Madden NFL 23

Madden fans will tell you that it hasn’t been a great decade for EA’s football sim. Like the NFL itself, the profits have continued to grow, but the product has suffered. Madden NFL 23, though, provides a glimpse of a light at the end of the tunnel with a handful of smart enhancements to animations, AI, and passing mechanics that make subtle but meaningful improvements to the moment-to-moment football on the field. To be clear, Madden still has a long way to go to catch up with other sports sims, the majority of which are more refined, less buggy, and have a clearer identity. After playing Madden NFL 23, though, I finally have a little optimism that it’s on the right path — maybe not an emphatic “Boom!”, but clear forward progress for a series that so desperately needs it.

-- As reviewed by IGN
Madden NFL 23 1

Product details

  • Break off more big plays - New 360° Cuts give you the freedom and fluidity as the ball-carrier to hit the gaps you want to, plant-and-go, and elude defenders.
  • Drop dimes all over the field - Lead your receivers open, drop back-shoulder throws into tight windows, and place every pass where only your receiver can catch it.
  • Wreak hit-stick havoc - Redefining defensive pursuit, new Hit Everything mechanics let you be more disruptive on defense.
  • Win the battle off the line - A suite of new wide receiver release moves and defensive back counter press mechanics make for some fancy footwork and 1-v-1 battles.

PROS

+ Games feel like authentic NFL broadcasts
+ Fast loading times
+ John Madden Legacy Game is a wonderful tribute

CONS

- Inconsistent FieldSense
- Not many game modes
- New year, same old Madden

Expert reviews and ratings

By Tom's Guide on September 06, 2022
Madden NFL 23 feels a lot like previous entries in the series, although it's a pretty good football game overall.
70
By IGN on August 19, 2022
Madden fans will tell you that it hasn’t been a great decade for EA’s football sim. Like the NFL itself, the profits have continued to grow, but the product has suffered. Madden NFL 23, though, provides a glimpse of a light at the end of the tunnel with a handful of smart enhancements to animations, AI, and passing mechanics that make subtle but meaningful improvements to the moment-to-moment football on the field. To be clear, Madden still has a long way to go to catch up with other sports sims, the majority of which are more refined, less buggy, and have a clearer identity. After playing Madden NFL 23, though, I finally have a little optimism that it’s on the right path — maybe not an emphatic “Boom!”, but clear forward progress for a series that so desperately needs it.
70