Madden NFL 20: Patrick Mahomes is drawing comparisons to Madden 04’s Michael Vick

Madden NFL 20 is now available early to EA/Origin Access members, and everyone agrees Patrick Mahomes is ridiculously unfair.

Madden NFL 20 doesn’t officially release until August 2, but thanks to EA and Origin Access, subscribers can play starting today. As part of the EA/Origin Access program, EA grants early access to new releases – albeit for a limited time only.

Typically, the full game is unlocked, but members are only allowed to play up to 10 hours total and then they have to wait like the rest of us. Madden NFL 20 appears to be no different.

Celebrating the kickoff, EA released a video hyping the new QB1 mode.

After watching this video and seeing gameplay highlights uploaded by those with early access, I’m convinced EA has no idea what they’re doing with Madden anymore. It’s almost like they’ve completely given up on creating a realistic sim and are instead just trying to make the biggest names in the sport play like Gods. Case in point: Patrick Mahomes, who is drawing comparisons to Michael Vick in Madden 2004.

Part of what makes Patrick Mahomes so overpowered in Madden NFL 20 – besides his speed – is his Superstar X-Factor status. New this year, Superstar X-Factor Zone abilities are essentially special stat bonuses that are unlocked during a game that provide a boost to a player.

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There are only 50 Superstar X-Factor players in Madden NFL 20, and they are the big-named players you’d expect them to be. Patrick Mahomes is, obviously, one of those players and he possesses the Bazooka X-Factor Zone ability. This ability increases max throwing distance by 15 yards, meaning Mahomes is capable of throwing the ball 80 yards in the air.

What makes this even more ridiculous is how seemingly easy it is to trigger this condition and enter the zone. All you have to do is complete one pass for 30-plus yards in air (or two passes in Competitive mode). If you do that, you can throw from your own 20 yard line to the endzone with ease, while scrambling from defensive lineman.

AppTrigger is currently in the process of reviewing Madden NFL 20 (though not by me, personally), but you don’t have to look hard to find countless videos of Patrick Mahomes lighting it up in game.

Listen, I get that Patrick Mahomes is the future of the NFL. He’s the face of Madden NFL 20 and one of the most exciting players in the league right now. He’s being used to sell Madden‘s new QB1 mode. I just wish EA wouldn’t sacrifice quality of gameplay or realism to hype 50 big-named superstars.

Madden NFL 20 officially releases on August 2 for Xbox One, PS4 and PC.