Madden NFL 23 review: Taking the series forward a yard at a time

Madden NFL 23 review: not a fumble, but still lost yardage

EA’s Madden football series has been in a freefall of quality for years. Removed features, gameplay that felt like it was based on rigid animations more than realistic physics and skill, and a plethora of game-breaking bugs soured each entry in this best-selling sports game series. They all played like Justin Fields in that 2021 Browns game. The pitch for Madden NFL 23 from EA was that it would honor John Madden’s legacy by fixing these problems. In reality, the results are mixed as new additions are helpful but still overshadowed by some significant issues. Madden NFL 23 is a clear step up over Madden NFL 22 in many ways, with some key gameplay and animation improvements making the game feel weightier, more precise, and less stilted. That said, other issues that have plagued the series for years are still here. The simulation aspects of Madden NFL 23 aren’t as deep as they should be. Some bugs are gone, but other terrible ones popped up in their place. Core modes feel ignored, as EA c...

Improved Gameplay; Madden Legacy Game;

Extremely glitchy; Minimal mode improvements; MUT is unplayable; Lacks important features;