Madden NFL 26 Reviews
EA Sports has raised the bar with the launch of Madden 26, delivering an exceptional gaming experience that sets a new standard for the franchise.
Madden NFL 26 is an enjoyable and incredibly complete package. There’s something for the long time fans while there’s enough for newcomers with proper accessibility features to give players a chance to adapt to the gameplay. But as with any sports games that release on a yearly basis, where’s the innovation? Where’s the big changes that’ll make dropping £69.99 for a game that feels like previous entries. If you’re a die hard (american) football fan that knows all the stats, then this is a no-brainer. If you’re a casual player and haven’t played a Madden game in a few years, then this package will bring you up to date.
However, if you're looking for a different American football experience, College Football 26 might be a better option. There, everything pulsates: the environment, the modes, the sounds, and the gameplay. Here, things are more restrained, more mechanical, and at times, rigid.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Madden NFL 26 delivers improved presentation and solid improvements to Franchise and Superstar Mode, but it is still a middling football experience that is not worth buying new. Better luck next time, EA.
The impression I get is that Madden is made exclusively for those who already understand the sport, for those already in this niche, and it's unlikely to "capture" anyone from outside. If you're a fan of the series, you might have read this text with hatred and be cursing even the fifth generation of my family, but look, I'm open to receiving tips or even video recommendations to better understand the game. I'm frustrated because I thought it was impossible for me to simply receive a game that I couldn't actually "play," but that's basically what happened here.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Under the hood, EA made a lot of changes to how gameplay feels between the hashes with every single hit, catch, and pass feeling more precise and impactful. However, with all those changes being made to the game, there are still lingering issues within it that can’t really push the medium forward such as robotic announcing, bugs, and a lack of true innovation. The overall groundwork for what a truly great football game could be is there, and with each passing year, EA is slowly pushing the ball closer to that ever so elusive goal line.
Will you enjoy this year if you hated Madden 25? Probably not. However, it certainly feels like EA is one step closer to joining the upper echelon of sports games if it can continue making improvements of this kind each year.
There is enough depth to Madden 26 that makes it an experience worth the update. It still is not as strong as the CFB franchise, but it is making strides in the right direction.