As a seasoned gamer and a die-hard Madden fan since its early days, I must say that Madden NFL 25 has certainly lived up to my expectations. Despite the uncreative naming choice, it’s clear that EA Orlando has been diligently working on refining the gameplay experience.
Every year, I eagerly await the release of the new Madden game, but this year’s edition particularly piqued my interest due to an amusing reason. You might recall that in 2013, EA unveiled Madden NFL 25 to celebrate the series’ 25th anniversary. This move set up a dilemma for them ten years later, and I was intrigued to see how they would address it. Regrettably, they didn’t come up with an exciting title for this year’s game, as they simply released another Madden NFL 25. Fortunately, that’s my sole complaint about this year’s Madden; it boasts several appealing updates and maintains its strong foundation.
The familiar feeling of seeing something old yet refreshed may strike you when considering this year’s standout features, as improved tackling has been a recurring theme since the introduction of the hit stick in Madden 2005. Initially, I was hesitant upon hearing it mentioned again, but the team at EA Orlando deserves recognition for their innovative “Boom tech.” This technology seamlessly combines momentum, player ratings, and muscle strength to make each impact more genuine and fluid. Consequently, this leads to more authentic-feeling tackles that can potentially create extra fumble chances if timed correctly.
Madden NFL 25 offers numerous minor improvements that collectively make it an enticing upgrade over previous versions. For instance, players can now customize their strategies before the snap, including fine-tuning smart routes and concealing defensive formations. Additionally, the updated kicking system from College Football 25 has been incorporated, albeit optional, and two new commentary teams have been included, providing variety with Mike Tirico and Greg Olsen, as well as Kate Scott and Brock Huard.
In this updated version, both Franchise and Superstar modes have undergone significant improvements, with many other features returning in refined versions (though they come with a more polished user interface). I was particularly impressed by the Franchise mode as it allows you to observe patterns unfold over time. Young players can swiftly develop their skills if their on-field performance indicates they’re breaking through. EA Orlando has added more than 70 new storylines, which gives a realistic feel of managing personalities and real players, rather than just dealing with spreadsheets. Additionally, there is a greater emphasis on history, as you can now surpass team-specific records instead of simply aiming for the all-time record books.
Currently, the Superstar mode is keeping me entertained. What’s cool is that I was able to incorporate my College Football 25 character into the game – a fantastic feature! The main novelty of this mode lies in the introduction of the Superstar Showdown mode, which is essentially a three-on-three battle. It brings back memories of NFL Street because it has lots of scoring thanks to its unique setup and smaller playfield. It’s a fun side activity, but I’m curious about how much traction it will maintain in the long run. I’d love for them to eventually introduce a single-player mode for Showdown similar to what EA’s NHL games offer for their Threes mode.
Madden NFL 25 Review: Final Verdict
As a long-time fan of Madden NFL series, I must say that this year’s release, Madden NFL 25, has truly impressed me with its innovative updates and enhancements. The seamless integration of College Football 25 is simply brilliant, adding a whole new dimension to the gameplay experience. Moreover, the new tackling system brings a fresh feel to the game, making it more realistic and immersive than ever before. All in all, EA Sports has delivered another strong offering this year in the sports gaming market, making 2013 an excellent time for Madden NFL fans to upgrade their games.
SCORE: 8.5/10
According to the review guidelines on ComingSoon, a rating of 8.5 is equivalent to “Exceptional” or “Outstanding”. Although it has a few small flaws, this score indicates that the artwork accomplishes its purpose effectively and makes a lasting impression.
For transparency, we were given a digital PlayStation 5 edition of Madden NFL 25 for the purpose of this review. Our assessment was conducted using version 1.004.000.
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2024-08-16 18:10