No offense to NFL Blitz or some of those NFL 2K titles but when it comes to anything football-related, it’s top tier goals only and Madden just gets it right year in and year out. You know you’re hitting different when at your most mixed reviewed release is still better than the opps have ever been - ever - so it’s confession time for me and my Madden goals and yes - after all the smoke clears, I want to be clear Madden 24 is absolutely a Date Night-approved go-to.

But confession time - hi, Usher! When it comes to sports titles - even NBA 2K and the other EA Sports games, oh, plus MLB The Show - Madden always has the edge. Even when my New York Giants have had super horrible regular seasons, something about lacing up with Big Blue and putting their fate into my own hands? I just can’t kick the habit. Even when I have had online matches with players trolling the life out of me after throwing my fifth in-game interception or having those same gamers quit a match with me after I go up double digits in the first quarter - I keep getting pulled back into my all-time favorite football game franchise.

A bit more of a confession necessary? Say less - just a few weeks ago I was completely done-done with Madden. Yup, call it the Tina Knowles and Matthew Knowles divorce - I was really over what I had experienced. As mentioned, when I would get leads, those troll-types would quit on me unexpectedly fast to the point I felt l couldn’t enjoy a blowout game - ever. Or if I would just get out-matched, the opponent would do everything from pause and do insane fourth and forever conversions on me just to have me lose my mind.

I was d-o-n-e.

How done? How about to the point I didn’t even care about ever playing Madden again. I felt I’ve had a handful of years in the books and enjoyed having every Madden game since 2009 - no cap, big facts. And then my amazing Team Madden PR Team blessed me with a PlayStation 5 review code and it was an offer too good to be true - in the sense of seeing if I was ‘really’ done loading up the title and seeing if I had really pulled the plug at no cost to myself - I’ve come out of pocket for Madden in the past, of course - so this would allow me a chance to give you all some solid editorial coverage while also no putting myself in a $60-$70 - or more - hole on a game I would have regretted buying.

I freaking love this game. Yes, spoiler and all - I should have built it up a bit but my goodness, after going into an official match on launch day, Friday, August 18, 2023 - I had those slightly shaky hands with the controller in my hand and immediately ignited a smile on my face.

I really do love Madden.

I’m sure a major promotion or holiday season discount - or at the very last resort the EA Play addition of Madden in 2024 would have had me add it to the mix but my goodness - EA Sports’ determination to deliver something game-changing every season and release? It’s truly felt.

Now to those nitty gritty details about why this game is seriously worth your consideration and apologies to both you and of course my Madden PR team - I wanted to take the time to really experience this latest release before jumping to any conclusions and my goodness - 10 days later and I have already deleted MLB The Show 23 from my PlayStation 5 - the way Madden goes hard and the fun factor? Well, let’s just say it makes The Show feel like a public transit train compared to a fighter jet both going in the same direction.

Madden is loaded with new features for your gaming pleasure. I could freestyle it up a bit but it’s better to have the exact language necessary to convey the awesomeness of what’s in Madden NFL 24:

FieldSENSE*

• Animations: We’ve added and adjusted over 1,700 tackle animations, including new tackle types based on the size and strength of the players involved and adjustments to our contested catches for more realism and control.

• Passing: Improvements to pass catching and Skill Based Passing 2.0 combine to bolster the aerial attack through fewer missed catches, more appropriate catches in situations – including dive catches and the maintaining of speed and momentum during the catch – and new types of passes. Top-tier stars like Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen improvise and use new jump and dive passes when appropriate.

Foundational Football

• Blocking: The Tactical Blocking System allows for improved movement through traffic and targeting of defenders at the second level, and blockers are better, more physical in the running game and are differentiated from each other. FieldSENSE animation branching technology expands to blocking for the first time, allowing for dynamic chip-blocking, double teams, and pushing of the pile.

• Quarterbacks: AI Quarterbacks intelligently utilize Skill Based Passing, hot routes, and audibles to test defenses and play more like their real-life counterparts.

• Defenders: Run defenders play smarter, picking up on repeated use of the same play from the same formation, in which case they will hit their gaps quicker. Defensive backs now utilize read steps, which are shorter backpedal steps that allow them to analyze and attack the short passing game such as slants and short crossers.

• Running Backs: AI running backs use Frostbite Navigation Grid capabilities for the first time, allowing them to make better decisions including finding cutback lanes, utilize 360-degree Cuts, and navigate traffic to find space.

• Ball Physics: Fumbles are improved through new animations and a new type of onside kick takes advantage of improved bouncing ball physics.

• Playbooks: 500 new plays and over 70 new offensive formations. Madden 24 also includes more team-specific pass concepts and formations that take into account real-life personnel alignments.

EA SPORTS SAPIEN Technology

• A new skeleton for our player models built from the ground up ensures a new level of animation fidelity, smoother movement, and more realistic looking bodies.

• SAPIEN is also used for the refs, which are back on the field this year. The game features a seven-person crew featuring male and female officials.

Post-Play Emotion

• An all-new post-play engine brings the emotion of the NFL to life with realistic player reactions to the action on the field.

Superstar

• The mode has been modernized with a revamped feature set. Your NFL journey to the 99 OVR Club starts at the NFL Draft Combine with exclusive drills and a team interview, and continues each week as you train with new minigames, complete objectives, and get live feedback during games.

• Superstar Showdown is integrated within Superstar, allowing you to progress your avatar and play against friends in 3v3 and 6v6 matchups in an all-new, vibrant arena atmosphere. Fully customize your player with the hottest gear in the game.

Mini-Games

• Mini-Games are back in Madden and can be used to help upgrade your players in pre-season Training Camp, each week in Franchise and Superstar, at the Combine (Superstar mode), and through the main menu at any time. 

• 26 mini-games are included, with the Combine featuring its own exclusive set.

Franchise

• The return of Training Camp is one of the most requested features, and it includes access to selected mini-games to improve and prepare your team for the coming season. During the week position-specific mini-games are also available via your team’s weekly strategy loop.

• A host of new commissioner settings have been added, including the ability to toggle off home field advantage; adjust draft class strength, trade difficulty, and the impact of free agent motivations; and more.

• Over 50 new draft generators have been added to give each year’s draft its own flavor, and this year adds more generational talents, 99 Club prospects, injury-prone players, and multi-dimensional prospects into the draft pools.

• More tools to build and improve your franchise: Construct a trade offer with up to six trade slots and an additional year of draft picks. Restructure contracts of eligible players for more salary cap room. Improve your coaching staff with an additional talent tree.

• Tuning for how CPU teams value their players for re-signing and trades has been improved, including AI teams’ use of contract restructures and the 5th year option.

• Your team’s relocation options have been refreshed, including new teams/uniforms and 15 new city choices. Also, relocation now occurs during the season and not the end.

Ultimate Team

• Build and upgrade your dream fantasy roster of current players and NFL legends quicker than ever with new seasons – two more than last year – of content throughout the year, including new Field Pass content. Both new and returning players will also benefit from the mode’s new introduction and usability features.

Crossplay & PC Parity

• PC is now at parity with PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, allowing PC players to play and compete with their friends in Online H2H, Ultimate Team, and Superstar Showdown.

*Note: FieldSENSE™ Gameplay System, SAPIEN Technology, and other associated gameplay features discussed are not available in Xbox One and PlayStation®4 versions.

There’s a lot to read and take in there - pause - but let me just highlight a few major things. For one, the emotions, reactions and animations I am experiencing online? Way too freaking cool - from dropped balls to huge interceptions, there’s so much realism in Madden 24 I can’t believe it. There are times when you’ll actually lose your mind - in a good way, of course - over realistic big plays happening.

It’s just a casualty of being the newbie and latest edition of Madden but past releases felt a bit chopped and too cartoonish in terms of interceptions - and in just a few gaming sessions, I’ve had everything from last-second swats, incomplete passes which land in the opponents hands and returned for touch downs and plenty more.

This is when you know you’re winning - when you can accept losses or big defeats because of how awesome the game feels. You appreciate the realism of the interception in Madden 24. You love the graphics of a major playmaking moment. Even the coaches have some swagger or at least more than in past editions.

It’s vital to point out the value in having Skill Based Passing 2.0 activated along with Hit Everything 2.0:

FieldSENSE

FieldSENSE Gameplay System is Madden’s physics-informed animation and animation-branching technology which gives the player control and produces varied, realistic outcomes. FieldSENSE comes to life through Hit Everything and Skill Based Passing, which have been significantly updated for this year.

Hit Everything 2.0

• Last year’s mid-air catch tackles have been greatly expanded so that contested catches can branch into swats, hit sticks, and catch tackles and not just jumping catches.

• Players have more control in defending curl routes, slants, and streaks and more animations have been added to make interactions between receivers and defenders look and feel more realistic. 

• Over 1,700 tackle animations have been added and adjusted. The game contains greater differentiation of tackle types based on the matchup between the defender and ball carrier, taking into account players’ size, speed, momentum, and player ratings to dynamically produce the appropriate tackle. This includes smaller tacklers attacking the legs of bigger ball carriers, and defenders picking up runners off the ground or driving them back with wrap tackles.

• Hit Everything 2.0 improves blockers’ animations through traffic. They interact more cleanly with defenders and the blocking interactions of other players as they chip block and get on/off double teams better.

Skill Based Passing 2.0

• Slightly inaccurate passes have a better chance of being caught through dive or difficult catches, and the improved catch system will preserve momentum in catches resulting in receivers getting open across the middle or running backs catching the ball in the flats and moving upfield quicker.

• New jump and dive passes have been added for improvisational superstars like Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen, and more no-look pass animations have also been included. Dive passes in particular will be rare for top-tier stars like Mahomes and are best seen when throwing short passes while rolling out to the sideline with a defender trailing. Jump passes happen when in the pocket and throwing short with a defender in front of you.

I’m telling you right now - before you suffer the same fate as me, take the suggestion to try out the various passing options. Just when I thought I would go the easy way out with the ‘Classic’ passing style, I was immediately frustrated at the overly simplistic and lack of custom throwing - I swear I missed my Bullet Passing during some games - and within a game or so, I went to the newest passing feature and immediately fell in love with the skill factor needed to make those mind-blowing throws.

And of course the learning curve had me serving up a few interceptions - freaking Danny Dimes but even more freaking Cyrus on the PlayStation 5 controller.

There’s a ton more to dish out and for the purpose of giving you the ability to bookmark this page or just it as a reference, I’m going to include it below these next few lines - because who doesn’t love to know the ins and outs of what Madden 24 is all about? Let me just get out a few more points before showing off the copy/paste flex.

This game is an absolute Date Night-approved title. Leave Call of Duty for gaming with the gang-gang and enjoy turning bae into your biggest fan or opponent - whichever approach you take to gaming. Personally, it’s more fun to see bae catch feelings - or vice versa - during those heated matches. A little dinner and a movie and ending the night boo’d up gaming? Hitting pause never felt better and then after hitting resume? Gaming goals are the new Date Night, everyone.

If you’re a gamer and love what intensity Madden has delivered over the past few decades, the franchise is still flourishing and growing making sure the NFL’s best video game remains atop its class. There really is no competition when it comes to Madden and 24 has become a daily must-play when I’m on my stationary workout bike well before my other titles because getting the body right and my in-game moves right are equally vital. Safe gaming everyone and reminder Madden 24 is now available on your favorite PlayStation, Xbox and PC consoles.

Need more deets? Say less.

Foundation Football 2.0

Foundational Football is the core gameplay elements that allow you and the AI players to execute at a high level on the field.

Blocking

• Along with the improvements to blocking through Hit Everything 2.0, a new AI system makes blockers smarter and more effective by identifying and accounting for the most dangerous defender at the point of attack. Blockers will also focus and engage with defenders in open space better to create lanes for the running back.

• Elite blockers are more likely to throw dominating blocks when going up against smaller defenders, punishing defenses who put too many defensive backs on the field against the run.

AI Quarterbacks

• AI quarterbacks have been overhauled to make their actions more realistic and similar to those of  their real-life counterparts. 

• Skill Based Passing: AI QBs now use Skill Based Passing, which is affected by their Decision Making Trait (Conservative, Ideal, and Aggressive). Those with the Conservative trait may throw to their checkdown receiver or only to a partially covered receiver if they are a star player. An Aggressive trait QB, however, may try to force throws into tight windows.

• AI QBs make decisions based on what they see at the line of scrimmage, possibly calling an audible to take advantage of a situation or adapt to the player if they repeatedly call the same coverage type. The AI will audible against zone coverage and call hot routes against man coverage.

• New logic has been added for AI QBs to go through their progressions quicker and throw low against tight windows on slants and RPOs. QBs will also utilize throws to receivers’ back-shoulder when appropriate. 

Defensive Backs

• Defenders use read steps after the ball is snapped, which are slower back pedal steps that allow them to read and react to attack the short passing game. This can cause more breakups or interceptions on slants and shallow crossers.

• Crossover steps have been added to allow them to move at high speeds but still see the ball to make a play on it. This year, to cut down on “psychic” DBs who would break on balls they couldn’t see, defenders have to see the ball to break on it. Users can control when they crossover by pressing LT/L2+RT/R2.

• Defenders also react when players repeatedly call the same run play out of the same formation (This does not apply to play-action runs), hitting their gap when the ball is snapped. How long it takes for the defense to catch on and predict what is coming depends on the difficulty used. Furthermore, play ratings still come into play.

EA SPORTS SAPIEN Technology

Madden NFL 24 introduces SAPIEN, a new performance skeleton to make sure that players look, move, and feel as realistic as possible. SAPIEN allows for great-looking animations – including instantly upgrading thousands of old animations – and improve the look of players across multiple body types.

SUPERSTAR

Superstar returns to Madden in a new form, consisting of Superstar The League and Superstar Showdown, replacing Face of the Franchise and The Yard. Take your player on a career-spanning journey to gain entrance to the vaunted 99 Club over 5 different positions (QB, RB, WR, MLB, and CB), face off against other Superstar players in 3v3 and 6v6 matches in Showdown, and customize your avatars with exclusive Superstar cosmetics.

• Start your journey at the NFL Draft Combine, participating in exclusive workouts and a team interview that could influence where you are drafted. The Combine drills include the Bench Press, 40-yard Dash, Broad Jump, Shuttle Relay, and Position Drills.

• Use weekly training drills and choose daily tasks to improve your player. Accept VIP and Superstar Events such as choosing a shoe brand to rep such as Air Jordans and Adidas.

• Games feature selectable drive objectives and in-game objective feedback and grading to give you a dynamic look at your progress. At the end of the game you’ll receive a grade and a full breakdown of your accomplishments.

• Superstar Showdown significantly updates The Yard with a high-quality visual arena with more vibrant cosmetic options also available. Solo play versus the CPU is available as is squad-based play, and the experience has also been streamlined by removing traditional play selection. Getting the right matchups and executing squad strategy is still the focus, however, as custom routes and hot routes give users the chance to dominate using the mode’s free-flowing gameplay.

FRANCHISE

Madden 24 adds more depth, improvements, and options to Franchise mode, including addressing top community requests.

• Training camp is back in Madden through the integration of mini-games which can improve your squad and prepare them for the upcoming season. Training camp features 11 mini-games at launch covering players on both sides of the ball – even punters and kickers. First select a mini-game for the position you want to address then pick the player. 

Note: Mini-games do not include the offensive line. Training Camp drills can only be completed once and any players chosen are only allowed to complete one mini-game per Training Camp. If you choose to sim Training Camp, the game will select a random, weighted outcome (bronze, silver, and gold). All 26 of Madden 24’s new mini-games can be played through the main menu, which keeps your high score in each mini-game.

Commissioner Tools and Settings

• Whether you’re playing a solo franchise or a league with all your friends online, Madden 24 offers a host of new tools and settings to customize your league. These include:

• Draft Class Strength: Each position in the draft can be adjusted to increase or decrease the likelihood of top-tier and generational players occurring.

• Home Field Advantage Toggle: Commissioners can choose whether or not to use home field advantage effects and M-Factors.

• Free Agent Motivations Impact: The impact of motivations on player signings can be adjusted or turned off, changing how players’ interest affects their decisions in free agency.

• Trade Difficulty: 4 settings now influence how easy or hard it is to complete trades.

Trades

• The number of trade slots has increased from 3 to 6, and can be comprised of a maximum of three players, although all six slots can be filled with draft picks. An additional year of picks is now accessible for trades meaning you can construct trades featuring picks from the current year and the following three years.

Relocation

• Relocation has been refreshed and is more immediate in Madden 24. Team branding/uniforms have been refreshed (including the option for an alternative uniform). 15 new cities have been added and name choices are no longer tied to the city (The Oilers, however, remains exclusive to Houston). Relocation is also not limited to owners, but can be done while playing as a coach. Furthermore, the process of relocation is more immediate, with relocation occurring immediately instead of at the beginning of the following season. Players can relocate again once the next season starts.

Salary Cap Management

• Contract restructuring for eligible players has been added to the Team Salaries and Player Card screens, allowing both players and the CPU to gain salary cap relief at the expense of increasing the value of the remaining years of the contract. To be eligible for a contract restructure a player must have multiple years remaining on their contract and be making more than the league minimum salary. Players on rookie contracts cannot be restructured until they’ve completed their third season in the league per NFL rules.

• The 5th year option for all players selected in the first round of the draft is more visible in Madden 24 and includes more information to help you make the choice whether to add an additional year to these players’ rookie contracts. The option is now first shown to the player in the player Re-Sign screen during the season, and is actionable during the Re-Sign period of the offseason after you’ve accessed their season and the cost of adding a year to their deal. New to this year is also the option for CPU-controlled teams to pick up or decline the 5th year options of its players.

ULTIMATE TEAM

Madden Ultimate Team returns with additions and changes for all players, from those trying the mode for the first time as well as returning veterans.

• MUT now features more year-round content, including 7 full seasons – two more than last year – that span the entire NFL season and extends past the Super Bowl right up to the release of the next Madden.

• It’s easier than ever to start playing Madden Ultimate Team thanks to a new introduction to the mode (vets can skip this at any time) that includes coverage of some of its more intricate systems. New mechanics and programs throughout the year will also be explained.

• The new Live Event Hub and Catalog can help users find what they need to in the mode.

• Competitive players will benefit from a revamped Competitive Pass that features two exclusive player items, with each one featuring a Limited version only obtainable by the first 1,000 players to reach the level that rewards that item.

• Crossplay is coming to MUT, allowing PlayStation 5, Xbox X|S and PC users to compete against each other for the first time. Note: Crossplay in MUT does not include the Marketplace.