Madden NFL 21: An opus lacking rhythm

Sep-06-2020 | Categories: Madden 21

XXL sports institutions, whether they are the organizers of competitions, clubs or franchises, have clearly not been spared since the beginning of the year. The all-powerful National Football League is an exception, given its 100th season ended with a Super Bowl in February and the Chiefs' victory just before the health crisis. Released on August 28, Madden NFL 21 from Electronic Arts therefore marks the comeback of American football after a long absence without a hitch, before the Kickoff on September 10.


Do not stagnate, evolve. If we follow the logic of the player who embodied the cover of Madden NFL 20, namely the young and talented Patrick Mahomes, this is what should happen for this new version. Yes, but here it is, this time it is the reigning MVP Lamar Jackson, QB of the Baltimore Ravens who has been headlining. The challenge is therefore to swim against the current of recent releases marked EA Sports, to breathe new life into Madden, without competition and being able to afford to remain on its achievements.


Same jersey, same passion


Proof of its self-sufficiency on this ground, EA Tiburon has not budged an iota by its realization and the incarnation of the American show. Frosbite is still relevant to the graphics engine, enough to faithfully transcribe the faces and animations of players in game and during cutscenes. On the other hand, the game disappoints at launch on this point with large drops in FPS observed during the pre-match cutscenes and during the celebrations. The rest is classic, with visuals and an immersive TV broadcast effect, just like the sound environment. The licenses are all present except, you will have seen, the Washington Redskins. In the process of changing the identity of its franchise, Washington will see its license be temporarily generic on Madden.


On the gameplay side, the X factors are back, as are the Superstars Abilities. Each more or less famous player has one or more X Factors, a takeover that is activated when the player achieves an objective during the match. A very nice idea kept, like all the other gameplay mechanics. It's not really moving, but it's hard to describe it as a big flaw, it's so hard to see how the title can do better. Announced as innovative, the new set of skills did not mark us, unlike the contextual information on the opposing defensive line to better take it in default.


Note that the playbooks have been updated compared to last season, even if we found the classic patterns that often make the difference (Slants, Mesh, etc.). What to inflate the possibilities in the drives, and improvise with his QB. Speaking of updates, EA remains in the nails for its Madden saga and will offer regular (almost daily) updates on the numbers and comments of the game. On the other hand, and it's starting to weigh on us as big fans of the game. discipline, French localization and still completely absent, and the game is entirely in English (sound and text). We will be delighted with the next-gen version (PS5 or Series X) offered in the event of the acquisition of the current-gen title, a model that most sports simulations will follow at the end of the year.


Apathetic Duo


After "QB1: Face to the Franchise", Madden renews its scripted part, called this time ... "Face to the Franchise". Yes, well, we are far from the reflection carried out with "Longshot", the former successful career of the saga. But after QB1, we could name this new version QB2 in view of the context. We embody our character established before launching the game (the latter will also be used in The Yard mode, see below) before arriving at university as a replacement Quarterback (hence the nickname QB2). The latter will forge a fusional relationship with the holder (played by Tye Sheridan, main actor of Ready Player One) and will have to face choices that will modify your QB profile, or make you switch to Wide Receiver. As with Madden NFL 20, the post-draft switches the game to Franchise mode without much change. A disappointment like last season therefore, especially as the cutscenes are sorely lacking in humanity and technically speaking (lip desynchronizations with a shovel and big drops in FPS). We regret the Longshot.


KO superstars


The great novelty of content therefore remains The Yard mode, announced as the "Street" leaning of US Foot. 6 vs 6 games on reduced grounds (80 yards), up to three players in co-op like the Superstars KO mode described below, with its personalized player created in the introduction. The concept is very nice on paper and in form, so the freedom of movement is increased and the stadiums sympathetic, but extremely messy and not at the level of the other street modes of EA Sports (VOLTA for FIFA and Ones for NHL). We define a prototype for our player (empowered in relation to their position) but without feeling real ingame changes and getting lost in the countless menus. In addition, even if we can change the cosmetic aspect of his character, the real axis and desire for progress lies solely on his precept. Pity.


The Ultimate Team part of the software is certainly very complete (Online Draft, duel against the AI and multi seasons, challenges). But regresses in its readability when entering the mode. The loading times are long and the explanations too obscure to fully understand the essentials of the mini-games and challenges. In summary, in addition to being identical to the last MUT, the 2020 vintage is declining.


Besides The Yard, there is the Superstars KO mode for this iteration. Do not get lost, this is not a novelty, but we had not spoken about it during the test of the previous opus and for good reason: EA has integrated this part in post launch for Madden NFL 20, on the occasion of the official launch of the season. The concept is back, perfect for any sudden death lover. Indeed, at 11 against 11 on a dedicated field, but with good dimensions unlike The Yard, the principle is to eliminate your opponents online one by one with dynamic rules (register first a Touchdown for the take out, etc.). Unfortunately, Supertars KO does like its street counterpart The Yard, and doesn't go any further in immersion and leaderboards. Madden NL 21 has (a little) tried things, without much success. The professional Madden NFL 21 coins team MMOexp provides you with high-quality gold coin services to help you build the best league team.