Madden NFL 24 – GameTopic Review
Madden NFL 24 - GameTopic Review
Madden NFL 24: The Marvin Lewis of Video Games
Once upon a time, the Cincinnati Bengals were a team under the coaching of Marvin Lewis. They were good, even decent. They made it to the playoffs several times, but guess what? They never won. Not once. Those Bengals were like Madden NFL 24, always so close to being great, but never quite there.
Now, Madden NFL 24 is back with a “make or break year” attempt to refine and address fan feedback. They’ve made some improvements, but it still feels like this series is desperately searching for that winning formula. It’s like watching the Bengals all over again, waiting for something new to happen.
Let’s start with the positives, because there are some. Madden NFL 24 has revamped the FieldSENSE system, adding new animations that truly reflect player size and strength. The tackles look fantastic, with over 1,700 new animations that make you feel the impact on the field. It’s like watching football, minus the guilt about enjoying those bone-crushing hits.
The Skill-Based Passing system also got a makeover, with new animations that better represent real-life scenarios. Diving catches are more spectacular, and player momentum plays a bigger role in completing passes. It’s a game-changer that reduces those frustrating moments when you shout, “You could have caught that!”
Plus, the game is visually stunning. The revamped player models and animations make Madden NFL 24 the best-looking installment in the series. It feels like you’re constantly on the edge of witnessing something incredible, just like a real NFL game.
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The AI improvements are also noticeable. Blockers make better decisions, resulting in more double-teams, chip blocks, and coordinated efforts to advance the play. The AI quarterbacks behave like their real-life counterparts, making audibles and hot routes to make big plays when it matters. Every position has received intelligent enhancements, elevating the game’s excitement and realism.
But then, you step off the field, and that’s where things fall apart. The menus are laggy and slow, turning the simplest tasks into frustrating endeavors. It’s like waiting for the Bengals to win a playoff game – it never seems to happen.
And the minigames, touted as a major addition, are a mixed bag. Some are genuinely fun, like Rushing Attack, while others feel pointless. Madden NFL 24 puts so much emphasis on these minigames as a way to build player skills, but it becomes repetitive and tiresome. It’s like being forced to play the same level over and over again until you can do it in your sleep.
The Superstar mode, a replacement for Face of the Franchise, is just fine. It lacks the intrigue and engagement of previous storylines, leaving it feeling generic. Even the Superstar Showdown, which replaces The Yard, loses its appeal quickly. It’s a novelty that wears off fast.
Other modes see minor updates, but nothing substantial. Franchise mode gets some quality-of-life changes, but it still feels lacking compared to other sports sims. Madden NFL 24 follows a familiar formula, offering the same experiences with little to reinvigorate the game.
Ultimately, Madden NFL 24 is like Marvin Lewis’ Bengals – good, but never quite good enough. It’s a game that desperately needs a refresh, but the yearly cycle and the dominance of Ultimate Team prevent meaningful changes. Despite the improvements on the field, the off-field experience is lackluster, leaving us waiting for something new – just like those Bengals fans waited for a Super Bowl appearance.
In the end, Madden NFL 24 is a reminder that change is needed. Let’s hope the next installment brings the Super Bowl win we’ve all been waiting for.
