With the arrival of the 2021-22 NFL season also comes the arrival of Madden season. For more than 30 years, EA Sports has been bringing the hard-hitting action of the NFL to your home. And while the games don't always live up to the hype, everyone from teenagers to active NFL players continue to challenge each other for supremacy on the digital gridiron. So, with Madden season well underway, let's take a look at the latest incarnation of one of the longest-running sports video game series in history.

The Cover Men

Over the three decades, the Madden cover has seen Super Bowl MVPs, spectacular playmakers, NFL legends, and the occasional bust (looking at you, Peyton Hillis). This year sees Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes share the cover, marking only the second time in the franchise’s history that two players shared the coveted spot (Troy Polamalu and Larry Fitzgerald graced the cover for Madden 2010) and the first time that two former cover winners have been featured twice. Mahomes had the honor in 2020, while Brady finally got his shot back in 2018.

The 99 Club

Many NFL players who’ve grown up playing Madden have a lot to say about their Madden rankings, with everyone gunning for the elusive 99 out of 100 overall rating – the highest rating one can achieve in the game. Here’s who made it into the Madden 2022 “99 Club”:

• Patrick Mahomes (QB)

• Jalen Ramsey (CB)

• Travis Kelce (TE)

• Aaron Donald (DE)

• Devante Adams (WR)

What Works

The game's overall player movements are smoother but still not in the same league as the NBA 2K series and MLB The Show. The home-field advantage has gotten an update as well, with crowd noise affecting everything from field goals to false starts. The computer-controlled quarterback is much improved, too. Gone are the days of mobile quarterbacks just sitting in the pocket waiting to be hit. Now, if a receiver isn’t open, the QB’s taking off. Finally, the franchise mode now includes offensive and defensive coordinator rankings, press conference cutscenes, and weekly practices are a balancing act of getting experience points versus a possible practice injury.

What Doesn’t

As we said above, while Madden is smoother than previous years, it’s yet to reach the visual heights of other sports games or take advantage of the advanced game engines that run the latest gaming consoles and computers. And while we said the franchise mode is improved, the game still lacks the little extras of the NFL experience. There are no halftime shows, recaps, and even the NFL Draft hasn't seen any real forward strides in the past five years.

Final Rating

It feels like every year, Madden manages to improve the game overall yet seems to never make the same level of advancement seen in other sports games. In conclusion, Madden 2022 is a step forward when it should be a leap. 6.8 out of 10.

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