A Madden football game has been around for as long as I can remember. Heck, Madden started my interest in football with Madden 95 for my Sega Game Gear console. Sure, I’ve played other football games like “NFL Gameday”, “NFL Quarterback Club”, “NFL Fever”, “NFL 2k” and others but none of them are still being made. EA Sports Madden NFL has outlasted them all and it’s still going.
EA Sports Madden Football and the NFL go hand and hand, it’s like you can’t have one without the other. I mean you can but then how am I going to turn the Baltimore Ravens into an undefeated 6-time super bowl winning dynasty? Madden NFL has been around since the late 80’s and a part of its longevity is the innovation and gameplay. In my review I will talk about if this year’s version has enhanced the franchise or if it’s just another below .500 release.
Presentation and Sound
Madden 27 is bigger and better than ever at making you feel like you are playing or watching an actual game. I really enjoyed all the small new details that were added to this year’s version. One thing the developers always deliver on are the graphics; the game looks amazing. I like the addition of the new team intros during pregame. I was playing against the Jacksonville Jaguars and seeing their mascot bungee off scoreboard was a great touch. It really added to some immersion to the game.
Dynamic weather, like College Football 27 before it, shows in the game. One minute the rain could be pouring down and then near the second half you could see it slacking up. Just when you think it’s over, it starts back heavier in the 4th quarter. The cinematic shots between quarters makes me feel like I’m watching the real Monday Night Football presentation. The halftime show is much improved, you get real updates from around the league.
This is the best Madden soundtrack we have ever had in my opinion. You have hits from legends from different genres like Lil Wayne “Green and Yellow”, T.I. “Let ‘em Know”, Metallica “For Whom the Bell Tolls”, Bad Bunny “Titi Me Pregunto” and more. It’s also the exact type of music you would hear at the stadium of an actual NFL game.
The commentary this year is okay, there are still some hits and misses. For example, if I’m playing in the Super Bowl, I shouldn’t hear things about doing stuff for next week’s game. Overall, it’s decent but maybe EA will add or update their lines during one of the games’ big updates. Sound adds to the players’ immersion, from the commentary to the crowd noise, so hopefully it gets updated.
Gameplay
Madden 27’s gameplay is somewhat of a mixed bag and not in “there’s something for everyone” type of mixed bag. Sometimes the physics feel half finished, the tackling can be a little off and do player ratings even matter anymore? The randomness or what my friends call “maddening” can be a bit frustrating at times. “Maddening” is what we refer to when the game does something completely egregious and takes the game out of your hands. Like when you have a wide-open receiver, with no one around them and they just drop the ball. Or when your QB sets his feet and overthrows his target, even when you apply the right amount of pressure to the button.
Before I go any further, let’s talk about something I do love and that is the movement. It’s one of the strongest aspects to me. It’s slower than EA Sports College Football 27’s movement, which I prefer but it feels good. Madden 27’s player movement is more controlled and intentional. From running with the ball carrier to rushing the passer, it feels like you are in control of every aspect.
The tackling this year can sometimes be amazing and other times not so much. At times, the tackling can feel crunchy but in a good way. When you deliver the hit stick or just break through the line and crush the running back in the backfield. Even when you just make a good tackle, it feels right. Then sometimes you can end up with awkward or broken interactions. It honestly could be that the engine doesn’t know how to animate it correctly.
Another issue I think we have seen every year is players who shouldn’t be doing amazing things, doing amazing things. What I mean by that is, when a player with a speed rating of 85, catches my 90 plus speed and acceleration ball carrier. Listen, I know about taking the right angles and all of that but speed kills. It happened to me a few times, even had an interior d-lineman chase down Lamar Jackson, just as I was getting past the linebackers. So for all my fellow Madden players, I had to ask do ratings even matter anymore.
Lastly, we must discuss the “maddening” aspects, where it feels like the game is taken out of your hands. Whether it’s the game cheating for you or against, it makes the game feel less organic. You do have times where it works in your favor, when your receiver makes a catch, he wasn’t supposed to, or the running back bounces off numerous tackles and your score. I understand that it is a game and there will be some random happenings but sometimes it can be a bit too much.
With all that though, I think the gameplay is still fun, and it feels good. Bad tackling animations aside, the tackling feels like it’s supposed to. The control you have over the movement of your players feels right. Making cuts with your wide receiver while you’re running a route are spot on. So, despite some of the miscue, the gameplay is still fun.
Superstar mode
Superstar mode is back and with some new shiny upgrades. Just like College Football 27, there are new positions this year, tight end, safety and edge rusher. I went with edge rusher in College Football 27, so this time I went offense with a tight end. Superstar mode launched in a better status than what we had in College Football. No real issue with game breaking bugs if you chose a certain position.
Just CFB, when choosing your position, you will have archetypes or you can make a custom build. Since I decided to go tight end, some of the archetypes were a “YAC Specialist” like Sam LaPorta or “Mismatch” like Brock Bowers. Personally, I went the custom route, I like to make my players balanced. There are weight and height caps, so you can’t make a 6’6 290 pound tight end with 90 plus speed. It would be fun but it’s not realistic and Madden is a simulation.
After you have your player created, it’s time to do the NFL Combine. This is one feature I look forward to every year with Superstar mode. From running the 40, bench pressing and cone drill, I love doing the NFL Combine. Players will preselect their draft grade, which gives you points to upgrade but if you crush the combine, you will get drafted higher. Players also have the option to force a draft to their favorite team.
Once drafted, players will start their journey during the preseason. I used my time to build enough coach trust through practice and game performance. The goals in Superstar mode are tailored to your role and position on the team. I had certain goals like catching a certain number of passes or gaining this many yards or completing several good blocks. Every play is an opportunity to earn coach and teammate trust. Yes, there are teammate grades as well.
Superstar mode will always be fun for me, even though it feels like it’s the same mode for the past several years. The small changes are decent but in the early years you would get to study film, buy housing and other off-the-field options. Sphere of influence is ok at best, it lacks depth. Sponsorships are basically a checkmark but have no real meaning. Not mention that just like College Football 27 they have added microtransactions to Superstar mode.
Franchise
Franchise has been my most played mode in just about every Madden game I play. I love taking a team, trading away everyone and building a dynasty through the draft. This year’s version feels a lot like last year, Madden 26. Madden 26 franchise mode was one of the better years, with a ton of upgrades. Madden 27 franchise mode builds off that.
Coaching abilities and play sheets are back, I love how they add an RPG element to the game. Your coaching skills allow you to boost certain players on a weekly basis. Using your play sheets can give you in game bonuses when you’re calling plays that match the sheet’s style. Doing this allows you to game plan around your match-ups strengths and weaknesses. So, you can essentially focus on trying to contain Josh Allen when you’re matching up against the Bills.
With the new player DNA system, contract negotiations got a revamp this year. The player DNA system gives players individual motives and personality traits, which shape what makes them happy. During the negotiations the conversations felt more realistic this year. Some players will prioritize money, some championships and other things. You must find that sweet spot, but I do feel sometimes I overpaid for certain players. I guess I need to work on my negotiating skills.
One reoccurring problem I noticed was that the computer cares nothing about cap space. In years past in franchise mode, you will see teams sitting in the negative for the season. Signing new players and being in the negative is not realistic but it happens. I’ve had the perfect trade lined up but I can’t make it because the other team already has a negative cap space. This is one issue would love to see getting corrected in future Madden games.
At its core, this is still the franchise mode we know and love. If you like to spend time rebuilding your favorite team, you can do that. If you want to finally get the Jacksonville Jaguars a super bowl you can do that. There are plenty of options and a lot of fun to be had. Madden 27’s franchise didn’t give us a whole lot of new upgrades but instead they built off the strength of last year.
Final Verdict
Madden 27 gives us players a lot of what we love about the series. If you have been playing Madden for as long as I have, the core experience is still there. We see improvements over last year’s version in some areas. We also see some of the same issues we have seen for years. EA Sports Madden 27 tries to give players a top-of-the-line experience but falls short. From bad animations, bugs, adding micro-transactions to single players modes, these are things that players don’t want or at least would like to be resolved. EA Sports Madden 27 is a 7. Still a solid entry in the franchise, despite some of the shortcomings.
Thank you to EA Sports for the code for this game. Madden 27 was played and reviewed on a PlayStation 5.
