Usually, it'd be hard to make a list of good and bad things about each year's new Madden entry. But this year, Madden NFL 22 swung for the stars. And when the game decides to go big or go home in so many ways, it stands to reason that some of these risks paid off while others fell flat.
It's great to so many changes were made in a franchise that was perennially falling flat. But some things remain unchanged that really needed to be touched up and some of the changes were confused. What worked? What didn't? Find out right here.
10 Loved: Plot Is Simple
Writing is not easy. It might seem easy to make a story about a wide receiver who shreds the league's best cornerbacks, but players can choose different positions. They can also succeed or fail. In the past, trying to write dialogue for all of these situations was cringe-inducing.
Instead of committing more resources and time into the plot of Face of the Franchise, Madden NFL 22 keeps it simple. It's the story of a guy who thinks he's the best, proves he's the best, and has a couple of friends cheer him on. There's no character arc here, but there doesn't need to be.
9 Hated: Can't Choose Team
Gamers that love sports frequently picture themselves in the action. Madden gives them a chance to do this. Broncos fans dream about getting a big sack off on Patrick Mahomes. Packers fans imagine how cool it would be to get the perfect touch pass off to Davonte Adams.
Sadly, there is no longer the option to have a specific team take the player's character in the draft. Worse still, teams will draft for their biggest area of need, meaning unless the hometown hero badly needs the position the player selected, odds are he's going to a rival.
8 Loved: Custom Avatar
This was a long time coming, but it was worth the wait. Finally, more than eight skin tones are available to choose from. There are many more template options and most of these templates can be adjusted and morphed for truly unique looks.
The swag isn't bad or that expensive either. The currency for almost all of it can be earned in a few hours without shelling out a dime of regular money. It feels good to play like one of the game's best defensive linemen, but it's even better to pick up those sacks looking great.
7 Hated: Same Old Animations
For some of the most obvious criticism, like the recycled Super Bowl celebration and the fact that offensive players don't reach out for a first down, some changes have been made. But one can go many games without ever once seeing them. This isn't a lot to ask; MLB The Show 21 added hundreds of new animations for outfielders alone last year.
A couple of the offensive animations are faster but the defense didn't get a similar upgrade. Tackling a player who is falling down a certain way is still unstoppable. This year's edition changes a lot of what is outside of the game, hopefully next year changes what is inside of the game.
6 Loved: The Yard
Last year, the series attempted to create a new mode called The Yard. because of the poor execution everywhere else, The Yard felt like a half-baked way to say, "Hey, there's actually something new in the game!" without offering anything really new.
Many were surprised the concept didn't get scrapped entirely and critics were worried that this mode was a foolish idea. But thank goodness the concept wasn't abandoned. The Yard is incredible fun and it's a chance for players who crafted one of the best linebackers in the league to show off their athleticism on both sides of the ball.
5 Hated: MUT Pricing
Oh sure, it's easy to afford a few cards here and there. After a few hours of trying, players might be able to unlock one of the best QBs in today's game. But anybody hoping to get one of the best quarterbacks of all time better be willing to go broke.
This almost goes without saying every year; everybody knows Madden Ultimate Team is a ripoff. But the frustration actually comes from a good place. The concept is great! Crafting teams and opening packs and using them is a great idea! It's just not a mode that anybody unwilling to get a second mortgage is ever going to fully experience.
4 Loved: Player Models
Not ruins the NFL immersive experience like seeing players with their helmets off and wondering when it suddenly became OK to use Minecraft pixel counts in a next-generation game. Frankly, the last few years have had some truly unrecognizable character models.
This year, they went all out. The players look absolutely incredible and they specifically spent a lot of time on the unique hairstyles around the league. This truly respects the fan base that idolizes these NFL athletes.
3 Hated: Redundant Announcers
There have been audible calls from the fan base to terminate Brandon Gaudin and Charles Davis. It's actually not their fault; they do a great job standing in and anybody who forgets how refreshing they were when they stepped in for Madden NFL 17 needs a reminder that the announcing could be worse.
The issue here is the script. Or, more accurately, the lack of a script. They need more lines to read off. NBA 2K manages to get through dozens of basketball games before the lines get repetitive; sadly Madden NFL 22 can't make it through one football game without heavily recycled verbiage.
2 Loved: Franchise Mode Upgrades
Franchise mode was the poster child for how the property had neglected its player base last year. This year, the options appear nearly identical, which prompted a brief panic for players who enjoy this experience.
Thankfully, that's about all that stayed similar. The upgrade options are even better than the ones in Face of the Franchise and the decisions during the year feel meaningful.
1 Hated: Those Atrocious Shoes
This might fall into the "so bad it's good" category. The signature shoe in the game is so hysterically hideous that gamers can't help but laugh. The player character even holds it up to the camera, really rubbing in how much of an eyesore these... sneakers, apparently... are.
Cut off the toes and put a platform on them and they just might make for a nice pair of heels. Of all the things not to like about the game, this one will be good for a few memes. At least they can be useful for some "What were they thinking?" giggles.