Madden NFL 16 Reviews

Madden NFL 16 is ranked in the 91st percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
NZGamer
Top Critic
8.4 / 10.0
Sep 3, 2015

It's always a bit hyperbolic to say "best Madden ever" before the community play-style has settled - but in terms of the gameplay mechanics, the franchise is at the most realistic point it's reached to date.

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8.5 / 10.0
Sep 3, 2015

Every year people justify not purchasing Madden using the time tested line, "Well it is just a glorified roster update anyway…" Unfortunately for those poor jaded schmucks, no such excuse exists this season. EA Sports has went all out to deliver changes to the core gameplay mechanics, resulting in an authentic football experience, with unparalleled levels of depth and complexity.

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Sep 2, 2015

Madden 16 is what the NFL wants to believe its league is: Clean, friendly, and inspirational. It's not.

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4.4 / 5.0
Sep 2, 2015

Madden NFL 16 definitely streamlines the American football experience on the PlayStation 4 with its enhanced gaming mechanics, especially with the new catches and accessible in-game goals. Controls work extremely well and the tweaked gameplay creates a new direction for the series, more so with the next-gen graphics that just boom out of your TV.

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9 / 10
Sep 2, 2015

Madden 16 builds on last year's fantastic entry in the franchise, and while there's more refinement here than revolution the improvements are meaningful, with the addition of Draft Champions a huge success.

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9 / 10.0
Sep 2, 2015

Madden 16 is the definitive Madden experience, boasting new gameplay mechanics and features that change the game for the better. New and returning players will easily find something to love about this year's iteration.

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Aug 31, 2015

Even with the few, and consequently minor, shortcomings in Madden NFL 16, it is by far the best football game in years. The new additions to the passing and receiving game alone are more than worth the purchase price. These new game mechanics, coupled with the new defensive additions and refinements, bring the game to a level of realism that has never before been reached by the Madden franchise. On top of all of that, Draft Champions looks to be one of the best new game modes added to a sports game in recent years.

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90 / 100
Aug 31, 2015

Many people complain that sports games do not change sufficiently on a yearly basis to warrant another purchase. That is far from the case with Madden NFL 16 as EA Sports and EA Tiburon have introduced some smart, brand new features that are integrated very well. The Draft Champions mode could have easily been just another card-focused mode that the fan base shunned to the side, but it is much more than that. It is an exciting, unique experience that cannot be found in any other sports title. As the gameplay continues to improve, Madden NFL 16 is easily the best football game to have been released in many years

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Aug 31, 2015

With a greater focus on receivers/cornerbacks and a fantastic new Draft Champions mode, Madden NFL 16 represents a vast improvement over last year's game in nearly every way.

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Aug 30, 2015

With impressive refinements made to the passing game and a significant bump in the visual department, Madden NFL 16 may just be the best entry in the storied franchise's history.

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85%
Aug 30, 2015

A few new gameplay mechanics and the Fantasy Draft mode might not seem like enough to make you part with your cash, but the subtle changes are enough to make every game feel like a new challenge. Every catch can be game changing, every defensive counter move pivotal. It's great that a simple tweak can shift the dynamic so much, and it's enough to make Madden NFL 16 a more authentic experience for long time players and newcomers alike.

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Ken McKown
Top Critic
8.5 / 10.0
Aug 28, 2015

Once again Madden comes highly recommended for fans of the pigskin, and as always, kicks off the best time of year to be a gamer.

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8 / 10.0
Aug 28, 2015

Madden 16 has now begun to reflect on how the NFL has evolved, and despite its growing pains, the positives outweigh the negatives in this strong outing. Madden NFL 16 is a necessity for returning fans.

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8.3 / 10.0
Aug 27, 2015

While there are still some areas that could use polishing (like that commentary team – wake up, fellas), Madden NFL 16 continues to make strides with some strong gameplay change-ups and abundant online features. Draft Champions and Ultimate Team will keep true fans busy for weeks, and the casual play is exceptional enough for that audience to enjoy as well. As long as Madden keeps making progress like this on a yearly basis, I'll keep coming back for more.

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8 / 10.0
Aug 27, 2015

Madden NFL 16 is a great playing game on the field, and has adequate depth to the modes to keep you busy for a long time to come.

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Cheat Code Central
Angelo M. D’Argenio
Top Critic
4 / 5.0
Aug 26, 2015

As I have reviewed every Madden game these last few years, I saw systems get more and more complex, making the game feel like it was out of my reach. Madden 16 feels like it is geared around simplicity. None of the systems from other Madden games were taken out, but the core of the game has been shifted toward simple mechanics interacting with other simple mechanics. This is a breath of fresh air to me. It makes Madden NFL 16 a fantastic place to start playing Madden, as well as being different enough to warrant a follow up buy after 15.

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Aug 25, 2015

With a focus on the fundamentals and an eye for simulation-style football, Madden NFL 16 maintains the franchise's upward trajectory. Football fans have a solid title in their hands this season.

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Polygon
Top Critic
9 / 10.0
Aug 25, 2015

Madden 16's hard-earned successes feel that much more satisfying.

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Aug 25, 2015

Madden NFL 16 regains its championship swagger in so many ways. The completely revamped Madden Ultimate Team, Connected Franchise, and the absolutely fun Draft Champions modes are definitely the highlight of this game, by far.

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USgamer
Top Critic
Aug 25, 2015

Madden NFL 16 takes another clear step forward this year, featuring some fantastic additions to the passing game and an excellent new mode. After being maligned for so many years, Madden now has a clear sense of momentum that should carry it through the rest of the generation. Absent the bugs and balance issues, which should be addressed soon via patch, this is the best Madden I've played in a decade.

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