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I've been following the Madden games for quite some now and I must admit that Madden NFL 16 is easily one of the most spectacular looking games of the series which really give the player a unique insight American football itself. Furthermore, the gameplay has received some much needed tweaks that definitely makes the play a much more fluid experience, especially with the new catching mechanics which definitely add another level to the game because if you succeed, you can win back some extra yards.

The first thing that you may notice about Madden NFL 16 is the slick interface that makes navigating the system a relatively flawless experience which translates well to both offence and defensive play. Both newcomers and veterans to the series will appreciate the new skills trainer that goes into the nitty gritty of NFL with over 60 tutorials that explain the game and how to master these skills on the virtual field. Even though I've been playing Madden since the 90's, the Skills Trainer still taught me quite a few things.

So depending on how you play the game and if you follow American football, you will notice that some players are better than others which is a reflection on the current line-up in the US and my only gripe with this is that some players are slightly superior than others that can lead to a slight imbalance. The AI of the game continues to be a strong suit to this series and depending on your skill level, this can be a real challenge because at times breaking through my opponents defence was quite a chore, more so those group tackles. However with persistence, you can do it.

Controls are well mapped on the PS4 DualShock controller and with the enhanced catching mechanics for passing, it gives you more control over the ball,particularly when playing against a human opponent. Nothing is more enjoyable then catching the ball and then doing a spectacular run to gain precious yards on the field. So whether you're pushing L1 or L2 for high or low throws or quickly choosing strategies for different plays, it's quite a well rounded version of Madden this year. Oh? the double tap is great for soft passes a well. All in all, the controls suit both newcomers and veterans but I did notice that there is a slight disconnect between offensive and defender mechanics in options.

EA continue alsoexpand their Madden Ultimate Team system which allows players to build their ultimate NFL team from past and present players with 100 of cards available. I also enjoyed the Draft Champions mode which allows you to draft three players at a time as you attempt to build your dream team in 15 rounds. It's quite a challenge but it's possible. Overall, Madden NFL 16 is a great attemptfor EA at keeping the franchise fresh and if you've missed the last couple of games, it's defintiely worth investigating inthe new instalment because there's some great gameplay to be found.

The commentary behind the game still suffers from some inconsistencies but the series has come a long way with Jim Nantz and Phil Simms enhancing the entire NFL experience with their banter and calls of play. Apart from this, the music for Madden is pumping as are the sound effects and great crowd interaction with it comes to sound effects. All in all, it's a good looking, sounding and playing game!

Madden NFL 16 definitely streamlines the American football experience on the PlayStation 4 with its enhanced gaming mechanics, especially with the new catches and accessible in-game goals. Controls work extremely well and the tweaked gameplay creates a new direction for the series, more so with the next-gen graphics that just boom out of your TV.

Madden NFL 16 definitely streamlines the American football experience on the PlayStation 4 with its enhanced gaming mechanics, especially with the new catches and accessible in-game goals