Madden NFL 16 Reviews

Madden NFL 16 is ranked in the 91st percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
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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8.5 / 10.0
Sep 17, 2015

A revamped gameplay system allows players to take more control than ever, making Madden 16 feel like a polished product. Career mode still has some holes in it simply because of stale options, but the game truly shines online. Overall, a great experience and one to build off of for the future.

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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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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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8.4 / 10.0
Aug 25, 2015

Overall, the gameplay for Madden NFL 16 has been refined, simplified and improved. It feels like it's going back to a time where playing a football game was less of a chore and more fun. I think EA Tiburon hit the right notes with this year's Madden and has opened the door for everyone wanting to play a good game of football on their current generation system. Kudos to them for logical and entertaining gameplay improvements.

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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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8.4 / 10.0
Sep 9, 2015

Madden 16 feels like EA has finally caught up to the current generation of gaming and can now start to improve the venerable football franchise by even greater strides. There's still some work to be done, but I feel like I'm playing Madden this year because it's fun, and not because I felt obligated as a football fan to have it. Compared to the hurricane of dark perceptions surrounding the National Football League, I'd much rather be playing this.

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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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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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8 / 10
Aug 25, 2015

EA's juggernaut sports series delivers its 2015 installment with finesse and prowess, making it worth the attention of both fans and newcomers.

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Sep 10, 2015

For the second year in a row, Madden makes smart, interesting changes that genuinely improve the experience.

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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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Aug 24, 2015

[Madden NFL] 16 has been one of the best in recent history and it's a delight to see EA continually cook up new ways to serve an old dish.

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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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Sep 8, 2015

Madden 16 is an authentic, challenging simulation that explores key facets of the sport in new ways and adds much to the experience in the process.

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Sep 4, 2015

There are still problems when it comes to balancing realism with spectacle, but Madden NFL 16 manages to get the mix mostly right. Certainly, when compared to previous releases, there's a far greater sense that what you're playing tallies with what you see on Sundays.

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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 / 10
Sep 8, 2015

Madden NFL 16 is a fine addition to the series that started way back in 1989. Draft Champions adds a lot of replayability to a game already jam-packed with content, the new in-match mechanics give you a greater sense of control than ever before, and Madden Ultimate Team is steadily growing bigger and better. Sure, loading times are long, but the presentation and the way that the crowd reacts to every move is well worth it. All in all, it seems as though Madden as a series won't be deflating any time soon.

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4 / 5.0
Sep 3, 2015

Madden NFL 16 is just fun enough and just authentic enough to recommend to football fans, despite its technical issues. Yes, the load times and occasional freezes are frustrating but isn't enough to ruin the game (thankfully).

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Aug 24, 2015

Madden NFL 16 is the best iteration in the franchise this generation, presenting gamers with the most in-depth Connected Franchise yet and an interesting Draft Champions mode that has great potential to grow. Madden NFL 16 is a fantastic step forward for the series and is one players will thoroughly enjoy.

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