Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Play

Xbox

PlayStation

PC/Steam

Screenwise Verdict

Madden 25 is exactly what it says on the tin: a realistic NFL simulation that will thrill football fans and bore everyone else to tears. If your kid already watches games on Sunday and knows the difference between a nickel defense and a dime package, this could be genuinely enriching—teaching strategy, statistics, and decision-making.

The good news: no predatory loot boxes or pay-to-win mechanics flagged here, which is refreshing for a modern sports title. The strategic depth in franchise mode can actually build useful thinking skills.

The reality check: this is an annual sports game with iterative improvements. Unless your family is football-obsessed, last year's version probably does the job just fine. And if your kid isn't already into football, this won't convert them—it's simulation, not entertainment spectacle.

Online play brings the usual concerns about competitive gaming toxicity, so have the sportsmanship conversation early. Overall, it's a solid, safe choice for the right audience, but it's not breaking any new ground in the enrichment department.

Age Fit

Best for ages 10-17 who already have an interest in football and understand the basics of the sport. Younger kids will struggle with the complexity; older teens may graduate to watching actual NFL games or playing more competitive titles.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

78

Sports simulation that models teamwork and strategic thinking within the framework of professional football. Celebrates athletic achievement and competitive spirit without gratuitous content. The football context inherently involves physical contact but within the rules of the sport. Pacing is player-controlled and not artificially chaotic.

Imaginative

52

As a realistic sports simulator, creativity is constrained to strategic play-calling, team management, and franchise building rather than open-ended creative expression. The franchise mode offers some team-building imagination, but fundamentally you're replicating real NFL gameplay rather than inventing new worlds or mechanics. Updated physics and presentation are iterative improvements rather than innovative leaps.

Safe

72

Users interact online (likely competitive multiplayer), which introduces potential toxicity in competitive gaming environments. However, no in-game purchases, loot boxes, or gacha mechanics are flagged, which is positive. The sport itself involves tackling and physical contact but within expected football context—no gore or graphic violence. Missing ESRB rating makes it harder to confirm content specifics, but sports games typically avoid major safety red flags beyond online interaction concerns.

Enriching

64

Teaches strategic thinking, resource management (in franchise mode), and understanding of football tactics and rules. Can build knowledge of NFL teams, players, and game mechanics. However, entertainment value for non-football fans is limited, and the learning is domain-specific rather than broadly applicable. The simulation aspect offers some cognitive challenge in play-calling and team management decisions.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Teaches legitimate football strategy, play-calling, and understanding of the sport's complex rules and tactics
Franchise mode offers long-term strategic thinking about team building, roster management, and resource allocation
No predatory monetization flagged—no loot boxes or gacha mechanics that plague many modern sports games
Can spark interest in statistics, probability, and strategic decision-making under pressure
For football-loving families, provides a shared language and bonding opportunity around America's most popular sport

⚠

What to Watch For

Online multiplayer means potential exposure to competitive gaming toxicity and trash talk from strangers
Annual sports titles often feel repetitive year-to-year; the 'new physics engine' might not justify the purchase if you own last year's version
Kids who aren't already into football will find this incredibly boring—it's not a gateway to loving the sport
Time sink potential is real, especially with franchise modes that can consume dozens of hours
The game assumes baseline knowledge of football; complete beginners may feel lost despite tutorials

Conversation Starters

"What's your strategy when you're down by 7 with two minutes left? Do you play it safe or go for the big play?"
"If you were a real NFL coach, how would you handle a star player who's not following the game plan?"
"What's more important in building a winning team—offense, defense, or special teams? Why?"
"How do you handle losing a close game? What does good sportsmanship look like even when playing online?"
"What football rules did you learn from playing that you didn't understand before?"

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Madden NFL 25