Madden 26

[MizzouRah]

I've been playing CFB after Madden and CFB's pace now feels perfect to me. Before I thought it was too slow but after the faster speed of madden - which I like - going back to play CFB feels so right.

Also I like the contrast in graphics between both games. Madden is sort of photorealistic while CFB comes off as cartoony. Not saying cartoony is a bad thing. It just matches perfectly with the college game. I love how the colors pop on CFB.

I couldn't agree more, Madden makes CFB feel like CFB and vice-versa. I beat South Carolina with Mizzou yesterday, 33-31 and it was such a fun back and forth game. As someone who goes to Mizzou games, it really feels like I'm there in the stands.

[MizzouRah]

It's weird there is not a wear & tear substitution setting like there is in CFB.

Switched to All pro and games are much better.

It's in the main menu so I'm guessing that's one of the bugs in the game right now.

[Lancer]

I wonder if wear and tare is better in madden than in cfb.

Seems like if i run the ball in the first half and gain nothing, if I stick w/ running through the game, by the 4th qtr the defense wears down. I had a great game where my RB broke a 44 yard TD at the end of the game to win it for me. He was doing nothing for me for 3 qtrs. Maybe it's just one of those things or wear and tare?

[dbdynsty25]

So having not played a football game consistently in the last 5-7 years - is it just me or is Madden just way better - smoother, easier to read blocks, better controls, better graphics, etc. than CF26? Been playing both trials and while I like the atmosphere and everything better in CF, Madden just seems to play THAT much better on the field. Or is it just me?

[Lancer]

So having not played a football game consistently in the last 5-7 years - is it just me or is Madden just way better - smoother, easier to read blocks, better controls, better graphics, etc. than CF26? Been playing both trials and while I like the atmosphere and everything better in CF, Madden just seems to play THAT much better on the field. Or is it just me?

yes that's what i've been saying. they switched around games this year so to make madden better than cfb.

[tjung0831]

I'm enjoying both games to be honest, best football games in a long long time. I played several games of Madden on Saturday and thought, I actually like this game better than CFB26 and then I switched over to CFB26 and just had a fantastic game. Its close for me...love CFB for the atmosphere but i'd give Madden a slight edge in terms of gameplay.

[TCrouch]

So having not played a football game consistently in the last 5-7 years - is it just me or is Madden just way better - smoother, easier to read blocks, better controls, better graphics, etc. than CF26? Been playing both trials and while I like the atmosphere and everything better in CF, Madden just seems to play THAT much better on the field. Or is it just me?

Not just you. I've already sunk more hours into Madden 26 than I have in any Madden in a very, very long time.

[Lancer]

I'm enjoying both games to be honest, best football games in a long long time. I played several games of Madden on Saturday and thought, I actually like this game better than CFB26 and then I switched over to CFB26 and just had a fantastic game. Its close for me...love CFB for the atmosphere but i'd give Madden a slight edge in terms of gameplay.

my experience as well. had a fun madden 26 game last night and then switched over to cfb26 where I was in the playoffs vs Georgia at Georgia. The night game intro and pagentry were awesome to see and I came back from a 24-7 halftime deficet to beat Georgia. It was one of the most fun games I played.

Both games are super fun this year. The last time I remember EA having a strong NFL and NCAA football product in the same year was probably 2003 with NCAA04 and Madden 04.

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added - i have one hour left in my madden trial. i thought the game comes out tomorrow but no its Thursday!!! what am i gonna do for the next 2 days for my NFL fix!?!? First time IN A LONG TIME I am wanting to play Madden more and more! I guess I can play the PS5 trial but sort of saving that for later.

[Danimal]

Today has been weird, I've played dozens of games and today I had terrible games.

Detroit beat me 43-7, didn't matter what I called on D they just ran by me and threw deep routes my guys couldn't even stay with them while on the flip side they were blanketed on my receivers magically dropping out of coverage to pick me off 4 times and only one of those was a bad read. My WR dropped everything because they were hit immediatly.

I thought it was a one off so played my next Bears franchise game against the Cowboys and same exact thing from the AI defense and my team. It was really bizarre felt like a different game.

I'm playing a solo online franchise so idk maybe they did something. I never see if my PC updates a patch.

I had to readjust the sliders for my next game against the Raiders and had slightly better results but it sure feels like something changed.

[Danimal]

After playing those horrible game yesterday I probably had one of the best Madden games I've ever played.

Bears at Ravens.

Opening drive I move down field but stall and get bailed out my a roughing the punter (way too many of these) I end up scoring on an 11 play 8 minute drive. 7-0

Ravens 2nd play from scrimmage and Henry take it 78 yards for a TD and I'm thinking here we go again. 7-7

My 2nd drive is another lengthy one that goes into the 2nd quarter but I stall out and even though virtual Ben Johnson wanted to go for it 4th and goal from the 4. I kicked a FG 10-7.

Raven bust another Henry scamper for 56 yards on their second drive. This one was cool how he shed tackles they settle for a FG 10-10.

I do nothing on the 3rd drive, they come down and try and kick a filed goal with 4 seconds left but I block it. 10-10 at halftime.

Raven start with the ball in the 3rd quarter but we basically go back and forth on drives with nothing happening. Then at the start of the 4th the Ravens get down field and Jackson scamper in for the TD but we block the XP - 16-10 Ravens.

I manage to put together a drive but settle for a field goal with 7:56 on the clock 16-13 Ravens.

I stop the Ravens and get the ball back with 4 plus minutes and use only a little clock as Swift channels his inner Henry sheds some tackles, bounces off others and scampers 40 yards for the TD. 20-16 Bears.

Raven start on their 20 with 2:53 left and are able to convert on 3 crucial 3rd downs with Jacksons legs. His last run he gets tackled on the 2 yard line with 7 second left and they use their last time out.

Raven run a pick player to the TE and he makles a leaping contested catch with 4 seconds on the clock and I'm down 23-20.

All I had time for was a prayer Hail Mary which get swatted around and my trailing WR got his hands on it but got blasted by a defender and end of game. I hung my head low as my Bears fell to 3-4 losing their 2nd close game in a row but hell if that didn't feel like a real NFL game to me.

[Lancer]

some good reviews for madden . gamespot gave it 8/10. Ign is positive too. Softdrink TV gave it 3/10 but he's one of those youtubers that lives on hate.

https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/madden ... 0-6418395/

[Danimal]

I don't know who Softdrink TV is but if they gave this game a 3 out of 10 I'll never take the time to find out.

Going to be interesting to see what the day 1 patch does tomorrow.

[TCrouch]

I'm just so amazed at how every game can feel very, very different.

Some games I'm able to run at will. Others I can't get a single block. Sometimes my WRs are getting separation every snap. Others they're blanketed and drop everything.

I never know what to expect, and that's before I throw in the weather. I feel like when I say it, it sounds like it should be frustrating...but instead, it's turned each game into a more realistic strategy exercise where I have to poke and prod and figure out what works.

I've actually started analyzing opponents' rosters before the game and plugging in abilities I think will help. For awhile I tried to avoid superstars, but now I've been building plans to attempt to nullify them. They have a Superstar DT? Use the ability to try to prevent run block sheds up the gut. Double team them every snap. It's not a guarantee as the guy still blows up his share of plays, but it's not like I have to call offense to completely avoid the middle of the line.

I was so mad at my TV last night when it felt like I was sledding uphill against an absolutely horrible team, all game long. I think I averaged 2.5 yards per carry (coming in leading the league in rushing yardage) and had to push until the final seconds to eek out a win because I had zero running game. I think I kicked 6 (SIX?!?!) field goals because I couldn't punch it in.

I'm nervous about the day 1 patch, honestly. I've been having so much fun with it as-is.

[Danimal]

Yeah the day 1 patch could really ruin what's been an enjoyable game with that said a few tweaks would certainly improve the game.

My wish list of fixes based on what I see

1. QB Accuracy is way to high, seldom see the AI overthrow or be inaccurate. Most incompletions come from drops of the ball being knocked out.
2, Seems like the AI teams throw too much, maybe that's because who is on my schedule idk.
3. Most pressure seems to come from the DT position. Both my DT's on the Bears are in double digit sacks.
4. Haven't seen the AI miss a FG yet and this happens a lot in CFB26'
5. I miss the wear and tear settings from CFB 26
6. My biggest gripe is it seem the AI players are much faster than my players. I think this is because they purposely do that based on difficulty level because I didn't see that on Pro Level.

I've started a second coach mode franchise from the broadcast cam now that the QB will throw the ball on his own and its been a lot of fun. My wife walked into the room and thought I was watching a game on TV.

I think it would be a lot of fun to be in a coach only online franchise with other people.

[Lancer]

was there a patch released? i didnt see anything today .

[Danimal]

was there a patch released? i didnt see anything today .

Not for the PC version yet which is odd because there is usually a day one patch

[Lancer]

IGN also gives it a 8/10 like gamespot

https://www.ign.com/articles/madden-nfl-26-review

[sportdan30]

was there a patch released? i didnt see anything today .

https://updatecrazy.com/ea-madden-26-up ... t-14-2025/

[Lancer]

was there a patch released? i didnt see anything today .

https://updatecrazy.com/ea-madden-26-up ... t-14-2025/

ok good. seems like it was an update for Ultimate team which I don't really play.

[Lancer]

another positive review - 8.5/10

https://terminalgamer.com/2025/08/14/ea ... m-sundays/

[Lancer]

IGN Video review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDZe9gmoSJk

[Danimal]

In my Bears franchise Grady Jarrett just set the NFL record for sacks at 23 with 3 games left in the season. I stopped controlling the DT's about 3 weeks in because it is too easy to get sacks so they were mainly just him being controlled by the AI.

[MizzouRah]

Server Maint tomorrow, hopefully a big patch on the way.

[sportdan30]

In my Bears franchise Grady Jarrett just set the NFL record for sacks at 23 with 3 games left in the season. I stopped controlling the DT's about 3 weeks in because it is too easy to get sacks so they were mainly just him being controlled by the AI.

Yeah, I turned up Pass Blocking slightly for the CPU because I too was getting too many sacks.

[sportdan30]

Server Maint tomorrow, hopefully a big patch on the way.

When does the first roster update come out?