Screenshots & trailers
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) | – | 83 | 20 |
| Creator reviews (1 tracked) | – | 88 | 1 |
| All-time Steam reviews | – | – | 0 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 59 | 110 |
| Backloggd ratings | – | 56 | 358 |
| Xbox store ratings | – | 74 | 750 |
| 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 5h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (37)
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.
- 80
“All in all, it seems as though Madden as a series won't be deflating any time soon.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Devoid of any throwaway modes or game types that rely on nostalgia, Madden NFL 16 is both sensible and forward thinking. Its developers could have made a bigger deal about Super Bowl 50 or relied more heavily on the appeal of Hall of Fame players (who are available in Ultimate Team). Instead, EA Tiburon has focused more on fans’ diverse play tastes as well as making this one of the most welcoming Madden games in recent memory.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Madden 16 builds on last year’s fantastic entry in the franchise, and while there’s more refinement here than revolution the improvements are meaningful, with the addition of Draft Champions a huge success.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“With impressive refinements made to the passing game and a significant bump in the visual department, Madden NFL 16 may just be the best entry in the storied franchise's history.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“EA Sports has went all out to deliver changes to the core gameplay mechanics, resulting in an authentic football experience, with unparalleled levels of depth and complexity.”
read full review ↗ - 88
“Madden NFL 16's new throwing and passing game ramps up the risk, reward, and realism in new, exciting ways.”
read full review ↗ - 88
“Madden continues to improve upon its solid foundation with worthwhile additions like Draft Champions. Most importantly the offensive changes bring more strategy and depth to the core gameplay that makes this one of the more engaging Maddens in recent years.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Madden NFL 16 returns with a greater focus on receivers and quarterbacks, throw and catch the ball like you really want to throw it. The gameplay combined with the all new Draft Champions mode makes this the best football game over the last few years.”
read full review ↗ - 65
“Throwing, catching, and defending throws have seen some welcomed, long-ignored additions that get a couple yards closer to faithful simulation. You can decide if that's enough.”
read full review ↗ - 84
“Overall, the gameplay for Madden NFL 16 has been refined, simplified and improved. It feels like it’s going back to a time where playing a football game was less of a chore and more fun.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“Madden NFL 16 is noticeably more challenging, but successes that feel earned are much more satisfying.”
read full review ↗ - 86
“The intro is poorly conceived, I believe, the loading times are still pretty ridiculous, and there are a few lingering gameplay issues (wacky occurrences can be prevalent) but aside from that, this is the best Madden entry we’ve seen in years.”
read full review ↗
Push Square
GameSpot
TheSixthAxis
We Got This Covered
ActionTrip
IGN
GameTrailers
Destructoid
Digital Chumps
Polygon
PSX Extreme…and 25 more tracked reviews.