Attention football fans: Maximum football wants to position itself as a cheap alternative to EAS Madden NFL. We tested the PS5 version and have been confronted with mixed feelings and surprisingly a lot of fun was rewarded.
The first impression was very familiar. Even after the kickoff it is clear that the control was taken over 1: 1 by Madden. Anyone who has already thrown passes there and collecting sacks will immediately find their way. The playcalling looks like directly adopted, even if it feels a little more fluid and clearer in Madden. Is it good? We mean yes, because that saves training time. Original? Not really. Maximum football feels like a well -intentioned clone in many places, but one with ambitions.
What is noticeable is the control. It generally works precisely, but in hectic game situations there are occasional sluggish reactions, which is not optimal, especially when changing the direction or improvised plays. Hit feedback at Tackles is available, but noticeably less massive than Madden. This leads to the fact that the feeling of the game remains rather soft.
The graphic is somewhere between PS5 and smartphone. Where Madden lets his muscles play, maximum football often looks like the B team. Player animations, faces, even the stadium details, much is not optically at PS5 level. Some menus and animations are more reminiscent of a mobile game than a contemporary console production. Nevertheless, we can say that the style is functional, the overview is right, and at least with the gameplay it only disturbs a limited extent. And if you enjoy neon stadiums on aircraft carriers, you will visually get variety. Technically, the PS5 version usually runs stable with 60 fps, but there were occasional short break-in during repetitions or when the teams entered. Charging times are acceptable, but significantly longer than comparable games.
The clear strength of maximum football is freedom instead of franchise. What makes the game special is its comprehensive customization system. Own teams, own leagues, own logo, jerseys, colors, coaching staff, stadium … Everything can be designed. The editor offers more options than some expensive game with a license agreement. Sure, there are no official NFL teams, but the creative freedom makes it more than betting.
If you always wanted to start your own football dynasty, you are in the right place for you. However, it shows when playing that the AI often reacts very slowly or not at all to standard formations. NO-HUDDLE offenses or fast audibles often get the defensive out of time. The game intelligence is not yet at the level of great competitors and is partly predictable.
The physics engine also still has room for improvement. Tackles are partly static, and the ball behavior after rebound or interceptions is not always understandable. There is still a lack of dynamics here. The game mechanics are strongly based on the great role model. Timing, pass window, blocks, that all feels solid. Not perfect, but noticeably ambitious. However, there are technical unclears: faulty animations in the main menu, smaller bugs in the team editor, or that no-huddle formations do not reach clean. This is known and documented and, according to the developer, already on the radar for upcoming patches.
What should not be missing is the Ultimate Team, here in a light version. Collective cards, missions, packs and of course including real money transactions. The missions are solid, but repeat themselves quickly. So far, a real online component with stable matchmaking is missing. Everything puts you mood, no question, but looks graphically and something bland in the presentation. The menu design and reward mechanics do their job, but also do not shine. In the long term, the mode lacks real depth. The progress slows down without real money, and who grinds soon realizes that the game is pushing him towards microtransactions. Perhaps still sustainable for casuals, rather frustrating for ambitious players. And yet, for collectors and casuals a nice addition to the main game. Even if we believe that it would be nice if a game would get by without this gändiei.
In sound design, maximum football is functional, but little inspired. The commentators are completely missing, which is particularly noticeable compared to Madden. Instead of playing comments, there are only smaller stadium announcements and generic sound effects. The atmosphere in the stadium remains flat accordingly. Neither cheers nor the audience reactions adapt to the course of the game. Tackles and ball contacts sound dull and not very differentiated. The game is also reluctant to music: the menu music is interchangeable, there is practically no background music. Overall, the audio area has a unfinished effect and hardly contributes to the atmosphere.
Language barrier? No problem for fans. The game is completely in English, there are no German texts or menus. This is not an obstacle for football fans who are familiar with matter. For beginners or those who do not know what an “HB Dive” is, it can be a bit tough. But maximum football is not aimed at total beginners anyway.
Maximum football is not a Madden killer, it doesn’t want to be. But it is an ambitious, favorable introduction to the world of virtual American football. If you want NFL feeling with licenses and glossy presentation, you have to dig into EA and deep into your pocket. But if you just want to play a bit of football, create your own teams and have fun without putting CHF 90.- on the table, you get a solid, if not yet fully mature, overall package. But patches are already in preparation …
Maximum football is available as a download for PS5, Xbox Series X | s and PC. We tested the game on the PS5. The test pattern comes from Maximum Entertainmentwhat we would like to thank for!
Here’s a summary of the provided text, which appears to be a review of the video game “Maximum Football”:
Overall Impression:
The game feels very familiar to Madden, especially in terms of controls adn playcalling, which saves training time.
It’s a “well-intentioned clone” that has ambitions to be more than just a copy.
Gameplay:
Controls are generally precise,but can be sluggish in hectic situations,especially with changing directions.
Tackles lack the impact of madden, resulting in a softer feel.
AI appears weak and struggles with standard formations.NO-HUDDLE offenses and fast audibles ofen catch the defense off guard. The game intelligence is partly predictable.
The physics engine needs improvement with partly static tackles and unpredictable ball behavior. Timing, pass windows, and blocking are solid.
Graphics & Technical Aspects:
Graphics fall somewhere between PS5 and smartphone quality. It’s not at the same level as Madden. Player animations, faces, and stadium details are not as detailed.
Some menus and animations are more reminiscent of a mobile game.
The style is functional, and the overview is good.
Runs stable at 60 fps on PS5, but there were short breaks. Loading times are longer than comparable games.
Strengths:
Offers comprehensive customization options, allowing players to design their own teams, leagues, logos, jerseys, colors, coaching staff, and stadiums. The editor has more options than some licensed games.
Weaknesses:
AI is not at the level of great competitors and is predictable.
The physics engine still needs improvement.
There are technical issues, such as faulty animations and bugs, expected to be fixed with patches.
Worth a look
