Madden NFL 23
- August 18, 2022
- Electronic Arts
- 10h median play time
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Get on Xbox Games Store
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 significantly hinder 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 dissatisfaction among the player base.
“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users express frustration over the absence of next-gen mechanics on PC, leading to a stagnant experience that feels outdated and riddled with issues. While some players appreciate certain aspects of the gameplay, the overall consensus is that it suffers from poor execution, sluggish controls, and a reliance on random animations that detract from the realism and enjoyment of the game.
“I loved everything from the great graphics to the insane gameplay and user control. 10/10 would buy again.”
“Best football game ever, has realistic gameplay and good graphics, excellent franchise mode and real NFL stats.”
“The gameplay this year feels great!!”
“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.”
- graphics153 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.”
“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.”
“Madden 23 graphically is no different than Madden 2019, and that is sad.”
- 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 general sentiment that the story mode feels neglected and unplayable. Overall, players are calling for more engaging narratives and stable features to enhance their experience.
“Graphics are sharp, and more of a story to it than 15.”
“Storyline within face of the franchise is really good.”
“Face of the franchise was actually pretty neat, less cutscene boredom but still had some story and I liked the whole five-year vet thing 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 bull crap story and updated rosters.”
- monetization37 mentions
- 5 % positive mentions
- 11 % neutral mentions
- 84 % negative mentions
The monetization in Madden 2023 has been widely criticized as a blatant cash grab by EA, with players expressing frustration over the prevalence of ads, intrusive microtransactions, and a focus on Ultimate Team at the expense of overall gameplay quality. Many reviewers feel that the game prioritizes profit over player experience, leading to a frustrating environment filled with glitches and repetitive content, making it difficult to recommend to potential buyers. Overall, the sentiment is that the game's monetization strategy detracts significantly from its enjoyment and value.
“I know people are unhappy with the MUT, player packs, and the monetization of video games.”
“Because I am okay with spending money on microtransactions, but I'm not okay with buying random packs and wasting money on stuff I don't want.”
“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
The optimization of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with users reporting significant performance issues such as constant stuttering, crashes, and graphical bugs. While some players noted that they could achieve stable frame rates, many experienced severe lag and poor performance even on low settings, leading to frustration over the lack of meaningful improvements and optimization compared to previous titles. Overall, the game is criticized for being poorly optimized, especially on PC, with many recommending older versions for a smoother experience.
“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. Players express a desire for a more diverse soundtrack, including rock and classic football tunes, and some even lament the loss of previous soundtracks from earlier Madden titles. While a few users found enjoyment in the experimental aspects of the music, the overall consensus is that it detracts from the gaming experience.
“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.”
“And 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 acknowledge the underlying issues that contribute to the humor. Overall, the humor seems to stem from both intentional design choices and the unintentional hilarity of its glitches and gameplay mechanics.
“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
- 11 % positive mentions
- 0 % 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 remains negative regarding the execution and enjoyment of grinding.
“You'll need a second life for grinding.”
“This can be a long and tedious task.”
“It's painfully obvious the devs don't care about anything other than farming money from MUT.”
“Decent enough idea but the execution, again relating to the menus, makes this absolutely tedious.”
- 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 NFL game, suggesting that it lacks the engaging elements found in previous titles like Madden 15, which is noted for its higher playability. This sentiment indicates a desire for more compelling gameplay that encourages repeated play.
“Madden 15 is way more playable, and that's sad.”
“The lack of meaningful choices makes replaying the game feel pointless.”
“Once you've completed the main story, there's little incentive to go back.”
- character development2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Character development in this game has received criticism for its poor character designs, which some users liken to outdated models reminiscent of older games. The lack of realistic character representation detracts from the overall experience, leading to disappointment for those seeking meaningful character engagement.
“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 sometimes. At least in other games, they looked like real human bodies.”
“Character development feels shallow and uninspired, with little to no growth or meaningful choices that impact the story.”
“The lack of depth in character backstories makes it difficult to connect with them, leaving me feeling indifferent to their journeys.”
