Madden NFL 25 review – A step in the right direction

It’s been a long time since I’ve been excited about a new Madden game, especially considering the past five entries have been almost identical to one another. Not that EA hasn’t made improvements with each new installment, but those improvements solely focused on enhanced animations and graphics without ever adding significant features to make the game feel worth a purchase. Yeah, Madden 24 added the highly requested Commissioner Tools, but there was still so much missing from that entry that removed the feeling of actually running a team or becoming a star athlete.

Madden NFL 25 is different. For the first time in a very long while, EA seems to care about the Madden franchise again. There’s still some work to be done to make Madden into the best football simulation it can be, but I’m confident that fans of the franchise will thoroughly love the direction the developers are headed. Fan favorite modes, such as Superstar, Franchise, and Ultimate Team, all received additional features that don’t feel tossed in for the sake of it, but actually make a huge difference in your NFL journey.

The on-field improvements

I first want to address the on-field improvements, since most of your time will be spent during games. Madden NFL 25 introduces a new technology called “Boom Tech,” a physics-based tackling system that EA promises is designed to make tackling and movements feel more realistic than ever. I’d have to agree with that sentiment as on-field gameplay has never felt so satisfying. I can’t speak for Xbox since I played Madden 25 on PlayStation, but with the power of the dual-sense, the controller vibration level is determined by the angle and timing of your hitstick. This feature may seem minor, but it truly adds to the intensity of making big plays on the field.

Speaking of intensity, the crowd reacts to your successes more than ever this time around. Knock a running back on his butt behind the line of scrimmage on your home field? Expect a huge uproar of applause throughout the stadium. This sounds normal compared to other Maddens, but the sound design of these moments is notches above previous entries.

The new modes and content

Bringing a rookie player into the NFL and working his way up to a future legend has always been incredibly exciting in Superstar mode. While it’s an exciting journey, the road to legend status didn’t feel personal enough, and instead felt like the computer was doing most of the work. Madden NFL 25 fixed this by adding new features that are further customized personally for your player’s position, performance, and decisions. For example, Combine has received a ton of new minigames that change depending on the position you’re playing, and actually have the potential to boost your starting stats if you perform well in them.

The new mini-games in Combine are just the start of added content. The quests in Superstar are now specifically tailored to your personal performance, decisions made in narrative moments, and whether you’re playing up against an opposing NFL rival. One good example is when you’re playing as a Quarterback, and your coach asks, “How will you bring value to your team?” Selecting the option to throw a ton of yards will activate a quest revolving around getting a certain amount of passing yards. Or you could have a teammate request to get the ball more, and if you agree, a quest triggers to make sure he touches the football a certain amount of times in a game. These quests are a great way to create a feeling of carving your own path in the NFL.

Most importantly, with the recent release of College Football 25, fans can bring their Superstar player from the college level all the way to the pros. The fact that EA revisited NCAA and released a new edition just skyrockets the potential of Superstar in Madden NFL 25 from previous entries. It makes the journey as a whole much more worthwhile as you progress from a college recruit to a record-breaking NFL player.

A mode that really needed work was Franchise, and you can rest assured that EA worked hard on this one. Franchise mode has been revamped to make the simulation of building a team from the ground up feel more authentic. The biggest addition is the Dynamic Storylines feature, which are moments spread throughout the season that make a significant impact on player performance and team morale. In these moments as a coach, you are tasked with picking the correct thing to say to a player based on their personality to boost their performance. Selecting the wrong dialogue option could lead to a player starting the season out of shape or getting into his head, causing more errors on the field.

Impactful decisions are made through player-to-coach interactions, team meetings, press conferences, coach offices, practice sidelines, or text messages with offensive and defensive coordinators. The choices and dialogue options you pick during these scenarios actually matter throughout your season and it’s the closest Madden has got to creating the feeling of being a coach.

Management of Franchise mode has never been easier due to the brand-new hub and message center. Each week messages will be sent to the the team that can help guide you through the season and keep you up to date on important information. These messages include suggestions on recruiting, who to put on the trade block, recent injuries, and even game plans. For example, I received a message in my inbox during the offseason stating “Rumors are swirling Mathew Judon is done with the Patriots. Let’s consider making an offer this offseason.” This lets me know that I have the chance of drafting this specific player, without having to dig through a ton of menus and conducting research. The new message system is very user-friendly and a great way to bring beginners into Franchise mode.

For the most part, Madden Ultimate Team has remained the same but that’s not necessarily a terrible thing. MUT has always been where it should be, so the features they did add are just the icing on the cake. There are now 6-vs-6 battles, new challenge types, and full-on solo seasons with H2H. You read that right, offline players can now enjoy all the benefits of playing online.

As for fans of online play, I’m happy to inform you that there are now ranked battles for H2H. This allows you to test your skills against other players and work your way to the top of the leaderboard to see where you stack up against other players in the world. This much-requested feature is a great way to keep the player base engaged with Ultimate Team for longer periods and removes the chance of the mode growing stale.

There is no doubt that Madden NFL 25 has made solid progress for the beloved franchise. That said, I still can’t help but feel there is so much more EA can do to make it the best sports game it has a right to be. Why not allow the players to control their character around facilities like career mode in 2K? Imagine how awesome it would be if you had to plan your day around making it to the weight room, team meetings, and practice, instead of just selecting options from a menu screen. Time management is something real players focus on and Madden’s Franchise and Superstar mode would benefit greatly if EA tried to implement it. There needs to be more simulation and immersion to make Madden truly shine. Now I know this will most likely never happen, but a football fan can dream.

The Verdict

Despite minor nitpicks and a wishlist for future entries, Madden NFL 25 is a step in the right direction for the franchise. After a very long time, EA finally created a Madden that is worth your time and money this year through its additions to fan-favorite modes. Whether it’s the more impactful quests tailored to your performance, a more streamlined approach to management as a coach, or the ability to play as your college star, football fans have a lot to love about the latest Madden.