Madden NFL 18 Reviews

Madden NFL 18 is ranked in the 86th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
9 / 10.0
Aug 7, 2017

Madden NFL 18 brings a lot more improvements than not. The presentation of the game has been upgraded, though still scattered with some imperfections. Not many, but some. The improvement of Ultimate Team with the MUT Squad is a welcomed one and adds more depth and life to the mode. The addition of Longshot to the mix also brings a true campaign mode to the Madden franchise, which adds some value to the overall package. All in all, EA Tiburon continues to find new ways to improve their Madden series and so far, at least in the last few years, they're doing a good job of bringing worthwhile experiences to gamers. Definitely check this one out.

Read full review

Aug 16, 2017

Madden NFL 18 doesn't reinvent the sports game narrative, but it does enough to move the chains and inch a little closer toward the end zone.

Read full review

4.5 / 5.0
Aug 16, 2017

This is possibly the biggest update that a Madden game has ever seen.

Read full review

84 / 100
Aug 16, 2017

This makes this Madden feel more like a Madden for everyone, not just for those tournament and league diehards.

Read full review

Ray Carsillo
Top Critic
7 / 10.0
Aug 16, 2017

Although the new Longshot mode shines, Madden misses the mark with a few of its gameplay additions this year—so if you don't immediately take a liking to them and choose to ignore them, the experience will feel a lot like last year's. Meanwhile, the additions to MUT feel unnecessary, and like a desperate attempt to get more people playing—and potentially investing in microtransactions.

Read full review

9 / 10.0
Aug 16, 2017

Madden 18 is a game that finally shows fans what the developers can do when harnessing the full power of the current generation of consoles.

Read full review

9 / 10.0
Aug 16, 2017

Madden 18 introduces some game-changing new features in Longshot and MUT Squads and they really usher in a new era for the franchise.

Read full review

VG247
Top Critic
Aug 17, 2017

Madden 18 shines where it matters most: On the field. The transition to Frostbite is seamless, and the balance of the running, the pass rush, and coverage feels better than ever. By comparison, Longshot is a little rougher, but it's an interesting and ambitious first attempt. Between Longshot, the Frostbite transition, the more balanced gameplay, and MUT Squads, there's a lot to like about Madden 18. In a four year march that has seen steady progress with each iteration, this is the best upgrade yet.

Read full review

Aug 17, 2017

Madden 18 shines brightest with its new Longshot mode, but the lack of improvements elsewhere makes this year's Madden offering an incremental – but still highly-playable – update.

Read full review

Polygon
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Aug 17, 2017

Madden NFL 18 doesn't shake up its gameplay but the new story mode is a success.

Read full review

USgamer
Top Critic
Aug 17, 2017

Madden 18 shines where it matters most: On the field. The transition to Frostbite is seamless, and the balance of the running, the pass rush, and coverage feels better than ever. By comparison, Longshot is a little rougher, but it's an interesting and ambitious first attempt. Between Longshot, the Frostbite transition, the more balanced gameplay, and MUT Squads, there's a lot to like about Madden 18. In a four year march that has seen steady progress with each iteration, this is the best upgrade yet.

Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Aug 17, 2017

Madden NFL 18, with its variety of new modes and features, has quickly become may favorite entry in the Madden series to date. MUT Squads and Longshot are both very engaging, and the new playstyles and target passing mechanics spice up regular games and Franchise mode. Though the transition to Frostbite wasn't flawless, as the game suffers from long loading times and occasional slowdown, gameplay and content wise, Madden NFL 18 is the strongest in the series, so I would recommend it to both avid football fans and those who have not picked up Madden over the past few years.

Read full review

Aug 17, 2017

'Madden NFL 18' is really two great games in one stellar package.

Read full review

9 / 10.0
Aug 17, 2017

Madden NFL 18 is an impressive leap forward for the series. Not only is Longshot an ambitious and fantastically told story, it's one that isn't limited to pre-existing football fans. There's also more ways to enjoy the game than ever before, as there are several play styles that will mold the game into either a more realistic or arcade-like experience depending on what the user desires. EA Tiburon has set a new high bar for the series, that they'll have to work towards reaching every year going forward. For now, though, NFL fans can enjoy one of the best sports games that Electronic Arts has ever put out.

Read full review

9 / 10.0
Aug 17, 2017

With a new engine and a new approach that welcomes players of all skill levels, Madden NFL 18 is quite possibly the best this football franchise has ever been.

Read full review

4.5 / 5.0
Aug 17, 2017

If you don't know what you're doing, play Longshot and figure out if you're into it or not. Maybe go through some tutorials, maybe get a more knowledgeable friend to walk you through the basics, and play some couch co-op together. Once you get your feet wet, get into MUT Squads and let your buddies play offense and defense, while you pick head coach and continue learning. Or you're already familiar but you aren't great, so you set the game to arcade mode, play Longshot a few times, then build up your MUT game to a huge OVR rating. Or, of course, you're a huge Madden nerd and you're tweaking the minutia in the options for hours before you even start playing. Madden NFL 18 wants to be a Madden for everyone, and it's built to allow a player of any skill level to mold their experience around themselves.

Read full review

GameZone
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Aug 17, 2017

Madden 18 innovates in a lot of areas and while it fumbles with some of the modes, it manages to make up for it with incredible gameplay, visuals, and online play.

Read full review

Forbes
Top Critic
8.1 / 10.0
Aug 17, 2017

This is a really good football game that you will probably enjoy, but you will also likely still have some gripes. Madden 18 takes noticeable steps in gameplay and depth, but it's still teasing us with true greatness.

Read full review

4.5 / 5.0
Aug 17, 2017

Last year, I said that Madden NFL 17 was refined, yet was lacking something. Something that could shake the series up. Well, this year they took a gamble with Longshot and it paid off.

Read full review

8.3 / 10.0
Aug 17, 2017

Madden 18's benefits don't immediately jump out at you, but they are worth exploring

Read full review