Madden 16: Expert Review Scores and Fan Reaction
Madden 16 is really good. Anyone who tells you otherwise should turn in their membership card to the Sports Video Game Universe.
After spending two weeks with the game, I rated it an 8.4 in my review. Apparently, my pleasure with the game is shared by other reviewers online. According to Metacritic, Madden 16 has a conglomerate score of 83.
If you're familiar with the way Metacritic's review scores work, you know an 83 is solid. It has Madden 16 tied for eighth among all the games the site considers "current."
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Here's a look at seven prominent reviews around the Internet.
| Publication | Author | Score |
| PlayStation Lifestyle | Louis Edwards | 9 |
| Polygon | Owen S. Good | 9 |
| Game Informer | Matthew Kato | 8.75 |
| GameTrailers | unlisted | 8.8 |
| GameSpot | Miguel Concepcion | 8 |
| Hardcore Gamer | Steven Hannley | 4 out of 5 |
| Destructoid | Steven Hansen | 6.5 |
Gameplay Is King
Almost every review you read is filled with positive impressions about Madden 16's gameplay. Player-to-player contact is handled far more realistically. The game finally features true gang tackles, and the running game isn't as easy as it was in Madden 15.
We saw the makings of this increasingly solid gameplay in last year's game. Polygon.com's Owen S. Good talks about how he's seen the pieces come together:
"In defensive play with last year's Madden NFL 15, and in receiving and passing this year, Madden's designers have made all the components of a very specialized sport pull their weight, and not be simply a game of throwing and running.
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It's one thing for reviewers to scream the praises of a game, but when fans are almost echoing our sentiments, that's really saying something. NeuroticTruth on Metacritic wrote a brief user review. He says:
"The game definitely lives up to its billing this year. The new additions to [Connected Franchise Mode] have made the mode even more in depth and give users a true "team building" experience. Coupled with the much needed improvements made to the WR / CB interaction (as well as new animations), the game is definitely worth your hard-earned money. And that's just scratching the surface.
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Connected Franchise
I'm a major franchise mode guy. While I can't say that Madden 16's franchise mode is equal to NBA 2K or MLB: The Show, CF's implementation of scouting and individual and team goals, there's no questioning the depth of this classic mode.
Visually, the game is stunning as well. The player models are on par with the best-looking sports video games available.
JW Horsley was clearly impressed with Madden 16's visuals:
"These graphics are so unreal. Hit that whip @OBJ_3 #Madden16 pic.twitter.com/8zVrtpZINd
— JW Horsley (@jwhorsley) August 26, 2015"
As you can see from the images in this article, Horsley and others aren't exaggerating when they talk about how great the game looks.
If you're still not on board, you may never really be into the game. Without question, this is the best Madden in years.
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