Madden NFL 23 is a special episode and holds a lot of sentiment for many. John Madden, an American football legend on and off the field, passed away just before the start of 2022. Hence, this year’s game is the first Madden title since his death. EA Sports wanted to honor the man, and the company did it well. However, the rest of the game isn’t much different from what you should expect from a typical Madden game.

This classic American football video game is based on the National Football League (NFL) and was developed and published by EA Tiburon and Electronic Arts, respectively. Madden NFL 23 is an installment of the long-running Madden NFL series. The game is available on MS Windows, PS 4, PS 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S platforms. Madden NFL 23 was released on August 19, 2022. 

Improved Players with a Touch of Familiarity

Seasoned Madden players will fire up Madden NFL 23, and it feels wonderful to see them back on the engine for the first time in a year. This familiarity is ultimately good, as it allows players to jump in with less effort. Fans new to Madden should prepare for a long, challenging, but exhilarating ride, especially with the latest AI and animation system. Thankfully, the basic controls are simple enough. After a while, putting together a scoring drive against the CPU won’t be much of a task.

Getting More Realistic with FieldSense

The main addition to Madden NFL 23 is the FieldSense system, which is a modification of the basic gameplay technology under the franchise. FieldSense adds a new layer of realism to the experience, from how defenders carry the ball to the interaction between offensive and defensive players. The FieldSense experience is so wonderful that I sometimes felt like I was playing a new game. It feels so real that players are sure to invest more time in this episode than they ever did in the past. 

As much as I love and enjoy the new system, I have a few issues with the FieldSense system. Firstly, the technology is limited to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. Hence, people with lesser versions are left out. Hopefully, EA Sports will review the issue in subsequent upgrades. I also noticed that there is a lack of stability that burdens the entire system.

Although not entirely noticeable, it’s annoying nonetheless. The animation is sometimes fluid, as many defenders slide back to the line of scrimmage. Sometimes the ball carrier is seen bouncing off multiple bodies before falling. The FieldSense system looks great in action, adding realism to the story. 

Expect a Thorough Gameplay 

Madden NFL 23 allows for “precision” pass targeting through a combination of button presses that doesn’t make much sense. It feels like a system designed for competitive Madden players: Hold down the trigger button while pressing the shoulder button.

Next, simultaneously press the desired receiver’s button while aiming for a pass with the analog stick. (This is one of the options). For casual fans, however, this system causes more confusion than anything else. Watching the screen flash the words “perfect accuracy” when passing a sail through an opposing player’s hands feels like a slap in the face.

Game Modes with Legacy Reflections

Madden NFL 23 begins with an incredible tribute to John Madden in the form of a fictional tutorial called the “Madden Legacy” gameplay. The game divide teams by conference, NFC, and AFC, and the roster is filled with some of Madden’s favorite players (or so the game says). As a guide, he gets a job. But in recognition, it’s one of the best features a video game has ever produced. Madden Legacy isn’t worth the price of admission alone, but it’s very well done.

As for other versions of the game, there are a few different options. You can choose between “Play Now” display modes; franchise mode that allows you to control your team as you progress through the seasons; “Story mode,” called Face Of The Franchise; and Madden Ultimate Team, a “build-a-team” mode infused with micro-transactions and cards that have been a staple of the series for some time. You can also play some of these modes online. None of these modes significantly change how you play football, but some require a significant team level or a special approach for smaller players. 

Excellent Presentation

Madden NFL 23 makes you feel like a real NFL game. The audience’s images, comments, and sounds contribute significantly to creating that impression. The definition is exceptionally high-quality. Hosts Charles Davis and Brandon Gaudin sound so real that they’re in the room watching you.

However, the presentation of the game is not quite perfect. Crowd photos don’t always do the trick, either. In one game, for instance, you could be up 15 points with 10 seconds left, but the camera would be on the other team’s fans, clapping and cheering like they were going to win the Super Bowl. These are just minor interruptions in immersion, but they still exist.

Conclusion

Madden NFL 23 feels like an authentic NFL experience, largely thanks to its presentation and commentary during each game. Controlling players, however, seems natural, fitting in the same “old Madden” style that the franchise strives to maintain every year. 

This year’s version of Madden isn’t bad, as it’s fun to complete challenges in Ultimate Team or lead special characters to glory in the face of The Franchise. Madden Legacy is a gift worth playing over and over again; because you can’t deny the love for the man behind the name. The game’s visuals are as close to reality as possible. In the end, it’s the same old Madden, and anyone waiting for a revolution will have to wait at least another year. Madden NFL 23 is a must-play for all football fans, including those new to the Madden franchise.