EA Sports has debuted the first glimpses of Madden 26 gameplay, and reactions are flowing: some are hyped; others are shouting, “Same old robotic mess,” while some are just wishing to watch the snow. Classic Madden season, that, right?
They also gave us a link to the full video from the official Madden NFL Twitter account with the caption “It’s time for a first look at #Madden26 Gameplay live from Minnesota!” The footage showcased wicked snow effects and was quite attention-grabbing, on both positive and negative grounds.
One player, Jahleel Breland (@ilLeel_18), declared, “The best snow has looked,” while the other, Shawn Kennedy (@s_kennedy31), was definitely less than pleased: “So it’s the same awful glitchy gameplay it’s been the last 10 years, but with a new snow filter. Got it!” That ought to sting a little…
At least the snow got some appreciation from anyone at this point! Mike (@BuckeyeChamps1) joked, “Hopefully they keep this the way it is and don’t patch it to where it only happens like this ever so often while playing.” Because, let’s be honest, EA will most certainly nerf whatever’s good shortly after launch.
And then comes the discussion of whether Madden is actually improved or if it’s just the same wheels being re-polished. Zane Campbell (@zaneccampbell) seems to think the former: “I agree with that point about the business model… I didn’t mind 25 BUT gameplay was too slow and sand-like in 25. I also felt presentation and franchise were lacking. ALL of those have been addressed this year, hence the reason I’m so excited for this year’s game.”
Perhaps not all of them are convinced. User350102 (@Mario747461) points something out by asking, “Why not just give us AI-generated faces like you do in CFB?” Fair point indeed- If College Football can, why can’t Madden?
That brings the MUT vs Franchise Mode debate in. EntCatch (@EntCatch) has just shredded all competition: “Madden has been good the last 3 years from a gameplay perspective, EA’s greedy ass business model has been what’s been fucking the game up.” Amen to that.
People just seem to be there for the memes. SR (@SR51Media) wrote, “I Can’t Wait To Play A Snow Game Do U Wanna Build A Snowman ⛄️ 😂 After The Eagles 🦅 Fly High.” Legend.
But Fendler (@FendlerTweets), the MVP of the reveal, apparently crushed the entire presentation. Logan Kottenbrook (@lkbrook17) came in with: “@EAMaddenNFL @FendlerTweets dude you did amazing.” Respect where respect is due.
Going by the way things are going, Madden 26 is shaping up to be… well, another Madden. Some are hyped about the supposed improvements, others are already complaining, and then some are just patiently waiting to see the next glitch compilation hit the web. Will this be the year EA finally turns it all around? Or yet another season of “same game, new cover”? Only time will tell.
As a matter of fact, if you’d want to watch the entire gameplay reveal, head to the link in EA’s tweet. Just don’t expect everyone in the replies to be kind about it.
