The Madden NFL franchise has come under fire in its most recent iterations for a complacency that has threatened to stagnate the series. Fortunately, for NFL and Madden fans alike, Madden NFL 22 looks to deliver an experience that makes some dramatic improvements to qualities that even the most dedicated follower of the series will find compelling.
With Madden NFL 22, EA is finally tapping into the deeper root of its player base with massive improvements to Franchise, more immersive gameplay and stadium mechanics across all modes, and more realistic player and team AI thanks to Next Gen Stats. It's no small statement to say that Madden NFL 22 could give its fans some of the best improvements they could have wanted.
Madden players want to feel as if they are getting the closest thing to an on-field experience as possible thanks to the game's focus on realism. Beyond that, though, what many players want most is a way to immerse themselves in the sport they love so much. For Madden, that means Franchise and other simulation moments. In the past two years, over 80% of Madden games have been played against AI opponents, and EA is taking that into account with Madden NFL 22.
Madden NFL Franchise Fans Rejoice
There are some fantastic improvements awaiting in Madden NFL 22. Franchise mode in the upcoming game will allow players to feel more connected and in control of their team with new staff management options that include talent trees, weekly strategy focuses and gameday adjustments, and new scenarios that can play out along with other Franchise improvements.
Franchise will now have four staff options; Head Coach, Offensive & Defensive Coordinators, and Player Personnel. Each member of the staff will have their own skill trees, which players can customize as they level up to shape the team as they want. Comprehensive weekly strategies are also being introduced so players can choose to focus on QB Contain against Lamar Jackson or Blitz Counters against the Steelers. Players can incorporate their weekly strategy and also adjust their practice decisions to further support it, even going as far as to adjust practice reps and intensity for various positions.
This is but one of many fan-focused upgrades to Franchise. There will also be Scenarios added to Franchise, similar to those in Face of the Franchise, which will randomly occur to add variety to the mode. The season engine has 35 scenarios at launch to mix up the weekly strategy, such as facing a hot QB players must shut down or winning a tough divisional game on the road. There will also be special cinematics to create player storylines, improved draft classes that feature regional scouting and draft board throughout the season, and more.
Homefield Advantage Means Something In Madden 22
After years of incremental changes, Madden fans will be thrilled to see some of the major changes coming this year. The biggest of which is the new "M-Factor" system that is part of the new Gameday system that will be available on PS5 and Xbox Series S/X. Fans will be familiar with the player X-Factor abilities, but this year's Madden looks to expand on that. Gameday Atmosphere is a big focus, with every stadium featuring more accurate depictions of the actual locations instead of just carbon copies of one another. Gameday Momentum and the new M-Factor, though, look to take that to a whole new level.
Every stadium in Madden NFL 22 on current-gen consoles will have its own unique effects, such as it being harder to kick field goals in the Windy City or visiting players getting fatigued more quickly when they visit Mile High Stadium. Players may have been disappointed in the past, but EA is looking to change that with Gameday Momentum in this year's release. On top of the constant effects of home-field advantage, each team will also have its own Momentum Meter with various abilities such as the Bucs firing the cannons or The 12s getting so loud on 3rd and 4th Down that opponent's pre-snap routes are harder to read.
While M-Factors are exclusive, there are other Modifiers that exist across the game, with over 40 included at launch and more to come with continuing updates. Anytime a player is playing at home, they will have the advantage of the momentum meter, which will give them access to the various abilities to make each game a unique experience. Likewise, every road game means going up against a true battle.
Realism Will Finally Have Its Day In Madden 22
Stadiums aren't the only thing changing for PS5 and Xbox Series S/X players, as Madden NFL 22 looks to improve on the gameplay experience. Next-Gen Stats are going to play an even bigger role as the franchise gives players more real-time adjustments. This will adjust how players and teams function throughout the season to reflect the real-world counterparts on which they are based. Initially, teams like the Ravens will primarily operate out of the Pistol to focus on their heavy-run game, while the Steelers will frequently blitz to disrupt the pass. If, throughout the season, though, teams or players change their playstyle, the game will update to reflect that. So, if ten games into the real-world season the Bills are shockingly running the ball on 60% of their snaps, expect in-game Josh Allen to stop launching the ball downfield every other play.
Team strategies, though, are based on players, and player ratings in Madden NFL 22 will go beyond simply their speed or break tackle. This year's entry is putting a new focus on the Star-Driven AI, which, along with the team focus, will feature more realistic player tendencies. If Keenan Allen tends to use a stutter-step to throw off a cornerback's press in real life, his Madden version should eventually mimic the same. Just as players like Derrick Henry and Nick Chubb tend to initiate contact, so too should Alvin Kamara utilize his footwork to dance around tacklers.
Such should be the case in Madden NFL 22, as it puts a heightened focus on the improved AI and the game's improved physical momentum. The upcoming Madden release is working to have its engine better recognize size and speed as an actual physical force. So smaller, slot receivers running an in route against T.J. Watt should have a hard time breaking free of his tackle if they can even hold onto the ball. Similarly, powerful running backs like Henry should barrel through a CB that happens to meet him on an outside run. Hopefully, this improved realism will mean no longer usering a 99 Overall DT and getting politely stiff-armed by a rookie RB in the backfield.
The spotlight on Madden as a premier football video game has meant its often harshly criticized whenever the franchise stumbles. However, there's cause for optimism given the depth and thought of the changes proposed in the upcoming iteration of the series. Modes like Face of the Franchise return with a new United We Rise storyline. Superstar KO and The Yard will have updates that improve their playability, and Ultimate Team will benefit from the Next Gen Stats and Gameday Momentum improvements. Most of all, though, Madden NFL 22 is putting a heightened focus on the things that make both the series and football sims as a whole uniquely great. It is rather startling that PC won't be getting some of the features that PS5 and Xbox Series X/S will, though, so it will be interesting to see what EA does to improve the PC experience going forward.
Madden NFL 22 releases on August 20, 2021, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC Origin™ and Steam, Google Stadia and Mobile. Screen Rant was provided with access to a private presentation for the purpose of this preview.