Is Madden 23 on PS4 Worth It? A Close Look at What the Game Offers on Last-Gen Hardware

The short answer – probably not for most players. While Madden NFL 23 on PlayStation 4 provides some minor improvements over Madden 22, it lacks many of the major features and upgrades found in the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions. Unless you play Madden every single year without fail, the $59.99 cost is hard to justify.

At a Glance: Quick Pros and Cons of Buying Madden 23 on PS4

Pros:

• Official 2022-2023 rosters and ratings
• Online head-to-head play against friends with PS5/XSX version
• Slight on-field gameplay improvements over Madden 22
• New playbooks and formations

Cons:

• Very minimal graphics enhancements
• No major franchise mode updates like staff management
• Lacks next-gen FieldSENSE gameplay features
• Same price as next-gen version with far fewer upgrades
• Probably not worth $60 for most casual players

Let‘s Compare: What‘s Actually New in Madden 23 on PS4

I want to start by taking a close look at what gameplay enhancements Madden 23 brings to the table, since that will likely make or break the purchase decision for most players.

While the next-gen FieldSENSE engine adds tons of new mechanics, animations and abilities, the on-field improvements are much more subtle on PS4. Here are some of the notable upgrades:

• Enhanced passing with new throw types: There are over 75 new pass animations, including shoestring catches, over the shoulder grabs, and sideline possessions. QB‘s have more control placing the ball with different release points.

• Skill moves feel more responsive: Jukes, spins, and hurdles happen quicker and smoother than prior years. Defensive players react and tackle appropriately.

• Optimized running game: Blocking assignments and gaps are executed better. Patient runners who find the hole and follow blocks can break long gains.

• Updated playbooks: 130 new plays and formations have been added across the league. Great for mix-and-matching personnel groupings and keeping opponents guessing.

While these changes improve upon Madden 22‘s gameplay, they are subtle refinements rather than game-changing revolutions. The on-field action still feels very familiar – updated and polished around the edges, but built on the same engine and technology.

Apart from gameplay, upgrades across other modes are equally modest:

• Presentation: New broadcast camera angles and post-play cinematics make the on-field action feel a bit more immersive andtv-like.

• Franchise Mode: While next-gen gets huge changes like staff management, PS4 simply has some improved menus and UI tweaks. The core owner experience remains nearly identical.

• Graphics: A few new player face likenesses and stadium designs, but overall visuals are the same quality as Madden 22 on PS4/Xbox One.

Again, these are welcome but expected iterative improvements for an annual sports title. But they fall far short of the kinds of generational leaps we see when games move to new console hardware.

Should You Spend $60 for a Roster Update and Tuning?

Given the modest scope of changes, is Madden 23 worth full price on PS4? Let‘s weigh some factors:

For online players: possibly. If you plan to play head-to-head games against friends who own the PS5/XSX version, then having the latest rosters and tuning could be worthwhile for $60. But you can likely get by just fine with Madden 22 for casual online matchups.

For franchise players: no way. The utter lack of meaningful franchise mode enhancements means you‘ll have basically the same offline owner experience as last year. The small gameplay improvements hardly justify the full $60 cost for single-player.

For superfans who play every year: maybe. If you always buy Madden annually, you‘ll get your money‘s worth from updated rosters, tuning, and new playbooks to experiment with. But temper expectations, this is still a minimal upgrade over Madden 22 overall.

For casual fans or those on a budget: pass. Considering the high price tag and negligible changes from last year‘s game, most casual players or budget-conscious gamers are better off skipping Madden 23 on PS4.

Should You Buy Madden 23 on PS4 or Just Stick with Madden 22?

To help decide whether to purchase Madden 23 on PS4 or just stick with last year‘s game, let‘s compare some key factors:

As you can see, Madden 23 on PS4 simply doesn‘t move the needle much beyond last year‘s game. Considering it‘s possible to get Madden 22 pre-owned for half the price or less, that becomes a far more attractive option.

The only notable advantage to buying Madden 23 on PS4 is getting the 2022-2023 rosters for playing online against friends who own the PS5/Series X versions. But for offline franchise players, Madden 22 is still going to provide a nearly identical and excellent experience at a lower cost.

The Bottom Line: Wait For a Sale or Stick With Madden 22

Considering the minor enhancements and full $60 price tag, Madden NFL 23 on PlayStation 4 is tough to recommend at launch for most players. The value simply isn‘t there compared to the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions.

Unless you absolutely MUST have the latest rosters for online play or always buy Madden annually, your money is better spent elsewhere:

• Wait for a sale around the holidays when Madden 23 on PS4 will likely be discounted at least 25-30%.

• Buy a used copy of Madden 22 for much less and enjoy largely the same experience.

• Invest your $60 into a different PS4 game that isn‘t an inferior version of a next-gen release.

While the Madden developers deserve credit for squeezing some extra life out of aging hardware, game engines have limitations. After nearly 10 years, PS4/Xbox One simply can‘t match the gameplay revolution brought by new technology in PS5 and Series X consoles.

Going forward, last-gen Madden fans should expect modest roster updates with incremental tuning, but no dramatic leaps until upgrading to current hardware. So consider carefully whether full price represents good value year after year, or if your money might be better spent elsewhere.