Madden NFL 21 Reviews

Madden NFL 21 is ranked in the 25th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
Cubed3
Top Critic
6 / 10
Mar 10, 2022

With beautiful and accurate presentation as well as great gameplay, the basics are done fantastically well. It is such a shame then to see the rest of the package convoluted with endless menus and unnecessary, incomplete feeling modes. Madden 21 is certainly heading the right direction, here's hoping the newest iteration 'pads' everything out.

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7 / 10.0
May 11, 2021

Madden NFL 21 is completely satisfactory for anyone who wants to learn everything about this sport.

Review in Greek | Read full review

Operation Sports
Robert Kollars
Top Critic
Unscored
Dec 9, 2020

In short, Madden is never as bad or as good as what forums or social media will have you believe, and they should never be used as the barometer. There have been some substantial improvements made with the generational leap, specifically on the gameplay front, and now it's up to EA to keep this train rolling.

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Push Square
Sammy Barker
Top Critic
6 / 10
Dec 6, 2020

Madden NFL 21 has all the same problems as its PS4 predecessor, because it's basically the same game. The presentation has taken a half-step forward owing to the increase of hardware power, but it's many yards behind the standard now set by FIFA 21 and NBA 2K21. The increased loading times improve the flow of modes like Ultimate Team, and the gameplay is marginally more authentic thanks to the implementation Next Gen Stats, but an ageing Franchise mode and some tired animations mean this is hardly the improvement fans anticipated.

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6 / 10.0
Nov 30, 2020

Next-gen upgrades will hopefully sort the loading times a bit but the problem is that’s just a part of Madden 21’s issues. Unfortunately, there are so many small things that build up to make Madden 21 an experience that, at times, feels like a step backward.

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Sep 28, 2020

I am always a sucker for sports games. Yes, they are mostly repetitive, but it is precisely that element that appeals to me. I don’t play exclusively in the sports genre, but if I ever want to escape into something, then its sports that I often turn to. It’s like a comfy pair of slippers or a warm blanket on a stormy winter afternoon. You can nestle down and go with the familiar. You know what to do, yet there are still variances, none more so than in an (American) football game.

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7 / 10.0
Sep 14, 2020

Madden NFL says goodbye to a generation with more questions than answers and with an uncertain perspective on what may happen in the years to come.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

6 / 10
Sep 14, 2020

Madden 21 has the components to be a solid, if utterly by-the-numbers entry in the franchise. However, a raft of bugs and glitches serve to undo the game's atmosphere at every turn.

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6 / 10
Sep 13, 2020

A killer soundtrack and inclusive accessibility settings don't make up for the lack of innovation and gameplay fumbles of this just-another-Madden experience.

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PC Gamer
Top Critic
68 / 100
Sep 9, 2020

It's still good to have Madden back on PC, but a stagnant odor is creeping in.

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3.5 / 5.0
Sep 9, 2020

For NFL diehards, there remains hundreds of gaming hours at your disposal in Madden 21. These same diehards – much like players of EA's NHL and Sony's The Show – will be left with the impression they've played this game before, however.

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6.5 / 10.0
Sep 8, 2020

The first and more notable introduction to the game series is The Yard. When you were a kid, you probably had a nice summer evening or two where you and a group of friends would go outside and play a round of flag football. The rules are different and the way you play is almost more unique, but the heart and soul of the game is very much the same. That is what The Yard is trying to tackle here. You play 6 vs. 6 and depending on where you play, the rules can be pretty different. Like the backyard football I played as a kid, once the play starts, defenders have to call out Mississippis before they can rush the QB. Depending on how you customize your team makes a big difference as well. Honestly, this mode is the saving grace that Madden 2021 has going for it.

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Sep 8, 2020

The football is good and The Yard makes a welcome addition, but issues elsewhere are hard to ignore in EA's latest gridiron sim

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7.5 / 10.0
Sep 7, 2020

On the whole, Madden NFL 21 is an impressive title.

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4 / 10.0
Sep 3, 2020

Despite having a unique new game mode in response to the FIFA Tour, Madden NFL 21 has no content to justify its acquisition and the hefty price charged. For new players, who are starting now and do not care about the value, it may even be valid, but for those who came from the previous version the game is just an update.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

Sep 2, 2020

Madden NFL 21 is as enjoyable as it has ever been on the field, but a litany of off-field issues make this one of the weaker efforts in recent years.

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7.5 / 10.0
Sep 1, 2020

Madden is the only option in the market for football fans but still it has some improvements over last years edition. The gameplay received a few tweaks with makes it feel somewhat fresh, but nothing to call home about.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

7.8 / 10.0
Sep 1, 2020

Madden 21 incorporates some innovative aspects to the franchise in order to attract the public that had gone furthest.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

7 / 10.0
Sep 1, 2020

Madden NFL 21 is the clearest example yet of how unwieldy the series has become, so your en-joyment will vary depending on which modes best suit your play style. For me, that comes from seeing my virtual 49ers hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy at the end of the season, so anything else on top of that is just a bonus.

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3.5 / 5.0
Sep 1, 2020

Madden NFL 21 is a game that is generally fine.

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