Introduction

Madden NFL 21 released on the Xbox Series X/S was supposed to be the game where all the football dreams come true. Spoiler alert: it mostly turns into a fumble fest, akin to your buddy trying to toss a football at a rainy camping trip. Held together mostly with duct tape and promises, let’s dive into this virtual pigskin showdown.

Gameplay

In theory, Madden NFL 21 introduces groundbreaking gameplay mechanics that would allow you to whirl and twirl your way to a Super Bowl win. You know, like how superheroes can fly? Well, it’s more like having a treasure map in a corn maze; it’s there, but good luck following it. The all-new 'stick skill ball-carrier system' (seriously, who comes up with these names?) promised to give you control like never before. But believe me, when you're frantically trying to dodge a lineman the size of a small house, the reality feels a lot like an awkward public dance-off. And let's talk about the tackling! You might think they would finally grab the playbook and figure it out this time. But alas, many tackles blur the line between reality and sitcom slapstick as players seem to trip over invisible hurdles. That said, the addition of user-controlled celebrations allows you to end a perfect drive with an epic dab or an embarrassing TikTok dance, because who doesn’t want that in a football game? Then there’s 'The Yard,' a backyard-ish mode that’s supposedly fun, featuring NBA stars just because! Yes, Giannis Antetokounmpo might be pummeling kids in the neighborhood while throwing spirals in a football game now. Clearly, this is where the game writers decided to throw caution to the wind, quite literally.

Graphics

Graphically speaking, Madden NFL 21 on the Xbox Series X/S should win a beauty contest on any other console. The athletes look like they just came back from a day at the spa, with realistic muscles and sweat that glistens under stadium lights. But when the gameplay starts, it feels like you slipped on VR glasses that haven’t been updated since the last decade. Once the athletes start moving like they’re on roller skates and can’t decide if they want to tackle or hug, it feels like you’ve accidentally stumbled into an animated rendition of Weekend at Bernie’s.

Conclusion

Madden NFL 21 may have been the game that was meant to elevate your virtual pigskin shenanigans, but its colossal bugs and lack of innovation feel like a tackle from behind—unexpected and painful. Critics praised the gameplay and modes like The Yard but couldn’t overlook the multitude of trading penalties that EA threw our way. The game fared better in sales than one might have expected, almost like the underdog that wins by sheer numbers, but it's clear a lot of players aren’t buying it anymore as they once did. In the end, you might want to pass on this one unless you crave endless frustration mixed with your football. For the die-hard fans: maybe it's time to join a different league.

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