Should Madden 22 Be On Your Holiday Wishlist?

Even though Madden has been out since August, we have now seen it in this season’s “purest form”. There seem to be no huge additions upcoming to this game so now is the best time to do a review. 

With holidays coming up, here’s a brief overview of whether Madden 22 should be on your wishlist. 

Gameplay

The most important component for any Madden game is without a doubt the gameplay. The gameplay has been a huge upgrade from previous years. With limited glitch plays, it allows for a very realistic game play. Even better, the mechanics are still fluid and straightforward, so picking up a controller and jumping right in as a new player is easier than trying to figure out NFL point spreads!

X-Factors made another recurring appearance in this year’s game and they are nothing to rave about. If you enjoy your Madden experience to be more “arcade style” then there is still that aspect for you. Madden will never be able to make the “perfect game” but this is the best it has been in a very long time. The gameplay truly adapts for every player! 

Career Modes

The mode EA got the most heat for in the best few iterations of the Madden franchise were to fix franchise mode and Face of the Franchise. I’m sorry to tell you that there has been no significant change in either of those game modes.

In Face of the Franchise, the storyline is very boring and the gamemode has not changed at all. When you’re playing in the CFB, it is impossible to only play as your player! You must play two ways even if your character plays QB which makes no sense. But it was just overall not great. 

Franchise mode has a lack of innovation. Don’t buy into EA’s gimmick on the new updated coaching staff! It makes no difference in the overall experience and nothing changes in a broad aspect. If you want to buy a game with a new career experience, maybe wait until next year. 

MUT

Probably the reason you wanted to read this article. Is Madden Ultimate Team any good?

I won’t say yes but I wouldn’t say no. My biggest gripe with MUT is not only that it is a money grab (which was obvious from any ultimate team mode) but they have not fixed match making. Why am I going against 90 overall teams when mine is a 76?! It provides an unfair advantage for those who spend money.

People saying that you can just grind to get better are lying to you. EA does not reward the “no money spent players” enough. Not to mention the lack of updates in Draft Champions and an overall lack of new features in MUT. MUT will always be a fun game mode concept but EA has to change a few things.  

Superstar KO and Yard

These game modes lack innovation. It is the same arcade style football gimmick which is very fun. But EA does not care about updating the game modes.

I will applaud EA by trying to be new and adding collegiate programs into Superstar KO. However, I am still unimpressed because I just want NCAA football to have its own game. These game modes have nothing new to add coming from Madden 21! 

Final Verdict

I personally enjoy this year’s game. The make or break deal for me is the gameplay and will be an enhanced gameplay, EA really made this game a true simulation of an NFL football game.

If you want new game modes, then this is not worth buying. The game modes are almost the same as previous games in the series. MUT, KO, Franchise, and the Yard are too similar to previous installments. Overall grade: 7/10