Image Source: EA Sports via Twinfinite<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nIt seems there is a lot to like in Franchise Mode this time around. And on the surface, it’s difficult to argue against that sentiment. There are additional trade slots available, up from three to six, which can make engaging with the CPU a little more fun. You even get an extra year of draft picks from the start in order to balance the additional trade slots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tweaks have been made to Draft Generators, Fantasy Drafts, Free Agent Negotiations, Progression\/Regression Sliders, and even more Draft Day elements. And yet, I cannot say Franchise Mode grabs me. For all of the tuning, it doesn’t feel like it adds up to much. Perhaps this will be an area to revisit once I’ve got more seasons under my belt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the time being, there are improvements to point to but I want more. It’s fun that you can relocate as an Owner or<\/em> Coach in Madden 24, but there is too much emphasis on adding more cities and not enough emphasis (read: none) on restoring the long-lost Create a Team feature.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAnd this doesn’t apply solely to Franchise Mode, so we’ll touch on it more later, but my gosh the commentary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
MUT Is What You Make Of It<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Image Source: EA Sports via Twinfinite<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nNow I realize I am part of the problem here. I cannot tell you how many hours I have put into FIFA Ultimate Team in the past. And I will not even begin to imagine how many more hours I am going to sink into EA FC’s version of Ultimate Team later this year. And yet, Madden Ultimate Team just does not have that same pull. For me, it never has.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Like all Ultimate Team modes, though, there is enough to keep you busy here. From daily challenges to season-specific objectives, Season 1 presents a staggering 61 Levels to conquer. XP for days! Rewards ranging from uncommon-to-rarer card packs as well as coins and player-specific collectible tokens. But at the end of the day, even if you work hard to ignore the microtransactions, you will not be able to ignore the microtransactions. They are everywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Obviously you have the power to prevent yourself from spending anymore real currency on this game. We implore that you do resist the urge to spend. But it becomes clearer and clearer every year what these sports titles put their focus into. It’s why we run into the same gameplay obstacles. Or the sometimes silly AI logic (rather, lack thereof). Maybe it’s why commentary doesn’t seem to be much of a focus either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whatever the case may be, MUT will continue to flourish. There are solo battles to step up to, for one. Additionally, who doesn’t love defeating another human being in an online match? And when it comes to opening card packs, that next one might be the<\/em> one. It all comes down to chance, and if my past Ultimate Team luck is anything to go on, the odds are not in your favor.<\/p>\n\n\n\nLoose Ends & Wishful Thinking<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Image Source: EA Sports via Twinfinite<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\nEvery year, I want to be excited for the newest Madden entry. And every year, I know at the end of the day I’m going to end up playing it. And truth be told, it’s completely fine. I stand by my previous assessment of this game being remarkably adequate. Even still, it feels like shortcuts are constantly being taken. There are foundations in place within Superstar and Franchise Mode, but a misguided focus at times. But are shortcuts to blame, or is there a lack of time in between releases? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some people may point to the graphics of Madden 24 and lament that they are no better than last year. Personally, I couldn’t care less about graphics. It’s 2023; most games are going to look good up to a point by default. Sports titles try so hard to convey some sort of ultra-realism with each passing year, and all it does is make the game look less interesting. They want to be simulations so badly, but feel more arcade-like than ever. I don’t want graphic enhancements, I want more immersive commentary (shout out to PGA Tour again).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Being able to relocate to one of 34 cities \u2014 especially Chicago (the Bears still exist, right?) \u2014 doesn’t interest me either. You know what does? Creating a fully custom team and replacing the Jacksonville Jaguars with them. Remember those Cupcake squads? Or the team low on talent but high on youth and potential? While we’re at it, pour one out for Madden NFL 12.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For all of the tweaks and tuning; for all of the enhancements, I cannot remember the last time it felt like I was playing a different<\/em> Madden game. So much feels the same. Like it’s been painted over and over so many times, just with a different color.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThere is even more text on the screen pre-snap than ever before. The CPU still calls a timeout with 1:01 remaining in the second and fourth quarters. Linebackers are as capable as defensive backs. And, I still would much rather simulate season after season than play game after game \u2014 even though I’m given the choice to only play Key Moments. That can’t be the goal, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When it comes right down to it, I’m just not getting what I used to out of Madden. It doesn’t do much for me, and issues that I’ve had for several years are still there. That’s why I suggested a break at the beginning of this review. Something tells me it wouldn’t spell the end of the world. And yet, something else tells me dreaming of such a thing is wishful at best.<\/p>\n\n\n