Madden NFL 25 is one of the most anticipated sports video games of the year due to the hype of 2013 being the 25th year that the Madden game has been widely available to everyone. Based on the news and information that has trickled out from EA Sports thus far, we have compiled a list of early pros and cons for Madden NFL 25 on both the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360.
Pros:
- The PlayStation 4 and the Xbox One come out this year. This is very exciting news for those of us planning on picking up a next generation console, but it is equally exciting for those planning on getting Madden 25 on the XBOX 360 or the PlayStation 3. If history is any indicator, Madden football games are at their peak (at least in terms of core gameplay) the year that new consoles come out. The PS4 and Xbox One versions will surely, “WOW” you with graphics but the version for the current generation consoles will be loaded with features and finely tuned gameplay.
- Expanding on the gameplay a little bit, the Infinity Engine 2.0 will be included into this year’s game. The first shot at the Infinity Engine, which is just Electronic Arts’ attempt at including the laws of physics in a video game, showed huge potential in last year’s game but wasn’t all that polished. A whole year has passed since then for EA Sports to build on it and they absolutely will.
- Getting your skills up is easier than ever. If you’ve struggled in the past with Madden games, it isn’t time to give up. There are all sorts of websites available to help you improve. One of our favorite resources is the free Madden 25 tips at Madden-School.com. It doesn’t matter whether you are the best Madden player alive or someone struggling to compete in your local GameStop tournament, the internet has made learning tips, schemes and strategies easier than ever. Make sure to take advantage of that opportunity.
- Franchise mode, fantasy draft, and importing draft classes are back. All three of these beloved features were either taken out of Madden NFL 13 or were in different forms than normal. Franchise mode is being built on with the re-introduction of the popular owner mode from the PlayStation 2 days.
Cons:
- This builds on the last point made on the Pros side. Many of the features being touted as “new” are just recycled ideas. Franchise mode, fantasy draft, importing draft classes, and owner mode are all game modes that have been available for 10 years. At various points, they were taken out, and now they are making a comeback with a relatively warm reception. This is truly unacceptable. These things should have never been taken out to begin with. It seems that EA Sports intentionally removes a few of their best features every year just so they can bring them back 5 years down the road. Kudos to them for listening to fans and putting these features back into the game, but shame on them for taking them out in the first place.
- An annoying marketing push for Madden Ultimate Team. Each year, the Ultimate Team (MUT) game mode is pushed harder and harder down the throats of the Madden community. Sure the people who play it seem to thoroughly enjoy it and it has been a good addition to the Madden franchise as a whole but the majority of people who play Madden 25 has absolutely no interest in opening up virtual card packs and building a team that way. If you pre order Madden 25, you get an ultimate team pack. If you share the demo, you get an ultimate team player. I’m sure when you boot up the game for the first time, you will get to know everything about ultimate team. This game mode makes EA Sports an insane amount of money, so it is understandable that they want you to try it, just prepare to be annoyed if you don’t care for it.
- The differences between good teams and bad teams. The elite teams in Madden 25 are more dominant than ever. Teams like the 49ers and Seahawks are Madden juggernauts. If you are a fan of either of those teams, it makes it nearly impossible to play a game. Similarly, fans of teams such as the Jaguars and the Browns can’t use their teams if they want to maintain a reasonable chance to win. There has always been disparity in tem ratings and there always should be. You can’t avoid the fact that some teams are much better to others in the NFL. This year, there will just be a little wider gap than we are used to.
Madden NFL 25 is going to be a very good game if for no other reason than because EA Sports will make sure of it. Hyping it up as Madden NFL 25 instead of the logical choice, Madden 14, would only happen if EA knew it was sitting on their best NFL video game yet.
Madden NFL 25 launches worldwide on August 27th and will be available for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions will release alongside both respective consoles this fall. Do you agree with these pros and cons listed above? Are you planning on picking up the game later this month or are you holding out for the next-gen release instead? Feel free to let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
