The next iteration of Madden is set for release on August 19th and promises to introduce new features like Field Sense and Skill-Based Passing for offenses. As the upcoming NFL season approaches, it also promises an updated roster so that fans can take control of all their favorite players.
But fans aren't exactly patient as they wait. In fact, as more time passes between now and the release, they have been putting together some genuinely funny memes with critiques about the series. Considering NFL fans don't have much to do before training camp, a lot of thought has gone into each meme, and it certainly shows.
London Waits
The Jacksonville Jaguars are one of the most underrated teams in the NFL, thanks to lackluster coaching decisions over the years and several teams in Florida pulling potential fans away. While the Jaguars aren't the only team to suffer those same problems, it's still funny to single them out.
Still, given that the Jaguars are building a strong fanbase in London, it isn't completely fair. The team certainly deserves better than the reputation it's received over the years. After all, the Lions and Commanders received considerably worse attendance numbers last year, according to ESPN.
Physics Problems
As a game specifically designed to mimic NFL performances, it's always somewhat surprising to see players clipping through each other or seeming to make inhuman turns or motions. Though it's still one of the best games for beginning gamers, Madden tends to have some oddly behaving AI.
Of course, given that piles in the NFL can at times be just as chaotic, it isn't exactly surprising that the game struggles to mimic them. Tackling is just a hard mechanic to implement, even if the game is based around it, which can lead to some of those clipping issues.
Good Reads, Bad Plays
Madden is a game where button control really matters. One misclick can turn a surefire touchdown into a certain game-losing interception. After all, when players hit the wrong button in Madden, it can mean leaving wide-open men untargeted, while throwing into triple coverage.
Which is why it was so funny when Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott did the same thing against the Eagles with Jason Witten wide open. Though he wasn't misclicking any buttons, it definitely looked like he was. It's a classic case of life imitating art, and, given that Madden is meant to, it could explain why Madden is always one of the best-selling games.
Graphics Boosts
Originally little more than a Michigan quarterback who hadn't even fully earned his starting spot, Tom Brady eventually worked his way into becoming the greatest quarterback of all time, thanks to his tenacity and each of his seven Super Bowl rings. Brady has been playing in the league for a long while, which means he's seen some amazing graphics evolutions in the games.
While originally Brady barely even had hands, now he looks like a near picture-perfect person, accurately representing the actual man in digital form. It's a case study in just how far video games have come aesthetically through the years, but also a good example of just how long Brady's been active.
Mistiming
Defense is hard. While Madden does a great job at getting the defensive experience right, it's pretty frustrating to be seconds away from knocking a football out of the receiver's hand, just to lose the chance because of a mistimed hit stick.
It can be the difference between winning and losing games, but it can also mean players are laughed at during their online campaigns or by their friends. So, while it is somewhat annoying, it adds a great deal of humor to the experience by making it all the more chaotic.
Poor Sportsmanship
While Madden is undoubtedly one of the best sports games, that doesn't mean its players are the best at sportsmanship. Even players who've lost by double digits often decide to let the game drag on just to grief the winning party and to make their stats look just a little worse.
After all, running out the clock is a smart strategy in the game, but if the opposition has time-outs, it isn't always optimal. Players who may not be in the best mood about their defeat can often turn a surefire win into a slog, just by taking advantage of their timeouts.
The Real Goal Of The Game
Something that draws many fans to Madden is the opportunity to see their favorite team beat the odds. Fans who watch their team lose a Super Bowl might start a long campaign to get them that fateful trophy. When a player is injured, players may add them to the roster.
And, when a team loses 17-9, like the Cowboys did against the Eagles, players might go Madden and thrash some AI. It helps take some of the emotions away from a loss, while also giving fans the chance to see their hated rivals in the losing position, rather than their favorites.
The Curse Is Broken
Madden tends to include star players on the cover of each game. Over the years, that means players like Lamar Jackson, Tom Brady, and Odell Beckham Jr. have all had the chance to shine and star in each game. Yet, there's been a long-running and unfailing belief that an appearance those covers aren't actually a good thing.
"The Madden Curse", as it's called, describes an odd series of coincidences where players on the cover tended to get a suspension or injury prior to the season. That's why, when the Buccaneers played the Chiefs in Super Bowl LV, it was so shocking to see four different Madden cover players healthy and active in a single game.
Similar Year-to-Year
Madden isn't a game that tends to change much year-to-year. After all, as a football simulation game, it's hard to add new and innovative gameplay when the game itself is attempting to mimic a real-world sports game. Too many new features could harm the core aspect of the game.
Still, each update tends to be little more than a graphics improvement and new team rosters. It can make Madden somewhat stale, which is why many fans tend to call out for more original content than EA typically provides.
The Crowd's A Little Cardboard
One of the strangest features of old Madden games is taking a look at the background of any shot and checking out the crowd. While modern games have moving crowds with dynamic responses to on-field gameplay, older games tend to have cardboard cut-out people staring blankly at the field.
While audio can adapt and change over the course of the game, it's the blank stares and unmoving features that tend to make the game somewhat eerie. Still, it was funny to look back on the cardboard cut-out people in the early days of the pandemic while thinking about cardboard crowds in Madden.