Madden NFL 16 Review Roundup

Ringing in the avalanche of game release is, as always, this year's entry in the Madden series.

Madden NFL 16 introduces fresh gameplay wrinkles such as Air Supremacy, a new handoff system, quarterback locomotion, and upgraded AI, as well as improved passing and catching mechanics.

But should fans of the series move over to the new release or stick to the previous game? Critics have been offering their verdicts and we've collected them up for you to consider.

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• Game: Madden NFL 16
• Developer: EA Tiburon
• Platform: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360
• Release Date: August 25
• Price: $60

GameSpot - 8/10

"There’s a good deal of thoughtfulness in Madden NFL 16. Devoid of any throwaway modes or game types that rely on nostalgia, Madden NFL 16 is both sensible and forward thinking. Its developers could have made a bigger deal about Super Bowl 50 or relied more heavily on the appeal of Hall of Fame players (who are available in Ultimate Team). Instead, EA Tiburon has focused more on fans’ diverse play tastes as well as making this one of the most welcoming Madden games in recent memory." - Miguel Concepcion [Full review]

PlayStation Lifestyle - 9.0/10

"EA took Madden NFL 15 and did quite a bit more than just add a roster update for Madden NFL 16. While the graphics for ’15 were already top notch, adding in a bunch of new HD scans improved on the appearances of just about every player in the game for ’16. This is a gorgeous game with lifelike animations for everything from diving for a touchdown to a spectacular catch. Stadiums are true to life with crowds that look alive and are varied enough that they don’t look like cardboard cut outs filling the stands, with time and weather variations that add to the overall look and feel of the game." - Louis Edwards [Full review]

Polygon - 9/10

"Madden NFL 16 is prodding the player to use all the components of the defense, instead of leaning on a crutch. Past editions of Madden have introduced new features only to retreat from them the next year. But Madden NFL 16 has taken unused and long-forsaken parts of the series' gameplay and given them meaning, delivering a truly consistent, understandable and enjoyable game after a decade in the wilderness. Madden NFL 16 is noticeably more challenging, but successes that feel earned are much more satisfying." - Owen S. Good [Full review]

GameInformer - 8.75/10

"Changing Madden's modes isn't the priority this year, but you shouldn't skip this year's game. After years of fitful progress, Madden 16 finally puts its gameplay pieces together and delivers a truly dynamic on-the-field experience." - Matthew Kato [Full review]

Gametrailers - 8.8/10

"Madden continues to improve upon its solid foundation with worthwhile additions like Draft Champions. Most importantly the offensive changes bring more strategy and depth to the core gameplay that makes this one of the more engaging Maddens in recent years." - Michael Huber [Full review]

Destructoid - 6.5/10

"There are some neat presentation additions (statistic graphics overlaid on players) and the menus are well laid out, though they are also pretty slow. Load times, too, are still a bit of a problem (and intrusive presentation elements are bothersome when running a hurry up offense). The insistence towards microtransaction-laden Ultimate Team and the new fantasy football-cribbed Draft Champions modes is useless. Throwing, catching, and defending throws have seen some welcomed, long-ignored additions that get a couple yards closer to faithful simulation. You can decide if that's enough." - Steven Hansen [Full review]