EA SPORTS™ Madden NFL 26
Simulation
Sports
Single-player
Multi-player
PvP
Online PvP
Shared/Split Screen PvP
Co-op
Online Co-op
Shared/Split Screen Co-op
Shared/Split Screen
Cross-Platform Multiplayer
Steam Achievements
Full controller support
In-App Purchases
Camera Comfort
Chat Speech-to-text
Chat Text-to-speech
Color Alternatives
Adjustable Difficulty
Playable without Timed Input
Stereo Sound
Surround Sound
HDR available
Family Sharing

EA SPORTS™ Madden NFL 26 leverages a new AI-powered machine learning system to convert thousands of plays from nearly a decade of real NFL data into more explosive gameplay.

Developers: Tiburon
Publishers: Electronic Arts
Release Date: Aug 14, 2025
Price (USD): $69.99
Current Players: 1.6k

Links:  Steam Store  SteamDB

Mixed(42%)
graphics
Franchise mode
presentation
Superstar mode
gameplay
features
weather effects
technical issues
unplayable
bugs
monetization
The sentiment around this game is largely negative with many players expressing frustration over the technical issues that make it unplayable on multiple occasions. Despite some appreciation for the graphics and specific features, the overwhelming feedback points towards a lack of reliable gameplay and poor optimization, particularly on PC. There is a sense of disappointment with the repetitive gameplay that seems unchanged from previous iterations, and further dissatisfaction with the heavy monetization focus in Ultimate Team, overshadowing some of the game's potential. While there are divided opinions on gameplay improvements, the consensus suggests that they are insufficient to overcome the game's major deficiencies.

Positive Points

  • Some players enjoy the updated graphics and improved presentation, which add to the immersion.
  • Certain modes such as Franchise and Superstar have received positive feedback for their potential, despite some flaws.
  • Negative Points

  • Numerous reports of crashes and severe stuttering especially after updates, rendering the game unplayable for many, particularly on PC.
  • Persistent bugs, such as game mechanics breaking, infinite loading screens, and AI glitches, are prevalent across different modes.
  • Superstar and Franchise modes have significant issues, like game-breaking bugs and poor AI behavior, which disrupt the experience.
  • Ultimate Team is heavily criticized for its focus on monetization, leading to a pay-to-win sentiment.
  • Mixed Points

  • While some players appreciate the gameplay and new features, others feel they do not significantly improve from past versions and still contain long-standing issues.
  • The weather effects and environmental graphics are praised by some, but also criticized for being overblown and affecting gameplay negatively.
  • Common Themes

  • Technical performance is a major issue, with players experiencing severe lag, stuttering, and crashes across various system configurations.
  • Game updates sometimes degrade performance, adding to player frustration.
  • Monetization through Ultimate Team is a common point of criticism, as many feel the experience is heavily skewed towards those willing to spend extra money.
  • Updated 11/17/2025, 12:01:11 AM UTC