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How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (Metacritic) | – | 82 | 20 |
| All-time Steam reviews | – | – | 0 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 42 | 92 |
| Backloggd ratings | – | 47 | 324 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | – | – | 0 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 0 reviews sampled · 0 total reviews in window · weighted 0 up / 0 down · computed 2h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (39)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 70
“Though the new Longshot mode is ultimately a disappointment and the gameplay hasn't changed much, Madden NFL 18 is still an excellent pigskin sim despite its lack of competition. Welcoming for newcomers and deeply detailed for die-hards, this year's edition of the long-running franchise is certainly not a Maddening experience. ”
read full review ↗ - 85
“The Madden series is iconic in the world of sports gaming. Regardless of your reason for playing, you can't go wrong with Madden NFL 18 because it's the ultimate NFL simulation experience on the market. This year's iteration brings dramatic changes in the form of an interactive movie, but there's something here for everyone, whether the interest is in MyTeam, online play, the MUT system, the competitive scene and community, or the superstar career mode. ”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Overall, Madden 18 marks an unusually large shakeup in a series that, due to its annualized releases, rarely features much more than small, iterative changes. The Frostbite engine allows the game to reach new levels of realism in its visuals, and EA has put a lot of effort into constantly evolving the game to keep it in line with real-world events. But it is the Longshot story mode that defines Madden 18. ”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Madden 18 is yet another triumph for the series, and this year’s big success story is the game’s Longshot narrative. It seems incongruous to be talking about heartfelt, well-acted storytelling in a Madden game, yet it’s a perfect fit, hanging some drama off EA’s rock-solid mechanics and fantastic visuals.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Madden NFL 18 doesn't reinvent the sports game narrative, but it does enough to move the chains and inch a little closer toward the end zone. ”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Despite some hiccups with the ambitious new story mode, Madden NFL 18 remains a solid entry in the franchise.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Even without any changes to Franchise mode, Madden NFL 18 is the best entry in the series to date. Realistic visuals, overhauled mechanics, and Longshot mode create a more authentic NFL football experience.”
read full review ↗ - 86
“A great new story mode makes it at least a significant improvement, even if it’s more incremental than we’d hoped from a new game engine.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Were it not for "Longshot" and MUT Squads, many veterans of the "Madden" franchise might have had a difficult time discerning last year's edition from this one. Thankfully, those two new modes pay off, making all the effort devoted to them worthwhile. They're joined by subtle but valuable improvements to gameplay that become apparent the more Madden NFL 18 is played.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Copy pasted from Madden NFL 17, the 2018 edition of EA's American Football franchise doesn't exactly reinvent the wheel. Adding a story mode was a nice touch though and will no doubt keep fans happy for a while.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Most of the Madden 18 experience is exactly what you expect, but the twist is the new exceptional Longshot mode that proves sports can be an avenue for video game storytelling. Turn off false start, offensive holding, and instant replay; raise catching ability through the roof; and stay away from the slimy Ultimate Team mode. Do that and you'll have a good time with Madden 18. ”
read full review ↗ - 75
“Another year, another Madden. Unfortunately no big changes in gameplay, but Longshot is a fun addition to the game. The Frostbite Engine looks nice, but is still kind of buggy. Overall EA gets a pass with a decent Football game.”
read full review ↗
Push Square
Worth Playing
GameSpot
TheSixthAxis
We Got This Covered
Digital Trends
IGN
Sporting News
Destructoid…and 27 more tracked reviews.