There was a time when NCAA football video games set the stage for the release of the latest Madden football game. If there was anything new in college football, you knew EA Sports would make Madden just as impactful as an NFL game.

Since the return of College Football 25 last month, I’ve found myself more interested in the Madden series than I have in years. I’ve played Madden more out of habit for the past decade, but I never expected much to change. With College Football 25 exceeding my expectations, I was keen to give Madden NFL 25 some more play time.

GO DEEPER

Official review of EA Sports College Football 25: The hype was worth it

One of the old features that was fun was importing squads from the college game to recruit them into Madden. This is not quite back, but you can add a Road to Glory player to Superstar Mode and develop that player in Madden NFL 25.

Even knowing this, I was still cautiously optimistic that the game would deliver on its promise. Aside from the updated rosters, the new editions of the past few years haven’t felt all that new.

Madden 25 plays differently than last year’s edition and feels like a new game. The graphics are great and the overall presentation on the screen is good.

If you’re disappointed with the franchise, there might be enough here to lure you back. Even some of us Madden fans who have returned every season might find enough to be happy.

Gameplay

Madden won me over with its details. The hit stick function in defense and offense is actually more logical. You notice a difference when someone like Derrick Henry lowers his shoulder and how he makes contact with a defender. It wasn’t as easy as when he lunges at a ball carrier and falls. EA Sports said this is part of its FieldSENSE technology, which introduces physics-based tackling among other things to make the game more realistic.

Thanks to FieldSENSE technology, Derrick Henry looks more realistic with every run. (Screenshot courtesy of EA Sports)

Each player has their quirks. Christian McCaffrey doesn’t run like Henry, but he doesn’t run like Saquon Barkley either. Davante Adams’ runs after the catch don’t look like Deebo Samuel’s runs. Also, the tweaks to movement and evasion in the open field are nice added touches. Plus, you can make different types of catches. You can now make a one-handed catch!

Linemen also take their position in their own way. It’s time for games to stop treating linemen like they’re all the same. Details have been added to indicate pass protection and also when a defensive lineman is unblocked on a play.

I played with a few teams to get a feel for the playbooks. Some plays seem universal – namely the inside runs from the shotgun position – but there are a lot of nuances. I had fun with Lamar Jackson’s designed runs. In the 49ers’ offense, McCaffrey moves all over the field with pre-snap motions.

Pre-snap adjustments extend to the wide receivers as well. They can customize each smart route. A 5-yard out can become a 10-yard out at your command. The run, pass and catch mechanics are generally better.

I didn’t find that much variety in the defensive calls, but the tackling is solid. And don’t think that just because you get to the quarterback you’re going to take him down.

If you’re interested in who does the commentary during the game, Madden NFL offers 25 different options. Nothing will ever replace the nostalgia that came with John Madden and Pat Summerall at the game, but the team of Brandon Gaudin and Charles Davis does it quite well. Madden has added two more duos to commentate on games. Mike Tirico is joined by Greg Olsen; Kate Scott is paired with Brock Huard.

Kicking is always weird for me in these games, and this year has its quirks. But that may just be me. Mike Tomlin already cost me a game by freezing my kicker in overtime. After the timeout, the kicking view and mechanics became more difficult, as they have been for some time in the game. But to me, it seemed even more tricky.

Franchise mode

That’s why I love Madden. It’s my annual attempt to make the Las Vegas Raiders Super Bowl champions. (Stop laughing at me.) I simulate through the preseason because no one should have to worry about the preseason unnecessarily.

All the features I like are back. The ability to improve players during the season is always good. And now you can hire and fire scouts who each have a primary and secondary focus. I immediately hired a scout who specialized in quarterbacks and fired one whose focus was the defensive line.

These scouts watch their “favorite” prospects during the season in preparation for next year’s NFL Draft. This is a fun new way to handle this part of the game.

You can also fire your offensive and defensive coordinators. You can increase the skills of your coach and coordinators to improve the game and work on improving your player personnel department. If you’re interested in all the behind-the-scenes stuff, the game has just about every detail you need.

Storylines include team meetings, players voicing their problems to the head coach, and press conferences where topics like expectations for rookies are covered. Getting the right answers in a press conference can improve player ratings. They can highlight a player who needs to play better and also influence his ratings.

There’s a lot going on… but it’s fun.

Superstar Mode

This wasn’t my favorite game mode. I’m usually all about competitive simulations, but I gave it a try and found it entertaining after acing the Combine tests. I was terrible at those, but I aced the Combine questions and improved my draft status. My created running back was drafted in the second round by the Carolina Panthers.

The gameplay was fun. The Superstar mode has enough parts to keep my attention, so I’ll definitely be playing it more.

Diploma

I’m always excited when a new Madden comes out. It’s a highlight of August. Combined with the return of College Football 25, this edition just got better.

There will be things to nitpick about. I found it difficult at times to escape blocks as a pass rusher, even with the best defenders, but that didn’t detract from the overall game.

If we continue to see more realistic player body movements and fun additions through the story modes, Madden will remain a highlight of the soon-to-begin NFL season.

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(Top photos of Deebo Samuel and Saquon Barkley: Michael Zagaris / San Francisco 49ers / Getty Images and Greg Fiume / Getty Images)