Girls of Geek Game Review: "Madden NFL 16"

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Over the past few years, EA Sports and the Madden franchise have managed to take some serious heat from the fans. There have been some glitches in the game here and there, but the biggest criticism that I have continued to hear about the series is that it is simply not innovative enough anymore. 

Some folks call it nothing more than an expensive and glorified roster update, while others say the franchise is simply tired, with nothing new to offer to the fans other than the same old game play, over and over again. I have to say that I agree with many of the fans on there being nothing eye popping being added to the game over the last few years, and really ever since the series was imported into the next gen console. When the game was on Xbox and PS2, there were amazing new twists and turns to gameplay every single year, not just graphics.  

But I am happy to say, that this year's iteration of the game, Madden NFL 16 has managed to pull off some important changes to game play that should satisfy a lot of the fans out there and at the same time, bring back some of that old school feel that always made opening a box of the game exciting and new.  What exactly brings back that feeling of yesteryear? Oddly enough, music. EA Trax returns by bringing fans plenty of new music to entertain the ears in between match ups.

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But of course it goes beyond music, if you happen to pick up the game on an Xbox One or PS4, the graphics are absolutely breathtaking. In fact this is perhaps the best the game has ever looked and that alone draws you into the game since at times it does feel like a live television broadcast. But of course, there's more to this game that just looking pretty and what I have been enjoying the most, is the revamped gameplay.

After years of upgrading the defense and the running game to add depth and realism, the folks at EA finally decided to pay attention the passing game by giving it a complete revamp and because of it this game is a challenge once again. This is the first time in my many years of owning this game that I have spent as much time as possible in the skills trainer segment learning the passing game because this go round it is all about timing and all about ball placement, just as it is in real life football.  It makes some moments in the game a tad frustrating since you can no longer throw the ball at will.

My only complaint this year is the elimination of the coin toss. Yes, that may not seem like a big deal, but this franchise has always been about authenticity and if I can decide the price of peanuts at the stadium in owner mode, why on earth would I not want to take part in the coin toss? It's a minor complaint to say the least, but it is something I hope they bring back for next year. Either way, it looks like some love and care was put into this year's version of the game and it's one I definitely recommend. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to work on some more passing drills...after all practice makes perfect.

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