It's not quite perfect, but football fans won't want to miss this one.
That said, sometimes the graphics aren't perfect. The fans aren't as animated as before, and there are some weird camera angles and repetitive celebration animations that enter the fray. Still, it's the on-field stuff that matters – and it's well done.
As far as commentary goes, Phil Simms and Jim Nantz once again return. I'll be honest, I miss the old days of John Madden and Pat Summerall, but these guys are decent fill-ins – even if there are times their comments can get laggy compared to what's happening on the field. The sound effects are on the money, including chatter amongst the players, tackle noises and some good musical selections over the PA. Whoever chose AC/DC's "Thunderstruck," you get a thumbs up.
Where Madden NFL 25 really pays off is its gameplay. The passing game feels improved, even though the defense seems a little too wide open at times to get the interception. The running game has gone through an overhaul, with moves you can chain together to shake off defenders and head for the end zone. The defensive game is good too, as you can use the Hit Stick to really wallop a quarterback into next Tuesday. Overall, it's a well-defined game of football, despite a few quirks.
