Innovations enabled by the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S include lightning-fast load times, deferred lighting and rendering, enhanced animation technology, and more to transform Madden NFL 21 from a visual to a visceral experience. Allowing you to feel the Next Level every time you step onto the field.
Sony and Microsoft partnered to offer free game upgrades to the next-generation platforms for Madden NFL 21. So you won’t have to buy the game twice to upgrade from PlayStation 4 to PlayStation 5.
There isn’t much hope in the Madden NFL 21 community. But a few football enthusiasts with a half-full Gatorade bottle thought that this year’s PlayStation 4. This game would be so dismal because EA Sports was all-in on the next-gen upgrade. Now that the PlayStation 5 version is out. We’re afraid to say that this is yet another blunder in the long-running Franchise.
Let’s get one thing straight right away. The game is somewhat better on Sony’s new hardware. At the same time, the graphical improvements don’t quite match FIFA 21. The increased resolution and recent Next-Gen Stats replays are welcome additions. The weather is also a little more excellent, especially the rain, and the sidelines are busier.
Story
It’s the same game everywhere else. The godawful story of Tommy Matthews and his dicky ticker is back. But we don’t recommend you play it all the way through. We still think the face of the Franchise concept has potential. But EA Sports needs stronger writers. And we’d instead transition into something more substantial, rather than the watered-down Franchise mode that follows.
Even with all of its settings turned on, franchise mode is still a poor replica of what you’ll find in other sports games. In contrast, some small management mechanics are in place, such as negotiating contracts and moving players. Fans want more, such as the ability to employ and fire coordinators. Develop schemes based on the opponent, and so on.
The Yard, a sort of arcade-themed backyard football mode, is still a lot of fun on PS5. It’s gotten better with new environments and challenges since its PS4 debut. Otherwise, you can read our Madden NFL 21 PS4 review. And our impressions remain the same. It is, for the most part, the same game.
Improvements in Madden NFL 21
Load Time
Loading times matter a lot. The fact that you can now progress through missions. Without having to wait for each one to load. It drastically enhances the flow and is a significant game-changer.
Next-Gen Stats
The issue is that there aren’t nearly enough game-changers throughout the rest of the bundle. Before the game’s release, EA Sports claimed that it would use Next-Gen Stats to integrate real-world NFL, and it has made a modest difference to the game’s flow. Unless you’re in charge of speed demons like Tyreek Hill, your players will move more naturally, which is excellent.
However, other than a few minor tweaks to the way players balance on the turn. The gameplay is nearly identical to the PS4 version, with the same animations. It’s not as bad as some Reddit commentators make it out to be. But it’s still disappointing, especially when compared to what NBA 2K21 offered for its next-gen launch.
We’d argue that several parts have taken a step backward. The new playcalling option, which lets you select favorite plays like in previous Madden NFL games. Extremely difficult to use and has resulted in a half-dozen unexplainable delay of game penalties. We’re still looking for the QB Kneel play.
Interaction and Movement
Madden 21 shone brightly in this area for me. While not perfect, the new foot planting and player mobility are significant enhancements for the next generation. It’s such a significant alteration that it’s challenging to go back and play previous-generation versions of the game.
When you take control of a person, the players take on actual weight. And while we say it practically every year. This year is different.
Whether I’m directing the player or watching an AI-controlled player, the movement is fluid and natural-looking, which adds a lot to the concept of thinking ahead.
While others have complained about the slower pace of in-game player movement, I welcome it. It enables statistically-driven animations to play out in front of my eyes in a more realistic manner.
There are a lot of discussions to be had here about finding the “ideal” balance for everyone. Maybe it means changing the “game speed” depending on the game mode, with “simulation” staying at this speed while “competitive” goes to a faster setting. Although I’m not sure, that’s the solution.
We could concentrate on moves where the stick seems more explosive. To better distinguish power players from speed players. In any case, I enjoy the fundamental movement and would prefer ways to improve “explosive” movements without dividing the user base into “competition” and “simulation” buckets.
Improved Visuals
It’s a complex topic for most gamers because we all play on different systems and TV settings. So I can only speak to my own experience, which was stunning to watch in 4K on my TV. The stadiums appeared to be more vivid and vast. The fans seemed to be more detailed and packed. The outfits and helmets leaped off the screen with more depth and texture.
Not everything is perfect in the realm of graphics, as some of the player scans appear to be off. There are also some lighting concerns, and the detail and color of specific uniforms look off.
Weather and Sideline Depth
Many people may consider the sideline depth an afterthought, but I believe it contributes to the overall reality of the game, and the upgrades are welcome. As I indicated in my preview, M21 now has a sideline in-game that looks a little more realistic, with genuine players and amenities like training tables and Gatorade stations available.
While it isn’t as in-depth or detailed as I had wanted, it is apparent, and I hope they keep working on it because it adds to the game’s authenticity.
The new weather system is a beautiful feature, although it has some flaws. While both the snow and rain effects are fantastic in general, the rain appears better than the snow since it makes the jerseys look moist. Nonetheless, these weather effects have no new gameplay implications. They did state in the press conference that the goal moving ahead is to implement a system that looks fantastic and has an influence on the game.
But, yeah, it’s fun to watch players and coaches becoming drenched with rain over time, and I’m hoping to see more of that type of real-time build-up in other elements of the weather now.
Both the sides and the weather still need development, but fresh additions are excellent. We hope to see further improvements in future editions of the game.
Running a Route
If you watch the video that EA posted on how the route running is now shown in real-time on the field, you’ll get a much better idea of why I enjoy it. The video explains how the new animation system uses real-life numbers to motivate players to perform on the field in real life and do so in a fluid manner that better portrays each player’s movement and ability.
Conclusion
Because Madden NFL 21 is essentially the same game as its PS4 predecessor, it has the same issues. Because of the increased hardware capability, the presentation has improved by half a step, but it still lags far behind the benchmark set by FIFA 21 and NBA 2K21.
Increased loading times enhance the flow of modes like Ultimate Team, and the gameplay is slightly more accurate thanks to the addition of Next Gen Stats, but with an aging Franchise mode and some old animations, this isn’t the upgrade fans were hoping for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Madden NFL 21 automatically upgrade to PS5?
You’ll get your copy of Madden NFL 21 on PlayStation 4 or Xbox One, as well as the right to download and play the game on a new console. So, if you buy a next-gen console with a disc drive, you may still upgrade for free using Dual Entitlement.
What is the difference between Madden NFL 21 and Madden NFL 21 next level?
Madden NFL 21 is the latest entry in the Madden series. If you’re familiar with previous Madden games for PS4, Xbox One, or PS3, then this game will be very familiar to you. It’s got all types of gameplay, franchise mode, and more.
Will I have to repurchase Madden NFL 21 for PS5?
No. You’ll get the right to download and play Madden NFL 21 on new consoles for free with Dual Entitlement.
What is Dual Entitlement? Can I lose my Entitlement after buying it?
Dual Entitlement lets you buy a game on one console, then receive the rights to play that game on both your current console and a new console. You’ll get the right to download and play Madden NFL 21 on your PS4 or Xbox One, as well as the right to download and play it on a future PS5 or Xbox Two.
You can lose Entitlement by refunding a digital game you bought for full price, but only if you’ve played.
Can Madden NFL 21 Next Gen play with Madden 21?
Only if you upgrade using Dual Entitlement.
When will the next-generation Madden NFL 21 be released?
Madden NFL 21: The Next Generation will be released worldwide on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on December 4. In the following weeks, further information about next-generation features will be released.
What is Dual Entitlement, and how does it work?
When Madden NFL 21 comes on next-generation systems, Dual Entitlement allows you to upgrade your game copy from PlayStation 4 to PlayStation 5 or from Xbox One to Xbox Series X|S for free.
Is it necessary to buy Madden NFL 21 digitally to get the free upgrade?
The physical edition of Madden NFL 21 for PlayStation 4 or Xbox One also includes a PlayStation 5. Or Xbox Series X edition of the game. Suppose you buy a next-generation console with a disc drive. You can upgrade for free through Dual Entitlement.
Suppose you plan to buy a diskless next-generation console (PlayStation 5 Digital Edition or Xbox Series S). You can buy Madden NFL 21 digitally on PlayStation 4 or Xbox One and get an upgrade when you log into your new platform with the same account information. To receive the update, you must upgrade from Xbox One to Xbox Series S or PlayStation 4 to PlayStation 5 Digital.
Will my PlayStation 4 content migrate to the PlayStation 5, or my Xbox One content to the Xbox Series X|S?
Your Ultimate Team material and progress in The Yard will be carried over. To continue your Next Level NFL experience, transfer your progress from Franchise and Face of the Franchise to next-gen consoles.
Details on Madden Ultimate Team Transfers
Any changes made to the PlayStation 4 will appear on the PlayStation 5. And any changes made to the Xbox One will appear on the Xbox Series X|S. Your Ultimate Team stuff, such as Madden Points, binder content, cash, training, Ultimate Challenges, Missions, and so on, will be transferred.
Progress in Competitive Modes Isn’t Transferable to Other Modes.
Suppose you start Weekend League on a PlayStation 4 or Xbox One. Your progress will be limited to previous-generation consoles until the event is completed if you start Weekend League on a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S.
Your progress will be locked to the following generation until the event is completed. Solo Battles are the same way. Simply speaking, competitive leaderboards are divided into generations. The Madden NFL 21 Championship Series does not accept gameplay on the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S.
Details on Franchise Mode Transfer
Multiple Franchise saves for Classic and Face of the Franchise can be exported to the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X|S. You’ll keep your previous-generation console saved and be able to continue progress there. But any new previous-generation progress will be deemed a new next-generation import save.
Each previous generation import would result in a new save for the next generation. There is no requirement for an external file or a companion software because the export happens straight from one generation to the next. You can transfer your Franchise and the franchisee’s face online (online-only mode). Offline classic Franchise cannot be transferred.
Is a disc required to play on the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X?
When Madden NFL 21 launches later this year for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, it will be a digital edition of the game that you can download. Suppose you purchase a physical copy of Madden NFL 21.
To play the game, you will need to enter the disc into your PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X. If you plan to buy a diskless next-generation console. You can buy Madden NFL 21 digitally on PlayStation 4 or Xbox One.
