Summary

  • Madden NFL 25 players report technical issues and complex gameplay, leading to mixed reviews on Steam.
  • Controller problems, gameplay frustrations, and crashes plague Madden NFL 25, hindering player experience and enjoyment.
  • Players criticize Madden NFL 25's focus on microtransactions and hope for future patches to address issues.

Madden NFL 25 has hit a rough patch just days after its release, with early reviews on Steam reflecting mixed opinions from the player base. With 170 out of 295 reviews currently negative, Madden NFL 25 players have voiced a range of concerns about the game’s performance, features, and overall experience.

As the latest installment in the long-running Madden NFL series, Madden NFL 25 was anticipated to deliver fresh gameplay with new features like the BOOM Tech system for realistic physics and dynamic tackling, alongside a revitalized Franchise Mode and the return of TeamBuilder customization. However, players have run into a few problems that are making the game less enjoyable.

One of the most frequent complaints involves Madden NFL 25's handling of controllers on PC, particularly the PS5 controller. Players are having trouble with their controllers not being detected when starting the game through Steam. Even when they try to launch it through the EA app instead, the problem continues, making it hard to navigate menus and start games without annoying glitches. This is especially frustrating for them considering that the game costs $70, leaving many to wonder why such a common controller isn't fully supported.

Madden NFL 25 Mixed Steam Reviews

Gameplay problems have also been a major frustration for players. Some have complained that the game lacks player awareness during key moments, like when characters don’t react to live balls, causing important plays to fail. On top of that, Madden NFL 25’s playbooks are seen as too complicated compared to earlier versions like Madden NFL 24, with many players feeling overwhelmed by the number of plays and finding them hard to read.

Technical glitches and crashes are also a big problem. Many players have reported that the game crashes often, especially during online matches. While in franchise and offline modes, players can resume the game after a crash, the same doesn't apply to online play, where crashes can cause unfair losses and mess up players' records. This instability has made a lot of players wonder if Madden NFL 25 was really ready to be released on August 15. Additionally, some players feel EA has focused too much on features like MUT Pack animations to promote microtransactions instead of enhancing core gameplay. The game's pay-to-win model has also been criticized, with players frustrated that those who don’t spend extra money on in-game purchases are at a disadvantage.

Until these technical and gameplay issues are resolved, Madden NFL 25 will likely keep getting mixed reviews from players who are frustrated with its current state. Since the game is still new, there’s hope that future patches and updates will fix these problems and help Madden NFL 25 meet the promises made by the developer.

Rating block community and brand ratings Image
Madden NFL 25 Tag Page Cover Art
7 /10

Madden NFL 25
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Sports
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Systems
PlayStation-1 Xbox-1 PC-1
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Top Critic Avg: 69 /100 Critics Rec: 34%
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Released
August 16, 2024
ESRB
E For Everyone
Developer(s)
EA Tiburon
Publisher(s)
EA
Engine
Frostbite
Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer, Local Multiplayer, Online Co-Op, Local Co-Op
Cross-Platform Play
Yes. PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S
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WHERE TO PLAY

SUBSCRIPTION
DIGITAL
Checkbox: control the expandable behavior of the extra info

FRANCHISE IMMERSION
Recharged Franchise mode provides a rebuilt NFL Draft experience featuring Roger Goodell, team and rookie records, new environments, personalized storylines, more ways to customize your NFL team and season, a fresh Super Bowl celebration experience, and Franchise Central with simplified league creation tools and more information at your fingertips so you can drive your Franchise to victory.

LIVE UPDATES IN ULTIMATE TEAM & SUPERSTAR
New rewards, feature releases, themed programs, and the ability to customize your style and skills in Superstar bring refreshed experiences across Ultimate Team™ and live game modes.

PLAYBOOK EXPANSION
Evolve your strategy with a brand new set of featured plays, from some of the game’s most inventive team playbooks.

TEAM BUILDER
Create your own NFL franchise using Team Builder, a web-based customization tool that allows you to design a team that perfectly matches your style.

Team Builder content can be used in Franchise mode. Internet connection & EA account required. Applicable platform account may be required. Age restrictions may apply.
 

Franchise
Madden NFL
Steam Deck Compatibility
Unknown
Genre(s)
Sports