Madden NFL 26 evaluation overview: Sluggish however regular enchancment

It’s been considerably of a tough few years for the Madden NFL video video games. Madden NFL 21 noticed the collection attain its lowest level ever, in response to each critics and followers, however since then, it has been slowly enhancing, with annually’s recreation being just a bit bit higher than the final. Madden NFL 26 does not break via to the collection’ former glory, however it does preserve the collection’ upward trajectory.

Madden NFL 26 is at present sitting at a rating of 72 on evaluation aggregator Metacritic. Only the PS5 model of the sport at present has sufficient critiques to kind a median ranking, however it’s nonetheless a motive for Madden followers to be completely satisfied, as that’s the highest Metacritic rating a recreation within the collection has obtained since Madden NFL 20. That stated, it is solely a small step up from the rating of 70 that Madden NFL 25 obtained, suggesting that the enhancements made this yr are minor at greatest.

Franchise mode underwent some huge adjustments this yr, and critics are principally constructive about them, with IGN in particular saying that it is “the best Franchise Mode has been since I started playing back in Madden 17.” Coach creator has been overhauled, and the outdated talent tree system has been changed with a talent factors system that provides your gamers weekly bonuses. Though it isn’t all upsides, because the minigame system within the mode continues to be panned, very similar to it was in Madden NFL 25.

This yr marks the primary time the collection has come to the Nintendo Switch household of consoles, debuting on the Switch 2. Reviews for the Switch 2 model report that the sport does not look nice in comparison with different console variations and suffers from annoyingly lengthy load occasions, in addition to the truth that the body price is locked to 40fps. However, it’s a secure construct of the sport that these seeking to play Madden on the go will take pleasure in.

Considering the way more favorable reception EA’s different soccer collection — College Football — obtained when it launched just lately, as seen in our College Football 26 evaluation roundup. this may increasingly come as a little bit of a disappointment for the corporate. The Madden NFL collection is step by step enhancing, nevertheless, and getting again into folks’s good graces — although primarily based on these critiques, it will take extra drastic enhancements than those seen in Madden NFL 26 to really rival the collection’ greatest days.