Also new are next-gen stats. These debuted on PS5 and Xbox Series X in Madden 21, and are now a significant element of franchise mode, enabling you to see key intel such as an opponent’s passer rating on particular types of throws, their likelihood to scramble with a QB, and so on. Practice sessions matter now too, with the potential to reduce injury risk by having players rest or practice without full pads. I feel like we’re still waiting on the sort of visual leap that will make us say, “wow, this looks so much better than the PS4 and Xbox One X versions.”

Outside of homefield advantage, here are some of the other improvements that I learned about during EA's unveiling of Madden 22. Buying Madden every year only emboldens EA to continue down the same path. We know EA is fully capable of providing a premium NFL football experience. Just look at the 2000’s Madden games. It’s long past the point for EA to do better. Ever since the introduction of Longshot, this entire mode has felt unpolished and a waste of time. I’m more inclined to play a Career Mode in Madden if it was good. It’s better than other modes like Madden Ultimate Team or The Yard, but not by much. If EA wants replayability, there needs to be depth. The Yard – Half Baked NFL Street

EA has promised ongoing support, including fixes, roster updates, and revamps to scouting. This may end up being a great game, but until then it is difficult to recommend Madden NFL 22 to anyone other than the hardcore Madden faithful. Key moments during the season are told via cut scenes that would have been ridiculed during the PS2/Xbox Era. Two character models stare at each other, as text for one of them appears on screen. Compete in head-to-head online and offline games (single and multiplayer) or single player offline against the CPU.

See who’s taking home the hardware in the first-annual celebration to recognize the best of Madden NFL 22, decided by user stats at key positions plus expert and community votes. Madden 22 release date, cost, new features, editions: A guide to everything you need to know in 2021". Sporting News. August 15, 2021 . Retrieved August 15, 2021.Next Gen Stats Star-Driven AI† fuses with immersive Gameday Atmosphere† to deliver the smartest gameplay experience ever. It’s all powered by real-world data and built to emulate player and team tendencies. It’s a far more intriguing concept than another college-to-pro story, which are beginning to feel redundant. GameStop puts your skills to the test with Madden 22 on Xbox One! Take down the competition, hone your skills, and build your fantasy roster with Madden 22 Face of the Franchise, The Yard, and Ultimate Team in this highly-anticipated NFL football video game. The fact the AI hasn’t seen any improvement over last year’s edition is a big letdown. Not sure how big of a difference the Next Gen Stats Star-Driven AI in the PS5 version changes things, but as far as the PS4 version goes, it’s the same as Madden 21. The current state of the AI heavily favors offense. When choosing a custom coach, there is one less option this year. Instead, you are presented with Staff Builder, which has an eye for talent, or Team Builder, which has a secret remedy. Not really sure what either of those perks are as no other additional information is given.

The other new addition to Franchise Mode is Weekly Strategies. Here you will select what you want your team to work on, whether it’s playing against the mid-field pass or stopping the run, and you can select from a variety of offensive and defensive tactics for your team to pursue. In addition, you can monitor your players’ health and fatigue. Depending on how a player is performing, you may choose to have them play less reps in practice to avoid injury. The Yard introduces a campaign mode: Fans of Madden’s co-op mode will find a new campaign mode featuring unique stages, challenges, and bosses. The mode is divided into four chapters, each featuring a unique venue with its own house rules. The Yard is Madden’s “other half” – a surprisingly fully-featured co-op mode that dispenses with any hint of realism in favor of pure arcade silliness. If it’s to your taste, there are plenty of enjoyable hours to be had with The Yard. You can choose how hard players practice, and how reps are split. That feeds into the all-new fatigue system. Practicing harder yields more results, but the increased fatigue can lead to more injuries. It’s an enjoyable, if shallow balancing act. Still, you’d like to see every mode attempting to grow in a noticeable way, though that isn’t always possible.

Delaney, Mark (August 22, 2021). "Madden NFL 22 review: "Franchise fans finally have something to get excited for" ". GamesRadar+ . Retrieved August 22, 2021.

Squad up and take down the competition in Madden's fastest co-op eliminator mode featuring five-minute games, unique stadium and commentary, dynamic rules and icons of football culture.

I could be wrong, as there may be a deeper meaning and driver behind the scenes, but in Year 2 of the implementation of this tech, I’m not seeing a positive impact on user experience.