It is a little threadbare in its presentation, however, with you able to take on a procession of CPU challenges or face-off online, levelling up your chosen ‘Prototype’ playstyle -based on NFL superstars like the scramble of cover star Lamar Jackson- and unlocking new outfits. (All complete with a slew of microtransactions, of course.)
Not a perfect introduction, then, but as a concept, it is a welcome addition. It also lets you get comfortable with the on-field gameplay which, while not revolutionary, is as good as ever. Plays, particularly on offense, are slick and readable while new animations add more flexibility to catches and interceptions. I did find that scrambling with your quarterback was somewhat overpowered (perhaps as a tribute to Jackson) as defensive AI seemed to leave gaps around the scrimmage line a bit too often. But the flexibility on your fingertips at QB -including snap decisions on run or pass plays- and options for running backs and receivers on the charge make for a compelling game of gridiron.
So why, then, has Madden NFL 21 been the target of such opprobrium from its longterm fans? On review aggregator site Metacritic, this year’s edition now has the lowest user review score of any game in history. That’s a nonsense, of course, but does reflect an increasing frustration that EA’s annual updates are not justifying their price tag in terms of innovation.
With some (very) basic knowledge of the development cycles of different sporting titles, I believe that keeping the wheels spinning on annual updates is a much more complex challenge than some give it credit for. However, there is no doubt that in Madden NFL 21 you can see the cracks – possibly brought on by the impending console-generation shift, the impact of Covid on development or some other speculative reason.
While The Yard is an interesting addition and the tweaks to gameplay are successful many of the game’s other modes have been somewhat neglected. Franchise has barely changed, Ultimate Team plays into the same squad-building cycle it always does and the Face of the Franchise career mode feels cobbled together.