izigame.me

A step in the right direction from previous seasons but still massively lacking in comparison to the "golden age" of American Football games. Just because it is a 4/10 compared to a 2/10 does not mean it is a good game. I still cannot recommend unless you really need a football fix. Madden neither does well as an arcade or simulation type football game. It exists in a weird middle ground between the two worlds. It is not Blitz nor NFL 2K5.
Pros:
- They finally upgraded the Madden engine for PC. Sports series are notorious for prioritizing console users over PC users in terms of updates, engine upgrades, etc. I imagine Madden on PC is still behind console but the gameplay is truly a little better.
- Superstar mode has potential. It has taken years to even get to a skeletal point but there is a somewhat enjoyable Superstar mode at hand. It is still nowhere near NBA 2k's myplayer (which is its own nightmare) but it is an improvement over year's past.
- They finally updated the playbook menus.
Cons:
- Superstar mode is missing essential features such as a real practice mode, depth chart/substitutions, yearly stats for players, role playing aspects (choice based narrative, relationships/rivalries, history of draft picks by team), and more. For example, there are a few minor video clips of the Pivot podcast crew discussing your Myplayer's performance over the season. It is so lackluster compared to earlier football games. Madden 05 used to have an entire in game radio broadcast with fake headlines based on the season. NFL 2k5 would have a Chris Berman-led ESPN broadcast which even showed highlights from other matchups that were not yours. It is a long rant but what I am getting at is presentation in contemporary football games is completely lackluster.
- The soundtrack is one of the worst licensed soundtracks out there. Madden soundtracks were never my favorite thing but it should be a simple formula of Sam Spence music, arena rock/metal/pop, hard rap, and then throw some random genres/whatever you want. Instead they find the most cursed rap music. The music is so bad it makes Lil Uzi Vert seem like a modern genius.
- Physics/flow of game are absolutely off. Plays like the Marshawn Lynch run against the Saints, Josh Allen throwing Kyle Van Noy into the ground, Derrick Henry stiff arming Josh Norman, rugby scrums, and other physically dominant plays are not possible in Madden due to its animation based gameplay rather than physics based. What I mean is that it doesn't really feel like you are throwing your weight around. A player with an X under them will just win every matchup because their numbers are higher. Your X (superstar) players will dominate the game but it feels more bouncy than punching if that makes sense?
- Simulation stats have always been awful for Madden. Their stats are stuck in 1996 where every team gave an RB 300 plus carries. QB rushing yards and receiving yards in general are lacking in year end stats compared to real life comparisons.
This game is slightly better due to minor upgrades in gameplay and superstar mode but it is not nearly enough for what a 2023/2024 American Football game should be.