Madden 21 on Xbox Series X is an improvement, but to a small extent.
Screenshot by Scott Stein / CNET
The promise of a new generation of consoles is that they will explode our eyes with visual magic, present games that load quickly, and redefine our idea of fun … or something. When I got a Xbox series X and having it set up a few weeks ago, I was impressed with its quiet speed, and some games like Dirt 5 looked fantastic. Madden Football is the next-gen experience I’ve really been waiting for because, well, I play a lot of Madden.
Living with my virtual version of the New York Jets was a decompression in 2020. Madden 21, which arrived earlier this year, didn’t seem like much of an update at all. But a bigger overhaul was promised for the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, with new graphics and physics, and NFL stats that would fly by on the screen like a real broadcast game.
Until now, the next-generation update of Madden 21 hasn’t been nearly as exciting. To be fair, the game’s new physics could lead to some overdue improvements in how realistic players move and perform. Until now I notice that it is often more of the same.
A faster play-calling system (for me).
Screenshot by Scott Stein / CNET
While the layout of Madden 21 has changed in next-gen mode, with more easily accessible formations based on game types or recommended players, I don’t understand why that couldn’t have come for Xbox One and PS4 players, too. That’s not exactly “next-gen”.
Next Gen Stats, an engine used in real NFL games to gather information such as player speed and the elapsed time for a quarterback to release a football, is here for the first time and feels largely invisible . These stats appear during replays, if you hang around long enough to see the stats. However, I usually make buttons through reps – I go through games quickly and want to see the next game ASAP.
That’s what Next Gen Stats looks like. OK.
Screenshot by Scott Stein / CNET
The graphics look better I guess, but on my 60-inch 4K home TV, I can’t see a clear difference from my couch 2m away. Madden 20 already looks good on the Xbox One, and I don’t feel like Madden 21 in the next gen is that much closer to the feel of a TV show. Oddly enough, close-ups of the players and sidelines can sometimes have choppy frame rates for me. That never happened on the last generation of Madden 20.
Close-ups look great, but sometimes the animation and frame rate get weird.
Screenshot by Scott Stein / CNET
The physics of the player is the “latest”, but I think players do weird things all the time. Frank Gore, the Jets’ 37-year-old running back, is somehow unstoppable after 25 carries against almost every defense. Interceptions will pile up like snow if you have more than two (for me at least). The momentum of the player can sometimes seem unstoppable and at times strangely slow.
One thing still hasn’t changed in Madden: it doesn’t coach you in more detail through games, analyzing your mistakes, and helping you learn. If Madden could be like a chess program that helps you learn strategy, it could become a fascinating sports tool. I’m still as stupid as ever a Madden player. But I still love to play. However, you don’t need a nice new Xbox or PlayStation for it. Not yet.