Madden 26 Review—A Mixed Bag Of Results

Each year, I approach Madden NFL with high hopes: I want the gameplay to authentically simulate football, and I expect the rest of the game to be enjoyable without causing frustration. Regarding Madden 26, the first aspect has been improved significantly compared to more than a decade ago, but the second issue, unfortunately, remains an ongoing project.

Madden 26 Review

To begin with, Madden 26 stands out as one of the most polished and entertaining Madden games since the era of Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

As a gamer, I’m really digging the smooth movement and the awesome handling of my players in this game. The way they can dart around and maneuver in tight spaces is just fantastic! The new Wear and Tear system has definitely added an extra layer of strategy when it comes to managing my team. Now I have to be careful not to overuse certain players, which adds a sense of realism that I really appreciate. It would be even cooler if there were sliders for this system like in College Football 26, but overall, it’s a great addition to the game.

The success or difficulty in the passing game hasn’t been this noticeable since Madden 06 introduced the vision cone. Distinct quarterback (QB) throwing animations give each QB a unique feel, necessitating an adaptation to their mechanics. Regardless of your play style, you can find a way to excel. The option to escape from pressure using the QB playmaker controls further enhances the challenge, making success even more satisfying as it looks and feels terrific.

The animation for capturing passes has been enhanced too, and it’s quite satisfying watching a large-framed receiver gracefully catch a ball in mid-air – something that truly feels fitting for them.

In essence, the current pace strikes a balance; it’s quicker than what college football has been like after its resumption, yet slower compared to how Madden games have felt in recent times. It seems we’ve found a satisfying middle ground for game speed.

On the flipside, there are gameplay concerns.

In extended plays, some receivers may choose to remain stationary once they’ve reached the end of their route. They only become relevant when the ball is forced to them while covered by a defender or when it’s time for them to potentially block. Regarding the offensive linemen, there are numerous instances where they idle rather than searching for a player to block. If a defensive player moves away from them, they’ll assume a blocking stance, but unfortunately, this often results in no action taken.

Another significant concern lies in the AI aspect of the game. When competing against the CPU, the AI quarterbacks appear to have unprecedented precision, which makes zone and even man coverage challenging, even for skilled defensive backs. It’s not just about improving your skills; it seems that if you don’t adjust the game settings by tweaking sliders, your gaming experience will be affected negatively. However, if you aim to feel in control, pray that your CPU opponent favors running plays, as there appears to be an issue with AI-controlled running backs not knowing where to run effectively.

A Fantastic Looking Game That’s Best On Mute

In terms of visual appeal, Madden 26 truly shines. While I don’t expect the dramatic year-on-year improvements in graphics that we saw two decades ago, the animation quality stands out. The game features fewer clipping issues, smoother transitions, and some impressive broadcast packages that add to the authenticity of the games.

The integration of Scott Hanson and highlight packages enhances the TV-like experience within the digital realm. A long-awaited feature, The Weekly Recap, serves as a strong base. However, immersion can be slightly broken when Hanson mistakes a name or there’s choppiness, but I’m optimistic that these issues will be addressed in an upcoming post-launch update.

In this presentation, there are issues particularly with the detailed commentary (play-by-play). We’re now in the second year with the new three-team setup, but things aren’t going smoothly. The commentators, including Mike Tirico, Greg Olsen, Kate Scott, and Brock Huard, seem overly robotic in their delivery. Moreover, they appear excessively enthusiastic, making every call sound significant. This is quite overwhelming, even during the Superstar Mode scouting combine drills. It’s simply too much and might be more enjoyable with the volume turned off.

With the commentary turned off, you’ll find yourself immersed more in what could potentially be the greatest soundtrack ever featured in a Madden game.

In simpler terms, the game’s menus load quicker compared to previous years, but opening player cards remains frustratingly slow. There are also frequent pauses and issues with responsiveness, particularly when attempting tasks such as customizing a player’s gear.

In simpler terms, the variety of Jersey options in the game is rather restricted, as it does not allow for the combination of vintage helmets with modern uniforms, or vice versa. For example, the Buffalo Bills have sported their traditional red helmets along with their current jerseys this season in real life, but in Madden 26, such a combination is not possible within the game.

Madden 26’s Hit or Miss Modes

The modes in Madden 26 are hit or miss.

The Skills Trainer stands out as Madden’s most comprehensive tutorial system to date, offering more than 100 drills that span topics from complex stunts to advanced passing strategies. Whether you’re a beginner, a player returning after a break, or someone aiming to polish their skills, it serves as an invaluable resource.

In a refreshing update, the Franchise mode receives more attention than before with intricate weekly preparations that go deeper, thanks to playsheets that enable a more refined strategy tailored for each opponent. Player statuses and non-determinant injury timings add realism, while training maintains your top players in peak form and provides opportunities for fourth stringers to upskill.

Scouting enhancements, such as the Scout’s Honor ability, enrich roster construction, making it seem that coaching truly matters this year – an aspect I never anticipated praising about Madden. The new Wear & Tear system further accentuates the gameplay experience.

In Franchise mode this year, the option to play as a player or be a team owner has been eliminated, leaving only the role of a coach available. While you can still manage aspects such as signing players and making trades, some features have been removed, including the ability to update facilities in your stadium, set ticket pricing, and control merchandise. Although these may seem minor to some, the absence of these features may be disappointing for those who have grown accustomed to them over the years.

The challenges in the Franchise mode continue, as during drafts and in-season signings, you can’t see your draft class or negotiate longer-term deals or money. Coaches are limited with generic faces and physiques, and you’re only allowed to choose from a set base playbook. Stadium customization and relocation also remain unchanged, without the option for unique stadiums or integration with Team Builder. Even if you want to build a new stadium for your team, it will still be one of the five generic ones that have been available for years.

The Life Of An NFL Superstar

The Superstar Mode introduces a touch of role-playing game (RPG) elements through the introduction of the “Influence Sphere” system. Interactions with your agent, coach, or even famous dancers influence the perks and abilities you can unlock. While this might seem unusual to some, it adds an engaging layer to the game, and the structured chapters create a sense of a genuine journey.

Completing various tasks will grant you influence points, which in turn open up new skills and experience points. The stronger your relationship with your coach, the more game time you’ll get, the greater number of plays you can make decisions on, and you might even gain the power to change plays on the fly.

The drills at the scouting combine are impressive, and it’s a pity you can’t experience one in a game simulation. If only, after getting drafted, a player could mimic Shemar Stewart by holding out for better prospects, although this might or might not occur. However, I suspect the NFL doesn’t allow such a scenario to happen.

1. You are only allowed to choose one position from five options – Quarterback (QB), Running Back (RB), Wide Receiver (WR), Linebacker (LB), Cornerback (CB). Regardless of where you get drafted, you will be the one calling the plays during the game. I strongly believe that this should be something that needs to be earned.
2. As previously stated, the player editor in the game runs incredibly slow, similar to a snail’s pace. Hopefully, this issue can be resolved with an update to the title of the game.

1. In this game, you have a limited choice of positions – QB, RB, WR, LB, CB. Despite being drafted at any position, you will have the responsibility of making decisions during the game. I personally think that such power should be something that is earned and not given automatically.
2. To reiterate, the player editor in this game operates at a snail’s pace. Fingers crossed that this problem can be addressed with an update to the title of the game itself.

Wrapping up on modes, Ultimate Team delivers as anticipated. I must add that it offers a multitude of opportunities for single/offline gamers. However, the menus in this mode are rather slow, player cards take time to load, and wouldn’t it be great if we could bypass pack opening animations entirely?

Bugs, Bugs, Bugs

One issue I encounter frequently within the gaming industry is the presence of bugs in newly launched games, even when players have paid a substantial amount, such as $100 or more, for early access. For instance, with Madden 26, while some issues might seem minor compared to others, collectively they’re difficult to overlook.

Travis Hunter covering… Travis Hunter in Jaguar drills
Team helmets changing color at halftime
False starts triggered by certain player motions
Draft Board has no background in-draft, causing it to be tough to read.
Defensive players lining up on offense. QBs lining up at receiver
Playbooks disappearing mid-game or being inaccessible unless a timeout is used
Superstar Mode crashing in the player editor
Deluxe Edition rewards not showing up for Ultimate Team players. And, if you go directly to EA support for help, they will tell you that “we don’t deal with codes” and that they can’t do anything to assist.

Instead of minor glitches disrupting your gaming experience, these issues serve as a stark reminder of Madden’s struggle with maintaining stability. At least it is hoped that the majority of these problems will be resolved through an upcoming update.

Madden 26 Review Verdict

Honestly, I found myself uncertain if Madden 26 was a great game or a letdown.

In Madden 26, they truly nailed it. On the field, I’ve had more enjoyable experiences than I have since perhaps Madden 15 or 16. The improvements to quarterback play and the introduction of stunts create instances where the game’s direction is evident, and it looks outstanding. The game can feel so smooth and tactical that you’ll find yourself questioning why this level of excellence hasn’t been present all along.

In the Franchise setting, I found myself unexpectedly dedicating a lot of time to strategic planning and player management – a surprise that only adds to the enjoyment. On the other hand, Superstar mode strikes a nice balance for me, offering enough excitement without becoming overly complex with its off-field activities.

Despite numerous elements, some aspects seem to deviate from my expectations. Missing franchise components, longstanding gameplay concerns, and a high volume of bugs are quite puzzling.

In summary, despite some disappointing aspects, I generally find Madden 26 to be a decent game. I anticipate that many of my concerns will be addressed in updates. Therefore, while I wouldn’t advise dismissing the game outright, it might be wise to hold off playing until after the initial title update to evaluate any improvements. Essentially, while Madden 26 has potential, it could benefit from some refinements.

Verdict: 3 – Good

Important Note: For the purpose of writing this review, we received a copy of Madden 26 for the PS5 console from TopMob. Please refer to our review guidelines for more details.

2025-08-11 21:23