Madden 25 new gameplay features explained

The Madden NFL 25 devs revealed a deep dive for the title, detailing the new gameplay features that players will come to explore. BOOM Tech leads the way as a new tackling system, but there’s more to discover.

Here’s a closer look at the new gameplay features coming to Madden 25.

All new Madden 25 gameplay features

• BOOM Tech
• Signature pre-play styles
• Smart pre-play adjustments
• Revamped skill moves
• Catching & blocking improvements
• Improved NFL immersion

BOOM Tech

BOOM Tech is the new upgrade added to the FieldSENSE system that will change the way tackles feel in Madden 25. EA introduced new physics-based tackling mechanics to ensure players experience realistic control with every tackle.

In addition, a new ball carrier balance and recovery system will determine specific BOOM Tech animations based on the hit’s quality and the players’ ratings.

The devs revealed the areas where BOOM Tech will come into play:

• Physics-Based Tackles: Hit Sticks, Cut Sticks, Trucks, Stiff-Arms and Dive Tackles 
• All-new Physics-Driven Ball carrier balance and recovery system
• Reloaded Hit Stick mechanic to make landing that perfect-hit stick feel rewarding and more skill-based

Signature pre-play styles

New pre-play behaviors are coming to “increase the anticipation and action that happens at the line before the ball is snapped.”

While the total consists of over 200 new behaviors, an emphasis will be placed on QB sets. You’ll recognize a wide variety of signature mannerisms from the game’s biggest stars like Hurts and Mahomes.

Smart pre-play adjustments

For the first time ever, Madden 25 will bring a new sense of realism to the line of scrimmage by allowing players to react with pre-play adjustments.

Opposing player gestures or hand signals before a play will no longer be random. Thanks to “contextually appropriate animations,” you’ll be able to react smartly to adjustments made by the opposing team at the line of scrimmage.

Skill moves

Ball carrier skills moves have received a refresh with “hundreds of new jukes” at your disposal. EA Sports want players to get creative with how they take on opposing defensive players with the ball in their hands.

A new mechanic called Setup State will make it easier to fake defenders out, which could result in a bigger chunk of yardage for offensive players. You’ll need to activate Setup State by pressing RT/R2 and flicking down on the right stick.

Additionally, the devs explained that the idea behind this new feature is to “discourage your opponent from clicking off their defender in the hopes that an AI defender has a better chance to tackle you.”

Catching & blocking improvements

Improvements to existing offensive and defensive mechanics are coming to the game alongside tweaks to both catching and blocking.

For starters, a fourth catching option on L1/LB will be available to players to make a one-handed catch. You’ll have to calculate the timing properly to pull off this risky catch, but it’s an easy way to add some flare to your game.

In addition, new animations will ensure that players always get the exact catch they’re requesting from the system.

Then, new pass blocking mechanics will arrive and for the first time in the franchise’s history, you’ll be able to see who your pass blockers are targeting: “players will be able to see who their pass blockers are targeting in pre-play and will have new tools available to modify that targeting to capitalize on picking up their opponent’s blitz tendencies.”

Improved NFL immersion

Finally, the developers announced that Madden NFL 25 will take immersion to the next level with enhanced game audio. EA Sports will introduce new broadcast teams, improved crowd audio, and an increased variety of on-field sound effects like pad collisions, grunts, exertions, and more.

NFL fans will be pleased to know that Mike Tirico, Greg Olsen, Kate Scott, and Brock Huard will join Charles Davis and Brandon Gaudin as the new broadcast commentators.

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