In a year where nothing has been normal, the release of Madden NFL 21 has given video game enthusiasts something to look forward to. With all of the nonsense of 2020 and the Lions Gate portal taking more than its fair share of lives, NFL football fans and video game players finally have something to celebrate; the much-anticipated release of Madden NFL 21 has finally hit store shelves. My son and I are such big fans of this storied game franchise that we pre-ordered the deluxe version of the game for $99.99 plus tax which got us the game three days early. Madden NFL 21 delivers in terms of game play and fun factor. The graphics, the game mechanics, as well as the addition of several new game play modes make for an improved and enjoyable game play experience. To be truthful, I don’t really feel bad about parting with $100 because like with previous versions of the game, I got my money’s worth. My son is staying up laughing, giggling and enjoying playing the game with and against his friends. This game is the epitome of what video games are all about; family, fun, community and immersing yourself into the world of an iconic sport through gaming. Of course, gaming isn’t the only thing we enjoy doing together; we do other things together like boating, fishing, camping, riding our bikes, shooting hoops and learning new things. I enjoy teaching him new things and introducing him to Madden has proven to be a very enjoyable experience.
I have played every version of Madden throughout the years. I have used Madden and other NFL video games to simulate the last 40 Super Bowls. I am 34 and 6 in predicting the winner! Over the years, I have interviewed many of the top players in the NFL’s past including, Troy Aikman, Kevin Green, Jimmy Johnson, Dan Marino, and Emmitt Smith, to name a few! I helped save EA Sports from a huge lawsuit between Acclaim Entertainment, the National Football League and the NFLPA back in the days of NFL Quarterback Club for the Nintendo 64.
The designers at EA Sports used the NFL team names, cities and jersey colours without getting the proper licensing needed to include these features in the game. Thankfully with a little help from yours truly, it all worked out in the end. My point is that I have a history with Madden NFL football. I love the game, although I do think that there needs to be some competition on the market. The days of NFL 2K for the Dreamcast, Acclaim’s Quarterback Club and Madden NFL football were very memorable years. I can remember walking into 989 Studios and getting reamed out because I gave Madden a higher score than I gave 989 Studios NFL GameDay for the PlayStation.
I love the way Madden has evolved, and continues to evolve, there are some haters who take Umbridge with the lack of innovation. But they wouldn’t like it no matter what new features were added. Madden NFL 21 has grown with each iteration. I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to meet with Gordon Bellamy, one of the smartest game designers and producers in video game history. He’s a great guy and he really knows his stuff. He graduated with an engineering degree from Harvard and got into the video game profession at EA Sports at an early age. Gordon, Michael Rubinelli and their team of designers and programmers worked tirelessly on developing the Madden game. They really made the Madden franchise what it is today and really should be in the NFL Hall of Fame in the builder’s category. It has been fun watching the evolution of both the sport and the franchise throughout the years. I can only suggest that EA Sports give those who purchased Madden NFL 21 on the PlayStation 4, an upgrade code for the PlayStation 5 or the Xbox One X. Making people buy an additional copy of the game for the new systems being released would be unsportsmanlike!
This year’s version of Madden NFL 21 has a variety of new features and options.
Play Modes
Face of the Franchise: Rise to Fame
Be the face of a new generation poised for glory and prove your skeptics wrong in Face of the Franchise: Rise to Fame. Launch an influential legacy, leave your mark, and shatter expectations as you rise, in a way only you can. As you recount your Hall of Fame journey, the stakes have never been higher. For the first time ever, kick off your career as a high-school quarterback and choose to pivot to a running back or a wide receiver in college. The way you play determines the story you write, affecting your legacy as you rise up the draft ranks and go all-out to establish your illustrious NFL career.
Madden Ultimate Team
Pull up for a brand-new season of fresh and fun Ultimate Team content and competitive team building. Earn MUT coins via Ultimate Team Challenges and finesse your depth chart via strategic decisions. Flex your fantasy roster comprised of current NFL superstars, Hall of Fame legends and more. Hone your skills and go all out in H2H Seasons, MUT Draft, or MUT Squads to receive even more rewards that you can apply to your Ultimate Team campaign.
Superstar KO
Squad up and take down the competition in Madden’s fastest co-op eliminator mode featuring five-minute games, unique stadium and commentary, dynamic rules and icons of football culture.
Franchise
Play through a full NFL career and leave your legacy as a player, coach or owner with single- player and multiplayer online-connected leagues. Compete with up to 32 teams in your quest for a Super Bowl dynasty. Complete each season with a bid to the annual Pro Bowl and earn seasonal awards.
Exhibition
Compete in head-to-head online and offline games (single and multiplayer) or single-player offline against the CPU. Customize your game settings including time of quarters, rules, stadiums and uniforms.
Gameplay
New Ball-Carrier Special Moves (Skill Stick)
Ball carrier evasive moves are now all on the right stick, offering more control to link moves together, pulling off highlight-reel combo moves! You can even swag your way to the endzone easier this year, with a single-button-press celebration run. But use it cautiously, as the ball carriers tend to fumble frequently if tackled while celebrating!
New User-Friendly Pass Rush Mechanics
Feel full control and responsiveness while performing specific pass rush moves. Choose the move you want via a directional stick input with full control to branch to a combo move at any time. Execute the pass rush move strategically—defenders have limited moves allowed per play, and offensive linemen will start building up resistance to moves performed repeatedly, so make sure to mix up the repertoire to maximize potential.
AI
CPU-controlled teams and QB’s will start making in-game adjustments to your tendencies. They will start to notice trends when facing repeated play-calls, and start using audibles, adjustments
and concept-counters during the game to combat your strategy. AI-controlled QB’s will play to their archetypes, while mobile QB’s will make plays on the run and pocket passers will intelligently read the field. Make sure you mix up your play-calling against the top QB’s in the game to keep them guessing!
Tackling Enhancements
Ball carriers and defenders will now be more aware of where they are on the field when it comes to the goal line, pylon and first-down marker. Ball carriers will intelligently reach for that extra yard needed for a first down or touchdown, while defenders will make the effort to prevent the extra yardage, all driven by superstar abilities and player ratings. Tackling in the open field is enhanced by the Breakdown Tackle mechanic, that allows defenders to seamlessly get into position for a low-risk wrap tackle while intelligently anticipating contact, but make sure to time the breakdown correctly or risk a fake-out.
Superstar X-Factor 2.0
Superstar X-Factors are back! Over 50 new abilities and a new group of superstar players bring game-changing strategy to each game and highlight the stars of the NFL. Improvements to existing abilities bring balanced gameplay, while new abilities enhance passing, pass-rush and ball-carrier moves across every mode.
NFL Live Playbooks
The playbook updates all season long to reflect the latest schemes and strategies from the real- life NFL season.
Madden NFL 21 is Hall of Fame worthy!
The game hits the mark in terms of graphics, game play and fun factor. Madden NFL 21 is priceless and worth the splurge. Is it perfect? No of course it isn’t, but the improvements and updates are just enough to make the game worth what I paid for it.