Madden NFL 17 Reviews
EA’s seminal franchise is back with new guides for newbies, trickier special teams, glitzy graphics and a fantasy-football cash-in that’s safely ignored
Good gameplay improvements and a much needed change in commentary have made the in-game experience feel fresh, but the offline game modes have largely been ignored with the same boring options except for the minor inclusion of game planning that is generally determined by the CPU anyways. Madden is fun, but running game improvements aren't enough to suggest that this is worthy of another $60 purchase.
Once again, Madden NFL 17 has maintained the classic Madden gameplay while also evolving it and making games feel more open and exciting. The new kick meter and ability to block kicks and punts makes comebacks and upsets feel possible, while the presentation is as excellent as ever thanks to the new commentary team. Franchise mode is the standout star here, though, with new trading features and the Play the Moments mode ensuring that the game doesn't chew the clock.
Madden NFL 17 feels like the largest jump in the franchise since Madden NFL 10. A lot of the issues I had with past games has been addressed, and I can easily see myself sinking another 60 hours into franchise mode as I take my Raiders to their back-to-back Super Bowls. Fans that may have fallen off in recent years will find plenty to come back to with this iteration. There is so much improvement it is impossible to list it all here without sounding like a press release. It is indeed Madden season, and football fans have a lot to be excited about with this year’s game.
With Madden as one of the longest running franchises in the gaming industry, coming this far from such modest beginnings proves that it has a great team behind it. The directive seems clear in Madden NFL 17 as MUT sees the smartest enhancements this year, but gameplay isn’t far behind either. The trenches have never had this level of attention, so the hard-nose side of the game holds proper presentation alongside its vertical counterpart.
On its own Madden NFL 17 looks great. Everything from the stadiums to the players, Madden NFL 17 does an excellent job at capturing the NFL experience.
Madden NFL 17 refines the gameplay and the structure of his predecessor. It's a rich chapter, that can finally say goodbye to chronic flaws of the series.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Madden NFL 17 turned a corner. While it hasn't overhauled its entire system to the point that it looks like a game-changer, the little aspects make the follow-up more polished. Kudos to EA Sports to stepping up its game.
Now in the third year of the newest console generation, Madden NFL 17 finds itself served well by the combined efforts of the past as well as a number of great small improvements.
While not without its flaws, Madden NFL 17 is still a very enjoyable experience. Enough changes have been made to the formula to make it a more interesting and realistic experience, which in turn makes it more enjoyable to play. While minor gameplay and menu problems do hold it back from greatness, most of the game is very well made. Fans of the series have no reason not to pick this up, and this is also a good starting point for those who want to jump into the series. It will be interesting to see where the series goes from here, as this game sets a high standard for future entries in the series.
At the risk of sounding too cliché, Madden 17 was the next necessary and logical progression that the series needed to make. The evolution of mechanics, both on and off the gridiron are a staple of what keeps fans coming back each season. With the offensive balance now restored, games will be more true to what the audience consumes weekly on television, while still keeping things at least moderately approachable. Additionally, spending the past nine months focusing on what the fans deemed to be most important is just one of many eye opening steps in the right direction. This may not be the best Madden title ever, but it is definitely the most promising entry this console generation.
The best (and only!) football game for consoles returns, maintaining all the on-field excitement, and offering enough improvements, to please the most seasoned veteran.
Madden NFL 17 is all about not fixing what isn’t broken. Unlike last year, not a whole lot is radically different for better or for worse.
While it may not provide the same seismic shifts as last year's iteration did, Madden NFL 17 continues to to evolve and innovate, even as the series approaches its 30th anniversary.
Overall, Madden 17 could use some more fine-tuning – be that in the number of catches or injuries that happen in an average campaign – but it still sits at a very high level, just like its predecessor.
New features may need a little more balancing to be effective online, but overall, Madden NFL 17 is the most polished and enjoyable Madden yet, magnificently avoiding a potential regression after the successes of the year prior.
Madden NFL 17 is the perfect blend of technical yet accessible game play that a game like this needs. It's technical enough to keep the die hard players satisfied, yet keeps those same mechanics simple for newer or not so advanced players coming back for more. While I'd still keep away from the random online match ups in things like Madden Ultimate Teams due to that being fore the more hardcore crowd, I'd happily give playing the Franchise mode a go with my friends once again.
While it has been a few years since I’ve reviewed a Madden NFL title, EA Tiburon’s efforts in Madden NFL 17 seems to be incredibly focused on keeping the necessary modes intact, the gameplay elements accurate on both sides of the ball and, most importantly, not trying to overreach. The developers seemed focused on bringing the best Madden NFL title in the last 10 years and they have very much accomplished that feat. This is a must-have, folks.
By focusing on improving the minute that matters on and off the field – EA Tiburon have created an experience that is a phenomenal triumph.
The audience in Australia isn't that large though, purely because we're not as exposed to the sport, but Madden 17 is definitely a solid place to start if you're considering jumping in on one of the oldest and most respected sports franchises in gaming history.