Madden NFL 23 Review: 3 Ups & 7 Downs
4. Franchise Mode Still Lags
Is there fun to be found in Franchise? Yes, there is. New free agency rushes add some drama, and it is cool that EA took the time to add in unique characteristics which determine why players want to join certain teams. Of course, the game's algorithms can't cope with those demands, so that'll need patched.
This fan looked on in awe as baffling departures happened all around him almost instantly. Certain star players decided they no longer wanted to stay put at a club because it didn't match their pre-set desires - that's...strange, because those demands surely shouldn't clash with the team they're already signed to.
EA must start delivering more with Franchise generally. Sure, everyone knows their focus is on MUT, but this is the same experience year-on-year with only incremental changes that don't really heighten the idea of gunning for glory in the Super Bowl. The Playoffs should be way more lively, for example.
NBA 2K23's 'Eras' idea is set to leave competitors in the dust, and it kinda exposes how clunky Madden's career suite is by now. There's so much more EA could be doing to make coaching or GM'ing a franchise more appealing.