![]() It is entirely possible that the team at EA Tiburon had significant disruption to the regimented development cycle associated with an annual sports franchise. Look, these are unprecedented times we live in, as so many have said in 2020. The cutscene snafu underscores one of the most disappointing elements of Madden NFL 21, which is how rough its edges are. Unless this particular glitch was addressed but not included in the Day 1 patch notes provided to reviewers midweek, I suggest you don’t push to finish Face of the Franchise until this ugly bug is squashed in a future patch. ![]() I hoped it was just a little glitch that could be solved by restarting the game, but it didn’t work a second time either. I can’t spoil what happens in this scene…because the audio went dead silent for it. But that’s about all you see or hear of Tommy, at least until the final cutscene if you reach the Hall of Fame. He even pops up briefly in text message interactions once or twice. It’s implied that he’s elsewhere in the NFL, lighting up opposing defenses as a star quarterback. After an interesting setup between your rival/friend Tommy Matthews, played by actor Tye Sheridan ( Ready Player One), that sees your character interact with him plenty throughout your high school season and two additional college years, he basically disappears. The problem with FOF isn’t the conception of this model it’s the execution. There’s even the option to switch to running back or wide receiver before turning pro this time around, instead of only pursuing a quarterback career. I beat the drum all the time for more enthralling career modes in sports games with more emphasis on storytelling, so the frequency of cutscenes and interactive moments with players, coaches, and media in FOF was a welcome sight. FOF frames your character’s athletic career through an on-camera interview in your old high school gymnasium for a retrospective, a la NFL Network’s A Football Life. But I’m just not feeling The Yard, and I worry you might not either.Īfter The Yard, the most noteworthy change from the previous Madden is a more intriguing Face of the Franchise (FOF) setup. Sure, the aforementioned tweaks make it different enough from the norm to stand on its own, and I can see plenty of players really having fun with it and the gear-earning loop. On top of that, it just isn’t as charming as even the returning Superstar KO mode, which was introduced post-launch last year in Madden NFL 20. It’s not the fact that there are no late hits like in Blitz, but rather that you’re more or less still playing simulation football from a gameplay standpoint. The Yard should be made for someone like me, an older millennial who dropped plenty of quarters into the arcade sports classics and loves those types of games even more than sims. Plus, up to three extra points can be earned after TDs. One big twist: Bonus points are earned from interceptions and touchdowns scored under certain conditions. You have the ability to throw multiple passes behind the line of scrimmage, with a smaller set of plays drawn up that look a lot closer to something you’d see in the late ‘90s arcade classic from Midway Games. First downs markers are 20 yards away instead of 10. It’s six-on-six, rather than 11 per side. EA promises new gear will drop regularly if you’re looking to keep your avatar fresh.Īs far as the gameplay goes, The Yard is, without a doubt, about as close as Madden has ever gotten to replicating the NFL Blitz arcade experience. Players create an avatar and customize it with a variety of officially licensed gear as well as a colorful wardrobe. The Yard bears similarities to elements of the other EA Sports-released team sports titles the past few years, especially the occasionally-released NBA Live series’ The One as well as World of CHEL in the NHL franchise. ![]() Regardless, this is the most underwhelming new installment of Madden since I began reviewing the franchise professionally seven years ago, and it’s in the running for the series’ lowest point in decades.Īgain, Madden NFL 21 is more than just “the same game with rookies added.” The latest iteration includes a brand-new mode called The Yard, an arcade-style alternative to the more traditional sim that evokes a backyard football vibe. Okay, maybe not quite as disappointing as Johnny Football. This time, you’re paying $60 for a roster update, a whole mess of ugly typos and hiccups, and some interesting new additions which fulfill their promise about as well as Johnny Manziel. Anyone who’s purchased any of the latest in EA Sports’ Madden NFL franchise over the past 15 years has at least heard the yearly gripe from jaded fans: “You’re paying $60 for a roster update.”
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