NFL 16 just needs tuning to balance out the receiver catches

Another year, another Madden NFL release, but does the latest iteration of EA Sports’ annual series improve upon its predecessors, or is it worth taking a bye on this year’s version? Critical consensus so far suggests the former, as the game’s developer EA Tiburon has made exhaustive changes to the passing and catching game for both offense and defense, as well as a new mode called Draft Champions among other improvements. Madden NFL 16 is one of those Maddens. Significant changes to the passing game and one excellent new mode give this version its own identity, though it also buckles a bit under its own weight.

It’s presented with lots of dramatic flair, including montages and plenty of sideline yammering voiced by real players and coaches, and it’s over quickly. That’s a shame, because it hints at something cooler. 2K Sports has been making magic with the vaunted My Career mode in the NBA 2K games for years now, and while Madden’s deep Franchise offering still has plenty going for it, it lacks character. The NFL is rife with drama; not a week goes by without someone saying something crazy or deflating a ball or saying something crazy about deflating a ball. Blow out this cinematic experience into a full-fledged “Be a Pro” mode and I’m in. You get letter grades of a player's top-three attributes, but you can't scout specific attributes.

Madden 16's gameplay is a great step forward for the series, but the progress of the game modes is less definitive. Franchise mode still needs more depth and tools, such as being able to hire your own coordinators, in order to give you true control over your team. As an owner you get more money to sign players, but the fan reaction, economy, and feedback system still don't feel like they're all appropriately in sync. The landing screen received an unnecessary facelift, which only serves to hide the NFL news that gives you a flavor of the season as well as potential draft tidbits. Speaking of which, during the draft you finally have all your scouting info handy while you make your pick (including the helpful ability to add players to a draft wishlist), but I'm lukewarm on the new scouting itself.

The thing is, though, it's a delicate line. Sports sim developers have long favored offense because, frankly, offense is more fun to play. Make the defensive backs too powerful and they start making stupid, incredibly frustrating catches. With that in mind, I think Madden 16 just needs some tuning to balance out the receiver catches. Otherwise, I think the new mechanics are probably the most significant addition since the introduction of the Hit Stick a decade ago, and they make Madden so much more fun to play. It makes me want to take more chances and test the coverage, and it makes for some really cool gameplay moments. When you see Megatron or Demaryius Thomas come down with an amazing catch, you can't even complain. You can only shake your head and try to get one back. 

Madden 16 is a beautiful game with even prettier gameplay. Offense rules, but what would you expect from a game with Odell Beckham Jr. on the cover? Ultimately, my decision comes down to this: Can I see myself playing this game into 2016 and beyond? With the improvements to the passing game adding to an already refined game flow, the answer is an emphatic yes. Madden is a joy to play and watch, and it's a must-add for all sports gaming fans. The hardcore Madden faithful will go out and get this game no matter what, but for casual fans on the fence about buying the latest version, the Madden 16 is a strong buy. The new passing and catching mechanics have a major impact on gameplay, and ultimately, that’s what will drive people to play this game. While the controls are easy enough for casual fans to pick up and play, hardcore fans that have been clamoring for changes for years will really appreciate the new additions.

Despite being more polished, "Madden" still has bugs and glitches that will irk longtime fans. It can be hard to get into a draft game online because of unexpected errors. Sometimes I had to reset the game because my profile was unexpectedly logged out. These continued flaws along with some odd glitches are disappointing. In football terms, EA Tiburon doesn't score a touchdown with "Madden NFL 16." The effort is more of a solid field goal.