Madden NFL 25's Ultimate Team looks to emphasize teamwork

Madden NFL 25's iteration of the Ultimate Team mode is designed to give die-hard fans deep customization options while making it easier than ever for novices to start playing, said developer EA Tiburon in a blog post today.

The studio is bringing back the Chemistry mechanic, which works differently than it does in FIFA and NHL Ultimate Team: Your team will play better together if you pair up players of similar styles. For example, it's smart to put together defensive linemen in either the Pass Rush or Run Stuff specialties, because you'll get bonuses for doing so.

For users who don't want to dive that deeply into assembling a team, Ultimate Team offers a "best lineup" button. Last year, it only pulled from your active players, but in Madden 25, that option will analyze your entire card collection and spit out your ideal team.

Tiburon is also offering a new way to play with friends in the Head-to-Head Seasons mode. Players will partake in 10-game seasons that end in an eight-team playoff. As players get better, they'll move up eight ranks of competitive play.

Madden NFL 25 will be released Aug. 27 on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. It will be a launch title on Xbox One and PlayStation 4. You can check out four Ultimate Team screenshots in the gallery below.

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