You’ve playedMadden 25before, even if you don’t realize you’ve played Madden 25 before.
Which isn’t the case PS5 and Xbox Series X Madden is many moons ahead of its two-gen-old counterpart.
Yet it still fails to trigger the same highs as this esteemed series did during its heyday.
It’s everything a Gridiron sim should be.
Madden 25 actually plays a more accomplished game of football, in certain regards, such as O-line blocking.
Yet the overall feeling is one of sterility.
Serious talk
Perhaps this is a reflection on the current state of the real NFL.
Madden is hugely functional, but it isn’t always fun.
These moments are just… there.
There are myriad tweaks, and many of them succeed.
Attempts have been made to bolster the engine, which received justified stick during ourMadden 24review.
and deep shots to the far pylon.
Dedicated players are smartly rewarded in ways that casuals likely won’t notice.
Also, blink-and-miss-‘em animations showing players making specific preplay adjustments are one of the series’ greatest touches ever.
In theory you could read individual intentions just by monitoring these animations, which is a staggering detail.
EA also does its best to get around the mind-bending new rule regarding kick-offs.
Inevitably, the place EA most wants you to experience all this is within Ultimate Team.
While its pack-pushing heaviness warrants the same criticism as always, there’s much to like.
(Such as overturning a 17-point second-quarter deficit on hard difficulty.)
Still, if you’ve always despised the concept, it’s not going to win you over.
Ultimate alternatives
Mercifully, there are other options in play, such as Superstar mode.
See, Madden 25 does conjure some real highs.
Just not always in conventional places.
That’s certainly true of franchise mode.
Insurmountable during the series' PS2 years, it’s mostly forgettable now.
In part, again, because of the new kid on the block.
The other way of building your roster, via free agency, just feels drab.
Alas, it isn’t there.
It’s a curious time for this once sublime series.
Fan feedback is being acted on.
With commentary duo Brandon Gaudin and Charlies Davis getting stale, EA adds not one but two crews.
Mike Tirico and Greg Olsen are likably chill, Kate Scott and Brock Huard a touch more intense.
Again, good moves and Madden 25 is a good game.
But it isn’t a great one.
Madden 25 was reviewed on PS5, with code provided by the publisher.
