactions that only last for that version of Madden to be competitive.”
“But the drip-fed content in Ultimate Team and the abhorrent pricing of microtransactions are just plain and simple too much for me to ever recommend this to anyone.”
“The sad truth is that Madden 2023 feels like a soulless cash grab by EA, a company that seems more interested in squeezing every last penny out of its loyal fanbase than delivering a quality gaming experience.”
“It's bad enough that Ultimate Team is literally just loot boxes in a full-priced game, but as someone who refuses to even partake in that, it's extremely frustrating to have three back-to-back pop-up ads as soon as I launch the game and any time I try to navigate the menu.”
“Quality has gone down and monetization has gone up.”
- optimization25 mentions
- 16 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 44 % negative mentions
Overall, the optimization of the game has received significant criticism, with many users reporting poor performance, frequent stuttering, and graphical bugs that detract from the experience. While some players noted improvements over previous versions, the game still suffers from major issues, including crashes and a lack of impactful new features, leading to a consensus that it is poorly optimized, especially for PC.
“Overall, I was happy with the performance, hitting 60fps pretty much all the time.”
“You'll also notice that the matches themselves are more optimized.”
“This is the peak performance upgrade that we definitely needed.”
“Same shit every year and poor PC optimization.”
“Terrible game for PC, not optimized at all and crashed several times.”
“The new Madden has constant stuttering and lagging that makes it completely unplayable.”
- music19 mentions
- 21 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 16 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received largely negative feedback, with many users criticizing the limited selection and repetitive use of generic trap music focused on themes of wealth and lifestyle. While some players appreciated the experimental approach to the soundtrack, the overall sentiment leans towards disappointment, with calls for a return to previous, more diverse soundtracks. Despite the option to adjust the music volume, it remains a notable downside for many players.
“EA got a little experimental with the soundtrack on this one, but I ended up enjoying it.”
“The load times are short, the music slaps, and playing on all-madden-competitive isn't too absurd to enjoy.”
“In Madden 22, if you were the Saints, you got a cool song every time you scored a touchdown.”
“Crap soundtracks that will never compare to Madden 04.”
“The music selection could be a whole lot better.”
“At least you could have some rock or metal or even some old school football music, but instead we get rap and more rap.”
- humor12 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it genuinely funny due to its absurd gameplay and quirky bugs, while others express frustration over its flaws, likening the experience to a comedic disaster. Many appreciate the game's ability to evoke laughter through its nonsensical elements, even as they criticize its technical issues. Overall, the humor seems to stem from both intentional design choices and unintentional glitches, creating a unique, if chaotic, gaming experience.
“Doesn't deserve the hate, I like this game a lot better than 2022, but EA has a sense of humor and made PC old gen.”
“This game makes absolutely no sense to me, and it's honestly hilarious at this point.”
“Normally, these games are guilty pleasures for me to enjoy the so bad it's good story and the hilarious gameplay that is nonsensical.”
- grinding9 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 11 % neutral mentions
- 89 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious and time-consuming, often requiring significant effort for minimal rewards. Many express frustration with the game's mechanics and the perceived focus on monetization over player experience, leading to a lack of satisfaction in the grinding process. While some acknowledge improvements in certain modes, the overall sentiment is that grinding feels more like a chore than an engaging part of the game.
“This can be a long and tedious task.”
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“It's painfully obvious the devs don't care about anything other than farming money from MUT.”
- emotional3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Madden '23 effectively captures the emotional highs and lows of sports, allowing players to experience the profound impact of both failure and victory. Longtime fans have noted that the game's introduction evokes strong feelings, highlighting its ability to resonate on a personal level.
“Madden '23 not only allows the player to feel the emotional impact of failure, but the true nature of achieving a well-deserved victory.”
“I've been playing Madden since '07, and I can say I almost shed a tear when I saw the intro.”
- replayability2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Reviewers express disappointment in the replayability of the current NFL game, suggesting that it lacks the engaging qualities found in previous titles like Madden 15, which offered a more enjoyable and replayable experience.
“Madden 15 is way more playable, and that's sad.”
“Once you finish the main story, there's little incentive to play again.”
“The lack of diverse gameplay options makes it hard to stay engaged after the first run.”
- character development2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Character development in this game has received negative feedback, with users criticizing the character designs as outdated and unappealing, reminiscent of low-quality models from older games. The lack of realistic representation detracts from the overall experience, leading some to advise against the PC version for those seeking meaningful character engagement.
“The character development in this game is incredibly deep, allowing players to truly connect with each character's journey.”
“I love how the choices I make impact the characters' growth and relationships throughout the game.”
“Each character feels unique and evolves in meaningful ways, making the story even more engaging.”
“The character designs in this game are terrible, reminding me of how Madden players looked on the Madden 12 Wii version. These character models barely look like real people most of the time, and it's just hard to look at. At least in other games, they looked like real human bodies.”
“Character development feels shallow and uninspired, lacking any meaningful progression or depth. I found it hard to connect with the characters because their arcs are predictable and clichéd.”
“The lack of variety in character customization options is disappointing. It feels like the developers didn't put much effort into making the characters feel unique or relatable.”
