Madden NFL 22: Preview

It’s August, which means another Madden NFL game is on the way for football lovers all throughout the United States. After last year’s game received a lot of critical criticism and backlash, EA Sports and developer EA Tiburon have been more open about the improvements, adjustments, and additions coming to Madden NFL 22. Following the initial announcement, EA Tiburon has continued to provide blog entries and videos describing what players may expect when they first enter the new iteration’s center.
We’ve compiled all the major beats and information in an easy-to-digest format for those hoping to get caught up on everything coming to Madden NFL 22. While this isn’t quite comprehensive, given how much we truly know about this year’s game, we’ve compiled all the major beats and information in an easy-to-digest format for those hoping to get caught up on everything coming to Madden NFL 22.

Last year’s on-field action was good, but it left a lot to be desired. Madden NFL 21 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S included the NFL’s Next-Gen Stats in every play, and Madden NFL 22 is now taking up the ball and running it further down the field. The impact of Next-Gen Stats this year is much broader. Thanks to greater route-running and player-speed data, players now feel more realistic, which means they’ll accelerate, cut, and move more like the real-life player they’re emulating. Receivers have better situational awareness for things like sideline toe-drags and jump balls versus defenders, and quarterbacks have more control in and out of the pocket.
In 2021, these stats will be used to improve the A.I., which will be used in over 80% of Madden games. Players will behave much more like their real-world counterparts thanks to the new Star-Driven A.I., with each player feeling unique in their decisions. For example, quarterbacks in Madden NFL 22 will make split-second decisions under pressure, just like real-life quarterbacks. This holds true for on-the-fly passing, open-field pathfinding, and the A.I.’s understanding of opposing X-Factor skills. This implies that facing a pass-heavy attack against one that depends more on the ground game feels quite different on a team level.

When it comes to varied offenses, this year, player momentum is more important, with each ballhandler’s size, speed, and attributes being considered when they connect with defenders. This also applies to running and passing blocks, resulting in more dynamic pockets and running lanes.

On August 20, Madden NFL 22 will be released on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Stadia, and PC. You can receive early access to the game starting August 17 if you preorder the MVP Edition ($100) or the Dynasty Edition ($120). You can upgrade to the PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X/S version for free if you buy the PlayStation 4 or Xbox One MVP or Dynasty Edition. The update must take place within the same console family (PlayStation 4 to PlayStation 5, Xbox One to Xbox Series X/S, etc.).

Click here to purchase Madden NFL 22 for your device.