Madden NFL 25

About

Madden NFL 25 is a single player and multiplayer sport game. It was developed by Tiburon and was released on May 13, 2024. It received neutral reviews from players.

"EA SPORTS™ Madden NFL 25 and Deluxe Edition offer enhanced football gameplay with FieldSENSE™ physics, a variety of bonuses and virtual currency options. Pre-order to receive early access, player items, and strategy items. In-game purchases for additional virtual content are available."

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55%

Audience ScoreBased on 4,616 reviews

gameplay64 positive mentions

stability186 negative mentions

The game features improved graphics and animations, making it visually appealing.
Franchise mode offers engaging team management and player progression, providing depth to the gameplay.
Superstar mode is enjoyable for those looking to experience a player's career in the NFL.

The game is plagued by numerous bugs and glitches, making it frustrating to play.
Controller support is inconsistent, often leading to issues with input recognition and navigation.
Microtransactions and Ultimate Team overshadow the core gameplay, detracting from the overall experience.

gameplay
283 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
23%
59%
18%
The gameplay of the latest Madden installment has received mixed reviews, with many players highlighting persistent bugs, glitches, and a lack of significant innovation compared to previous versions. While some appreciate the smoother animations and improved mechanics, others criticize the sluggishness, unresponsive controls, and the overwhelming focus on microtransactions over core gameplay improvements. Overall, the experience is described as frustratingly inconsistent, with a blend of minor enhancements overshadowed by long-standing issues.
- “The gameplay feels very responsive, realistic, and smooth. It doesn't feel cheesy; the run game feels great, and the passing game feels good. The new physics make tackling and hit sticking much more satisfying.”
- “The gameplay experience is okay at best so far, even with the new features added. However, the gameplay feels a lot smoother than recent entries with much less jarring animations.”
- “Overall, gameplay is fantastic, but the franchise mode needs work.”
- “There's nothing that is actually well made in the game; menus are bad, gameplay is glitchy, messy, and bad. There are bugs in every single menu, load times are insane, and it feels like they recorded for one day for the voice overs.”
- “Gameplay itself is only marginally better than the same game 10+ years ago.”
- “The gameplay does not require any strategy, just spamming motion and choosing money plays.”
stability
190 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
98%
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with numerous users reporting frequent crashes, glitches, and overall poor performance. Many players have expressed frustration over the game's buggy nature, which often requires extensive troubleshooting to resolve issues, making it feel unplayable at times. While some acknowledge the game's enjoyable aspects, the overwhelming consensus is that its stability issues significantly detract from the overall experience.
- “Worth noting that Madden 23 works and runs great.”
- “Plays good, runs pretty well; surprisingly, no glitches or anything (that I've seen/encountered) with things like higher frame rates 200+.”
- “Runs great in handheld on my ROG Ally and also shows great performance on desktop.”
- “Buggy, crappy performance and just overall not fun.”
- “Game constantly freezes or crashes in the middle of playing.”
- “Unbelievably buggy and unstable.”
graphics
163 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
60%
7%
The graphics in Madden NFL 25 have received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant improvements in player models and animations compared to previous iterations. However, issues with optimization, lag, and graphical glitches have been frequently mentioned, leading to a frustrating experience for some users. Overall, while the visuals are generally praised for their realism, the game's performance and user interface have drawn criticism, suggesting that the graphical enhancements may not fully compensate for gameplay shortcomings.
- “The graphics in Madden NFL 25 are a step up from previous entries, showcasing improved player models and animations that capture the physicality of the sport.”
- “The graphics are incredible, and it looks extremely realistic, almost as if I were watching a real NFL football game.”
- “Big improvement in movement and graphics compared to last year, I highly recommend.”
- “The graphics look like they're from a decade ago.”
- “The graphics and gameplay physics are a lot worse than Madden 24, and even after going into settings to make adjustments in an attempt to improve the gameplay, it was still pretty bad in the end.”
- “This game has a horrible UI, is filled with graphical glitches and gameplay bugs, and has worse graphics than Madden 14.”
optimization
89 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
50%
38%
The game's optimization has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players reporting severe performance issues, including high CPU usage, low GPU utilization, frequent crashes, and significant frame rate drops. While some users noted minor improvements compared to previous versions, the overall consensus is that the game is poorly optimized for PC, making it frustrating and often unplayable for many. A few players with mid-range setups reported decent performance, but these instances appear to be exceptions rather than the norm.
- “Online play and performance are largely stable across platforms, with smoother matchmaking and fewer disconnects than in previous years.”
- “Shockingly they actually optimized PC Madden for the first time ever ...”
- “No performance issues, far more better than m24.”
- “The game is horribly optimized for PC (CPU usage is 70-100% and GPU usage is 0%) and I would not recommend buying this game on January 8, 2024, maybe at a later date when EA has optimized the game.”
- “This game is poorly optimized for PC, runs horribly and goes into slow motion after every pass I make with an RTX 4090.”
- “Optimization is horrible, with occasional crashes and very regular glitches.”
monetization
67 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
40%
54%
The monetization strategy in the latest Madden installment has drawn significant criticism, with many players labeling it a blatant cash grab focused on microtransactions, particularly in the Ultimate Team mode. Users express frustration over the overwhelming presence of in-game ads and the pressure to spend additional money to remain competitive, overshadowing the core gameplay experience. While some acknowledge minor improvements, the consensus is that the game's monetization practices detract from its overall quality and enjoyment.
- “While the mode remains massively popular and well-supported, it’s still built around a monetization loop that heavily favors players willing to spend real money.”
- “The latest installment of Madden follows the same uninspired formula as its predecessors, offering only minimal updates to franchise mode, a host of confusing and repetitive animations, and an overabundance of in-game purchases designed to encourage spending.”
- “The over-reliance on microtransactions in Ultimate Team mode continues to be a major sticking point for many players, detracting from what could be a more balanced and enjoyable game.”
- “But it's just a rushed cash grab by the gaming company known for its microtransactions and unfinished cash grab slop.”
- “The only thing worse than a football game having a battle pass and pay-to-win monetization features is the fact that it makes EA bank, ensuring that they'll make just enough money to reskin the games again next year and add brain-dead features like boom tech instead of making the game on a decent running engine with a competent staff.”
- “Madden has become nothing more than a shameless cash grab by corporate America, with EA and the NFL showing zero interest in delivering a quality product.”
music
41 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
17%
66%
17%
The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some praising the inclusion of more diverse and noteworthy artists compared to previous titles, while others criticize the overall quality as forgettable or even terrible. Many players appreciate the energetic soundtrack that complements gameplay, but there are also complaints about repetitive and low-quality tracks, particularly a dominance of rap music. Overall, the soundtrack seems to be a polarizing aspect, with some considering it a highlight and others deeming it abysmal.
- “The game also boasts an energetic soundtrack that complements the gameplay.”
- “Amazing soundtrack, great gameplay, gorgeous graphics.”
- “Offers great graphics and voice detail with the announcers, and great music as always!”
- “The music is awful, the entire soundtrack is terrible.”
- “Music ranges from forgettable to garbage.”
- “The overall music choice is awful and almost every song is just rap.”
story
25 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
68%
12%
The story aspect of the game "Superstar" has received mixed reviews, with many players praising the graphics but criticizing the lack of depth and immersion in the narrative. Users feel that the storytelling is thin, often menu-driven, and lacks the engaging custom storylines seen in previous iterations, leading to a frustrating experience marred by bugs and repetitive gameplay. Overall, while there are some new features, they do not significantly enhance the storytelling, leaving many fans disappointed compared to earlier versions.
- “I love the new storylines and the actual creation of play style with the attribute point system like 2K.”
- “One year that had a storyline to it, that was fun and enjoyable, but they already got away with that the last few Maddens.”
- “Still, the mode falls short in storytelling and immersion compared to other sports sims; while the tools are better, the narratives around team building and season drama still feel thin and mostly menu-driven.”
- “The coaching storylines for press conferences and all those are a good idea, but they are usually goofy and just become annoying after a season.”
- “The commentary is awful sometimes; only one person of the team is talking to themselves, and player storylines are just about non-existent or completely missing.”
humor
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with players finding amusement in its frustrating physics engine and absurd control issues, though many also express frustration over technical problems and pay-to-win mechanics. While some appreciate the comedic elements and the game's quirks, others feel that the humor is overshadowed by the game's shortcomings and bugs. Overall, it seems that a sense of humor about the game's flaws can enhance the experience, but many players are left feeling disappointed.
- “Enjoy a funny but frustrating physics engine, and getting angry at all costs.”
- “It's especially hilarious since the store page even says the developers recommend playing with a controller.”
- “You just might find yourself occasionally chuckling at a system that needs another year or two in the oven.”
grinding
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and often pointless, especially given the impending server shutdown that renders long-term progress meaningless. While some enjoy the gameplay and the challenge of accumulating top players, many express frustration with the time investment required and the overall lack of rewarding progression. The game's interface and server issues further exacerbate the grinding experience, leading to a generally negative perception.
- “The gameplay was actually quite fun, but outside that I can't play this game when managing the team is as tedious as it is.”
- “Pointless grinding isn't fun.”
- “The server will shut down in a few years, which means your grinding will be gone, your time and money wasted and you won't even have a player mode.”
emotional
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviews indicate that "Madden 25" lacks emotional depth and narrative engagement, leaving players feeling disconnected and unfulfilled. Many express frustration with the game's inability to evoke genuine feelings, describing it as a mere checklist of achievements without any meaningful emotional payoff. Overall, the game is criticized for playing it too safe and failing to deliver a compelling emotional experience.
- “If I could sue a video game for emotional damage, this would be exhibit A.”
- “The only reason you may see so many hours logged on my account is because I like to be emotionally hurt.”
- “For those seeking a fully revitalized football sim with emotional weight and narrative depth, Madden 25 still plays it a bit too safe.”
atmosphere
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's atmosphere is highly praised for its authenticity, enhanced by updated commentary and immersive crowd sounds that make players feel as if they are truly part of the action. Recent improvements in stadium quality and presentation have further elevated the experience, making it a significant aspect for fans who value immersion in sports gaming.
- “The atmosphere of the game has always been superb; when you play a game and you hear the crowd and the commentators, it really feels like you're actually there.”
- “The presentation, featuring commentary from Jim Nantz and Phil Simms, adds authenticity and enhances the atmosphere of each game.”
- “The game features updated broadcast teams and a fresh presentation, which adds a new layer of immersion.”
- “Two years ago I asked EA to improve the quality of the stadiums, and above all the atmosphere specific to each stadium.”
- “If you care about the atmosphere of the game, these enhancements could make a difference in your experience.”
- “Still Madden, the gameplay is mostly the same; EA devs don't understand much about basic football strategy, the atmosphere in-game is much better though.”
replayability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
20%
20%
Players appreciate the replayability of the game, particularly through traditional modes like franchise and ultimate team, which provide depth and control over team management. However, there are concerns about the game's overall execution and the developer's commitment to quality, suggesting that while the potential for replayability exists, it may not be fully realized.
- “Love the gameplay, graphics, replayability, and pretty much everything else.”
- “The traditional gameplay modes, including franchise and ultimate team, offer depth and replayability, with the franchise mode allowing more control over team management and player trades.”
- “This game is not slow and sluggish; it's realistic and actually more playable than previous years.”
- “Stay away from EA as they obviously don't care if their games and code are playable or not.”