It's always difficult to write a review about a new sports title. Given a series' past, it can be difficult to separate a game's true strengths from it's yearly improvements, the latter of which should be expected from a new release.

This is one of my favorite, but least favorite Maddens of all time. Its got its ups and downs but some of the things that happen in this game are absolutely ridiculous. First off, fast RB/QB combinations are way too overpowering. For instance, Michael Vick and Lesean McCoy.

As Kleenex is to tissues, John Madden is to video game football. It's hard, and humbling, to realize that 25 years have passed since the legendary NFL coach first enthusiastically charged through the digital sports landscape.

Pro Bowl-level presentation Madden NFL 25 embraces the big-budget bluster of the NFL; Fighter-jet flyovers; Mascots running through fireworks and confetti; Talking heads in the booth; Muscled-up millionaires chest-bumping each other.

Needs more ‘boom!' With Madden, EA Sports is in a unique position; Its nomenclature tends to focus on athletic endeavors - NHL, NBA Live, FIFA Soccer, and so forth; Yet, the publisher handcuffed Madden (and Tiger Woods PGA Tour) to a personality, and with the Hall of Fame coach having telestrated...

The NFL season is almost here, which means it is time for Ken's annual Madden review. Check it out inside.

+ Run Free is great; + Connected Careers impresses again; + Fixed Infinity Engine; + Ultimate Team is still addictive

Feels incremental; Has the tank run dry

' Since it isn't every day that a game franchise marks its silver anniversary, you expect something sublime from Madden NFL 25. This may be the most respected series in all of gaming, with a pedigree that goes back to before Ronald Reagan left the White House, so it isn't unreasonable to expect the...

Still a very comprehensive and full-featured treatment of NFL football; Undeniably exciting to play at times; especially on offense; New run free and heat-seeking tackling offer control scheme enhancements

Core gameplay barely changed from last year; Offense still overpowered and defense still not smart enough; Disappointing presentation; New Connected Franchise mode lacks depth

Parents need to know that Madden NFL 25 is a sports simulation that tries to model all aspects of pro football from play calling to running, passing, defending, and tackling to team management.

Madden NFL 25 has finally arrived from developer and publisher EA Sports. The new game will be making its debut on next generation consoles later this year, but Madden NFL 25 is still well worth a purchase on current generation consoles and is the perfect way to get ready for the upcoming NFL...

I'm a long-time Madden NFL fan who's been with the series through its highs, like when Madden 2003 added online play, and its lows, like when they added Gameflow in Madden 11. When I got my hands on the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 versions of Madden 25, at first I liked a lot of what I saw, including...

Great atmosphere; Smarter player AI; Fundamentally good football

Irritating controls; Underwhelming graphics

There are moments when Madden NFL 25 is awesome. Thanks to long-needed improvements in key areas, every type of football philosophy can be successful this season. Want to pound the ball up the middle? No problem. Feel like being a mad bomber? Fire away.

Powerful running game; Moving your franchise; Being a historical player

Occasionally bizarre physics; Too many interceptions; Rather ordinary commentary

Shunning the annual naming approach that's followed the series for most of its existence, Madden NFL 25 celebrates the beloved brand's quarter century of dominance. It shows on the game's cover, which features legendary running back Barry Sanders, as well as its loading screens, which depict...

+ Improved physics engine and control tweaks; + Owner features are a welcome career enhancement

- Dated presentational elements remain intact; ? What; no museum to browse past games?