Madden NFL 25

Commemorating two and a half decades of video game football history comes Madden NFL 25. While the franchise has had a rocky history due to the lack of innovations that come with every new entry, this anniversary edition promises to deliver a never-before-seen experience for both new and returning players.

While the game isn’t all that breathtaking when it comes to new gameplay content, it absolutely astonishes on a technical level. A new and improved AI model also means that solo players will get more hours of enjoyment out of this game than any other Madden title before.

Recycling Content

At first glance, Madden NFL 25 might be seen as a revamped version of Madden NFL 13: both games are virtually identical, even more so when it comes to the selection of game modes. However, some significant improvements over the previous year’s version turn this anniversary edition into the clear winner. First off, the Franchise mode has received a new coat of paint to make it more engaging than it was in last year’s offering. New to the series is the ability to have total control over a team’s finances with Owner Mode. Here, players will be able to control almost every economic aspect of their team, including marketing deals and stadium maintenance. While this mode can be a bit dull for some players, it is certainly deep enough to keep other players (especially fans of the Soccer Manager series) entertained.

Technical Upgrades

For its 25th anniversary, EA has prepared an entirely new look for the Madden series. Featuring the impressive Ignite engine, Madden looks closer to the real deal than ever before. Upgraded graphics aren’t the only thing getting revamped this year in Madden, as with the new engine also comes a slew of AI and physics improvements that can certainly be jaw-dropping.

The computer-controlled players now are much better at interferences, being able to change their priorities on the fly. In the past, Madden players would have to be wary of the AI-controlled defense players, but now, players will have to adapt their strategies mid-play to keep up with the smarter AI. Madden NFL 25 features an impressive dedication to realism on the graphics side of things, focusing particularly on player’s uniforms and the playfield itself. The field grass wears out over time in heavily-used areas, and the crowds now look a bit more like real character models than before.

Feeling Much Better

Physics also received the next-gen treatment on Madden NFL 25, with the inclusion of a better real-time physics engine. Every tackle, pass, or fumble now feels real and improvised, as there are now much fewer canned animations than before. Another improvement lies in the player’s foot tracking: moving your players now feels more fluid than before, thanks to the extra horsepower of next-gen consoles. It’s impressive to see just how well EA’s Ignite Engine captures football physics, and the upgraded visuals alone are enough to convince any player who enjoys the series to give this anniversary edition a try.

Pros:

• Excellent visuals and physics
• Great AI players
• Pays homage to the history of the NFL

Cons:

• Not much to see in terms of new content
• The in-game commentators aren’t very accurate