Madden 20 Review: 5 Ups & 4 Downs

3. The Running Game Has Improved Big Time

Good news for anyone who favours a running game over passing: running plays are significantly more effective this year thanks to EA's dedicated decision to make RB strengths pivotal. Being able to hurdle, strafe out of dodge or throw out a stiff arm was possible before, maybe without the same sense of control.

In Madden 20, it's a pure joy to break free from the pack as Giants' Saquon Barkley, Rams' Todd Gurley or Cowboys' Ezekiel Elliott. All three, bolstered by the Superstar X-Factor powers in a coming entry, are titans of the running game like they are in real life, and it's immensely satisfying to control them.

Remember those jerky tackling complaints from earlier? Well, they actually look more natural when the AI is in charge, because they erratically attempt to haul down your man like their lives depend on it; free from player control (and thus those awkward moments where player-controlled Linebackers run in the opposite direction), things look more realistic.

Run the ball this year more than you did in Madden 19. Seriously.